SAU of the Russian army. Russian artillery. The best multiple launch rocket systems

The modern weapon system of cannon military artillery was developed based on the experience of the Second World War, the new conditions of a possible nuclear war, and the extensive experience of modern local wars and, of course, from the possibilities of new technologies.

The Second World War introduced many changes to the artillery weapon system - the role of mortars sharply increased, anti-tank artillery rapidly developed, in which “classical” guns were supplemented with recoilless rifles, self-propelled artillery that accompanied tanks and infantry was rapidly improved, the tasks of divisional and corps artillery became more complex and etc.

How the requirements for support guns increased can be judged by two very successful Soviet “products” of the same caliber and the same purpose (both created under the leadership of F.F. Petrov) - the 122-mm M-30 divisional howitzer of 1938 and the 122-mm mm howitzer (howitzer-gun) D-30 1960. In the D-30, both the barrel length (35 calibers) and the firing range (15.3 kilometers) increased by one and a half times compared to the M-30.

By the way, it was howitzers that over time became the most “working” guns of cannon military artillery, primarily divisional artillery. This, of course, did not cancel other types of guns. Artillery fire missions represent a very extensive list: the destruction of missile systems, artillery and mortar batteries, the destruction of tanks, armored vehicles and enemy personnel by direct or indirect (at long ranges) fire, the destruction of targets on reverse slopes of heights, in shelters, the destruction of control posts, field fortifications, setting up barrage fire, smoke screens, radio interference, remote mining of areas, and so on. Therefore, the artillery is armed with various combat systems. Precisely complexes, since a simple set of guns is not artillery. Each such complex includes a weapon, ammunition, instrumentation and means of transportation.

For range and power

The “power” of a weapon (this term may sound a little strange to a non-military ear) is determined by a combination of properties such as range, accuracy and accuracy battle, rate of fire, the power of the projectile at the target. The requirements for these characteristics of artillery have changed qualitatively several times. In the 1970s, for the main guns of military artillery, which were 105-155 mm howitzers, a firing range of up to 25 kilometers with a conventional projectile and up to 30 kilometers with an active-rocket projectile was considered normal.

The increase in firing range was achieved by combining long-known solutions at a new level - increasing the length of the barrel, increasing the volume of the charging chamber, and improving the aerodynamic shape of the projectile. In addition, to reduce the negative impact of “suction” caused by rarefaction and turbulence of air behind a flying projectile, a bottom recess was used (increasing the range by another 5-8%) or installing a bottom gas generator (increasing up to 15-25%). To further increase the flight range, the projectile can be equipped with a small jet engine - the so-called active-rocket projectile. The firing range can be increased by 30-50%, but the engine requires space in the body, and its operation introduces additional disturbances into the flight of the projectile and increases dispersion, that is, it significantly reduces shooting accuracy. Therefore, active-missile projectiles are used in some very special circumstances. In mortars, active-reactive mines provide a greater increase in range - up to 100%.

In the 1980s, due to the development of reconnaissance, command and control and destruction systems, as well as the increased mobility of troops, the requirements for firing range increased. For example, the adoption within NATO of the concept of “air-ground operation” in the United States and “fighting second echelons” required increasing the depth and effectiveness of defeating the enemy at all levels. The development of foreign military artillery in these years was greatly influenced by the research and development work of the small company Space Research Corporation under the leadership of the famous artillery designer J. Bull. She, in particular, developed long-range ERFB projectiles with a length of about 6 calibers with an initial speed of about 800 m/s, ready-made leading protrusions instead of thickening in the head part, and a reinforced leading belt - this increased the range by 12-15%. To fire such shells, it was necessary to lengthen the barrel to 45 calibers, increase the depth and change the steepness of the rifling. The first guns based on the developments of J. Bull were produced by the Austrian corporation NORICUM (155-mm howitzer CNH-45) and the South African ARMSCOR (towed howitzer G-5, then self-propelled G-6 with a firing range of up to 39 kilometers with a projectile with a gas generator).

1. Barrel
2. Barrel cradle
3. Hydraulic brake
4. Vertical guidance drive
5. Torsion bar suspension
6. 360 degree rotation platform
7. Compressed air cylinder to return the barrel to its original position
8. Compensating cylinders and hydropneumatic knurling

9. Separately loaded ammunition
10. Shutter lever
11. Trigger
12. Shutter
13. Horizontal guidance drive
14. Gunner's position
15. Recoil device

In the early 1990s, within NATO, a decision was made to switch to a new system of ballistic characteristics of field artillery guns. The optimal type was recognized as a 155-mm howitzer with a barrel length of 52 calibers (that is, essentially a howitzer-gun) and a charging chamber volume of 23 liters instead of the previously accepted 39 calibers and 18 liters. By the way, the same G-6 from Denel and Littleton Engineering was upgraded to the G-6-52 level, installing a 52-caliber barrel and automated loading.

The Soviet Union also began work on a new generation of artillery. It was decided to switch from the different calibers previously used - 122, 152, 203 millimeters - to a single caliber of 152 millimeters in all artillery units (divisional, army) with the unification of ammunition. The first success was the Msta howitzer, created by the Titan Central Design Bureau and the Barricades Production Association and put into service in 1989 - with a barrel length of 53 calibers (for comparison, the 152-mm howitzer 2S3 Akatsiya has a barrel length of 32.4 calibers ). The howitzer's ammunition amazes with its “assortment” of modern separate-case-loading rounds. The 3OF45 high-explosive fragmentation projectile (43.56 kilograms) of improved aerodynamic shape with a bottom notch is included in shots with a long-range propellant charge (initial speed 810 m/s, firing range up to 24.7 kilometers), with a full variable charge (up to 19. 4 kilometers), with a reduced variable charge (up to 14.37 kilometers). The 3OF61 projectile weighing 42.86 kilograms with a gas generator gives a maximum firing range of 28.9 kilometers. The 3O23 cluster projectile carries 40 cumulative fragmentation warheads, the 3O13 - eight fragmentation elements. There is a 3RB30 radio jamming projectile in the VHF and HF bands, and a 3VDTs8 special ammunition. On the one hand, the 3OF39 “Krasnopol” guided projectile and the adjustable “Centimeter” projectile can also be used, on the other hand, the previous shots of the D-20 and “Akatsiya” howitzers. The firing range of the Msta in the 2S19M1 modification reached 41 kilometers!

In the USA, when upgrading the old 155-mm M109 howitzer to the level of the M109A6 (Palladin), they limited the barrel length to 39 calibers - like the towed M198 - and increased the firing range to 30 kilometers with a conventional projectile. But the program of the 155-mm self-propelled artillery complex XM 2001/2002 “Crusader” included a barrel length of 56 calibers, a firing range of more than 50 kilometers and separate-case loading with so-called “modular” variable propellant charges. This “modularity” allows you to quickly collect the required charge, changing it over a wide range, and has a laser ignition system - a kind of attempt to bring the capabilities of a weapon based on solid propellant explosives closer to the theoretical capabilities of liquid propellants. A relatively wide range of variable charges, with an increase in the combat rate of fire, speed and aiming accuracy, makes it possible to fire at the same target along several conjugate trajectories - the approach of projectiles to a target from different directions greatly increases the likelihood of hitting it. And although the Crusader program was discontinued, the ammunition developed within its framework can find use in other 155-mm guns.

The possibilities of increasing the power of projectiles at a target within the same calibers are far from exhausted. For example, the American 155-mm M795 projectile is equipped with a casing made of steel with improved crushability, which, when exploded, produces fewer too large fragments with a low expansion speed and useless fine “dust.” In the South African XM9759A1, this is complemented by a specified crushing of the body (half-finished fragments) and a fuse with a programmable burst height.

