Russian MRLS: Grad, Uragan, Smerch, Tornado-G/S

Hi all, with the 9A52-4 Tornado now starting replace the BM-21 in Russian service i thought it would be worth a mention of the service the BM-21 has given Russia and various other countries. Although it will still be service for many years to come, with the replacement of it in Russian forces in a few years time the BM-21 will be sent into storage.

The system yet pretty simple compaired to other systems out there the BM-21 has to be the most produced MLRS system ever(although i might be wrong please correct me if i am) and also must be the most widely used MLRS system in service today. I think reason for this must be down to its simplicity and cost, i am not sure of the exact cost but it must cheapest MLRS system on the market. The system has spawned many copies by other countries with their own various changes, but ultimately the design is the same. The cheap cost allows countries field a decent amount and the system is pretty effective and has a variety of different rockets (not sure if there ever did thermobaric anyone know if they did?). In my eyes this is up there with the likes of the T-55, T-72, BMP-1, BTR 60, Mi-8, Mi-24, Mig 21, Mig 29, which are all iconic and great pieces of equipment which made the soviet army and still to this day have a long legendary legacy. So here's to the BM-21 Grad and it entering the soviet military machine hall of fame.

If anyone wants to put there thoughts on this it would be great.

GarryB wrote:You know you did a good design job when the replacement looks like the article it is replacing...

On land and at sea the Grad did an excellent job... I am a little surprised there was no air launched model 122mm rocket... well there was a 5 shot 122mm rocket pod but it used an unrelated rocket AFAIK.

Not particularly accurate... but it didn't need to be...

Would have been useful for blunting enemy attacks, especially with later models with anti tank submunitions.

It had a range of payloads and in early models 20km was a decent range, while later models achieved ranges of 36-40km.

An excellent way of getting large amounts of HE and splinters on an area target rapidly.

The same characteristic that would have made it ideal to deliver chemical or biological weapons...

yeah i forgot to mention its uses on navel vessels, and your right the appearance is identical. Even today 36-40km is a pretty decent range when you consider the cost of BM-21 allows you to field more and using shooting and scooting tactics becomes very effective,

interesting your mention on air launch theory, being totally out of the box, imagine a Russian type AC-130 armed with 40 tube rack on its belly

Test-launches of new MLRS to be completed by end of 2015 — manufacturer

Multiple rocket launcher systems of 300mm caliber are at a stage of state test-launches, deputy general director of NPO said

ST. PETERSBURG, July 3. /TASS/. Test-launches of new multiple rocket launcher systems (MLRS) of 300mm caliber will be completed by the end of 2015, deputy general director of NPO Splav Gennady Kalyuzhny told TASS on Friday.

"They [multiple rocket launcher systems of 300mm caliber] are at a stage of state test-launches which we plan to finish this year. Test-launches of 220mm caliber systems have already been completed, and the 300mm caliber system is at the final stage of state test-launches," Kalyuzhny said at the International Maritime Defense Show in St. Petersburg.

Kalyuzhny reminded that new Tornado-G multiple rocket launcher system was put into operation. "We launched serial production of the system," he noted, adding that it exceeds Grad MLRS in efficiency.

Grad and Tornado-G, which represents a modernized Grad system, have 122mm caliber. They are designed to strike armored vehicles, artillery and mortars, as well as command posts. The Uragan MLRS has 220mm caliber.

Russia's Western Military District gets newest Tornado-G multiple rocket launchers

The new 122-mm Tornado-G MRLS will replace the BM-21 Grad system

MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. More than 20 units of the newest Tornado-G multiple rocket launch system (MRLS) have entered service with the Taman motorized infantry division and the Kantemirovskaya tank division of the Western Military District, stationed in the Moscow region, district spokesman Colonel Oleg Kochetkov told reporters on Wednesday.

"The new 122-mm Tornado-G MRLS will replace the BM-21 Grad system. The Tornado-G three times surpasses the Grad MRLS in combat effectiveness by means of higher ammunition yield, and automated self-guidance, aiming, geo location and navigation system," he said.

The new system’s combat deployment is 1.5 times shorter and its hitting range is expanded to 1 hectare, he said.

Artillerists of the Western Military District will conduct the first life fire exercise using the Tornado-G MRLS within the coming month.

franco wrote:

George1 wrote:Techmash: new MLRS "Uragan-1M" to be accepted in service in Russia

The new multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) “Uragan-1M” of a 220 mm caliber is entering service in Russia; its features are full automation and ability to use interchangeable packets of ammunition, First Deputy Director General of “Tecmash” concern (included in “Rostec”) Vladimir Tikhonov told RIA Novosti on Friday.

