The Armata tracked chassis, the invulnerable basis of Russian armored vehicles. Tank information and control system
What are self-propelled guns and what are they intended for - read the article from one of our authors.
« Guns with higher education” - this is what Marshal of the Armored Forces M.E. Katukov called heavy self-propelled guns. But what is special about this type of military equipment? And what are its capabilities in Armored Warfare: Project Armata?
If you are a supporter of a measured, relaxed and slow game, but at the same time want to help your team win, pay attention to a game class such as self-propelled guns. Artillery in Armored Warfare: Project Armata is a “support”, this is support that can significantly increase the firepower of its team when breaking through one direction or another on the map; which can help in detecting the enemy, or, conversely, hide your teammates from overly prying eyes, triplexes and sights. Even though self-propelled guns do not come into close fire contact with the enemy, they are nevertheless capable of having a great influence on the outcome of the battle.
But first, let's find out what self-propelled artillery is in reality and how it evolved from a “truck with a gun” to modern artillery systems capable of inflicting colossal damage on the enemy.
Artillery switches to tracks
First of all, it is worth saying that out of the whole variety of self-propelled artillery installations (and these are tank destroyers, assault guns, anti-aircraft guns, and so on) in the game Armored Warfare: Project Armata, the class of self-propelled guns means self-propelled howitzers and long-range guns - guns on a wheeled or tracked chassis , designed for firing from closed firing positions (that is, firing at targets that are not in the direct line of sight of self-propelled guns), including from very long distances.
Essentially, this is the same artillery, but which does not need to be towed with the help of tractors, trucks or horses - it will itself reach the desired position, prepare to fire, shoot where necessary, and itself will leave this position in the shortest possible time. All that remains is to deliver ammunition on time and ensure adjustment and control of artillery fire.
Self-propelled guns first appeared on the scene during the First World War. At that time, a deadlock situation developed - it was not possible to overcome well-fortified positions with infantry, cavalry and artillery without colossal losses. The first tanks solved the problem - although clumsy, slow and not reliable enough, they were capable of breaking through fortified defense lines.
But then a new problem arose: the classic towed artillery could not keep up with the tanks, and therefore could not support them with its fire or provide counter-battery combat. The solution was quite obvious - add a self-propelled chassis to the gun. The first self-propelled guns were created both on the basis of tractors and trucks, and on the chassis of the first tanks - in 1917, Gun Carrier Mark I self-propelled guns, created on the basis of the Mark I tank and armed with 60-pound guns, began to be sent to the British army. The French created the Renault FT BS, a self-propelled gun with a 75-mm gun based on the ReanultFT-17 tank.
GunCarrierMarkI
During the period between the world wars, also called the Interbellum, there was no particularly active development of self-propelled howitzers, although some examples were still created. The second impetus for the development of self-propelled guns was the Second World War, where the issue of artillery mobility became even more acute. Therefore, at one time or another, all parties to the conflict acquired vehicles that were capable of moving independently (and quite quickly) and providing artillery support. In the Third Reich these were, for example, Sturmpanzer I and II, Hummel, Wespe and Grille, in the USA and Great Britain - M7 Priest, Bishop and Sexton, and in the Soviet Union the role of self-propelled howitzers was assigned to the assault self-propelled guns SU-122, SU-152 and ISU-152 , which were capable of firing from closed positions.
German self-propelled gun Hummel
The Second World War died down, but soon after its end a new confrontation began, called the “Cold War” and was accompanied by many local conflicts around the world and the constant threat of a large-scale clash between NATO and Warsaw forces. And large countries were constantly developing, putting into service and improving their military equipment in order to always be ready for the start of a confrontation. This fully applied to self-propelled howitzers.
The Soviet Union was armed with “Carnations”, “Acacias”, “Peonies” and other representatives of the “flower” series of self-propelled guns. The United States used the M109 as its main self-propelled gun, which has been in service in many of its modifications since 1963 to this day. In addition to it, the Americans created the 175 mm M107 and 203 mm M110. Other countries also did not lag behind and created their own self-propelled guns, such as the British Abbot or the Italian Palmaria, well known to Armored Warfare players.
Soviet divisional self-propelled howitzer 2S3 "Akatsiya"
And it was during the Cold War that the optimal concept of self-propelled guns was determined, on the basis of which most of them are built today. The standard self-propelled howitzer had the following layout: in front there was a control compartment with a driver and an engine-transmission compartment with an engine and transmission, and in the rear of the combat vehicle there was a fighting compartment with a gun in a rotating turret. Some differences from this design have the Russian self-propelled guns 2S19 "Msta-S" and 2S35 "Coalition-SV", where the engine and transmission are located in the rear of the vehicle, and heavy self-propelled guns with guns of 175-203 mm caliber (M107, M110 and "Pion") , where the fighting compartment is open and does not have a turret, and the gun is placed in an installation that provides horizontal guidance of the gun at a relatively small angle.
М109А6 Paladin
What can self-propelled guns do now?
The development and improvement of self-propelled howitzers does not stop now. Modern models of self-propelled howitzers, such as the Russian Msta-S and Koalitsiya-SV, the German PzH-2000 or the American M109A6 Paladin, can boast of many improvements and improvements over their predecessors:
- the use of powerful propellant charges, actively reactive projectiles and fairly long barrels allowed modern self-propelled guns to increase their firing range to 30, 40, and even 50 or more kilometers. This makes it possible to hit targets both at the close front and behind the main front line;
- automated loading of the projectile and mechanized loading of propellant charges in combination with a fairly strong bore. This helps to achieve record rates of fire - from 8 to 12 rounds per minute, which allows you to make a quick but very destructive fire raid and leave the position before return fire begins;
- modern fire control systems (fire control systems) and communication systems that allow you to automatically calculate the required barrel elevation angle, automatically open fire with the entire battery or one self-propelled gun, quickly transfer fire from one target to another and ensure an extremely high level of interaction with other branches of the military;
- the rapid deployment time of modern self-propelled howitzers into combat position, which allows you to quickly prepare a battery of self-propelled guns for firing, fire the required number of shells and just as quickly leave the position, which is extremely important in conditions of counter-battery warfare.
The German self-propelled howitzer PzH-2000 is one of the most powerful today
All of the above capabilities of modern self-propelled guns are complemented by a huge number of available ammunition, such as active-rocket projectiles, guided and guided projectiles, cluster munitions with cumulative combat elements, smoke and illumination projectiles, jammers and much more. This allows you to significantly expand the scope of use of self-propelled guns in combat and adapt to the fight against one or another type of enemy.
2S35 "Coalition-SV" - the latest self-propelled howitzer with an uninhabited fighting compartment
Now you know how self-propelled guns have developed from the very beginning and what they can do now. Now let's see how this class of equipment is presented in the game.