On the other hand, volumetric explosion and thermobaric warheads are of increasing interest. So far they are used mainly in low-velocity ammunition: this is due both to the sensitivity of combat mixtures to overloads and the need for time to form an aerosol cloud. But improving mixtures (in particular, the transition to powder mixtures) and initiation means can solve these problems.

152-mm guided projectile "Krasnopol"

On your own

The scope and high maneuverability of combat operations for which the armies were preparing - moreover, in conditions of the expected use of mass destruction - spurred the development of self-propelled artillery. In the 60-70s of the 20th century, a new generation of it entered service with the armies, samples of which, having undergone a number of modernizations, remain in service to this day (the Soviet 122-mm self-propelled howitzer 2S1 “Gvozdika” and 152-mm 2S3 “Akatsiya”, 152 mm 2S5 "Hyacinth" cannon, American 155 mm M109 howitzer, French 155 mm F.1 cannon).

At one time it seemed that almost all military artillery would be self-propelled, and towed guns would go into the . But each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of self-propelled artillery guns (SAO) are obvious - this is, in particular, better mobility and maneuverability, best protection crews from bullets and shrapnel and weapons of mass destruction. Most modern self-propelled howitzers have a turret installation, allowing for the fastest fire maneuver (trajectories). Open installations are usually either air transportable (and at the same time as light as possible, of course) or powerful long-range self-propelled guns, while their armored hull can still provide protection to the crew on the march or in position.

The bulk of modern self-propelled guns have a tracked chassis, of course. Since the 1960s, it has been widely practiced to develop special chassis for the SAO, often using components from serial armored personnel carriers. But tank chassis have not been abandoned either - an example of this is the French 155 mm F.1 and the Russian 152 mm 2S19 Msta-S. This provides equal mobility and protection for units, the ability to bring the self-propelled artillery unit closer to the front line to increase the depth of destruction of the enemy, and the unification of equipment in the formation.

But faster, more economical and less bulky all-wheel drive wheeled chassis are also found - for example, the South African 155 mm G-6, the Czech 152 mm Dana (the only one in former Organization Warsaw Pact wheeled self-propelled howitzer) and its 155-mm successor "Zusanna", as well as the 155-mm self-propelled howitzer (52 caliber) "Caesar" of the French company GIAT on the Unimog 2450 (6x6) chassis. Automation of the processes of transferring from a traveling position to a combat position and back, preparing data for firing, pointing, loading allows, allegedly, to deploy a gun to a position from a march, fire six shots and leave the position within about a minute! With a firing range of up to 42 kilometers, ample opportunities are created for “maneuvering fire and wheels.” Similar story- with “Archer 08” from the Swedish “Bofors Defense” on a Volvo chassis (6x6) with a long-barreled 155-mm howitzer. Here the automatic loader generally allows you to fire five shots in three seconds. Although the accuracy of the last shots is doubtful, it is unlikely that it will be possible to restore the position of the barrel in such a a short time. Some self-propelled guns are simply made in the form of open installations, such as a self-propelled version of the South African towed G-5 - T-5-2000 "Condor" on the Tatra chassis (8x8) or the Dutch "Mobat" - 105-mm howitzer on the DAF YA4400 chassis (4x4) .

Self-propelled guns can carry very limited ammunition - the less, the heavier the gun, so many of them, in addition to an automated or automatic feeding mechanism, are equipped special system firing shots from the ground (as in “Pion” or “Mste-S”) or from another vehicle. A self-propelled gun and an armored transport-loading vehicle with a conveyor feed placed side by side is a picture of the possible operation of, say, the American M109A6 Palladin self-propelled howitzer. In Israel, a towed trailer for 34 rounds was created for the M109.

For all its advantages, the SAO has disadvantages. They are large, inconvenient to transport by air, more difficult to camouflage in position, and if the chassis is damaged, the entire gun is actually disabled. In the mountains, say, “self-propelled guns” are generally not applicable. In addition, the self-propelled gun is more expensive than a towed gun, even taking into account the cost of the tractor. Therefore, conventional, non-self-propelled guns still remain in service. It is no coincidence that in our country, since the 1960s (when, after the decline of “rocket mania,” “classical” artillery regained its rights), the majority of artillery systems have been developed in both self-propelled and towed versions. For example, the same 2S19 Msta-B has a towed analogue 2A65 Msta-B. Light towed howitzers are still in demand by rapid reaction forces, airborne troops, and mountain infantry troops. The traditional caliber for them abroad is 105 millimeters. Such weapons are quite diverse. Thus, the LG MkII howitzer of the French GIAT has a barrel length of 30 calibers and a firing range of 18.5 kilometers, the light gun of the British Royal Ordnance has 37 calibers and 21 kilometers, respectively, and the Leo of the South African Denel has 57 calibers and 30 kilometers.

However, customers are showing increasing interest in towed guns of 152-155 mm caliber. An example of this is the experimental American light 155-mm howitzer LW-155 or the Russian 152-mm 2A61 “Pat-B” with all-round fire, created by OKB-9 for 152-mm rounds of separately cartridge loading of all types.

In general, they try not to reduce the range and power requirements for towed field artillery guns. The need to quickly change firing positions during a battle and at the same time the complexity of such movement led to the emergence of self-propelled guns (SPG). To do this, a small engine is installed on the gun carriage with drive to the carriage wheels, steering and a simple instrument panel, and the carriage itself, when folded, takes the form of a cart. Do not confuse such a weapon with a “self-propelled gun” - while on the march it will be towed by a tractor, and it will travel a short distance on its own, but at low speed.

At first they tried to make guns self-propelled leading edge, which is natural. The first SDOs were created in the USSR after the Great Patriotic War - the 57-mm SD-57 gun or the 85-mm SD-44. With the development of weapons of destruction, on the one hand, and the capabilities of light power plants, on the other, heavier and longer-range guns began to be made self-propelled. And among modern SDOs we will see long-barreled 155-mm howitzers - the British-German-Italian FH-70, the South African G-5, the Swedish FH-77A, the Singaporean FH-88, the French TR, the Chinese WA021. To increase the survivability of the gun, measures are being taken to increase the speed of self-propulsion - for example, the 4-wheeled carriage of the experimental 155-mm howitzer LWSPH "Singapore Technologies" allows movement of 500 meters at speeds of up to 80 km/h!

203-mm self-propelled gun 2S7 "Pion", USSR. Barrel length - 50 calibers, weight 49 tons, maximum firing range of an active high-explosive fragmentation projectile (102 kg) - up to 55 km, crew - 7 people

On tanks - direct fire

Neither recoilless rifles nor anti-tank missile systems, which turned out to be much more effective, could replace classic anti-tank guns. Of course, there are compelling advantages to using shaped charge warheads from recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades or anti-tank guided missiles. But, on the other hand, the development of armor protection for tanks was aimed precisely against them. Therefore, it would be a good idea to supplement the means mentioned above with an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile from a conventional cannon - that very “crowbar” against which, as we know, there is “no trick.” It is he who could ensure reliable defeat of modern tanks.

Typical in this regard are the Soviet 100-mm smoothbore guns T-12 (2A19) and MT-12 (2A29), and with the latter, in addition to sub-caliber, cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation shells, the Kastet guided weapon system can be used. The return to smooth-bore guns is not at all an anachronism and not a desire to “cheap” the system too much. A smooth barrel is more durable, allows you to fire non-rotating feathered cumulative projectiles, with reliable obturation (preventing the breakthrough of powder gases) to achieve high initial velocities due to the higher gas pressure and less resistance to movement, to shoot guided projectiles.