The system is being developed by the Tula-located enterprise NPO “Splav” (included in “Tehmash”).

“The MLRS “Uragan-1M” is entering service in Russia. State tests have been successfully completed. This is a modernization of well-established multiple rocket launchers “Uragan” of the previous generation. The main essence of modernization is the use of interchangeable packages, that is, the system will be bi-caliber, it will be able to use ammunition of a larger caliber”, – said Tikhonov.

Does "use ammunition of a larger caliber" = 300mm. If so one system could replace both. For shorter ranges 220mm and 300mm for longer ranges. Would be an interesting system if so.

Dual launcher is seems



Go big or go home

PapaDragon wrote:

franco wrote:

George1 wrote:Techmash: new MLRS "Uragan-1M" to be accepted in service in Russia

The new multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) “Uragan-1M” of a 220 mm caliber is entering service in Russia; its features are full automation and ability to use interchangeable packets of ammunition, First Deputy Director General of “Tecmash” concern (included in “Rostec”) Vladimir Tikhonov told RIA Novosti on Friday.

The system is being developed by the Tula-located enterprise NPO “Splav” (included in “Tehmash”).

“The MLRS “Uragan-1M” is entering service in Russia. State tests have been successfully completed. This is a modernization of well-established multiple rocket launchers “Uragan” of the previous generation. The main essence of modernization is the use of interchangeable packages, that is, the system will be bi-caliber, it will be able to use ammunition of a larger caliber”, – said Tikhonov.

Does "use ammunition of a larger caliber" = 300mm. If so one system could replace both. For shorter ranges 220mm and 300mm for longer ranges. Would be an interesting system if so.

Dual launcher is seems



Go big or go home

Thanks PapaDragon.

My vote

@TheArmenian: no problem buddy, thanks

This would be 220 mm version




300 mm one


And there is a combo version also. Although, I am pretty sure they could get away with using smaller truck...

Can't post source because OP did not bother to post one...

From what i conclude, Tornado is only modernization of older MRLSs? Not completely a new system?

GarryB wrote:technically this is just a serious upgrade of the electronics of the Grad, Uragan, and Smerch... the main difference however is that the Uragan and Smerch seem to now have a unified platform, and they are loaded in pallets instead of individually.



This seems to show another 122mm pallet with 3 rows of 5 rockets in each pack.

Has anyone see the 220mm rocket pallets?

The 300mm 6 packs are visible in the picture above too.

I would expect a 220mm rocket pack would include about 8 tubes so it equates (with two pallets) to the 16 tubes of Uragan... the Smerch 300mm rockets have 6 tubes each which matches the original system when two pallets are used of 12 rockets. The above 15 shot pallets of Grad 122mm is just short of the original system 30 instead of 40 which perhaps explains why the Grad has been replaced with a Grad with 40 fixed tubes instead of pallets.

Look closer. 4x5.

The Grad is being replaced by a Tornado-G model, but AFAIK it looks more or less the same as a normal Grad. So maybe its just a modernization, while the 122mm pallets will be used on similar size but new trucks tha might not be ready yet; which explains why we've only seen Uragan and Smersh sized trucks

MLRS "Smerch" and "Tornado-S" will receive guided missiles

http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20151121/1325676321.html
After Yandex translator:

MOSCOW, 21 Nov — RIA Novosti. Guided missiles will be developed for reactive systems of volley fire (MLRS) "Smerch" and "Tornado-S", said Saturday the Deputy chief of Rocket troops and artillery (Rvia) of Russian Land forces the General-major Alexander Drahomaretskiy.
"For "Smerch" and "Tornado-S" in the future will be developed guided missiles, which will carry out the exact defeat of the purposes",- said the General-the major in radio station interview "Russian news service".
Earlier it was reported that MLRS "Tornado-S" will greatly enhance the capability of the troops. It will enhance the combat potential of the existing "Tornado" through the creation of a new family of rockets, new approaches and improvements that are associated with a geodetic reference guidance

Deadly Typhoon: Russian Army to Receive Over 40 Tornado Rocket Systems

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160116/1033232222/tornado-rocket-system-russia.html#ixzz3xQKEngJj

From various pages i have reached the following conclusions about Tornado systems:

1. 9A52-4 Tornado.

