New Russian light jet artillery system. (Source: Sputnik) This is information shared by Mr. Alexander Kochkin, CEO of JSC NPK Techmash. “The lightweight MLRS system model was introduced to interested military authorities and received their support in principle. The military proposed a way to install this jet artillery in cars. As well as the missions placed on the system on the battlefield, the key to building this model is the S-8 type unmanned missile, “Kochkin said. He noted that at present, related businesses are actively conducting research work, which defines the technical structure of the new MLRS system, from which it will fabricate and test samples of the system. According to Alexander Kochkin, “the review of the test results, the development of feasible proposals to continue the work and the form of implementation of those options, as well as the funding expected to be completed by 2022” . NPO SPLAV is the developer and manufacturer of all Russian series jet artillery systems – proven MLRS systems such as Grad, Uragan and Smerch, as well as the state-of-the-art Tornado-S and Tornado-G. So far the minimum size of the MLRS system produced in Russia is 122 mm. The S-8 is a Russian unmanned missile with the size of 80 mm. The ammunition is designed to be launched from helicopters and aircraft to strike ground targets. The missile has many different warheads weighing from 3 to 9 kg and can destroy both infantry, armored vehicles as well as entrenched enemy structures. (According to Sputnik)

To increase the range, the PrSM missile will be equipped with a new generation engine system, upgrading the navigation system without increasing the size of the missile.

US PrSM system.

The new propulsion system enables the missile to be launched from the foundation of existing US HIMARS jet artillery systems.

“When the INF Treaty is no longer in effect and medium-range missiles are no longer bound by range, we can increase the range of our weapons to complete missions,” the source said.

The Breaking Defense expert said that although the PrSM has increased its range by more than 3 times, this weapon still cannot compare with the Russian 9M729 missile – a weapon accused by the US of violating the INF while the treaty is in effect. .

The Russian 9M729 missile known as the SSC-8 has a maximum range of 5,500km. With such a range and complicated flight journey, Russia’s 9M729 missile is considered a threat to the US and to its European allies.

General John Hyten, of the US Strategic Command, admitted similarly in a testimony before Congress, saying that the new SSC-8 missile that Russia has deployed can defeat defense shields. US and European allies, especially when launched in large numbers.

It is known that 9M729 was developed and tested by Russia for many years, based on the missile version 9M728. The 9M729 is a ground-based version of the Kalibr-NK long-range ocean-based cruise missile complex, so it carries all of the basic tactical features of this missile.

9M729 is equipped with control and navigation system based on inertia with Doppler sensor that adjusts the attack angle according to the Glonass satellite navigation system and GPS. In the final stage, the self-guided missile radar will be activated, automatically finding and rushing to attack the target with a warhead weighing up to 450kg.

The missile is launched in a vertical position with the help of a solid fuel engine that increases the thrust after launch. The propeller-propeller jet engine then sends the missile thousands of kilometers to the target at subsonic flight speeds.

In terms of design, the 9M729 is built on a conventional aerodynamic principle with the wings folded in the body while moving. 9M729 can easily overcome enemy air defenses with complex flight journeys with many turns at very low altitudes.

The only difference that helps 9M729 assert its power compared to the Kalibr-NK version installed on the warships is the range. If Kalibr-NK has a maximum range of about 2,500 km, 9M729 can attack targets at distances of up to 5,400 km.

In particular, according to US intelligence sources, 9M729 is also developed by Russia with the ability to carry nuclear warheads. And this is one of the reasons that the US and its European allies are feverish with the 9M729 missile.

Ukraine’s secret weapon system is a series of missile launchers developed by the State Design Bureau Kyiv Luch in cooperation with other private and public Ukrainian defense companies.

MLRS can destroy infantry, armored and armored vehicle targets in the area where artillery batteries, headquarters and ammunition are concentrated. This system will allow the Ukrainian military to protect its borders, strait and territorial sea as well as naval bases and coastal infrastructure within missile range.

The mass-launch missile system was tested several times in 2018, while recent tests were conducted at a military training facility in Ukraine’s Odesa region in August 2019.

Russian website Rg.ru said that the 9P140 truck belonging to the MLRS series launch missile system of the Ukrainian army had a serious accident on the Odessa – Mariupol highway.

According to the latest information from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the MLRS convoy is on its way to the city of Mariupol on the coast of Azov, to strengthen its defenses against a threat from Russia.

Initial information showed that a vehicle carrying the missile for the MLRS system lost control, crashed into the median side of the road and plunged down a roadside slope causing the vehicle to flip over many times.

The car was severely damaged, the cabin was completely destroyed and the most frightening thing was that 16 rockets fell out but fortunately they did not explode. There is currently no specific information on the casualties of the driver’s vehicle.

The original cause was identified as a technical problem from the driver’s part, and another reason highlighted by the Russian press was that the vehicle’s use status was too long and the lack of spare parts. cure.

The MLRS series launch missile system is mounted on the KrAZ-7634 8 × 8 truck chassis. The driver’s cabin is mounted in the front left part of the chassis. Located behind the driver’s cabin, a systematic launch cabin with launch and fire preparation equipment.

The total weight of the truck is 32 tons, while its load capacity is 18.8 tons. Power comes from the YaMZ-7511.10 turbocharged diesel engine paired with a nine-speed mechanical transmission system. The engine develops a maximum capacity of 420 horsepower and allows a top speed of 100km / h.

The MLRS system is based on the Soviet-era BM-30 Smerch heavy jet artillery system. Each system is controlled by a crew of 4 and is capable of firing rockets in either single or launch mode.

The launch mass of each 300mm missile is 800kg. MLRS is capable of destroying enemy targets at a distance of 130 km. The system can fire 12 missiles in just 45 seconds and hit targets with a ring failure probability (CEP) below 30m.

The MLRS has a new automatic fire control system, which can be operated in either automatic or manual mode. The fire control system allows automatic determination of the bearing angle of the launcher.

The MLRS missile uses a non-GPS navigation system to avoid the risk of signal loss due to interfering with satellite positioning or deceptive attacks. Each missile is powered by a solid engine and can be fitted with different warheads. Photo source: Pinterest.

A close-up of the power of the Smerch jet cannon – with 12 bullets that can destroy all life in an area of ​​67 hectares. Source: QPVN.