However, when modern means reconnaissance of ground targets and fire control, an anti-tank gun that reveals itself will very soon be subjected not only to return fire from tank guns and small arms, but also to artillery and air strikes. In addition, the crew of such a gun is not covered in any way and will most likely be “covered” by enemy fire. A self-propelled gun, of course, has a greater chance of survival than one that stands stationary, but at a speed of 5-10 km/h such an increase is not so significant. This limits the possibilities of using such weapons.

But fully armored self-propelled anti-tank guns with a turret-mounted gun are still of great interest. These are, for example, the Swedish 90-mm Ikv91 and 105-mm Ikv91-105, and the Russian amphibious airborne SPTP 2S25 "Sprut-SD" 2005, built on the basis of the 125-mm 2A75 tank smoothbore gun. Its ammunition includes rounds with armor-piercing sabot shells with a detachable tray and 9M119 ATGMs fired through the gun barrel. However, here self-propelled artillery is already joining forces with light tanks.

Computerization of processes

Modern “instrumental weapons” transform individual artillery systems and units into independent reconnaissance and strike complexes. For example, in the USA, when upgrading the 155-mm M109 A2/A3 to the M109A6 level (except for the barrel extended to 47 calibers with modified rifling, a new set of charges and an improved chassis) new system fire control based on an on-board computer, an autonomous navigation and topographical system, a new radio station.

By the way, the combination of ballistic solutions with modern systems reconnaissance (including unmanned aerial vehicles) and control allows artillery systems and units to ensure the destruction of targets at ranges of up to 50 kilometers. And this is greatly facilitated by widespread implementation information technologies. They became the basis for the creation of a unified reconnaissance and fire system in beginning of XXI century. Now this is one of the main directions of artillery development.

Its most important condition is an effective automated control system (ACS), covering all processes - target reconnaissance, data processing and transfer of information to fire control centers, continuous collection of data on the position and condition of fire weapons, task setting, calling, adjustment and ceasefire, assessment results. The terminal devices of such a system are installed on command vehicles of divisions and batteries, reconnaissance vehicles, mobile control posts, command and observation and command headquarters posts (united by the concept of “control vehicles”), individual guns, as well as on air vehicles - for example, an airplane or an unmanned aerial vehicle. aircraft - and are connected by radio and cable communication lines. Computers process information about targets, weather conditions, the position and condition of batteries and individual fire weapons, the state of support, as well as the results of firing, generate data taking into account the ballistic characteristics of guns and launchers, and manage the exchange of encoded information. Even without changes to the firing range and accuracy of the guns themselves, the ACS can increase the fire efficiency of divisions and batteries by 2-5 times.

According to Russian experts, the lack of modern automated control systems and sufficient reconnaissance and communications means does not allow artillery to realize more than 50% of its potential capabilities. In a rapidly changing operational-combat situation, a manual control system, with all the efforts and qualifications of its participants, promptly processes and takes into account no more than 20% of the available information. That is, gun crews simply will not have time to react to most identified goals.

The necessary systems and means have been created and are ready for widespread implementation, at least at the level of, if not a single reconnaissance and fire system, then reconnaissance and fire complexes. Thus, the combat operation of the Msta-S and Msta-B howitzers as part of the reconnaissance and fire complex is ensured by the Zoo-1 self-propelled reconnaissance complex, command posts and control vehicles on self-propelled armored chassis. The Zoo-1 radar reconnaissance complex is used to determine the coordinates of enemy artillery firing positions and allows you to simultaneously detect up to 12 firing systems at a distance of up to 40 kilometers. The “Zoo-1” and “Credo-1E” systems are technically and informationally (i.e., hardware and software) interfaced with the combat control systems of the barreled and rocket artillery “Machine-M2”, “Kapustnik-BM”.

The fire control system of the Kapustnik-BM division will allow you to open fire on an unplanned target 40-50 seconds after its detection and will be able to simultaneously process information about 50 targets at once, while working with its own and assigned ground and air reconnaissance assets, as well as information from a superior. Topographical reference is carried out immediately after stopping to take positions (here the use of a satellite navigation system such as GLONASS is of particular importance). Through the ACS terminals on the fire weapons, crews receive target designation and data for firing, and through them, information about the state of the fire weapons themselves, ammunition, etc. is transmitted to the control vehicles. The relatively autonomous ACS of the division with its own means can detect targets at a distance of up to 10 kilometers during the day and up to 3 kilometers at night (this is quite enough in conditions of local conflicts) and produce laser illumination of targets from a distance of 7 kilometers. And together with external reconnaissance means and battalions of cannon and rocket artillery, such an automated control system in one or another combination will turn into a reconnaissance and fire complex with a much greater depth of both reconnaissance and destruction.

These are fired by 152-mm howitzers: 3OF61 high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a bottom gas generator, 3OF25 projectile, 3-O-23 cluster projectile with cumulative fragmentation warheads, 3RB30 projectile for radio interference

About shells

Another side of the “intellectualization” of artillery is the introduction of high-precision artillery ammunition with targeting at the final part of the trajectory. Despite qualitative improvements in artillery over the last quarter century, the consumption of conventional shells for solving typical problems remains too high. Meanwhile, the use of guided and adjustable projectiles in 155-mm or 152-mm howitzers can reduce ammunition consumption by 40-50 times, and the time to hit targets by 3-5 times. Of the control systems, two main directions stood out - projectiles with semi-active guidance by a reflected laser beam and projectiles with automatic guidance (self-aiming). The projectile will “steer” along the final section of its trajectory using folding aerodynamic rudders or a pulsed rocket engine. Of course, such a projectile should not differ in size and configuration from a “regular” one - after all, it will be fired from a conventional gun.

Reflected laser beam guidance is implemented in the American 155 mm Copperhead projectile, the Russian 152 mm Krasnopol, 122 mm Kitolov-2M and 120 mm Kitolov-2. This guidance method allows the use of ammunition against different types of targets (combat vehicle, command or observation post, fire weapon, building). The Krasnopol-M1 projectile with an inertial control system in the middle section and guidance by a reflected laser beam in the final section, with a firing range of up to 22-25 kilometers, has a probability of hitting a target of up to 0.8-0.9, including moving targets. But in this case, there should be an observer-gunner with a laser illumination device not far from the target. This makes the gunner vulnerable, especially if the enemy has laser irradiation sensors. The Copperhead projectile, for example, requires target illumination for 15 seconds, Copperhead-2 with a combined (laser and thermal imaging) homing head (GOS) - for 7 seconds. Another limitation is that in low clouds, for example, the projectile may simply not have time to aim at the reflected beam.

Apparently, this is why the NATO countries preferred to work on self-aiming ammunition, primarily anti-tank ammunition. Guided anti-tank and cluster shells with self-aiming combat elements are becoming a mandatory and very essential part of the ammunition load.

An example is a SADARM-type cluster munition with self-aiming elements that hit the target from above. The projectile flies towards the area of the reconnoitered target along a normal ballistic trajectory. On its descending branch at a given height, combat elements are alternately thrown out. Each element throws out a parachute or opens wings, which slow down its descent and put it into autorotation mode at an angle to the vertical. At an altitude of 100-150 meters, the sensors of the combat element begin scanning the area in a converging spiral. When the sensor detects and identifies a target, an "impact shaped charge" is fired in its direction. For example, the American 155-mm cluster projectile SADARM and the German SMArt-155 each carry two combat elements with combined sensors (infrared dual-band and radar channels); they can be fired at ranges of up to 22 and 24 kilometers, respectively. The Swedish 155-mm BONUS projectile is equipped with two elements with infrared (IR) sensors, and due to the bottom generator it flies up to 26 kilometers. The Russian self-aiming Motiv-3M is equipped with dual-spectrum IR and radar sensors that allow it to detect a camouflaged target in jamming conditions. Its “cumulative core” penetrates armor up to 100 millimeters, that is, “Motive” is designed to defeat promising tanks with enhanced roof protection.