The 9A52-4 Tornado system is based on the chassis of the KamAZ-63501 8x8 military truck, which provides good tactical mobility. It is equipped with a single container with six launcher tubes for 300-mm rockets, which can fire all current Smerch rockets, including HE-FRAG, incendiary, thermobaric, cluster with anti-personnel or anti-tank mines.
Maximum range of fire is 70 km with ordinary and 90 km with extended-range rockets. Rockets are fitted with range and direction correction system for better accuracy.

The 9A52-4 multiple launch rocket system may be Russia's answer to the US HIMARS. It is a lightweight and universal version of the Smerch MLRS. The 9A52-4 is more strategically and tactically mobile, but mobility comes at a cost of reduced firepower.




2. 9A53-G Tornado (2x15 1x40 One 122mm Upgraded BM-21 "Grad" Multiple Rocket Launcher Module, based on a Kamaz Truck.



The new Tornado-G looks in view similar to the ageing Grad, but it has a number of improvements. Rockets of this new system have improved range and more powerful warheads. The Tornado-G is also fitted with automatic positioning, navigation, aiming and laying systems.

The Tornado-G rockets are fitted with cluster warheads with self-guided multi-purpose submunitions. These have a range of 30 km and can be used against enemy infantry and armored vehicles. These submunitions penetrate 60 to 100 mm of RHA. Also there are rockets with HE-FRAG warheads. These have a range of up to 40 km.


3. 9A53-S Tornado. 300mm Upgraded BM-30 "Smerch"



Only the 2nd type has entered service. I would like to see 1st type also which is considered analogue to US HIMARS

Western MD artillery formation received 8 Uragan MLRS



One of the Western MD artillery formations received 8 Uragan multiple launch rocket systems and 16 transport-loading vehicles. These systems are to raise combat capabilities of the formation while defensive and offensive operations.

These MLRS are designed for engaging covered manpower, light-armored and armored combat hardware, artillery, tactic missile complexes, command and communication centers, and other infrastructural objects of the enemy.

The 220mm Uragan systems are capable to perform firing by single projectiles as by full barrage at targets located in the area of about 40 hectares at the distance up to 35 kilometers. Each projectile weights 280 kg.

It takes no more than three minutes to prepare the system for firing. Full barrage is performed in 20 seconds. The MLRS battery is ready to perform marching in a minute after firing.

http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12078125@egNews

Russian MoD to Purchase More Brand New Multiple Rocket Launchers by 2020

The Russian Defense Ministry will purchase around 700 more multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) of three different types, produced by the Russian Motovilikha Plants manufacturer, by 2020, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said Friday.

PERM (Russia) (Sputnik) – Russia is currently implementing a large-scale rearmament program to modernize 70 percent of its military hardware by 2020.

“Motovilikha produces all three types [of the MLRSs] — Tornado-G, a new type, and Uragan and Smerch, which are new modifications of Tornado-S. The volume of purchases in the current state program of armaments is very large, about 700 more systems should be purchased,” Borisov said during a visit to the plant.

“I think that in the newly proposed state program of armaments, these systems will be in demand, because of qualitative changes to the characteristics of the MLRSs, which are becoming high-precision weapons,” the deputy minister added.

Russia is currently implementing a large-scale rearmament program, announced in 2010, to modernize 70 percent of its military hardware. The total modernization program cost is estimated to reach about 20 trillion rubles (some $291 billion at the current exchange rates).

Motovilikha Plants JSC manufactures both metallurgical and military equipment. Besides MLRSs, the company produces field artillery guns, self-propelled artillery and mortars.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160408/1037696099/russia-mlrs-launchers.html#ixzz45F3IIYD5

Massive

The Russian military for five years, will buy about 700 MLRS

Viktor wrote:Massive  

The Russian military for five years, will buy about 700 MLRS

As I suspected, this is the 'asymmetrical response' VVP was talking about, 700 MLRS and probably at least 200 of them are Smerch 300mm MLRS, in which a single system could easily take out dozens of MBT's at a time with EFP's and anti-tank mines (designed to take out a MBT's mobility). With talks of extending the range of Smerch from 90 km to 150 km and even rumors of pushing the range out to 200 km, which should be an adequate asymmetrical response to NATO's build up in Eastern Europe, and we're talking about conventional warheads, let alone actual tactical nuclear warheads that could be used on a 150 km range 300mm Smerch rocket.