Self-propelled guns in Armored Warfare
Currently, Armored Warfare: Project Armata features seven self-propelled guns: “Gvozdika”, “Acacia”, PzH 2000, M109, Palmaria, M109A6 Paladin and premium artillery FV433 Abbot. When choosing any of them, the player must understand that his main role is support, and his main task is to provide firepower where the outcome of the battle is decided.
It is on this principle that the choice of goals should occur. The player must not just shoot at the first tank he comes across outside cover - he must fire where it is important for the team. Are the Blues advancing with a large number of cars in one direction? Support them there, shoot at the defending enemy forces, try to target vehicles with high firepower and posing the greatest threat to the team. The situation is exactly the opposite, and the Reds are crowding out their teammates? Drop shells at the advancing enemies, slow down their advance, or disrupt the attack. Think strategically and try to understand where and where your help is needed.
Also remember that you have the ability to deal damage with overhead fire. Other classes are deprived of this skill, and therefore self-propelled guns have an advantage when firing at an enemy who has decided to settle behind cover in a convenient position and turn the tanks of your allies into burning wrecks. Try to prevent this from happening, fire at ITs and armored fighting vehicles that are launching ATGMs. Even if your enemy escapes from the fire with minimal damage, you will scare him away from his position and thereby help your team. Don’t forget about MBTs and LTs, which, if they have a convenient position, are also very dangerous for your team.
Another important aspect of playing with self-propelled guns is counter-battery combat. Your allies will be grateful to you for saving them from having to hide in cover while receiving a warning about shelling. But remember: the enemy can also fight the artillery of the opposing team, so be always on the alert. A few tips below will help you successfully fight enemy self-propelled guns and, conversely, avoid their shots and prevent yourself from being defeated in an artillery duel.
- After the self-propelled gun fires, a circle appears on the mini-map showing the approximate location of the artillery. At first it is a circle of large diameter, but if the vehicle continues to fire from the same position, it narrows, and by the third shot the circle will show the exact location of the artillery. Therefore, when playing on self-propelled guns, always keep an eye on the mini-map.
- After firing, the self-propelled howitzer becomes visible for 10 seconds, but without outlines or any markers. This, in combination with the circles mentioned above, makes it possible to quickly detect enemy self-propelled guns and shoot at them. This fully applies to you, so do not fire from one position - after the shot, it is advisable to look for a sufficiently high shelter (rock, building or folds of terrain) that will hide you from the artillery of the opposing team.
- Self-propelled guns do not receive warnings about shelling. Therefore, if you don’t see a familiar marker above your car, you shouldn’t think that no one is firing at you. And if, after shooting and not moving away from the position, you see a red circle on the mini-map, then most likely they are shooting at you.
- Most artillery players prefer to change position after firing. Therefore, when shooting at a detected self-propelled gun, calculate the lead, or wait for the moment when the player on the enemy artillery stops and decides that he has moved far enough.
When playing on self-propelled guns, do not forget that in addition to high-explosive fragmentation shells, you are armed with smoke and illumination ammunition. Smoke ammunition is needed to hide allies from being spotted, which can be useful both defensively and offensively (especially if you are playing in a platoon). Illumination ammunition is designed to detect enemy equipment in certain areas. Use them at the start of the game to understand how enemy vehicles move around, shoot them at standard positions for armored fighting vehicles and IT to prevent these vehicles from reconnaissance and shooting, use lighting shells to detect enemy self-propelled guns.
Finally, a few more tips that are useful when playing artillery.
- If, due to the terrain of the map, you cannot reach the enemy, try changing your position. Don't stand in one place, try to find a point from where you can fire effectively.
- When choosing a place to shoot, evaluate whether, after shooting, you can quickly get to cover and not take damage from enemy self-propelled guns.
- When you shoot at someone, their gunfire warning light comes on. In most of these situations, the tanks begin to retreat. Therefore, when aiming, choose a point slightly behind the enemy’s vehicle, so that when driving away, he will fall under your projectile. If he doesn’t go anywhere or moves forward, adjust your shooting, adapt to the enemy’s style.
- If you go into battle in a self-propelled gun with shells loaded into a “drum,” try to shoot it right away and then immediately retreat behind cover. In this case, you will reduce the risk of receiving a high-explosive shell from the opposing team's artillery.
- Don't get too carried away with counter-battery warfare. Sometimes the time spent fighting the Red self-propelled guns could be better spent on dealing damage to other classes of enemy vehicles. But don’t forget about it and don’t neglect fighting the artillery of the opposing team when necessary.
- If an ally’s tank enters the “clinch” with the enemy you wanted to shoot at, do not fire, as there is always a risk of hitting your own, which is very undesirable.
That's all. Good luck in your battles, help your team and lead them to victory!”
MOSCOW. September 4 - RIA Novosti, Andrey Kots. The Russian Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with the Burevestnik Central Research Institute for the supply of an experimental batch of the latest Coalition-SV self-propelled artillery systems (self-propelled guns), the official website of the military department reported on Monday. The press release emphasizes that serial deliveries of these weapons will begin in 2020. In the future, the "Coalition" will have to replace the self-propelled 152-mm installations of the divisional level "Msta-S" and towed "Msta-B" - the basis of the combat power of the Ground Forces artillery. The new self-propelled gun, first presented to the general public at the Victory Parade in 2015, is currently undergoing state tests. But it is already clear that in terms of its tactical and technical characteristics, the Coalition-SV is superior to the best examples of artillery weapons of NATO countries. Read about the strengths of the best Russian self-propelled gun in the RIA Novosti material.
After "Msta"
The future of artillery: self-propelled howitzer "Coalition-SV"Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia Yuri Borisov hopes that the unique self-propelled howitzers "Coalition-SV" will have great export potential after the start of serial deliveries to the Russian army.The predecessor of the Coalition is considered to be the Msta-S self-propelled artillery unit, which was put into service in 1989. These two weapon systems even look very similar. However, although the Msta-S matched the potential enemy’s self-propelled guns in its combat performance, over time it began to seriously lag behind. In 1998, the German army adopted the PzH 2000 self-propelled gun, which many military analysts still consider the best in the world. A firing range of up to 40-50 kilometers, an automatic loader that provides a high rate of fire (up to ten rounds per minute), a thousand-horsepower engine that allows a 55-ton tracked vehicle to reach speeds of up to 65 kilometers per hour - in the NATO bloc these indicators were considered to be benchmarks.
Development of the Russian answer to the best Western howitzers began in 2002. Employees of the Nizhny Novgorod Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" have designed a model of a multifunctional advanced combat module with a double-barreled artillery system. The first full-scale model of a self-propelled gun was manufactured in 2004 at the Ural Transport Engineering Plant based on the Msta-S, but with a double-barreled gun. In parallel, a sample with one barrel was assembled, which, based on the test results, was selected for further development. The traditional scheme was recognized as more reliable and cheaper. From the double-barreled system, the new weapon inherited only the name - “Coalition”.
