"Tornado-S": new long-range missiles of the Russian army. Rszo "hurricane": description and characteristics Art installation hurricane

The 9K57 Uragan multiple launch rocket system has a caliber of 220 mm. It is designed to destroy any group targets, the vulnerable elements of which are open and sheltered manpower, unarmoured, lightly armored and armored vehicles of motorized infantry and tank companies, artillery units, tactical missiles, anti-aircraft systems and helicopters in parking lots; command posts, communication centers and objects of the military-industrial structure. Adopted in 1976.

The combat vehicle has sixteen guides for unguided rockets. The ammunition load includes 9M27F rockets with a single-block high-explosive warhead, 9M27K with 30 high-explosive fragmentation elements, 9M27K2 with 24 anti-tank mines, 9M27KZ with 312 anti-personnel mines and 9M59 with 9 anti-tank mines.

The complex includes: a 9P140 combat vehicle, a 9T452 transport-loading vehicle, a set of special arsenal equipment and tools 9F381, training equipment, an automated fire control system (KAUO) 1V126 "Kapustnik-B", a vehicle for topographic survey 1T12-2M and direction-finding meteorological complex 1B44.

MLRS Hurricane has high performance characteristics. Critical temperature (from -50 to +50 °С), high air humidity (98% at a temperature of 20-25°С), dust content of ground air (up to 2g/m3) are the normal operating conditions of the complex. Such indicators allow the use of Hurricane in any climatic conditions. The complex allows firing at altitudes up to 3000 meters above sea level and surface wind up to 20 m/s.

Tactical and technical characteristics

Caliber, mm 220

Firing range, km:

• Maximum 35

  Minimum 10

Number of combat vehicle guides (BM), pcs 16

Projectile weight, kg 270..280

Salvo time, s 20

Calculation of BM, people 4

Calculation of the transport-loading machine, people 3

BM loading time, min 20

BM deployment time no more, min 3

Coagulation time of the complex, no more, min 1.5

The composition of the MLRS

The composition of the MLRS "Hurricane" includes the following weapons:

Combat vehicle BM 9P140 (see diagram)

Transport and loading vehicle 9T452 (see diagram)

rocket projectiles

Automatic fire control complex (KAUO) 1V126 "Kapustnik-B"

Educational and training facilities

Vehicle for topographic survey 1T12-2M

Radio direction finding meteorological complex 1B44

Set of special arsenal equipment and tools 9F381

The 9P140 combat vehicle is made on the chassis of a four-axle cross-country vehicle ZIL-135LMP (wheel arrangement 8x8). The artillery part includes a package of sixteen tubular rails, a swivel base with guidance mechanisms and sights, a balancing mechanism, as well as electrical and hydraulic equipment. The guidance mechanisms equipped with power drives allow the guidance package to be guided in the vertical plane from 5° to a maximum elevation angle of +55°. Angle of horizontal guidance ±30° from the longitudinal axis of the machine. To increase the stability of the launcher when firing, two supports are mounted in the aft part of the chassis, equipped with manually operated jacks. Rocket projectiles can be transported directly in guides. The BM is equipped with communications equipment (radio station R-123M) and a night vision device.

MLRS Hurricane. Rear view of the installation.

Tubular guides are smooth-walled pipes with a U-shaped screw groove, along which the rocket pin slides when fired. This ensures the initial spin-up of the projectile to give it the necessary stability in flight. When moving along the trajectory, the rotation of the projectile is supported by the blades of the drop-down stabilizer installed at a certain angle to the longitudinal axis of the projectile. A volley of one BM covers an area of ​​​​more than 42 hectares. The main way of shooting is from a closed position. It is possible to fire from the cockpit. Calculation of BM 9P140 - 6 people (in peacetime - 4): BM commander, gunner (senior gunner), driver, calculation number (3 people).