Diagram of the use of the Kitolov-2M guided projectile with guidance by a reflected laser beam

The main disadvantage of self-aiming ammunition is its narrow specialization. They are designed to destroy only tanks and combat vehicles, while the ability to “cut off” false targets is still insufficient. For modern local conflicts, when targets important for destruction can be very diverse, this is not yet a “flexible” system. Let us note that foreign guided projectiles mainly have a cumulative warhead, while Soviet (Russian) ones have a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. In the context of local “counterguerrilla” actions, this turned out to be very useful.

As part of the 155-mm Crusader complex program, which was mentioned above, the XM982 Excalibur guided projectile was developed. It is equipped with an inertial guidance system in the middle part of the trajectory and a correction system using the NAVSTAR satellite navigation network in the final part. The warhead of the Excalibur is modular: it can include, depending on the circumstances, 64 fragmentation combat elements, two self-aiming combat elements, and a concrete-piercing element. Since this “smart” projectile can glide, the firing range increases to 57 kilometers (from the Crusader) or 40 kilometers (from the M109A6 Palladin), and the use of the existing navigation network makes it seem unnecessary to have a gunner with an illumination device in the target area.

The 155-mm TCM projectile from the Swedish Bofors Defense uses correction at the final trajectory, also using satellite navigation and pulse steering motors. But the enemy's targeting of the radio navigation system can significantly reduce the accuracy of the attack, and forward gunners may still be needed. The Russian 152-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectile "Centimeter" and the 240-mm mine "Smelchak" are also corrected with pulse (missile) correction at the final part of the trajectory, but they are guided by a reflected laser beam. Guided munitions are cheaper than guided munitions, and in addition, they can be used in the worst atmospheric conditions. They fly along a ballistic trajectory and, in the event of a correction system failure, will fall closer to the target than a guided projectile that has left the trajectory. Disadvantages - shorter firing range, since at a long range the correction system may no longer cope with the accumulated deviation from the target.

The vulnerability of the gunner can be reduced by equipping a laser rangefinder with a stabilization system and installing it on an armored personnel carrier, helicopter or UAV, increasing the angle of capture of the seeker beam of a projectile or mine - then the illumination can be done while moving. It is almost impossible to hide from such artillery fire.

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MOSCOW, September 17 - RIA Novosti, Andrey Kots. Insane rate of fire, incredible range and lethal shells from GLONASS - the Russian Ministry of Defense at the beginning of September ordered an experimental batch of Coalition-SV self-propelled artillery units (SPG). The newest self-propelled guns should become the main divisional weapons of the Ground Forces, replacing the well-deserved Msta-S self-propelled guns. Even Western experts confirm: the Coalition is significantly superior to all its competitors, including the German PzH 2000, which was previously considered the best in the world. Nevertheless, Russian artillerymen always had something to answer the enemy. RIA Novosti publishes a selection of the most powerful and large-caliber domestic artillery systems.

"Peony" and "Malka"

Barrel artillery of especially large calibers has always played an important role in the arsenals of leading military powers. Its development over the years cold war Both the USSR and the USA were involved. Both states sought to create an effective means of delivering low-yield tactical nuclear weapons to strike concentrations of enemy troops at a relatively short distance.

In our country, such a weapon was the 203-mm self-propelled gun 2s7 "Pion" and its modification 2s7M "Malka". Despite the fact that the systems were created to fire projectiles with a special warhead, gunsmiths also produced powerful non-nuclear ammunition for them. For example, with a ZFOF35 high-explosive fragmentation active-rocket projectile weighing 110 kilograms, the “Pion” can hit as much as 50 kilometers. That is, in terms of combat capabilities, this self-propelled gun came very close to the main caliber guns of battleships from the Second World War.

However, power and range are not only advantages, but also, to some extent, disadvantages. In Russia, you can count on one hand the ranges suitable for firing from these guns at medium and maximum ranges. In addition, the ammunition capacity of self-propelled guns is relatively small - four shells for the Pion and eight for the Malka. Nevertheless, more than 300 of these self-propelled guns are still stored in the arsenals of the Armed Forces.

"Tulip"

The 2s4 "Tulpan" self-propelled mortar was put into operation back in the 1970s, but it still remains a formidable weapon, and no one is in a hurry to write it off. The main trump card of the Tulip is a wide range of destructive 240 mm ammunition - high-explosive, incendiary, cluster, guided. In Soviet times there were even neutron and nuclear mines with a yield of two kilotons. The mortar “throws” ammunition towards the target in a canopy, which allows you to destroy enemy targets hidden in folds of the terrain and fortifications. In this case, fire can be fired from a closed position, which is much more difficult to detect.

"Tulip" received its baptism of fire in the Afghan War. High mobility allowed it to move over rough terrain on a par with other armored vehicles, and its powerful weapon allowed it to destroy targets on the reverse slopes of mountains, in gorges and other shelters. High-explosive 240-mm mines effectively hit firing points in stone rubble and caves, adobe structures and enemy fortresses. "Tulips" were also used in Chechnya, where they were used to destroy concrete defensive structures in the mountains.

"Vein"

The Russian 120mm self-propelled artillery mount 2s31 "Vienna" was first presented at the IDEX-97 exhibition in the UAE. It was developed after the war in Afghanistan, where the light self-propelled guns “Nona”, which are in service with the Airborne Forces, performed well. The Ministry of Defense then considered that similar weapons were needed in the Ground Forces, but on the heavier BMP-3 chassis. The first "Viennas" began to arrive in Russian army 2010.

The main difference between the new self-propelled guns and the non-landing ones is their high automation. Each self-propelled gun is equipped with a weapon-computing system that allows you to receive and transmit information with firing data. The numbers are displayed on the monitor of the vehicle commander. The onboard computer can simultaneously store information about 30 enemy objects. The commander only needs to select a target, and then the automation itself will point the weapon at it. In the event of a new target suddenly appearing, Vienna will be ready to fire a high-explosive fragmentation projectile just 20 seconds after receiving the first information.

The self-propelled gun is equipped with a combined semi-automatic rifled 120-mm gun, combining the functions of a howitzer gun and a mortar. It can fire all types of mines of its caliber, regardless of the country of origin, which makes the Vienna very attractive from an export point of view.

"Tornado"

The BM-30 Smerch multiple launch rocket systems, adopted for service in 1987, are today considered the most powerful rocket artillery in the world. The installation in one salvo is capable of bringing down twelve 300-mm shells with cluster, high-explosive fragmentation or thermobaric warheads weighing 250 kilograms each on the enemy’s head. The area affected by a full salvo is about 70 hectares, and the firing range is from 20 to 90 kilometers. According to experts, a salvo of six Smerch launchers is comparable in destructive power to a tactical nuclear explosion.

Now, to replace the Smerchs, the troops are receiving the latest Tornado-S. They provide for the possibility of autonomous correction of the flight trajectory of rockets, carried out by gas-dynamic devices based on signals from the control system. Simply put, weapons designed to hit area targets have become highly accurate and can effectively target point targets.

Missile and artillery weapons form the basis of the firepower of the Russian ground forces. It is used by all combined arms structures from the tactical to the operational level, and the share of this weapon in fire damage can reach 50-70% of the total volume of tasks assigned to the weapons of a combined arms formation.

The missile and artillery weapons system of the ground forces has been formed over a long period of time and currently includes subsystems of missile, barrel and rocket-artillery weapons, anti-tank artillery, military air defense and electronic warfare systems, as well as close combat weapons and small arms.

Missile weapons

The first tactical missile weapon systems appeared in the USSR ground forces in the late 1950s - early 1960s. These were the Mars, Filin, Luna and Luna-M complexes with unguided solid fuel rockets. The relatively low accuracy of these missiles made it possible to hit enemy targets only when using a nuclear warhead. This was the reason for the abandonment of unguided rockets and the transition to the creation of guided ones.