The self-propelled gun is actually built around a 152 mm rifled barrel with a length of 52 calibers. A compensator brake is installed on the muzzle, reducing the colossal recoil of the gun. The loading mechanism is automatic and ensures the supply of projectiles at any angle of vertical pointing of the gun. According to open sources, the Coalition’s gun can fire as many as 16 shells per minute at a target. This is twice as much as modern main battle tanks can shoot in 60 seconds. The main ammunition of the howitzer is 152-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells, but the Coalition can also fire guided ammunition from the Krasnopol family, well-tested in combat conditions. They are aimed at the target using satellite navigation or a laser target designator-rangefinder.
"Unmanned" future
The Coalition is capable of conducting targeted fire at a record distance of 70 kilometers. No Western self-propelled gun can boast of such indicators. For example, the American M109 Paladin hits a maximum of 30 kilometers with an active-missile projectile. The maximum firing range of the British self-propelled gun A S90 Braveheart is 40 kilometers, and the French AMX AuF1T is 35 kilometers. Thus, the “Coalition” in its functionality approaches tactical missile systems and can destroy targets far behind the front line. It can hit enemy command posts, air defense and missile defense systems, supply lines, rock roads, and also conduct counter-battery combat while remaining invulnerable to enemy artillery.
“The Coalition-SV self-propelled guns will significantly strengthen the artillery power of the Russian Ground Forces. Meanwhile, the American army will continue to use a modernized version of the M-109 Paladin self-propelled guns of the 1960s,” writes the American newspaper about the new Russian self-propelled gun edition of The National Interest. “They are in many ways superior to their Western counterparts. They have a new guidance system, a more modern gun and loading mechanism.”
A distinctive feature of the howitzer is the ability to arrange a so-called simultaneous fire attack on the enemy. "Coalition-SV" is capable of hitting a target simultaneously with several projectiles fired along different flight trajectories. Previously, only the German PzH 2000 could boast of such a function. As in the latest T-14 tanks on the Armata platform, the Coalition turret is made uninhabited, and the crew is located inside an armored capsule in the body of the self-propelled gun. This significantly increases its survivability. For close-range combat, the self-propelled gun is equipped with a 12.7-mm Kord machine gun, as well as grenade launchers for setting up a smoke screen.
It is worth noting that “Coalition-SV” in terms of its level of automation is very close to robotic artillery. In the future, a new “unmanned” howitzer will be built on its basis, independently solving combat missions posed by humans.
“Robotization is one of the priority areas for the development of the military branch. The development of the inter-service artillery complex “Coalition-SV” is already being completed today. This sample is the first step towards robotization of artillery systems,” the head of the Missile Forces and Artillery of the Russian Armed Forces told reporters last November Lieutenant General Mikhail Matveevsky. “In the future, we can talk about the creation of fully robotic artillery systems that perform tasks without human participation.”
Or less often - his girlfriend BMP T-15. But the platform's capabilities are by no means limited to these two machines. The Ministry of Defense has set the bold task of transferring almost half of the army to the Armata. Therefore, we have collected information for you on all weapons based on the Armata platform.
"Coalition-SV"
Following the T-14 and T-15 frolicking on the battlefield, self-propelled guns will follow in the distance, supporting the advance of the advanced forces with dense artillery fire.
Everyone saw the 2S35 “Coalition-SV” at the Victory Parade, and a lot was written about it, so we won’t dwell on it in detail. The crew of the car is three people. Bulletproof armor, laser irradiation warning sensors and grenade launchers for setting smoke screens. A full-fledged machine gun for 50-70 rounds and a 152-mm howitzer 2A88. Firing of various ammunition, including guided ones, at a maximum range of 70 km.
Well, and an anti-aircraft machine gun.
But at the Victory Parade, the Coalition-SV was presented on the chassis of the T-90 tank. However, mass production will be carried out on the heavy Armata platform.
It is unlikely that this will radically change anything in the capabilities of the self-propelled gun itself, but it will clearly expand the ability to repair it in field workshops. And it will reduce the cost of production.
Big wars are won with infrastructure and logistics.
For this self-propelled gun, a transport and loading vehicle 2F66-1 was developed based on the KamAZ-6560 all-terrain vehicle and with a manipulator. 90 shells and 15 minutes to fully load the self-propelled gun is very good.
BREM T-16
Tanks from the Second World War were manufactured with a short service life, because they did not last long and after the battle they turned into a charred pile of iron. Accordingly, they saved on them as best they could.
But modern tanks are extremely expensive things to throw away. It is very difficult to hit a T-14, but even if it succeeds and the engine compartment is crushed , the tank will lose mobility, but will remain a combat unit. If the ammunition detonates, the ejector panels will fly out, the crew will have a hard time, but they will remain alive, and the tank will be able to be restored. In general, taking a T-14 out of battle is one thing, but destroying it completely is something completely different.
That is why damaged armored vehicles need to be quickly evacuated. And this must be done immediately, as soon as the intensity of the fire subsides - 250 million rubles, which is how much a T-14 costs, is not lying around on the road.
It is for this purpose that the T-16 heavy armored repair and recovery vehicle is being created on the basis of the Armata platform.
Photo: topwar.ru
Yes, you heard right, it’s a heavy car. It has full anti-ballistic armor and a dynamic protection circuit for the hull in the place where the armored capsule of the crew is located (it is not possible to protect the entire vehicle, since it is equipped with movable special equipment such as a crane). In addition, it is reported that there is active protection based on jamming (it is unlikely that this is a full-fledged Afghanit, perhaps part of its functionality).
The crew of three people has at their disposal a crane and a manipulator controlled by a remote control, a grader, various repair tools such as a welding machine, etc. But the main thing is the hitch, which allows you to tow damaged armored vehicles without leaving the cozy and safe interior of the T-16. There is also room for 3 crew members of the evacuated equipment.
To fight off enemy infantry, a machine gun is installed on the vehicle, most likely it will be a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov.
Thanks to integration with the ESU TZ, the T-16 crew, firstly, sees threats on the battlefield and has the ability to avoid them, and secondly, clearly knows where the damaged vehicle is and, possibly, even the nature of the damage. He is prepared in advance to either tow it to a safe place and carry out minor repairs right away, or take the armored vehicle to a field workshop, where, thanks to its modular layout, it can quickly be restored.
BMO-2
The Russian army is armed with such an interesting thing called the Shmel-M RPO. This rocket-propelled infantry flamethrower performed well in combat. But it is disposable and cannot be recharged. It's just a pipe with ammunition inside. The target range is 800 meters, and the maximum is 1700 meters; in a confined space it burns out all living things in an area of 80 square meters. Pillboxes really don’t like “Bumblebees”.
Photo: livejournal.com
But as you understand, each infantryman carries with him only two RPOs. And he needs a reliable infantry fighting vehicle, capable of delivering both flamethrowers and fighters as close as possible to the target, and after shooting, hide them in its reliable interior.
Before the appearance of the heavy Armata, flamethrowers could only dream about this.