The guide package is mounted on a cradle - a welded rectangular platform (see the layout diagram). The cradle is connected to the upper machine by two semi-axes, around which it rotates (swings) when pointing at the elevation angle. The combination of a package of guides, a cradle, a number of parts and assemblies of the locking mechanism, an ignition system, a sight bracket, etc., constitutes the swinging part. The rotating part of the BM serves to give the package of guides the desired azimuth angle and includes a swinging part, an upper machine, balancing, lifting and turning mechanisms, a shoulder strap, a gunner's platform, a manual guidance drive, a locking mechanism for the swinging part, a hydraulic lock for the swinging part, a locking mechanism for the rotating part . The balancing mechanism serves to partially compensate for the moment of weight of the swinging part and consists of two torsion bars and fasteners. The lifting and turning mechanisms are used to guide the guide package along the elevation angle and in the horizontal plane. The main method of guidance is electric. In case of failure and repair, a manual drive is used. Locking mechanisms fix the moving parts of the unit during movement. The hydraulic lock of the oscillating part prevents the aiming from falling off in the elevation angle and unloads the lifting mechanism during firing.

A mechanical panoramic sight D726-45 is installed on the combat vehicle. The standard PG-1M gun panorama is used as a sighting and goniometric device in the sight.

BM 9P140 launch system provides:

safe operation of the calculation serving the BM during firing,

conducting single and salvo fire while the calculation is in the cockpit,

conducting single and salvo fire when the crew is in shelter at a distance of up to 60m from the BM,

firing in case of failure of the main blocks of firing circuits and power sources.

The launch system provides the possibility of salvo firing at a constant rate (all 16 missiles are launched at a rate of 0.5s), as well as the so-called. "Jagged" rate of fire (the first 8 missiles with a rate of 0.5s, the remaining 8 missiles with a rate of 2s). Thanks to the use of a "ragged" rate of fire, it is possible to significantly reduce the amplitude and frequency of the BM oscillations, and, consequently, improve the accuracy of fire.

MLRS "Hurricane" Loading machine

The launcher is loaded using the 9T452 transport-loading vehicle, developed on the same wheeled chassis as the combat vehicle. Each TZM 9T452 carries 16 rockets and provides loading and unloading without special position preparation, incl. from any transport vehicle, from another TZM and from the ground. The reloading process is mechanized, its duration is 15 minutes. Load capacity of the crane TZM 300kg.

The TZM equipment consists of a frame, a tray with a rammer, a crane, cargo trolleys, an operator platform, a load gripping device, a docking device, a crane slewing gearbox, a rod, an alignment mechanism, electrical equipment, and spare parts. The tray with the rammer is a folding beam along which the pusher with the rocket moves. The alignment mechanism is designed to align the axis of the rocket, located in the tray, with the axis of the guide tube. Carts left and right are designed to accommodate missiles. There are three electric drives on the TZM: lifting (lowering) the missiles, turning the crane, sending the missiles into the rails.

BM loading is carried out from the upper tier in the following sequence: lift the rocket and put it in the tray, unhook the load-handling device and send the rocket into the rail (see the diagram of the relative position of the BM 9P140 and TZM 9T452 during loading and the layout of the BM battery at the firing line).

A feature of the four-axle wheeled chassis of the ZIL-135LMP is the location of the power plant behind the four-seat cockpit. This power plant consists of two V-shaped eight-cylinder ZIL-375 carburetor engines. Each of these engines at 3200 rpm develops a maximum power of 180 hp. from. The transmission is made according to the on-board scheme: the wheels of each side are driven by an independent engine through a separate gearbox, transfer boxes and final drives. The wheels of the first and fourth axles are steerable, have an independent torsion bar suspension with shock absorbers. The wheels of the middle axles are brought together, they do not have an elastic suspension and are rigidly attached to the frame. The machine is equipped with a centralized tire pressure control system. The machine has a very high cross-country ability and good speed characteristics. When driving on a highway with a full load, it develops a speed of up to 65 km / h, without prior preparation it overcomes fords 1.2 m deep. The fuel range is 500 km.

