Gorchak universal pillbox

Hi this is the first time i have heard of this does anyone know if they have ever been used and are they still used.

Gorchak Universal pillbox.

It is intended for quickly bolstering defensive positions. The Gorchak is basically a steel turret with a AGS-17 grenade launcher (360 rounds), a NSV-12 heavy 12.7mm machine gun (480 rounds), a Type PKM light 7.62mm machine gun (1700 rounds), and a single ATGM (type can vary). The underground component is four steel pillars; the surrounding soil has to be buttressed with lumber or sheet metal. The whole turret can rotate 360 degrees. The Gorchak has a diameter of 76 and a length of 61, of which most is underground. The disassembled system weighs 4 tons and heavy construction vehicles are required for its installation.







there is also a smaller version called Type 3SM-1

This is a smaller cousin to the Gorchak, equipped with just an ATGM. (see below)

Never heared off it but sounds like not a bad idea.

d_taddei2 wrote:Hi this is the first time i have heard of this does anyone know if they have ever been used and are they still used.

Gorchak Universal pillbox.

It is intended for quickly bolstering defensive positions. The Gorchak is basically a steel turret with a AGS-17 grenade launcher (360 rounds), a NSV-12 heavy 12.7mm machine gun (480 rounds), a Type PKM light 7.62mm machine gun (1700 rounds), and a single ATGM (type can vary). The underground component is four steel pillars; the surrounding soil has to be buttressed with lumber or sheet metal. The whole turret can rotate 360 degrees. The Gorchak has a diameter of 76 and a length of 61, of which most is underground. The disassembled system weighs 4 tons and heavy construction vehicles are required for its installation.







there is also a smaller version called Type 3SM-1

This is a smaller cousin to the Gorchak, equipped with just an ATGM. (see below)

Very nasty proposal. That thing will be totally cold prior to opening fire. I suppose it can also be remote controlled. So basically you could deny a large area with nothing more than a couple of these.

I remember seeing this advertised quite some time ago but I don't recall reading about any buyers.

It was designed to be used on its own or as part of a network of bunkers and fortified positions in a multi layer defence system.

It is supposed to be a cheaper alternative to putting tank turrets in static defensive lines. The very low profile makes it hard to spot before it opens fire and rather difficult to hit and destroy even after being spotted.

As part of a defence line it would be rather useful, especially if positioned properly with overlapping lines of fire. And it would be relatively cheap.

thanks for all the replies.

being remote controlled would make sense, i wouldn't wnt to operate ones of these as soon as they do find out where you are you would be pretty open to attack heli's. But good defensive bit of equipment, and with the correct camo it would be even harder to spot. And it sounds like you can have pretty much whatever you want on it. Could be pretty useful if it had an addition of a MANPAD, a group of heli's flying past then suddenly a group of these pop up armed with SA-24 or Verba nasty.

KoTeMoRe wrote:

d_taddei2 wrote:Hi this is the first time i have heard of this does anyone know if they have ever been used and are they still used.

Gorchak Universal pillbox.

It is intended for quickly bolstering defensive positions. The Gorchak is basically a steel turret with a AGS-17 grenade launcher (360 rounds), a NSV-12 heavy 12.7mm machine gun (480 rounds), a Type PKM light 7.62mm machine gun (1700 rounds), and a single ATGM (type can vary). The underground component is four steel pillars; the surrounding soil has to be buttressed with lumber or sheet metal. The whole turret can rotate 360 degrees. The Gorchak has a diameter of 76 and a length of 61, of which most is underground. The disassembled system weighs 4 tons and heavy construction vehicles are required for its installation.







there is also a smaller version called Type 3SM-1

This is a smaller cousin to the Gorchak, equipped with just an ATGM. (see below)

Very nasty proposal. That thing will be totally cold prior to opening fire. I suppose it can also be remote controlled.  So basically you could deny a large area with nothing more than a couple of these.

Add some anti-IR coatings and possibly a net. Very good for fixed positions, vantage points with nearby clutter (trees or bushes).

KiloGolf wrote:

KoTeMoRe wrote:

d_taddei2 wrote:Hi this is the first time i have heard of this does anyone know if they have ever been used and are they still used.

Gorchak Universal pillbox.

It is intended for quickly bolstering defensive positions. The Gorchak is basically a steel turret with a AGS-17 grenade launcher (360 rounds), a NSV-12 heavy 12.7mm machine gun (480 rounds), a Type PKM light 7.62mm machine gun (1700 rounds), and a single ATGM (type can vary). The underground component is four steel pillars; the surrounding soil has to be buttressed with lumber or sheet metal. The whole turret can rotate 360 degrees. The Gorchak has a diameter of 76 and a length of 61, of which most is underground. The disassembled system weighs 4 tons and heavy construction vehicles are required for its installation.







there is also a smaller version called Type 3SM-1

This is a smaller cousin to the Gorchak, equipped with just an ATGM. (see below)

Very nasty proposal. That thing will be totally cold prior to opening fire. I suppose it can also be remote controlled.  So basically you could deny a large area with nothing more than a couple of these.

Add some anti-IR coatings and possibly a net. Very good for fixed positions, vantage points with nearby clutter (trees or bushes).

A few hundred of those things strategically placed in Northern Syria could prove useful turning militant Turkomen in to Swiss cheese.

Keep in mind these are defensive systems... you could locate them near a defended target, so they could block a line of attack.

With them flush to the ground you would need a direct hit to do any damage and with a clear line of sight the ATGMs and HMG could easily engage targets to 2km and beyond which would make it a very difficult target from that range.

If it is part of a defensive network then extra ammo and food and water and equipment would be buried with it so it could hold out for a very long period against all manner of threats.

Compared with a conventional bunker that could be taken out from long range with a weapon like Kornet, these bunkers are very small targets difficult to see let alone hit.

Of course they would be little use in attack as they are immobile.

d_taddei2 wrote:thanks for all the replies.

being remote controlled would make sense, i wouldn't wnt to operate ones of these as soon as they do find out where you are you would be pretty open to attack heli's. But good defensive bit of equipment, and with the correct camo it would be even harder to spot. And it sounds like you can have pretty much whatever you want on it. Could be pretty useful if it had an addition of a MANPAD, a group of heli's flying past then suddenly a group of these pop up armed with SA-24 or Verba nasty.

There are various Russian antiair mines related to the theme that you are suggesting. I have had a few posts about these systems.