152-MM SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY UNIT
2S35 "COALITION-SV"
152-MM SELF-PROPELLED GUN MOUNT 2С35 COALITION-SV
10.02.2018
Deputy Minister of Defense Yuri Borisov, who is on a working trip to Nizhny Tagil, arrived at Uraltransmash after visiting Uralvagonzavod.
In a conversation with reporters, he spoke about the purposes of the trip.
“We have contracted 12 samples of Coalition-SV self-propelled howitzers; they will be in military service until 2020. In 2020, we will complete state tests and will already make a decision on serial purchases of equipment,” the deputy minister said.
"Coalition-SV" is designed to destroy artillery and mortar batteries, tanks and other armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, manpower, air defense and missile defense systems, command posts, as well as to destroy field fortifications and impede the maneuvers of enemy reserves in the depths of their defense.
In addition, according to the deputy head of the military department, Msta self-propelled howitzers are being modernized for the needs of the Armed Forces - approximately 36 sets per year.
“This work will continue, this self-propelled artillery unit has a very large modernization potential,” noted Yuri Borisov, explaining that “now it will be possible to improve its combat capabilities by 40 percent, update the communications system and modify the chassis.”
Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
10.04.2018
Serial deliveries to the Russian army of the new self-propelled howitzer "Coalition-SV" may begin in 2020 after completion of state tests, Interfax reports, citing an informed source.
Completion of state tests of the Coalition is expected by the end of 2019 - beginning of 2020, with subsequent adoption into service, he said.
Within the framework of the Coalition-SV project, three products have been developed - a self-propelled artillery gun on a tracked and wheeled chassis, as well as a transport-loading vehicle. At the same time, the transport and loading machine has already passed state tests.
The First Tank Army (Moscow region) received 10 self-propelled howitzers “Coalition-SV” for military testing.
"Coalition-SV" is designed to destroy command posts, communications centers, artillery and mortar batteries, armored vehicles, including tanks, anti-tank weapons, air defense and missile defense systems, and enemy personnel. The basis of firepower is the 2A88 152 mm cannon with a firing rate of more than 10 rounds per minute, which is higher than the firing rate of other artillery systems.
It is expected that the Coalition-SV will equip individual artillery brigades.
Military Review
06.06.2018
This summer, during the Army 2018 forum, the Russian manufacturer will introduce participants to the latest development - the 2S35 Coalition-SV howitzer.
The self-propelled gun "Coalition-SV" is designed to conduct counter-battery warfare, destroy tanks and other armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, manpower, air defense and missile defense systems, command posts, as well as for the destruction of field fortifications and inflicting maximum fire damage on the enemy in the depths of his defense .
The 2S35 howitzer has an on-board automatic fire adjustment system, which adjusts fire parameters in real time. Its high accuracy is maintained at a distance of up to 50 km.
The self-propelled guns are supplied with ammunition by a transport-loading vehicle (TZM). The TZM container contains two conveyors with projectiles and propellant charges. The conveyors rotate at the command of the operator, who, using a manipulator, grabs the ammunition and transfers it to the loading mechanism of the self-propelled gun.
The entry into service of the Coalition-SV self-propelled gun will increase the rate of fire of artillery units by 2-3 times, and the time for replenishing ammunition will be significantly reduced, which will allow artillerymen to solve the fire mission even more efficiently.
The self-propelled guns will be exhibited in the open area of the forum, with general access for all visitors.
Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
19.12.2018
The development of the new interspecific artillery complex “Coalition-SV” with the “squall” firing mode is at the final stage, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces Colonel-General Oleg Salyukov told reporters on Tuesday, summing up the results of the outgoing year.
“For units of the missile forces and artillery, the development of a new interspecific artillery complex “Coalition-SV” with an innovative “squall” firing mode is at the final stage, during which several shells fired from one gun at different angles simultaneously reach the target, which ensures massiveness fire strike,” Salyukov said.
According to him, “the combat capabilities of the complex are twice as high as all existing domestic and foreign models.”
RIA News
BOARD OF THE RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE. 12/18/2018
21.01.2019
Among network “experts” there is a discussion of leaked information that it seems that OKB-9 JSC “Plant No. 9”, in Yekaterinburg, is in full swing working on a new towed 152-mm howitzer-gun D-400. As the blog https://zen.yandex.ru/media/gurkhan notes, information has already been leaked to the media about the development of a new towed 152-mm howitzer gun for the Ground Forces, based on the 2A88 system installed in the SAO 2S35 “Coalition - SV” .
The work is being carried out by OKB-9 JSC Plant No. 9 in Yekaterinburg. Accordingly, the new gun has the traditional “factory” brand index “D” for the Petrovsky design bureau - D-400. As the blog notes, the D-400 will have a mass comparable to that of the 2A65, and will also have significant dimensions, which precludes its transportation on the external sling of the main Russian Mi-8 helicopters.
In the only two photos at the moment we see the D-400 at the time of factory testing. The swinging part with the ejector was probably borrowed directly from the SAO. The carriage is very similar to that of the D-20 howitzer, developed shortly after the Great Patriotic War. It is quite possible that this is exclusively a range installation, especially since in the two photographs we see two different muzzle brakes. At the same time, a powerful two-chamber design is a signature feature of OKB-9 and was probably used initially. Subsequently, it was replaced with a slotted one, the same as on the 2A88 SAO Koalitsiya-SV, reports zen.yandex.ru/media/gurkhan.
As you know, carriages from previous artillery systems are often used to test new artillery systems during field testing. Probably, in this case, too, the photographs that appeared of the swinging part of the 2A88 system installed on the carriage of the D-20 howitzer is a test site version of testing the ballistics of the 152-mm self-propelled howitzer "Coalition-SV". This is confirmed by two muzzle brakes of different design in each of the photographs.
VTS "Bastion"
D-400 – NEW TOWED GUN-Howitzer FOR THE RUSSIAN ARMY
05.07.2019
The annual report of JSC “Research and Production Corporation “Uralvagonzavod” named after F.E. has been published. Dzerzhinsky" for 2018, containing a number of interesting information about some of the association’s works in the military field, reports the blog bmpd.livejournal.com.
Among the main priorities in 2018 was the creation of a 152-mm brigade-level interspecific artillery complex "Coalition-SV". Preliminary tests of prototypes of self-propelled guns on tracked and wheeled chassis took place at Russian training grounds. They will continue in 2019.
All work planned for 2018 was completed within the framework of:
R&D “Coalition-BP”, stage 8.
SC ROC “Coalition SV-OP”, coordination of ball characteristics, MS. Issuance of a preliminary conclusion on the applicability of the product under development with BPS at the TP stage;
SCh R&D “Coalition SV-OP”, finalization of a prototype artillery weapon based on the results of the PI.