In connection with the ongoing clashes in different countries of the world, TV screens constantly broadcast news reports from one or another hot spot. And very often there are alarming reports of hostilities, during which various multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) are actively involved. It is difficult for a person who is in no way connected with the army or the military to navigate in a wide variety of all kinds of military equipment, so in this article we will tell a simple layman in detail about such death machines as:

• Tank-based heavy flamethrower system (TOS) - Buratino multiple launch rocket system (rarely used, but very effective weapon).
• Multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) "Grad" - widely used
• The upgraded and improved "sister" of the MLRS "Grad" - jet (which the media and the townsfolk often call "Typhoon" because of the chassis used in the combat vehicle from the "Typhoon" truck).
• The volley fire system is a powerful weapon with a long range, used to destroy almost any target.
• Having no analogues in the whole world, unique, causing reverent horror and used for total annihilation, the Smerch multiple rocket launcher system (MLRS).

"Pinocchio" from an unkind fairy tale

In the relatively distant 1971, in the USSR, engineers from the "Design Bureau of Transport Engineering", located in Omsk, presented another masterpiece of military power. It was a heavy flamethrower system of volley fire "Pinocchio" (TOSZO). The creation and subsequent improvement of this flamethrower complex was kept under the heading "top secret". The development lasted 9 years, and in 1980 the combat complex, which is a kind of tandem of the T-72 tank and a launcher with 24 guides, was finally approved and delivered to the Armed Forces of the Soviet Army.

"Pinocchio": application

TOSZO "Pinocchio" is used for arson and significant damage:

• enemy equipment (with the exception of armored);
• multi-storey buildings and other construction projects;
• various protective structures;
• living force.

MLRS (TOS) "Pinocchio": description

As multiple launch rocket systems "Grad" and "Uragan", TOSZO "Pinocchio" was first used in the Afghan and in the second Chechen wars. According to 2014 data, the military forces of Russia, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have such combat vehicles.

The Buratino salvo fire system has the following characteristics:

• The weight of the TOC with a full set for combat is about 46 tons.
• The length of Pinocchio is 6.86 meters, width - 3.46 meters, height - 2.6 meters.
• The caliber of the projectiles is 220 millimeters (22 cm).
• For firing, uncontrolled rockets are used, which cannot be controlled after they are fired.
• The greatest shooting distance is 13.6 kilometers.
• The maximum area of ​​destruction after the production of one volley is 4 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides - 24 pieces.
• The aiming of the volley is carried out directly from the cockpit using a special fire control system, which consists of a sight, a roll sensor and a ballistic computer.
• Shells for completing ROSZO after the salvos carried out are carried out by means of a transport-loading (TZM) machine model 9T234-2, with a crane and a charger.
• Manage "Pinocchio" 3 people.

As can be seen from the characteristics, just one volley of "Pinocchio" is able to turn 4 hectares into a flaming hell. Impressive power, right?

Precipitation in the form of "Grad"

In 1960, the USSR monopolist in the production of multiple launch rocket systems and other weapons of mass destruction, NPO Splav, launched another secret project and began developing a completely new at that time MLRS called Grad. The introduction of adjustments lasted 3 years, and the MLRS entered the ranks of the Soviet Army in 1963, but its improvement did not stop there, it continued until 1988.

"Grad": application

Like the Uragan MLRS, the Grad multiple launch rocket system showed such good results in combat that, despite its "advanced age", it continues to be widely used to this day. "Grad" is used to deliver a very impressive blow to:

• artillery batteries;
• any military equipment, including armored;
• manpower;
• command posts;
• military-industrial facilities;
• anti-aircraft complexes.

In addition to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the Grad multiple launch rocket system is in service with almost all countries of the world, including almost all continents of the globe. The largest number of combat vehicles of this type is located in the USA, Hungary, Sudan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Germany, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Iran, Cuba, Yemen. Ukraine's multiple launch rocket systems also contain 90 Grad units.