The Tochka complex, adopted for service in 1976, was the first complex with a missile controlled along its entire trajectory. In 1989, the Tochka-U complex with a launch range increased to 120 km entered service. Compared to the Tochka complex, its accuracy is increased by 1.4 times. Until now, this complex is the main one in the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces Russian Federation.

In 2006, the Russian Army adopted the new Iskander operational-tactical missile system. At the end of 2007, the first division of these missile systems was formed, and in the future they will staff five missile brigades. The Iskander complex has great modernization potential, including increasing the firing range.

When a political decision is made on Russia's withdrawal from the INF Treaty, its range can be increased to 500 kilometers or more. In this case, it will become one of the options for an asymmetric response to the deployment of the American missile defense system in Eastern Europe.

Barrel field artillery

The Russian army has a huge number of cannon artillery pieces. They are in service with artillery units, units and formations of the ground forces and represent the basis of the firepower of marine units and internal troops. Barrel artillery combines high firepower, accuracy and accuracy of fire with simplicity of design and use, increased reliability, mobility and flexibility of fire, and is also economical.

Many samples of towed cannon artillery guns were designed taking into account the experience of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. in the Russian army they are gradually being replaced by those developed in 1971 -1975. self-propelled artillery pieces optimized for performing fire missions in conditions of the use of nuclear weapons. Towed guns are supposed to be used in fortified areas and in secondary theaters of military operations.

Currently, artillery units and units of the Russian Army are armed with the following types of self-propelled guns:

122-mm floating howitzer 2S1 “Gvozdika” (removed from service due to the transition of Russian field artillery to a single caliber of 152 mm);
1 5 2 m howitzer 2SZ “Akatsiya”;
152-mm howitzer 2S19 “Msta-S”;
152-mm howitzer 2S35 “Coalition-SV”;
152 mm 2S5 "Gyacinth" gun;
203 mm 2S7 “Pion” gun,

The firepower of combined arms units and formations was increased thanks to those created in the late 1970s. 120-mm self-propelled guns 2S9 Nona-S, 2S23 Nona-SVK, 2S31 Vena and their towed counterpart 2B16 Nona-K. The peculiarity of these guns is that they can serve as a mortar, howitzer, mortar or anti-tank gun. This was achieved through the use of a new design and ballistic scheme “gun-shot”, based on the use of ammunition with ready-made rifling on the leading belt of the projectile.

Anti-tank artillery

Along with the creation of highly effective anti-tank missile systems, the USSR paid considerable attention to the development of anti-tank artillery guns. Their advantages over anti-tank missiles lie primarily in their relative cheapness, simplicity of design and use, and the ability to fire at any time of the day and in any weather conditions. The design of new types of guns was carried out along the path of increasing caliber and power, improving ammunition and sighting devices. The pinnacle of this development was adopted in the late 1960s. 100-mm smoothbore anti-tank gun MT-12 (2A29) with increased muzzle velocity and an effective firing range of up to 1500 m. The gun can fire the 9M117 “Kastet” anti-tank missile, capable of penetrating armor up to 660 mm thick behind dynamic protection.

The 2A45M Sprut-B towed anti-tank gun, which is in service with the Russian Army, also has even greater armor penetration. Behind dynamic protection, it is capable of hitting armor up to 770 mm thick. Recently, a self-propelled version of this weapon, the 2S25 Sprut-SD, has begun to enter service with the airborne troops.

Mortars

The mortars in service with the Russian Army are an extremely effective means of destroying and suppressing enemy personnel and firepower. The troops have the following types of mortar weapons:

82-mm mortar 2B14-1 “Tray”;
82-mm automatic mortar 2B9M "Cornflower";
120-mm mortar complex 2S12 “Sani”;
240-mm self-propelled mortar 2S4 “Tulip”.

The excellent towed 160-mm M-160 mortar and 240-mm M-240 mortar have also not been removed from service.

If the “Tray” and “Sleigh” mortars essentially repeat the designs of the mortars of the Great Patriotic War, then the “Cornflower” is a fundamentally new system. It is equipped with automatic reloading mechanisms, which allows firing at a rate of fire of 100-120 rounds/min (compared to 24 rounds/min for the Tray mortar).

The Tulip self-propelled mortar is also an original system. In the stowed position, its 240-mm barrel is mounted on the roof of an armored tracked chassis, and in the combat position it rests on a plate installed on the ground. Moreover, all operations to transfer the mortar from the traveling position to the combat position and back are carried out using a hydraulic system.

Multiple launch rocket systems

Since the Great Patriotic War, a peculiar business card Soviet and then Russian artillery are multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). In the second half of the 1950s. In the USSR, the 122-mm 40-barrel BM-21 “Grad” system was created, which is still in service with the armies of more than 30 countries. At the beginning of 1994, the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation had 4,500 such systems.

BM-21 "Grad" became the prototype of the "Grad-1" system, created in 1975-1976. to equip tank and motorized rifle regiments, as well as the more powerful 220-mm Hurricane system for army artillery units. This line of development was continued by the long-range Smerch system with 300-mm rockets and the new Prima divisional MLRS with an increased number of guides and increased-power rockets with a detachable warhead.

In the future, it is planned to re-equip the Russian rocket artillery with combat vehicles of the Tornado family. The following MLRS of this family are currently being tested:

"Tornado-G" caliber 122 mm;
"Tornado-S" caliber 300 mm.

These MLRS have a modernized chassis, new missiles with a longer flight range, as well as an automated guidance and fire control system (ASUNO).

Flak

Russian anti-aircraft artillery is represented by the following self-propelled small-caliber systems:

23-mm quad anti-aircraft self-propelled gun ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”;
30-mm twin anti-aircraft self-propelled gun 2K22 "Tunguska";
30-mm twin anti-aircraft self-propelled gun "Pantsir".

There is also a towed 23-mm twin anti-aircraft gun ZU-23 (2A13).

The self-propelled guns are equipped with a radio instrument system that provides target acquisition and automatic tracking and generation of guidance data. Automatic aiming of guns is carried out using hydraulic drives.

"Shilka" is exclusively artillery system, and “Tunguska” and “Pantsir” are also armed with anti-aircraft missiles.

The current state of Russian missile and artillery weapons cannot be considered satisfactory. Many examples of these weapons were created in Soviet times and are rapidly becoming obsolete. Due to negative trends in the economy during perestroika and insufficient attention to defense issues during the years of the oil boom, there was a systematic decrease in the volume of purchases of new equipment, supplies of spare parts, and a curtailment of planned repairs of equipment. This in turn led to high degree wear of the material part. Military conflicts recent years revealed extremely low capabilities of the reconnaissance system, an insufficient degree of automation of artillery formations, and a low level of fire support equipment. For these reasons, the main directions for the development of Russian missile and artillery weapons are the modernization and overhaul of existing weapons, the creation of modern reconnaissance equipment and automated control systems, and the development of increased efficiency ammunition.

The modern weapon system of cannon military artillery was developed based on the experience of World War II, the new conditions of a possible nuclear war, the extensive experience of modern local wars and, of course, the capabilities of new technologies. The Second World War introduced many changes to the artillery weapon system - the role of mortars sharply increased, anti-tank artillery rapidly developed, in which “classical” guns were supplemented with recoilless rifles, self-propelled artillery that accompanied tanks and infantry was rapidly improved, the tasks of divisional and corps artillery became more complex and etc.

How the requirements for support guns increased can be judged by two very successful Soviet “products” of the same caliber and the same purpose (both created under the leadership of F.F. Petrov) - the 122-mm divisional howitzer M-30 of 1938 and the 122-mm mm howitzer (howitzer-gun) D-30 1960. In the D-30, both the barrel length (35 calibers) and the firing range (15.3 kilometers) increased by one and a half times compared to the M-30.