VTS "Bastion"
ANNUAL REPORT OF JSC RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION CORPORATION URALVAGONZAVOD FOR 2018
152-MM SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY UNIT 2S35 “COALITION-SV”
A promising Russian self-propelled artillery unit, being developed within the framework of the “Coalition-SV” theme. The main contractor is: FSUE Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" (Nizhny Novgorod). Co-executors: FSUE Uraltransmash, FSUE TsNIIM, FSUE Uralvagonzavod.
In 2006, the Nizhny Novgorod Central Research Institute "Burevestnik", which is now part of the Uralvagonzavod corporation, proactively developed and began testing the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled guns. The gun mount had no analogues in the world.
Within the framework of the topic, a number of research projects were carried out to determine the optimal level of interspecific unification of promising large-caliber artillery weapons of the Ground Forces and the Navy.
The unification plan set the task of rational use in artillery weapons of technical solutions, elements, components and systems common both to the barreled weapon systems of the Navy (ships and coastal defense) and to the self-propelled artillery guns of the Ground Forces.
At the end of 2006, one of the prototype self-propelled guns, made using a number of components of the serial 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled gun, was demonstrated on television in the “Serving Russia” program (2006-12-03), but this was far from the final form of this product.
Two barrels of 152 mm cannons were placed in the turret. Two barrels and automatic loading allow you to shoot in the so-called “Barrage of Fire” mode. It provides such a rate of fire that several projectiles approach the target almost simultaneously.
The designers also proposed the option of an articulated two-link machine. The first link is the gun mount itself, and the second is a transport-loading vehicle with an additional ammunition load of 200 shells. There has never been such a solution in the world.
The design of the Coalition-SV is also original. Unlike the similar self-propelled 152 mm MSTA-S artillery mount, where the crew is located in the turret, here it is located in a separate armored capsule, like in the Armata tank. A special feature of this vehicle is the location of the reduced crew in the front part of the hull, in an isolated compartment. In its design, this compartment is close to that found on the T-14 Armata tank; in the tank, the driver is on the left, while in the self-propelled gun he was placed traditionally in the middle. The commander and gunner of the combat vehicle receive all information on multifunctional monitors.
The crew members' workplaces are located in a computerized control module, which is located in the nose of the chassis. The crew, consisting of 2 people, exercises full control over the processes of loading, aiming and firing. The control module is equipped with on-board tactical target selection, positioning and navigation systems. Based on the readings of instruments and sensors, the crew constantly monitors the general condition of the vehicle and the amount of ammunition by type of shot.
Each crew member's workplace is equipped with a complex of remote control of automated fire and instrument monitoring of all operations on displays using a single information and command system. Information and control communication channels between the crew workstations in the control module and the weapons module are duplicated. There are main crew hatches, an evacuation hatch, as well as a technological hatch for transfer to the weapons module.
Generalized structure of MAK-152 "Coalition-SV" (
In 2015, at a military parade in Moscow dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the latest Russian development was presented to the general public - the T-14 Armata tank, which should radically affect the equipment of the Russian ground armies and determine the concept of their applications for the coming decades. This tank, positioned as a 4th generation tank, has aroused great interest both in our country and throughout the world.
In this article we will look at the history and background of the creation of the Armata tank, its distinctive features and technical characteristics, as well as prospects for use in real combat operations.
History and background for the creation of the new Armata tank
Another way
At the turn of the 2000s, Russia was developing 2 projects of a promising main battle tank, which would be a replacement for the current Russian MBT - the T-90. One of them is “Object 460” or “Black Eagle”(see photo above) - was developed by the Omsk Design Bureau. It had an extended modified chassis from the T-80U tank, in which another one was added to the six rollers, as well as a narrowed turret of a new design, armed with the already proven standard 125 mm smoothbore gun. It was assumed that the mass of the tank would be about 48 tons, and it would be equipped with a 1500-horsepower gas turbine engine, which would give it a specific power of more than 30 hp/t and make it one of the most dynamic tanks in the world.
The second project is “Object 195” or “T-95”(see photo below) - was developed by the Ural Design Bureau and the Uralvagonzavod corporation. It was an “ubertank” for its time, which also featured an uninhabited (unmanned) turret armed with a formidable 152 mm smoothbore gun on a seven-wheel chassis. The tank's crew (only 2 people) was housed in an isolated armored capsule in the front of the hull. The weight of the tank was not small - about 55 tons, and it was supposed to be equipped with a 1650 hp diesel engine, which would also give it good dynamic characteristics.
It was assumed that the kinetic energy of a projectile fired from the 152 mm smoothbore gun of the Object 195 was so great that if it hit the turret of an enemy tank, it would simply tear it off.
But in 2009-2010, both projects had to be curtailed for several reasons. Firstly, the development of both tanks was not very active and during the design and testing period (which is about 15-20 years) they simply became obsolete. Secondly, the transition to the use of such supertanks as the T-95 - quite expensive and resource-intensive to produce - would, to some extent, be a transition to the German path of development of tank construction during the Second World War, i.e. the “path of the royal tigers and mice” that absolutely did not justify itself. We needed a universal, mass-produced tank, with the best price-quality ratio, like our famous T-34. And thirdly, both of these tanks did not quite correspond to the concept of network-centric warfare.
Network-centric warfare concept
Network-centric warfare is a modern military doctrine aimed at increasing the combat effectiveness of various military formations participating in armed conflicts or modern wars by combining all combat and support units into a single information network and, as a result, achieving infocommunication superiority over the enemy.
Those. it turns out that by combining and almost instantaneously communicating command and control means, reconnaissance means, as well as means of destruction and suppression, more accelerated control of forces and means is achieved, increasing the effectiveness of defeating enemy forces and the survivability of one’s own troops, and each participant in combat operations receives full and timely information about the real combat situation.
Tank formations must also be adapted to the modern realities of network-centric warfare; for this, the tanks themselves must be able to connect to a unified information network and be able to almost instantly transmit to it information received by the tank from the outside through their own “survey” modules. In fact, this is practically one of the requirements for the new 4th generation tanks.
4th generation tank
"Object 195" as imagined by the artist.
The classification of tanks by generation is actually not official, it is very arbitrary and looks something like this:
To the first generation These include tanks from the 1950s-1960s, such as the Soviet T-44 and T-54, the German Panther, the English Centurion and the American Pershing.
Second generation associated with the advent of the so-called main battle tanks (MBT). It includes tanks from 1960-1980, such as the Soviet T-62, American M-60, English Chieftain, German Leopard and French AMX-30.
To the third generation include the latest modern tanks, such as the Soviet T-80 and Russian T-90, the American Abrams, the French Leclerc, the English Challenger, the Ukrainian Oplot, the South Korean Black Panther, the Israeli Merkava, the Italian " Ariete" and the German "Leopard-2".
It is clear that later generations of tanks were distinguished by more durable armor, more advanced protection and more formidable weapons. This also applies to the 4th generation of tanks, the appearance of which is long overdue. But besides this, as mentioned above, 4th generation tanks should be maximally adapted to network-centric warfare, and also, if possible, meet a number of other requirements:
- have an uninhabited turret and an automatic loader;
- the crew must be isolated in an armored capsule;
- the tank must be partially robotic.