MLRS "Grad": description

The multiple launch rocket system "Grad" has the following characteristics:

• The total weight of the Grad MLRS, ready for battle and equipped with all shells, is 13.7 tons.
• The length of the MLRS is 7.35 meters, the width is 2.4 meters, the height is 3.09 meters.
• The caliber of the shells is 122 millimeters (a little over 12 cm).
• For firing, base rockets with a caliber of 122 mm are used, as well as fragmentation high-explosive explosive shells, chemical, incendiary and smoke warheads.
• from 4 to 42 kilometers.
• The maximum area of ​​destruction after the production of one volley is 14.5 hectares.
• One volley is carried out in just 20 seconds.
• A full reload of the MLRS "Grad" lasts about 7 minutes.
• The reactive system is brought into combat position in no more than 3.5 minutes.
• Reloading of the MLRS is possible only with the use of a transport-loading vehicle.
• The sight is implemented using the gun panorama.
• Manage "Castle" 3 people.

"Grad" is a multiple launch rocket system, the characteristics of which in our time receive the highest score from the military. Throughout its existence, it has been used in the Afghan war, in the clashes between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, in both Chechen wars, during the military operations in Libya, South Ossetia and Syria, as well as in the civil war in Donbass (Ukraine), which broke out in 2014 year.

Attention! The tornado is coming

"Tornado-G" (as mentioned above, this MLRS is sometimes mistakenly called "Typhoon", therefore, for convenience, both names are given here) - a multiple launch rocket system, which is a modernized version of the MLRS "Grad". The design engineers of the Splav plant worked on the creation of this powerful hybrid. Development began in 1990 and lasted 8 years. For the first time, the capabilities and power of the jet system were demonstrated in 1998 at a training ground near Orenburg, after which it was decided to further improve this MLRS.To get the final result, the developers over the next 5 years improved the "Tornado-G" ("Typhoon").The volley fire system was enlisted in the arsenal of the Russian Federation in 2013. At the moment, this combat vehicle is only in service with the Russian Federation "Tornado-G" ("Typhoon") is a multiple launch rocket system, which has no analogues anywhere.

"Tornado": application

MLRS is used in combat to crush targets such as:

• artillery;
• all types of enemy equipment;
• military and industrial facilities;
• anti-aircraft complexes.

MLRS "Tornado-G" ("Typhoon"): description

"Tornado-G" ("Typhoon") is a multiple launch rocket system, which, due to the increased power of ammunition, greater range and built-in satellite guidance system, surpassed its so-called "big sister" - MLRS "Grad" - 3 times.

Characteristics:

• The weight of the fully equipped MLRS is 15.1 tons.
• Length "Tornado-G" - 7.35 meters, width - 2.4 meters, height - 3 meters.
• The caliber of the shells is 122 millimeters (12.2 cm).
• MLRS "Tornado-G" is universal in that, in addition to the basic shells from the MLRS "Grad", it is possible to use new-generation ammunition with detachable cumulative warheads filled with cluster explosive elements, as well as
• The firing range under favorable landscape conditions reaches 100 kilometers.
• The maximum area subject to destruction after the production of one volley is 14.5 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides - 40 pieces.
• The sight is carried out using several hydraulic drives.
• One volley is carried out in 20 seconds.
• The deadly machine is ready to go within 6 minutes.
• Shooting is carried out using a remote installation (DU) and a fully automated fire control system located in the cockpit.
• Crew - 2 people.

Fierce "Hurricane"

As happened with most MLRS, the history of the Hurricane began back in the USSR, or rather, in 1957. The "fathers" of the MLRS "Hurricane" were Ganichev Alexander Nikitovich and Kalachnikov Yuri Nikolaevich. Moreover, the first designed the system itself, and the second developed a combat vehicle.

"Hurricane": application

MLRS "Hurricane" is designed to break targets such as:

• artillery batteries;
• any enemy equipment, including armored;
• living force;
• all kinds of building objects;
• anti-aircraft missile systems;
• tactical missiles.