Therefore, the artillery is armed with various combat systems. Precisely complexes, since a simple set of guns is not artillery. Each such complex includes a weapon, ammunition, instrumentation and means of transportation..

FOR RANGE AND POWER

"Power" of the weapon(this term may sound a little strange to a non-military ear) is determined by a combination of such properties as range, accuracy and accuracy of combat, rate of fire, and the power of the projectile at the target. The requirements for these characteristics of artillery have changed qualitatively several times. In the 1970s, for the main guns of military artillery, which were 105-155 mm howitzers, a firing range of up to 25 kilometers with a conventional projectile and up to 30 kilometers with an active-rocket projectile was considered normal.

To further increase the range of the projectile, it can be equipped with a small jet engine - the so-called active-rocket projectile. The firing range can be increased by 30-50%, but the engine requires space in the body, and its operation introduces additional disturbances into the flight of the projectile and increases dispersion, that is, it significantly reduces shooting accuracy. Therefore, active-missile projectiles are used in some very special circumstances. In mortars, active-reactive mines provide a greater increase in range - up to 100%.

The company, in particular, developed long-range ERFB projectiles with a length of about 6 calibers with an initial speed of about 800 m/s, ready-made leading protrusions instead of thickening in the head part, and a reinforced leading belt - this increased the range by 12-15%. To fire such shells, it was necessary to lengthen the barrel to 45 calibers, increase the depth and change the steepness of the rifling. The first guns based on the developments of J. Bull were produced by the Austrian corporation NORICUM ( 155 mm howitzer CNH-45) and South African ARMSCOR ( towed howitzer G-5, then self-propelled G-6 with a firing range of up to 39 kilometers with a projectile with a gas generator).

In the early 1990s, within NATO, a decision was made to switch to a new system of ballistic characteristics of field artillery guns. The optimal type was recognized as a 155-mm howitzer with a 52-caliber barrel length(that is, essentially a howitzer-gun) and a charging chamber volume of 23 liters instead of the previously accepted 39 calibers and 18 liters. By the way, the same G-6 from Denel and Littleton Engineering was upgraded to the G-6-52 level, installing a 52-caliber barrel and automated loading.

The ammunition load of the Msta howitzer amazes with the “assortment” of modern rounds of separate-case loading:
— high-explosive fragmentation projectile 3OF45(43.56 kilograms) of an improved aerodynamic shape with a bottom recess is included in shots with a long-range propellant charge (initial speed 810 m/s, firing range up to 24.7 kilometers), with a full variable charge (up to 19.4 kilometers), with reduced variable charge (up to 14.37 kilometers);
— 3OF61 projectile weighing 42.86 kilograms with a gas generator gives a maximum firing range of 28.9 kilometers;
— 3O23 cluster shell carries 40 cumulative fragmentation combat elements, 3O13 - eight fragmentation elements;
— 3RB30 projectile— radio interference producer in the VHF and HF bands;
— special ammunition 3VDC8.

Can also be used, on the one hand, and adjustable projectile "Centimeter", on the other - the previous shots of the D-20 and Akatsiya howitzers. The firing range of the Msta in the 2S19M1 modification reached 41 kilometers!

This “modularity” allows you to quickly collect the required charge, changing it over a wide range, and has a laser ignition system - a kind of attempt to bring the capabilities of a weapon based on solid propellant explosives closer to the theoretical capabilities of liquid propellants.

A relatively wide range of variable charges, with an increase in the combat rate of fire, speed and aiming accuracy, makes it possible to fire at the same target along several conjugate trajectories - the approach of projectiles to a target from different directions greatly increases the likelihood of hitting it. And although the Crusader program was discontinued, the ammunition developed within its framework can find use in other 155-mm guns.

On the other side, volumetric explosion and thermobaric warheads are of increasing interest. So far they are used mainly in low-velocity ammunition: this is due both to the sensitivity of combat mixtures to overloads and the need for time to form an aerosol cloud. But improving mixtures (in particular, the transition to powder mixtures) and initiation means can solve these problems.

AT YOUR OWN MOVE

The scope and high maneuverability of combat operations for which the armies were preparing - moreover, in conditions of the expected use of weapons of mass destruction - spurred the development of self-propelled artillery. In the 60-70s of the 20th century, a new generation of it entered service with the armies, samples of which, having undergone a number of modernizations, remain in service to this day (the Soviet 122-mm self-propelled howitzer 2S1 “Gvozdika” and 152-mm 2S3 “Akatsiya”, 152 mm 2S5 "Hyacinth" cannon, American 155 mm M109 howitzer, French 155 mm F.1 cannon).

At one time it seemed that almost all military artillery would be self-propelled, and towed guns would become history. But each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of self-propelled artillery guns (SAO) are obvious- this, in particular, is better mobility and cross-country ability, better protection of the crew from bullets and shrapnel and weapons of mass destruction. Most modern self-propelled howitzers have a turret installation, allowing for the fastest fire maneuver (trajectories). Open installations are usually either air transportable (and at the same time as light as possible, of course) or powerful long-range self-propelled guns, while their armored hull can still provide protection to the crew on the march or in position.

The bulk of modern self-propelled guns have a tracked chassis, of course.. Since the 1960s, it has been widely practiced to develop special chassis for the SAO, often using components from serial armored personnel carriers. But tank chassis have not been abandoned either - an example of this is the French 155 mm F.1 and the Russian 152 mm 2S19 Msta-S. This provides equal mobility and protection for units, the ability to bring the self-propelled artillery unit closer to the front line to increase the depth of destruction of the enemy, and the unification of equipment in the formation.

But also faster, more economical and less bulky all-wheel drive wheeled chassis are also available- for example, the South African 155 mm G-6, the Czech 152 mm Dana (the only wheeled self-propelled howitzer in the former Warsaw Pact) and its 155 mm successor Zusanna, as well as the 155 mm self-propelled howitzer (52 caliber) "Caesar" of the French company GIAT on the Unimog 2450 (6x6) chassis.

Automation of the processes of transferring from a traveling position to a combat position and back, preparing data for firing, pointing, loading allows, allegedly, to deploy a gun to a position from a march, fire six shots and leave the position within about a minute! With a firing range of up to 42 kilometers, ample opportunities are created for “maneuvering with fire and wheels.”

A similar story is with the Archer 08 of the Swedish Bofors Defense on a Volvo chassis (6x6) with a long-barreled 155 mm howitzer. Here the automatic loader generally allows you to fire five shots in three seconds. Although the accuracy of the last shots is questionable, it is unlikely that it will be possible to restore the position of the barrel in such a short time. Some self-propelled guns are simply made in the form of open installations, such as a self-propelled version of the South African towed G-5 - T-5-2000 "Condor" on the Tatra chassis (8x8) or the Dutch "Mobat" - 105-mm howitzer on the DAF YA4400 chassis (4x4) .

Self-propelled guns can carry very limited ammunition- the smaller, the heavier the gun, so many of them, in addition to an automated or automatic power supply mechanism, are equipped with a special system for feeding shots from the ground (as in the “Pion” or “Mste-S”) or from another machine. A self-propelled gun and an armored transport-loading vehicle with a conveyor feed placed side by side is a picture of the possible operation of, say, the American M109A6 Palladin self-propelled howitzer. In Israel, a towed trailer for 34 rounds was created for the M109.

With all its advantages SAO has disadvantages. They are large, inconvenient to transport by air, more difficult to camouflage in position, and if the chassis is damaged, the entire gun is actually disabled. In the mountains, say, “self-propelled guns” are generally not applicable. In addition, the self-propelled gun is more expensive than a towed gun, even taking into account the cost of the tractor.