By the way, a fully robotic unmanned tank can be considered a 5th generation tank.
Our designers approached the development of a new tank with approximately the same list of requirements when, in 2010, after the winding up of the Object 195 and Object 640 projects, they received the task of designing a new generation tank as quickly as possible.
Platform "Armata"
The order for the design, testing and production of the new tank was received by the state corporation UralVagonZavod, located in Nizhny Tagil and engaged in the development and production of various military equipment. When developing a new tank, the Ural Design Bureau, affiliated with UralVagonZavod, actively used ready-made advanced developments on the “Object 195” that was already being developed here, as well as on the project of the Omsk Design Bureau - “Object 640”. Both closed projects greatly helped our designers to quickly cope with the task.
But the most important thing is that this time our designers (as well as our military leadership) saw the problem of building a new tank more broadly, and it was decided to develop not just a 4th generation tank, but a universal tracked platform that could be used for the design of a wide variety of military equipment, which would solve the above-described problem of universality, mass availability and price-quality ratio.
Thus, Uralvagonzavod designed and implemented the so-called unified combat heavy tracked platform "Armata", on the basis of which it is planned to create about 30 different types of military equipment. Moreover, they will have in common not only a platform, but also a common battle control system, a common communication system, a common active protection system and many other components and modules.
The universal heavy combat platform "Armata" has three engine layout options: front, rear and middle. This allows the platform to be used for the design of almost any type of military equipment. For a tank, for example, they use a rear-mounted engine, but for an infantry fighting vehicle, on the contrary, a front-mounted one.
At the moment, our defense industry has already received the first units of equipment based on the new platform - this armored repair and recovery vehicle BREM T-16(for now only as a project), BMP T-15 infantry fighting vehicle and of course the main combat tank T-14 "Armata", which we could already see at the Victory Parade in Moscow.
The T-14 tank is the latest Russian tank of the 4th generation on the Armata universal heavy combat tracked platform. The tank received the index “14”, as usual, according to the year the project was implemented - 2014. At the project stage, the tank had the designation “Object 148”.
It is believed that the T-14 "Armata" tank is the world's first 4th generation tank, the first tank within the framework of the concept of network-centric warfare and that it has no analogues at all. In general, according to many of our and foreign experts, today the Armata is the best tank in the world.
First, let's take a quick look at what this new Armata tank is, what design solutions our design engineers implemented in it, and what main features it has:
Main features of the T-14 "Armata" tank
- The tank has an uninhabited turret. It is equipped with a proven remote-controlled 125 mm smoothbore gun with an automatic loader.
- The design of the tank allows it to be equipped with a 152 mm gun, already tested on the Object 195.
- The tank's crew is housed in an isolated armored capsule that can withstand direct hits from all existing modern anti-tank shells.
- The armored capsule with the crew is securely separated from the ammunition and fuel tanks.
- The active suspension will allow the tank to conduct accurate aimed fire at speeds of up to 40-50 km/h.
- It is assumed that the active suspension will allow the tank to move at speeds of up to 90 km/h not only on the highway, but also over rough terrain.
- The new type of combined multilayer armor used in the tank is 15% different than that used in domestic 3rd generation tanks. The equivalent thickness of the armor is about 1000 mm.
- All tank modules are controlled by the latest tank information and control system (TIUS), which, if any malfunction is detected, notifies the crew about it with an appropriate voice message.
- The Armata radar complex uses active phased array radars capable of tracking about 40 ground and 25 air targets at a distance of up to 100 km.
- If a projectile is detected flying at a tank, the Afghanit active protection complex automatically turns the tank's turret towards this projectile in order to meet it with more powerful frontal armor and be ready to strike back at the enemy who fired this projectile.
- The destruction range of a 125 mm gun is up to 7000 m, while the best Western models have this parameter of 5000 m.
- The Armata tank uses a large number of effective stealth technologies that make it practically invisible or difficult to detect for many types of weapons.
Performance characteristics of the T-14 "Armata" tank
Infographics and arrangement of modules in the T-14 tank
A good infographic of the T-14 tank with the location of the modules was made by the RIA Novosti agency:
Video review “T-14 multi-purpose tank on the Armata tracked platform”
For the 80th anniversary of Uralvagonzavod, an interesting mini-video review about the T-14 Armata tank was released:
Radar complex
The T-14 is the first tank in the world to use an active phased array radar (AFAR radar). Radars of the same type are installed on the new Russian multi-role fighters of the fifth generation T-50, which should replace the SU-27. Unlike radars with a passive array, AFAR radars consist of a large number of independently adjustable active modules, which significantly increases tracking ability and reliability, since if one of the radar modules fails, we will only get a slight distortion of the “picture”. It is true that the cost of such radars is somewhat higher.
The Armata uses 4 AFAR radar panels located around the perimeter of the tower (see photo above). They are protected by bulletproof and anti-fragmentation shields, but, nevertheless, can be easily replaced in the field (plastic hinges for removing radar panels are visible in the photo).
The radar complex of the T-14 tank can simultaneously track up to 40 ground moving and up to 25 aerial aerodynamic targets, which makes it one of the key elements on the battlefield within the concept of network-centric warfare. Target tracking distance is up to 100 km.
If, for camouflage purposes, the main surveillance radar of the tank is turned off, then at close range it is replaced by two ultra-fast response radars, which are also used to trigger destructive elements of active protection against shells fired at the tank.
Target detection systems in the infrared and ultraviolet range
On the T-14 turret, a panoramic sight is installed on the same axis with the machine gun mount, which serves to determine the coordinates of targets received by various surveillance modules, while it rotates 360 degrees regardless of the machine gun.
The panoramic sight includes a visible camera, an infrared camera and a laser rangefinder. When each new target is captured by the radar, the panoramic sight automatically turns in its direction to determine its exact coordinates. The received information is displayed on the monitors of the tank crew in the form of a tactical map with the coordinates of recorded targets, and if necessary, you can press your finger on the image on the touch screen to clarify the coordinates of a particular target.
In addition to the panoramic sight, the T-14 tank is equipped with six autonomous high-definition cameras that allow the crew to monitor the situation around the tank along its entire perimeter. These cameras allow tank crews to assess the situation when the radar is turned off and in conditions of enemy electronic warfare, and also record laser pointers aimed at the tank.
In addition, these HD cameras can see through a smoke screen (in the infrared spectrum), giving a significant advantage to Armata using this type of camouflage. The following example is given:
When a T-14 tank is surrounded by enemy infantry, it can put a smoke screen around itself, making itself invisible to enemy grenade launchers, and shoot them from a machine gun mount according to data from infrared HD cameras.