MLRS "Hurricane": description

The first time "Hurricane" was used in the Afghan war. They say that the Mujahideen were afraid of this MLRS to the point of fainting and even gave it a formidable nickname - "shaitan-pipe".

In addition, the Uragan multiple launch rocket system, whose characteristics command respect among soldiers, has been in clashes in South Africa. This is what prompted the military of the African continent to produce developments in the field of MLRS.

At the moment, this MLRS is in service with such countries as: Russia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Poland, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Yemen, Kyrgyzstan, Guinea, Syria, Tajikistan, Eritrea, Slovakia.

The "Hurricane" salvo fire system has the following characteristics:

• The weight of the MLRS fully equipped and in combat readiness is 20 tons.
• The Hurricane is 9.63 meters long, 2.8 meters wide and 3.225 meters high.
• The caliber of the projectiles is 220 millimeters (22 cm). It is possible to use shells with a monolithic high-explosive warhead, with high-explosive fragmentation elements, with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
• The firing range is 8-35 kilometers.
• The maximum area of ​​destruction after the production of one volley is 29 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides - 16 pieces, the guides themselves are able to rotate 240 degrees.
• One volley is carried out in 30 seconds.
• A full reload of the Uragan MLRS lasts about 15 minutes.
• The combat vehicle goes into combat position in just 3 minutes.
• Reloading the MLRS is possible only when interacting with the TK-machine.
• Shooting is carried out either using a portable control panel, or directly from the cockpit.
• The crew is 6 people.

Like the Smerch volley fire system, the Uragan works in any military conditions, as well as in the case when the enemy uses nuclear, bacteriological or In addition, the complex is able to function at any time of the day, regardless of the season and temperature fluctuations. "Hurricane" is able to regularly participate in hostilities both in the cold (-40°C) and in sweltering heat (+50°C). The Uragan MLRS can be delivered to its destination by water, air or rail.

Deadly "Smerch"

The Smerch multiple launch rocket system, whose characteristics surpass all existing MLRS in the world, was created in 1986 and put into service with the USSR military forces in 1989. This mighty death machine to this day has no analogues in any of the countries of the world.

"Smerch": application

This MLRS is rarely used, mainly for total annihilation:

• artillery batteries of all types;
• absolutely any military equipment;
• manpower;
• communication centers and command posts;
• construction sites, including military and industrial;
• anti-aircraft complexes.

MLRS "Smerch": description

MLRS "Smerch" is in the armed forces of Russia, Ukraine, UAE, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Algeria, Venezuela, Peru, China, Georgia, Kuwait.

The Smerch salvo fire system has the following characteristics:

• The weight of the MLRS in full configuration and in combat position is 43.7 tons.
• The length of the "Smerch" is 12.1 meters, the width is 3.05 meters, the height is 3.59 meters.
• The caliber of shells is impressive - 300 millimeters.
• For firing, cluster rockets are used with a built-in control system unit and an additional engine that corrects the direction of the charge on the way to the target. The purpose of shells can be different: from fragmentation to thermobaric.
• The firing range of the Smerch MLRS is from 20 to 120 kilometers.
• The maximum area of ​​destruction after the production of one volley is 67.2 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides - 12 pieces.
• One volley is carried out in 38 seconds.
• A complete re-equipment of the Smerch MLRS with shells takes about 20 minutes.
• The Smerch is ready for combat exploits in a maximum of 3 minutes.
• Reloading of the MLRS is carried out only when interacting with a TK-machine equipped with a crane and a charger.
• The crew is 3 people.

MLRS "Smerch" is an ideal weapon of mass destruction, capable of operating in almost any temperature conditions, day and night. In addition, the shells fired by the Smerch MLRS fall strictly vertically, thereby easily destroying the roofs of houses and armored vehicles. It is almost impossible to hide from the "Smerch", the MLRS burns out and destroys everything within its radius of action. Of course, this is not the power of a nuclear bomb, but still, the one who owns the Tornado owns the world.

The idea of ​​"world peace" is a dream. And as long as there are MLRS, unattainable ...