That's why conventional, non-self-propelled guns still remain in service. It is no coincidence that in our country, since the 1960s (when, after the decline of “rocket mania,” “classical” artillery regained its rights), the majority of artillery systems have been developed in both self-propelled and towed versions. Light towed howitzers are still in demand by rapid reaction forces, airborne troops, and mountain infantry troops.

The traditional caliber for them abroad is 105 millimeters. Such weapons are quite diverse. Thus, the LG MkII howitzer of the French GIAT has a barrel length of 30 calibers and a firing range of 18.5 kilometers, the light gun of the British Royal Ordnance has 37 calibers and 21 kilometers, respectively, and the Leo of the South African Denel has 57 calibers and 30 kilometers.

However Customers are showing increasing interest in towed guns of 152-155 mm caliber. An example of this is the experimental American light 155-mm howitzer LW-155 or the Russian 152-mm 2A61 “Pat-B” with all-round fire, created by OKB-9 for 152-mm rounds of separately cartridge loading of all types.

At first they tried to make the front line guns self-propelled, which was natural. The first SDOs were created in the USSR after the Great Patriotic War - the 57-mm SD-57 gun or the 85-mm SD-44. With the development of weapons of destruction, on the one hand, and the capabilities of light power plants, on the other, heavier and longer-range guns began to be made self-propelled.

Among modern LMS we will see: long-barreled 155-mm howitzers - British-German-Italian FH-70, South African G-5, Swedish FH-77A, Singaporean FH-88, French TR, Chinese WA021. To increase the survivability of the gun, measures are being taken to increase the speed of self-propulsion - for example, the 4-wheeled carriage of the experimental 155-mm howitzer LWSPH "Singapore Technologies" allows movement of 500 meters at speeds of up to 80 km/h!

203-mm self-propelled gun 2S7 "Pion", USSR. Barrel length - 50 calibers, weight 49 tons, maximum firing range of an active-reactive high-explosive fragmentation projectile (102 kg) - up to 55 km, crew - 7 people.

ON TANKS - DIRECT FIRE

Neither recoilless rifles nor anti-tank missile systems, which turned out to be much more effective, could replace classic anti-tank guns. Of course, there are compelling advantages to using shaped charge warheads from recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades or anti-tank guided missiles. But, on the other hand, the development of armor protection for tanks was aimed precisely against them. Therefore, it would be a good idea to supplement the means mentioned above with an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile from a conventional cannon - that very “crowbar” against which, as we know, there is “no use.” It is he who could ensure reliable defeat of modern tanks.

Characteristic in this regard Soviet 100-mm smoothbore guns T-12 (2A19) and MT-12 (2A29), and with the latter, in addition to sub-caliber, cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation projectiles, the “Kastet” guided weapon system can be used. The return to smooth-bore guns is not at all an anachronism and not a desire to “cheap” the system too much.

A smooth barrel is more durable, allows you to fire non-rotating feathered cumulative projectiles, with reliable obturation (preventing the breakthrough of powder gases) to achieve high initial velocities due to higher gas pressure and less resistance to movement, to shoot guided projectiles.

However, with modern means of reconnaissance of ground targets and fire control, an anti-tank weapon that reveals itself will very soon be subjected not only to return fire from tank guns and small arms, but also to artillery and air strikes. In addition, the crew of such a gun is not covered in any way and will most likely be “covered” by enemy fire. A self-propelled gun, of course, has a greater chance of survival than one that stands stationary, but at a speed of 5-10 km/h such an increase is not so significant. This limits the possibilities of using such weapons.

But fully armored self-propelled anti-tank guns with a turret-mounted gun are still of great interest. These are, for example, the Swedish 90-mm Ikv91 and 105-mm Ikv91-105, and the Russian amphibious airborne SPTP 2005, built on the basis of the 125-mm 2A75 tank smoothbore gun. Its ammunition includes rounds with armor-piercing sabot shells with a detachable tray and 9M119 ATGMs fired through the gun barrel. However, here self-propelled artillery is already joining forces with light tanks.

COMPUTERIZATION OF PROCESSES

Modern “instrumental weapons” transform individual artillery systems and units into independent reconnaissance and strike complexes. For example, in the USA, when upgrading the 155-mm M109 A2/A3 to the M109A6 level (in addition to the barrel extended to 47 calibers with modified rifling, a new set of charges and an improved chassis), a new fire control system based on an on-board computer, an autonomous navigation system and topographical reference were installed , a new radio station.

By the way, the combination of ballistic solutions with modern reconnaissance systems (including unmanned aerial vehicles) and control allows artillery systems and units to ensure the destruction of targets at ranges of up to 50 kilometers. And this is greatly facilitated by the widespread introduction of information technology. They became the basis for the creation of a unified reconnaissance and fire system at the beginning of the 21st century. Now this is one of the main directions of artillery development.

Its most important condition is an effective automated control system (ACS), covering all processes - reconnaissance of targets, data processing and transmission of information to fire control centers, continuous collection of data on the position and condition of fire weapons, task setting, calling, adjustment and ceasefire, evaluation of results.

The terminal devices of such a system are installed on command vehicles of divisions and batteries, reconnaissance vehicles, mobile control posts, command and observation and command headquarters posts (united by the concept of “control vehicles”), individual guns, as well as on air vehicles - for example, an airplane or an unmanned aerial vehicle. aircraft - and are connected by radio and cable communication lines.

Computers process information about targets, weather conditions, the position and condition of batteries and individual fire weapons, the state of support, as well as the results of firing, generate data taking into account the ballistic characteristics of guns and launchers, and manage the exchange of encoded information. Even without changes to the firing range and accuracy of the guns themselves, the ACS can increase the fire efficiency of divisions and batteries by 2-5 times.

Serves to determine the coordinates of enemy artillery firing positions and allows you to simultaneously detect up to 12 firing systems at a distance of up to 40 kilometers. The “Zoo-1” and “Credo-1E” systems are technically and informationally (i.e., hardware and software) interfaced with the combat control systems of the barreled and rocket artillery “Machine-M2”, “Kapustnik-BM”.

Through the ACS terminals on the fire weapons, crews receive target designation and data for firing, and through them, information about the state of the fire weapons themselves, ammunition, etc. is transmitted to the control vehicles. The relatively autonomous ACS of the division with its own means can detect targets at a distance of up to 10 kilometers during the day and up to 3 kilometers at night (this is quite enough in conditions of local conflicts) and produce laser illumination of targets from a distance of 7 kilometers. And together with external reconnaissance means and battalions of cannon and rocket artillery, such an automated control system in one or another combination will turn into a reconnaissance and fire complex with a much greater depth of both reconnaissance and destruction.

ABOUT PROJECTILES

The other side of the “intellectualization” of artillery is introduction of high-precision artillery ammunition with targeting at the final part of the trajectory. Despite qualitative improvements in artillery over the last quarter century, the consumption of conventional shells for solving typical problems remains too high. Meanwhile, the use of guided and adjustable projectiles in 155-mm or 152-mm howitzers can reduce ammunition consumption by 40-50 times, and the time to hit targets by 3-5 times.

This is what 152-mm howitzers fire: the 3OF61 high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a bottom gas generator, the 3OF25 projectile, the 3-O-23 cluster projectile with cumulative fragmentation combat elements, the 3RB30 projectile for radio interference.

There are two main areas of control systems:
— projectiles with semi-active guidance by a reflected laser beam;
— projectiles with automatic guidance (self-aiming). The projectile will “steer” along the final section of its trajectory using folding aerodynamic rudders or a pulsed rocket engine. Of course, such a projectile should not differ in size and configuration from a “regular” one - after all, it will be fired from a conventional gun.

