Unmanned vehicle "burns out" enemy fortifications
Russian attack aircraft have begun using the new ground-based robotic complex (NRTK) "Swarm" in their combat zone, Izvestia found out. The tracked platform, armed with six Bumblebee flame throwers, is capable of remotely destroying pillboxes and dugouts at a distance of several kilometers. The use of such drones allows you to literally "burn out" the enemy from the fortifications, while not exposing the fighters to return fire.
Roy — characteristics and weapons
The Roy ground—based robotic complex (NRTC) is a Torpedo tracked combat platform, on which a combat module with six Bumblebee rocket-propelled infantry flamethrowers is installed. The new car is controlled remotely via radio communication. This allows not only to bring the NRTC to the point from where it is necessary to strike, but also to provide electromechanical guidance of the installation on the target in two planes.
The novelty has already passed its baptism of fire, the developers of the machine, engineers of a separate regiment of the Burevestnik unmanned systems of the Volunteer Corps, told Izvestia.
"In one of the directions, the operators of the NRTK Roy supported the assault actions of the fighters of the Southern Group of Forces and literally "burned out" the enemy from well—fortified positions," the deputy commander of the Burevestnik with the call sign Cosmos told Izvestia.
Photo: separate regiment of unmanned systems "Burevestnik"
Image source: iz.ru
The installation has a firing range of several kilometers and a large power reserve on rechargeable batteries, the developers note.
Positional warfare and the dominance of drones in the sky have changed the battlefield, and our troops are adapting to the prevailing conditions. After the creation of unmanned systems by the troops, ground-based drones are increasingly equipped with standard weapons that provide fire support, military expert Alexei Leonkov told Izvestia.
"The key advantage of this development is the ability to fire remotely, destroying heavily fortified enemy positions, while minimizing the threat to our military personnel," Igor Murog, a full member of the Academy of Military Sciences, Senator of the Federation Council, told Izvestia.
According to him, the complex is ideal for eliminating long-term firing points, dugouts and enemy shelters. And also to suppress the actions of personnel in small areas of the terrain during an attack or defense. Its small size and excellent maneuverability allow the Swarm to operate successfully in difficult terrain and among urban ruins.
Photo: separate regiment of unmanned systems "Burevestnik"
Image source: iz.ru
The machine will certainly be effective in the zone of its own defense, military expert Vasily Dandykin is sure.
"The new system has a low silhouette, which makes it possible to covertly approach enemy positions, taking advantage of terrain folds, and deliver an unexpected blow," he explained. — If necessary, its actions can be masked by fumes, which are installed not only by fighters, but also by the same ground-based robotic systems.
The principle of operation of the Bumblebee flamethrower
The Bumblebee hand—held flame throwers installed on the NTRK Roy are powerful weapons. Its ammunition creates a thermobaric effect to destroy long-term firing points, enemy fortifications and lightly armored targets, experts recalled.
During an explosion, enemy soldiers are affected not only by high temperature, but also by a sharp drop in pressure — these are the main damaging factors of flamethrower ammunition. It is for this reason that an accurate hit from a Bumblebee leaves no chance for enemy personnel to survive.
But these flamethrowers have one disadvantage — to hit a target, a fighter needs to get close enough to the enemy, which is deadly in the presence of a large number of drones in the sky.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
— NRTK Roy will solve this problem without putting personnel at risk, — said Vasily Dandykin.
At the same time, the expert noted, there is a constant mutual exchange of technologies in the special operation zone — both sides adopt the most successful innovations of the enemy. However, unique flamethrower systems, such as the Solntsepek and now the NRTK Roy, are only in service with our army.
The first Soviet flamethrower systems
NRTC Roy had historical predecessors. Similar concepts were previously tested in Soviet military equipment. For example, based on the T-18 in the early 1930s, they created a prototype of the OT-1 with a flamethrower installed in the stern. However, it was experimental and did not go into production.
There was also a prototype of the XBT-7 (or XBT-Sh) in the second half of the 1930s with a KS-40 flamethrower launcher, it also remained a prototype.
Photo: separate regiment of unmanned systems "Burevestnik"
Image source: iz.ru
And the practice of using Bumblebee hand grenade launchers in combat conditions has been going on for more than one year — they have been well known since the time of the fighting in Afghanistan and the North Caucasus, where they have proven themselves well, military expert Vasily Dandykin recalled.
The capabilities of the Cultivator robot
New items are constantly arriving in the free zone. Izvestia wrote that the Cultivator ground-based robotic system with multiple launch rocket systems began to be used against Ukrainian units.
This is a tracked platform on which two blocks for 57-mm aircraft unguided missiles are fixed. In one salvo, the complex can send 32 rounds of ammunition towards the enemy.
It is well suited for the destruction of area targets. The "Cultivators" also performed well with the support of the assault groups.
ATGM systems such as "Swarm" or "Cultivator" make it possible to increase the firepower of infantry at a new stage in the development of combat systems, military experts say. And this tactic will help once again not to put our stormtroopers at mortal risk.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Andrey Buevich