In the early 60s, research work was underway at the Tula GNII to create a system with an increased amount of explosive in the projectile and a firing range. It also provided for a high speed of movement in the region of 70 km / h, sufficient cross-country ability and a short time for readiness to fire.

In 1967, research work was completed to create a new MLRS, after which they began research and development work.

The development was carried out in the Tula "Splav" under the leadership of Ganichev. The characteristics of the future multiple launch rocket system were noticeably superior to the BM-21 Grad.

Since 1972, the designers have begun testing new items at the test site and its refinement. In 1975, the MLRS 9K57 "Hurricane" entered service with the Soviet army.

Design

The artillery mount is located on the 9P140 combat vehicle. This chassis is based on the ZIL-135LM. The chassis provides sufficient cross-country ability due to all-wheel drive on all 8 wheels and a propulsion system consisting of 2 V8 ZIL-375 engines with a power of 180 hp each. every.

In addition to the combat vehicle, the complex includes:

• transport-loading vehicle 9T452;
• fire control complex 1V126 "Kapustnik-B";
• meteorological complex 1B44;
• machine for topographic survey 1T12-2M;
• rocket projectiles;
• educational equipment.

The transport-loading vehicle was created on a similar combat base ZIL-135LM, carries 16 shells and is capable of loading / unloading without additional training.

The mechanized loader allows you to load shells not only from the car, but also from the ground in 15 minutes.

Armament

When developing the Hurricane, the task was to increase the efficiency, range and covered salvo area.

The artillery mount is assembled from 16 tubular guides, mounted on a cradle in the form of a rectangular platform. Guidance is carried out using an electric drive. It is duplicated by a manual drive.

To increase the accuracy and efficiency of firing, rockets spin around their axis when launched thanks to a U-shaped groove in the guides.

There are several firing modes, providing for single shots, the "ragged volley" mode and a volley.

When firing with a "torn volley", the Hurricane fires 8 shells with pauses of half a second, another 8 - with pauses of 2 seconds.

In salvo mode, the entire ammunition load is fired in 8.8 seconds at a distance of 10 to 35 kilometers. You can fire both from the cockpit and remotely.

Compared with the "Grad", not only the range has increased, but also the area covered up to 42 hectares, along with the accuracy, which exceeded the accuracy of its predecessor by one and a half times.

When creating the machine, engineers were ahead of the whole world by creating a cluster warhead for a multiple launch rocket system. 9K57 "Hurricane" received various ammunition, namely:

• 9M27F with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead;
• 9M27K with a cluster warhead containing fragmentation submunitions;
• 9M27S with an incendiary warhead;
• 9M59, 9M27K2, 9M27K3 with cluster warheads containing anti-tank mines;
• 9M51 with a volumetric detonating warhead.

Modifications

9K512 Uragan-1m

It features a new chassis and a bicaliber artillery unit.

The base of the Astrolog combat and loading vehicles is identical to that used by the Iskander. The launcher, due to its bicaliber nature, is capable of using native 220 mm caliber rockets and 300 mm caliber shells used in the Smerch system.

Bastion-03

The machine, created in Ukraine, is distinguished by the use of the KrAZ-6322 base, which was done to unify the Ukrainian rocket artillery.

Combat use

The army made extensive use of Hurricanes. The machine first appeared in Afghanistan, where projectiles with volumetric detonating warheads demonstrated their effectiveness.

Later, the MLRS went through two Chechen wars, took part in the 2008 conflict in South Ossetia, was noted during the hostilities in Ukraine that began in 2014 and in Syria, for example, was seen during the liberation of Palmyra.

Export

More than 10 countries have Hurricanes in their arsenal. These include countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Epilogue

Traditionally, for the MLRS, developed in the USSR under the leadership of Ganichev, 9K57 "Hurricane" turned out to be an effective weapon in demand among the military.

Created back in 1972 and put into service in 1975, the system is still in service with the Russian and other armies and remains a reliable, effective and deadly weapon.