Active protection complex "Afganit"
And a radar complex of 4 AFAR radars and 2 high-speed radars, and infrared HD cameras are part of the tank’s active protection complex, which serves not only for reconnaissance of targets, but also for the timely detection of threats to the tank and their elimination. These are the features of the Afghanit active protection complex installed on the Armata:
- When detecting an enemy projectile approaching the tank, the Afghanit automatically turns the tank's turret towards this projectile in order to meet it with more powerful armor on the one hand, and on the other hand to be ready to strike a counter-strike at the object that fired this projectile.
- When detecting shells approaching the tank, the Afghanit automatically controls the machine gun mount to destroy them.
- If increased camouflage is required, Afganit can operate in passive mode with the radar turned off, relying on data from HD cameras.
- "Afganit" is safe for friendly infantry located near the tank, since it uses electronic warfare and smoke-metal curtains to a greater extent to counter enemy missiles.
- In addition, according to the latest data, "Afganit" successfully resists modern armor-piercing shells with cores.
The Afghanit active protection complex is capable of hitting projectiles approaching the tank at speeds of up to 1,700 m/s. But our designers are already developing a new active protection - “Zaslon”, which will be able to intercept projectiles approaching at speeds of up to 3000 m/s.
Dynamic protection complex "Malachite"
The T-14 tank is also equipped with the Malachite dynamic protection system. Here are the features it has:
- “Malachite” successfully resists not only various cumulative projectiles, but is also capable of destroying the latest NATO sub-caliber projectiles, which were specially designed to penetrate such dynamic protections that preceded “Malachite”, such as “Relikt” and “Kontakt-5”.
- "Malachite" is much better able to withstand the most advanced anti-tank missile systems (ATGM).
- By reducing the amount of explosive in the Malachite dynamic protection, the possibility of destroying one’s own infantry and damaging the tank’s vision devices is virtually eliminated.
Armament of the T-14 tank
The fire control system of the T-14 tank is connected to the Afghanit active protection complex and its radio-optical modules. With their help, the tank's weapons are aimed at detected targets. Besides, When aiming, data coming from the following sensors is used:
- gyroscopic sensors for the angular orientation of the tank in space;
- air temperature and humidity sensor;
- wind direction and speed sensor;
- sensor for barrel bending due to heating.
The tank receives its own coordinates using the GLONASS satellite system.
As we already wrote above, the T-14 tank can be equipped with either a standard 125 mm gun or a 152 mm cannon. As standard, the Armata is equipped with the already proven 125 mm smoothbore gun 2A82-1C, which has 17% higher muzzle energy and 20% greater accuracy than the best examples of Western guns mounted on tanks.
It should also be noted that the destruction range of this gun is about 7000 m, which exceeds the performance of foreign tank guns, most of which have a destruction range of no more than 5000 m. This again gives the Armata a significant advantage - it is our tank that will have the right to “long hands", i.e. he will be able to shoot enemy tanks without even getting close to them at their effective range.
In addition, the 2A82 gun has the ability to fire ammunition up to 1 meter in length (for example, such as high-power “Vacuum-1” sub-caliber armor-piercing projectiles). The T-14 is equipped with an automatic loader for 32 rounds, which achieves a rate of fire of 10-12 rounds per minute.
Some of the Armata tanks are going to be equipped with a 152 mm 2A83 gun, whose armor-piercing sub-caliber shells are more than 1000 mm, and their speed is 2000 m/s, which leaves no chance for all known modern tanks. In addition, as the leaders of the Uralvagonzavod corporation state, the kinetic energy of a 152 mm gun projectile is such that it will more often than not simply tear off the turret of a targeted enemy tank.
Both guns allow you to use their barrel to launch guided missiles. It is assumed that the 152 mm gun can use missiles with armor-piercing power up to 1500 mm and a range of up to 10000 m, which can hit both ground and air targets.
Some experts point to the possibility of using guided active-missile projectiles with a range of up to 30 km on T-14 tanks armed with a 152 mm gun, which turns such an “Armata” into a fire support tank for use both against enemy infantry and against heavily protected enemy objects.
The Armata's machine gun armament includes a large-caliber 12.7 mm Kord machine gun, controlled remotely by the crew and included in the Afghanit active defense complex, as well as a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov machine gun, coaxial with a tank gun. Moreover, for reloading the Kord there is a special automated system that does not require the participation of crew members.
T-14 tank armor
As we indicated above, one of the main features of the Armata tank is the presence of a special isolated armored capsule, separated from the rest of the tank by armored partitions and used to accommodate the entire crew with control computers. In addition, the armored capsule protects against weapons of mass destruction and has an air conditioning system and a fire extinguishing system. All this significantly increases both the survivability of the crew and the survivability of the tank itself. It is stated that the maximum duration of continuous stay of the crew in the armored capsule is about 3 days.
In the production of Armata tanks, a new type of armored steel with ceramic inserts is used, which has increased armor resistance. This made it possible, with the same armor thickness, to achieve a smaller tank mass and, accordingly, better dynamics. However, in frontal projection the T-14 is expected to have an armor equivalent of over 1,000mm against sub-caliber rounds and about 1,300mm against HEAT rounds. This makes the tank resistant to head-on hits from any modern ammunition and capable of withstanding such formidable anti-tank weapons as the American heavy anti-tank missile system "TOW" and American portable anti-tank missile system "Javelin".
T-14 turret
The structure of the turret is classified information, however, it is assumed that it consists of an external anti-fragmentation casing, under which the main armor of the turret is hidden. The anti-fragmentation casing performs several functions:
Protection of tank instruments from fragments, high-explosive shells and bullet penetrations;
- reduction of radio signature to counter radar-guided ATGMs;
- shielding of external electronic fields, which makes the tower devices resistant to various kinds of magnetic pulses.
Below is a video with a possible design of the T-14 tank turret:
Stealth technologies
Another significant feature of the T-14 is the use of various stealth technologies, which radically reduce the visibility of the tank in the infrared, radar and magnetic surveillance spectra. Here are the stealth tools used in Armata:
- a unique GALS coating that helps reflect a wide range of waves and protects the tank from overheating in the sun;
- flat reflective edges of the hull, reducing the visibility of the tank in the radio range;
- a system for mixing exhaust gases with ambient air, reducing the visibility of the tank in the infrared range;
- thermal insulation on the inside of the body, which also reduces the visibility of the T-14 in the IR range;
- heat traps that distort the “signature” (visual image of the tank) in the infrared range;
- distortion of its own magnetic field, making it difficult to determine the location of the tank for magnetometric weapons.
All this causes significant difficulties for the enemy when detecting the Armata, determining its coordinates, and generally identifying it as a tank.
Many experts believe that the T-14 Armata is the world's first stealth tank.
Engine
The T-14 tank is equipped with a multi-fuel 12-cylinder four-stroke X-shaped turbocharged diesel engine (12N360), which was designed in Chelyabinsk and produced there - at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. The engine has a switching power from 1200 to 1500 hp, but on production vehicles it is expected to install an engine with a maximum power of 1800 hp. This will provide the tank with excellent dynamic characteristics - the maximum speed on the highway will reach 90 km/h. In addition, this four-stroke engine is much more economical than the old two-stroke engines, which ensures a cruising range of 500 km without refueling.
