For many decades, the Grad installation, put into service in 1963, had no equal in its combat qualities, simplicity and reliability - the main traditional indicators of Russian weapons. Despite the further development of the concept of multi-barrel rocket artillery, expressed in the appearance of "Hurricane" and "Smerch", it remained the most common in the Soviet Army, and in the expanses of the former USSR after its collapse, and far beyond its borders. However, time is inexorable, as is progress in the field of military technology. The usual BM-21 should soon be replaced by the Tornado multiple launch rocket system. The characteristics of the new model are superior to those of the Gradov, but the amount that rearmament will cost is also impressive. How justified is such a measure to increase Russia's defense capability? This question requires a detailed answer.
MLRS as a type of weapon
Everyone knows about Katyushas, famous guards mortars, at least in our country. They showed their formidable temper in the summer1941 and throughout the war terrified the soldiers of the Wehrmacht and the armies of the allies of Nazi Germany. However, rocket systems appeared much earlier. For example, during the siege of Odessa (1854), a squadron of Anglo-French expeditionary forces bombarded the city not only with cannonballs, but also with rockets. These missiles did not inflict much damage, but such a fact took place, and by the way, even then these weapons were not new, it is enough to recall the ancient Chinese history of wars. It's all about how coordinated the volley is. Only in the case of a heap hit and covering the target does it become effective. Katyusha hit the squares, then "Grad", "Smerch" and "Hurricane". Currently, the most modern is the Tornado multiple launch rocket system, which has already begun to enter service. Each such MLRS costs the budget 32 million rubles. And she's worth it.
Keep the lead
Russia is the birthplace of multiple launch rocket systems. They have proven to be such an effective type of weapon that the issue of recognizing them as a means of mass destruction is currently being discussed, and some countries refuse to use them. Whether it will come to international treaties to limit the number of MLRS is unknown. Most likely, the probability of this event is unlikely. The fact is that, despite the great successes in this area made by Soviet designers, their today's Russian colleagues cannot rest on their laurels. Both in the West and in the East, unsuccessful attempts are being made to create types of weaponsfor area work. The new Tornado multiple launch rocket system should be the answer to attempts to outflank Russia in an issue in which it is traditionally considered a leader.
Firing distance
MLRS as a type of weapon have a number of drawbacks, one of which (and perhaps the most important) is their visibility during firing. The noise of rocket engines and columns of smoke unmask the battery. There are two ways out of this problem. You can make a "wheel maneuver" and quickly leave the position to avoid a retaliatory strike, or provide sufficient range for invulnerability. It is the second way that Western designers are trying to achieve impunity. Foreign top multiple rocket launchers in range is as follows:
1. WS-2D (PRC) - 200 km.
2. M270 MLRS (USA) - 140-300 km, with a standard projectile - 40 km.
3. Lynx (Israel) - up to 150 km.
4. Astros-II (Brazil) - up to 90 km.
5. LARS-2 (Germany) - 25 km.
6. Type 75 (Japan) – 15 km.
Chinese MLRS with a record salvo distance also has the largest projectile caliber (425 mm).
How successful will the Tornado multiple launch rocket system be in the event of a direct fire duel with foreign opponents? Its characteristics are not much higher than those of the well-known "Grad", at least at first glance. However, not everything is so simple, the distance of the shot depends on the type of projectile.
Tornado Range
Mere comparisons of numbers explain little. Firstly, at present, only one modification is in service with the Russian Army - the Tornado-G. This type of multiple launch rocket system is designed to use 122 mm caliber rockets, but in addition to it, there are other MLRS with indices "U" (220 mm) and "C" (300 mm). All three samples have a high degree of versatility, allowing the use of both standard ammunition designed for Grads, Hurricanes and Tornadoes, as well as special ones with a two and a half times longer range. And this is already something.
General scheme
The Tornado multiple launch rocket system is a modular design mounted on a four-axle wheeled off-road vehicle BAZ-6950. Modification "C" is equipped with two blocks of six barrels, and "G" - fifteen-barreled, also two. This is the 2B17 machine, but for its effective use in the division, something else is needed. Loading is carried out by special transporters (TZM), fire control is carried out by the Kapustnik-BM complex. The main system providing guaranteed coverage of the target is ASUNO (automated control, guidance and fire system) "Success-R". It is thanks to her that the Tornado multiple launch rocket system with a crew of two can open fire in just fifty seconds after detecting a target or receiving information about it.
Accuracy
Traditionally MLRS leadfire with NURSs, that is, unguided rockets. This achieves the main advantage of the type of weapons - cheapness and mass destruction. But such savings turn into high dispersion, because in essence NURS is not much different from its ancient Chinese ancestors. There are peculiar standards, according to which, with a 100-kilometer distance, a 200-meter deviation is allowed. A slightly different approach was shown by the creators of the SZO "Tornado-G". The multiple launch rocket system has projectiles with individual target designation in the ammunition load, capable of changing the trajectory to a limited extent, ensuring hitting a point that requires special accuracy (for example, a tank or a defensive stronghold). Correct the fire of the UAV or satellite navigation.
Maneuver
Given the quick unmasking of the MLRS after the first launch, it was necessary to provide for the possibility of instant evacuation of equipment and crew. The Tornado's multiple launch rocket system can start moving even when the projectiles fired by it have not reached the target and are in flight, as the guidance system provides accuracy that guarantees a low probability of the need to restart.
The all-terrain chassis allows you to move on the highway at a speed of 85 km / h. Over rough terrain, of course, it moves more slowly, but mobility is quite sufficient to exit the zone of retaliatory destruction. It takes only half a minute to prepare the Tornado for the next salvo. Multiple launch rocket system, the performance characteristics of which are significantlyoutperform Grad's performance and parameters, and also has a higher degree of invulnerability and ste alth.
Prospects
The general public knows that at present, the 8th separate artillery regiment of the MLRS, stationed in the Crimea, consists of several units of the latest technology. The first unit to receive these systems was the 944th Guards Regiment stationed in Volgograd. In total, the Russian Army has several dozens (36 are reliably known) Tornado-G. The volley fire system is supplied to military units, where Grads, Smerchs and Hurricanes are being replaced by a high-tech novelty. Also, the retraining of personnel is gradually taking place, which will have to master modern systems of guidance and fire control, work out the coordination of actions and the exchange of information flows in conditions close to combat. At the same time, work continues to improve the design of the MLRS. In particular, in order to improve accuracy in the near future, it is planned to use special reconnaissance projectiles that can hover in the air and adjust firing parameters in automatic mode. It is also possible remote anti-tank and anti-personnel mining of the terrain using Tornado missiles. Experts consider the use of installations for launching guided missiles, including cruise missiles, to be a promising area of work, which indicates a high degree of versatility of the new MLRS.