MLRS 9K57 "Uragan" is a Soviet multiple launch rocket system developed in the 70s. It is still used by the Russian army. The main task of this weapon is to defeat manpower and other enemy targets at distances from 10 to 35 km. The Uragan MLRS can be used to remotely lay anti-personnel and anti-tank mines.

The development of the complex was carried out by the Tula State Research and Production Enterprise Splav, in which another famous reactive system, the Grad, was previously created. The work on the creation of the MLRS 9K57 "Hurricane" was led by General Designer Ganichev.

In terms of its main characteristics, the Uragan significantly surpassed the B-21 Grad: it is more powerful, has a longer firing range and can use a wider range of ammunition, which increases the versatility of this weapon.

MLRS "Hurricane" is in service with several dozen countries of the world, he took part in many conflicts and more than once proved his high efficiency.

History of creation

In the mid-60s, the Soviet military received the excellent Grad MLRS, which at that time had no analogues in any of the armies of the world. However, the military needed another MLRS complex with slightly different characteristics: with a longer firing range and more powerful ammunition. Starting from 1963, the designers of the State Research and Production Enterprise "Splav" on their own initiative worked on the creation of such a MLRS. In 1967, a preliminary design of the system was prepared, bench tests of various components and firing of experimental rockets were carried out.

In 1972, field tests of the Hurricane and the refinement of the jet system began. At this stage, the designers were able to obtain the characteristics that the military demanded of them. The firing range of the new MLRS reached 35 km, its accuracy was significantly increased (it is 1.5 higher than that of the Grad) and the effectiveness of defeating the enemy. A volley of one launcher covered an area of ​​42 hectares.

The designers of "Splav" were the first in the world to create a cluster warhead for rocket munitions for MLRS. Since then, several types of cluster munitions have been developed for the Hurricane, in addition to ammunition with fragmentation submunitions, the rocket can be equipped with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

In 1975, the Hurricane was put into service, its production continued until 1991.

Afghanistan became the baptism of fire "Hurricane", the Soviet troops widely used this MLRS throughout the conflict. The Hurricane also participated in hostilities in Africa, the Syrian army used it against Israeli troops in the early 80s, and the Russian federal troops in both Chechen campaigns. MLRS 9K57 "Hurricane" was actively used by both sides of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Description

MLRS "Hurricane" is composed of the following components:

• combat vehicle 9P140;
• rocket projectiles;
• transport-loading machine;
• fire control complex;
• meteorological complex;
• educational equipment;
• vehicle for topographic survey.

The main component of the Hurricane is the 9P140 combat vehicle, made on the basis of the ZIL-135LM vehicle with an 8x8 wheel arrangement. The artillery unit consists of sixteen tubular guides, which are combined into a single package. The guides are mounted on a rectangular platform - a cradle. The oscillating part is mounted on a rotating base, which provides azimuth guidance of the guides. Guidance is also possible with the help of a manual drive.

Aiming in the vertical plane is possible in the range from +6° to +55°. The horizontal guidance angle is from - 30 ° to + 30 ° from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Jacks are installed at the rear of the car, which increase stability when firing.

"Hurricane" is equipped with a panoramic sight and a gun panorama, there is a walkie-talkie and a night vision device.

The tubular guides have a U-shaped groove, with which the rocket is given a rotational motion.

Shooting can be carried out both in one salvo and in single shots. A variant of the so-called ragged salvo is possible, during which the first eight missiles are fired at an interval of 0.5 seconds, and the remaining eight at 2 seconds. The time of an ordinary volley is 8.8 seconds, and a “torn” one is 20. Shooting can be done from the cockpit or remotely. The firing range reaches 35 km, if the fire is fired at shorter distances, then special brake rings are installed on the head of the rocket.

The ZIL-135LM car is equipped with two eight-cylinder engines with a capacity of 180 hp. from. every. The power plant is located behind the cab. The wheels of the rear and front axles are steerable, the machine is equipped with a tire inflation system.