The gearbox on the T-14 is automatic robotic with the ability to switch to manual control.
It should also be noted that exhaust gases are discharged through pipes passing through the additional fuel tanks. This provides them with additional cooling and ultimately reduces the visibility of the tank in the infrared range. The tanks themselves are covered with armor plates and anti-cumulative screens, and they are protected from fire by open-cell filler.
The engine and transmission are combined into a separate module, which allows you to replace a failed power unit in less than an hour.
Active suspension
If previously Russian tanks used a 6-roller chassis, then the Armata platform has a 7-roller chassis, which makes it possible to build on its basis equipment with a maximum weight of up to 60 tons. Therefore, the T-14 tank still has enormous potential for all kinds of upgrades.
The suspension used in the T-14 tank is active, that is, it is capable of detecting unevenness under the tracks using sensors and automatically adjusting the height of the rollers. This feature not only increases the speed of the tank over rough terrain, but also significantly (by about 1.5 - 2.0 times) increases the accuracy of aiming while moving. High-precision shooting while quickly moving across the battlefield is another undeniable advantage of the “Armata” when possibly “meeting” with such rather probable opponents as "Leopard-2" or Abrams, which still use uncontrolled hydropneumatic suspension, developed more than 30 years ago.
Tank information and control system
The Armata is equipped with one of the best tank information management systems (TIUS), which monitors all tank modules in real time and automatically checks them for malfunctions. If any problems are detected, the TIUS system informs the crew about this in voice mode and gives recommendations on how to eliminate them.
Defense order
At the parade in Moscow in 2015, T-14s from the first pilot production batch (20 tanks) were presented to the public. Serial production of the Armata began in 2016 and by its end it is planned to produce about 100 more vehicles, which will be actively used in various types of tests and exercises to identify shortcomings and determine the necessary improvements.
In total, by 2020 it is planned to commission 2,300 T-14 Armata tanks. This is exactly how the state order was presented by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation to the Uralvagonzavod state corporation. Moreover, it was separately indicated that serial production of Armata tanks will not be stopped even in conditions of a severe economic crisis.
By the way, the management of Uralvagonzavod indicates the cost of the tank at 250 million rubles (this is about 4-5 million dollars). This means that the entire batch of T-14 tanks of 2300 tanks will cost our state 10 billion dollars.
Other combat vehicles on the Armata platform
T-15 Armata infantry fighting vehicle (IFV)
In addition to the T-14 tank, it is planned to produce the T-15 armored infantry fighting vehicle on a unified heavy combat tracked platform, the first copies of which were also demonstrated at the Victory Parade in Moscow. It must be said that this is the first heavily armored infantry fighting vehicle in the Russian army. Its tank level of armor is impenetrable to modern ATGMs with a caliber of up to 150 mm and BOPS with a caliber of up to 120 mm, as well as the presence of the Afghanit active protection allows it to operate in the same tactical group together with T-14 tanks and makes it a “network-centric” combat vehicle.
The weight of the T-15 infantry fighting vehicle is about 50 tons, the crew is 3 people, in addition, it has a landing module for 9 people at the rear.
The versatility and modularity of the Armata platform allows the T-15 BMP to have several combat configurations:
- The main version with the Boomerang-BM combat module, the armament of which includes the Kornet-EM anti-tank missile system, a 30 mm 2A42 automatic anti-aircraft gun and a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun, allows it to successfully counter various ground and air targets. distances up to 4 km (universal air defense configuration).
- Option with the Baikal combat module, the armament of which includes a modified shipborne 57 mm anti-aircraft gun with higher firepower and a destruction range of up to 8 km (long-range air defense configuration).
- Variant with 120 mm heavy mortar (anti-personnel configuration).
Below is an infographic with the performance characteristics of the T-15 Armata infantry fighting vehicle:
Armored repair and recovery vehicle (ARV) T-16 "Armata"
Above is a photo of the BREM-1M armored repair and recovery vehicle, created on the basis of the T-72 tank chassis and intended for the evacuation of damaged or stuck equipment in combat conditions. Based on the universal heavy platform "Armata", it is planned to release a new ARV under the designation T-16, which will be equipped with a more powerful cargo crane and a whole range of various special equipment.
Self-propelled artillery unit (SAU) "Coalition-SV"
In order to include in one group with the T-14 tanks and T-15 infantry fighting vehicles, equipment with powerful and long-range fire support is planned to be transferred to the heavy combat platform "Armata" and our newest self-propelled artillery mount 2S35 "Coalition-SV", which replaced the outdated self-propelled guns 2S3 "Acacia" and 2S19 "Msta-S". Developed by the Burevestnik Central Research Institute and produced at the Uraltransmash plant, also part of the Uralvagonzavod corporation, the 152 mm self-propelled howitzer has a wide variety of purposes: from the destruction of the enemy’s tactical nuclear weapons and the destruction of his fortifications to countering his manpower and equipment.
When designing the Coalition-SV, we also adhered to the principle of modularity and versatility, so this howitzer can be installed on almost any platform, including a ship’s one.
The main feature of the new self-propelled gun is its range - up to 70 km, which significantly exceeds all known foreign analogues in this parameter. The Coalition-SV's ammunition capacity is 70 rounds, and its rate of fire is 10-15 rounds per minute.
Besides, It is also planned to build the following types of equipment on the basis of the universal Armata platform:
- Flamethrower combat vehicle (BMO-2)
- Heavy flamethrower system (TOS BM-2)
- Multi-Purpose Engineering Vehicle (MIM-A)
- Transport-loading vehicle of the heavy flamethrower system (TZM-2)
- Minelayer (UMZ-A)
- Floating conveyor (PTS-A)
- Bridgelayer (MT-A)
Prospects for the use of the Armata tank
As we wrote above, the T-14 Armata tank was developed within the framework of a network-centric concept, therefore it is intended for combat operations as part of a tactical group, including equipment and systems of a very different nature: other Armata tanks or tanks modernized for network-centric warfare T-90S, several T-15 infantry fighting vehicles, a battery of Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled guns, KA-52 Alligator attack helicopters and other equipment. At the same time, the T-14 “Armata” in this group is assigned one of the key roles, namely the role of a reconnaissance officer, target designator and command tank, controlling the battle through a unified control system.
Conclusion
It’s all good that in terms of military projects we are not lagging behind, and in some cases even ahead of other leading military powers of the world, and the development and implementation of the universal heavy platform “Armata” should significantly improve our country’s defense capability in the event of a major (third world) war. The only question is what kind of big war it will be and will it even be possible to emerge victorious from it?
P.S. Below is a video about the latest history of our tank forces, presented by the Ministry of Defense on Tanker Day, in which you can see the hero of our review - the T-14 Armata tank.
/Based on materials from in-rating.ru/