Reflected laser beam guidance is implemented in the American 155 mm Copperhead projectile, Russian 152 mm Krasnopol, 122 mm Kitolov-2M and 120 mm Kitolov-2. This guidance method allows the use of ammunition against different types of targets (combat vehicle, command or observation post, fire weapon, building).

Projectile "Krasnopol-M1" with an inertial control system in the middle section and guidance by a reflected laser beam in the final section, with a firing range of up to 22-25 kilometers, the probability of hitting a target is up to 0.8-0.9, including moving targets. But in this case, there should be an observer-gunner with a laser illumination device not far from the target. This makes the gunner vulnerable, especially if the enemy has laser irradiation sensors.

Copperhead projectile, for example, requires target illumination for 15 seconds, “Copperhead-2” with a combined (laser and thermal imaging) homing head (GOS) - for 7 seconds. Another limitation is that in low clouds, for example, the projectile may simply not have time to aim at the reflected beam.

An example is the SADARM type cluster munition with self-aiming elements that hit the target from above. The projectile flies towards the area of the reconnoitered target along a normal ballistic trajectory. On its descending branch at a given height, combat elements are alternately thrown out. Each element throws out a parachute or opens wings, which slow down its descent and put it into autorotation mode at an angle to the vertical.

At an altitude of 100-150 meters, the sensors of the combat element begin scanning the area in a converging spiral. When the sensor detects and identifies a target, an "impact shaped charge" is fired in its direction. For example, The American 155-mm cluster projectile SADARM and the German SMArt-155 each carry two combat elements with combined sensors (dual-band infrared and radar channels), they can be fired at ranges of up to 22 and 24 kilometers, respectively. Swedish 155 mm BONUS projectile equipped with two elements with infrared (IR) sensors, and due to the bottom generator it flies up to 26 kilometers.

Russian self-aiming "Motiv-3M" is equipped with dual-spectral IR and radar sensors, allowing you to detect a camouflaged target in conditions of interference. Its “cumulative core” penetrates armor up to 100 millimeters, that is, “Motive” is designed to defeat promising tanks with enhanced roof protection.

The main disadvantage of self-aiming ammunition is narrow specialization. They are designed to destroy only tanks and combat vehicles, while the ability to “cut off” false targets is still insufficient. For modern local conflicts, when targets important for destruction can be very diverse, this is not yet a “flexible” system. Note that foreign guided projectiles mainly have a cumulative warhead, while Soviet (Russian) ones have a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. In the context of local “counterguerrilla” actions, this turned out to be very useful.

The warhead of the Excalibur is modular: it can include, depending on the circumstances, 64 fragmentation combat elements, two self-aiming combat elements, and a concrete-piercing element. Since this “smart” projectile can glide, the firing range increases to 57 kilometers (from the Crusader) or 40 kilometers (from the M109A6 Palladin), and the use of the existing navigation network makes it seem unnecessary to have a gunner with an illumination device in the target area.

The 155-mm TCM projectile from the Swedish Bofors Defense uses correction at the final trajectory, also using satellite navigation and pulse steering engines. But the enemy's targeting of the radio navigation system can significantly reduce the accuracy of the attack, and forward gunners may still be needed.

The Russian 152-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectile "Centimeter" and the 240-mm mine "Smelchak" are also corrected with pulse (missile) correction at the final part of the trajectory, but they are guided by a reflected laser beam. Guided munitions are cheaper than guided munitions, and in addition, they can be used in the worst atmospheric conditions. They fly along a ballistic trajectory and, in the event of a correction system failure, will fall closer to the target than a guided projectile that has left the trajectory. Flaws - shorter firing range, since at a long range the correction system may no longer cope with the accumulated deviation from the target.

The vulnerability of the gunner can be reduced by equipping a laser rangefinder-target designator with a stabilization system and installing it on an armored personnel carrier, helicopter or UAV, increasing the angle of capture of the seeker beam of a projectile or mine - then the illumination can be performed while moving. It is almost impossible to hide from such artillery fire.

Insane rate of fire, incredible range and lethal shells from GLONASS - the Russian Ministry of Defense at the beginning of September ordered an experimental batch of Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery units (SAU). The newest self-propelled guns should become the main divisional weapons of the Ground Forces, replacing the well-deserved Msta-S self-propelled guns. Russian artillerymen always had something to answer the enemy with.

"Peony" and "Malka"

Barrel artillery of especially large calibers has always played an important role in the arsenals of leading military powers. Both the USSR and the USA were involved in its development during the Cold War. Both states sought to create an effective means of delivering low-yield tactical nuclear weapons to strike concentrations of enemy troops at a relatively short distance.

In our country, such a weapon was the 203-mm self-propelled gun 2s7 “Pion” and its modification 2s7 M “Malka”. Despite the fact that the systems were created to fire projectiles with a special warhead, gunsmiths also produced powerful non-nuclear ammunition for them. For example, with a ZFOF35 high-explosive fragmentation active-rocket projectile weighing 110 kilograms, the “Peony” can hit as much as 50 kilometers. That is, in terms of combat capabilities, this self-propelled gun came very close to the main caliber guns of battleships from the Second World War.

© RIA Novosti / Mikhail Voskresensky
Military personnel at the 2S7 M Malka self-propelled gun at the international military-technical forum Army 2017 in the Moscow region. August 23, 2017

However, power and range are not only advantages, but also, to some extent, disadvantages. In Russia, you can count on one hand the ranges suitable for firing from these guns at medium and maximum ranges. In addition, the self-propelled guns have relatively small ammunition - four shells for the Pion and eight for the Malka. Nevertheless, more than 300 of these self-propelled guns are still stored in the arsenals of the Armed Forces.

"Tulip"

The 2s4 “Tulpan” self-propelled mortar was put into operation back in the 1970s, but it still remains a formidable weapon, and no one is in a hurry to write it off. The main trump card of the Tulip is a wide range of destructive 240 mm ammunition - high-explosive, incendiary, cluster, guided. In Soviet times there were even neutron and nuclear mines with a yield of two kilotons. The mortar “throws” ammunition towards the target in a canopy, which makes it possible to destroy enemy targets hidden in folds of the terrain and fortifications. In this case, fire can be fired from a closed position, which is much more difficult to detect.

“Tulip” received its baptism of fire in the Afghan War. High mobility allowed it to move over rough terrain on a par with other armored vehicles, and its powerful weapon allowed it to destroy targets on the reverse slopes of mountains, in gorges and other shelters. High-explosive 240-mm mines effectively hit firing points in stone rubble and caves, adobe structures and enemy fortresses. “Tulips” were also used in Chechnya, where they were used to destroy concrete defensive structures in the mountains.

"Vein"

The Russian 120mm self-propelled artillery mount 2s31 “Vena” was first presented at the IDEX-97 exhibition in the UAE. It was developed after the war in Afghanistan, where the Nona light self-propelled guns, which are in service with the Airborne Forces, performed well. The Ministry of Defense then considered that similar weapons were needed in the Ground Forces, but on the heavier BMP-3 chassis. The first "Viennas" began to enter the Russian army in 2010.

"Tornado"

The BM-30 Smerch multiple launch rocket systems, adopted for service in 1987, are today considered the most powerful rocket artillery in the world. The installation in one salvo is capable of bringing down twelve 300-mm shells with cluster, high-explosive fragmentation or thermobaric warheads weighing 250 kilograms each on the enemy’s head. The affected area by a full salvo is about 70 hectares, and the firing range is from 20 to 90 kilometers. According to experts, a salvo of six Smerch installations is comparable in its destructive power to a tactical nuclear explosion.

© RIA Novosti / Andrey Alexandrov
Combat launch of Smerch multiple launch rocket systems at a training ground near Baranovichi

Andrey Kots