A similar chassis is also used for the transport-loading vehicle. It can carry up to 16 rockets. Loading can be carried out without special training, at any sites, its time is 15 minutes. The transport-loading machine is equipped with a crane, a tray with a rammer, cargo trolleys, docking devices, electrical equipment and an alignment mechanism.

The simplest and most used type of rockets for the Uragan MLRS is the 9M27F with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. The ammunition consists of a warhead and a rocket part. In the head part there is a warhead and a fuse, in the rocket part there is a solid propellant engine and stabilizers. They (like the "Grad") have the shape of a sector of a cylinder and are revealed after the departure of the rocket from the guide.

Rocket MLRS "Hurricane" 9M27K has a cluster warhead, it contains thirty fragmentation elements. They are located in five sections of six pieces around the axis of the projectile. Each such element is equipped with its own stabilizers and contains 350 ready-made submunitions with high penetrating power.

"Hurricane" became the first multiple launch rocket system that could be used for remote mining of the area. At a given height, the warhead of the rocket is opened by a powder charge, and the warheads are dispersed over a certain area. The fuse of each mine is blocked by a deceleration system, which turns off after a time after the ammunition has landed. After that, the mines are on combat duty.

As combat elements, the Hurricane missile can carry anti-tank contact mines (explodes only after hitting them) and mines that react to the magnetic field of a combat vehicle. The latter have cumulative notches and can penetrate tank armor.

Also, the warhead of the missile can be equipped with PFM-1S anti-personnel mines (312 pieces). This mine has a plastic body and a small wing designed to disperse ammunition over a large area. In shape, they resemble a butterfly or a petal. Such mines were widely used by the Soviet troops in Afghanistan, the civilian population, especially children, suffered greatly from them.

The rocket projectile can also be equipped with a volumetric detonating warhead.

Specifications MLRS 9K57 "Hurricane"

Below are the performance characteristics of the Uragan multiple launch rocket system.

Ammunition Specifications

During the display of equipment and weapons in honor of the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery, which took place on November 19, 2016 at the Luga artillery range (33rd range, Luga district of the Leningrad region), among other things, a new bicaliber (220-mm and 300 mm) 9K512 Uragan-1M multiple launch rocket system.

Fighting vehicle 9A53 of the 9K512 Uragan-1M bicaliber multiple launch rocket system during a display of equipment and weapons at the Luga artillery range. 11/19/2016 (c) TV report frame

State tests of the Uragan-1M MLRS developed by JSC NPO Splav (part of the Rostec Group of Companies) have been conducted since 2012 and were successfully completed in 2015. The system includes the 9A53 combat vehicle and the 9T249 transport-loading vehicle, made on the MZKT-7930 chassis. The 9A53 combat vehicle can use two modular containers with 220-mm Uragan MLRS rockets or 300-mm Smerch MLRS rockets (Tornado-S).

In September 2016, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov announced that the new Uragan-1M MLRS "is already entering the troops, but so far in insufficient quantities, which we would like."

The Deputy Minister explained that today there are some problems with the contracting enterprises of the Hurricanes manufacturer - the Splav holding.

"Their condition is different - today we discussed with the management of Splav the problems of cooperation and ways to solve them, after which it will be possible to supply these MLRS in the volume necessary for us," said Yu. Borisov.

On November 10, 2016, the head of the press service of the Western Military District, Colonel Igor Muginov, announced that "the latest Uragan-1M MLRS, capable of firing with two calibers, entered the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy. In the near future, cadets and students of the academy will begin to study new artillery technology.

9A53 combat vehicle of the 9K512 Uragan-1M bicaliber multiple launch rocket system during a display of equipment and weapons at the Luga artillery range. 11/19/2016 (c) RIA Novosti / Sputnik

Exhibition posters of the 9A53 combat vehicle and the 9T249 transport-loading vehicle bicaliber multiple launch rocket system 9K512 "Uragan-1M" during the display of equipment and weapons at the Luga artillery range. 11/19/2016 (c) footage from the video below

Video clips with machines MLRS "Hurricane-1M".