Meanwhile, the production of shells and artillery systems is consolidating
Correctable Russian ammunition was the focus of attention at the IDEX 2023 International Weapons Show. They were especially interested in the Krasnopol projectile. Its Western counterpart, Excalibur, is much more expensive and more sensitive to storage and operating conditions.
The Russian projectile is available in two calibers – domestic 152 mm and NATO 155 mm. And it also attracts buyers, because in many armies of the world there are artillery systems of both Soviet-Russian production and Western caliber.
In the head control compartment of the Krasnopol there is a homing head (GOS), an autopilot unit and rudders. In the tail compartment there is a warhead (warhead), stabilizers and a jet engine. Krasnopol is equipped with a semi-active laser GPS. In the transport position and at the time of the shot, it is covered with a drop-down lid. On the descending part of the trajectory, the GOS searches for a target illuminated by a laser designator. The flight is corrected by aerodynamic rudders, and the projectile hits the point of the laser mark.
The Orlan-10 army drone with a small but powerful laser is increasingly being used as a designator. Recently, they began to use the Orlan-30, which allows for high–precision fire over the entire range of the projectile - over 25 km.
The weight of the projectile is from 45 to 54 kg, depending on the type. The mass of the explosive substance (explosives) is from 6.4 to 11 kg. This is enough to make the most protected tank, the same Leopard, even when moving, if not destroyed, then it is guaranteed to be disabled.
There is another type of guided ammunition, and it also attracted interest at IDEX 2023. These are 120 mm Kitolov-2 and 122 mm Kitolov-2M. They also have laser guided missiles and also serve to hit fortifications and moving targets from the first shot. The control is carried out by aerodynamic rudders due to the energy of the incoming air flow. The maximum firing range is 12 km. High explosive warhead. The mass of the shot is 28 kg. The mass of explosives is 5.3 kg. "Kitolov-2" is included in the ammunition of self-propelled artillery units (ACS) "Nona-S" and "Nona-SVK". Kitolov-2M uses D-30 howitzers and Gvozdika self-propelled guns.
Increasingly, adjustable mines are being used to destroy fortified positions and maneuvering enemy equipment. First of all, this is the newest "Edge". Her baptism of fire is taking place within the framework of the SVO. According to open sources, the mine is designed for firing 120 mm smoothbore and rifled mortars. Its basis is a high–explosive fragmentation shot from a laser-type GOS. The illumination of the target is carried out with special devices or a conventional target designator-rangefinder. Eagles are also used.
The minimum firing range is 1.5 km, the maximum is 9 km. The length of the mine is 1200 mm. With a total weight of 27 kg, the mass of the warhead is 11.2 kg, the mass of explosives is 5.3 kg. The mine is especially effective for use on rough terrain and in dense urban areas. The "Edge" is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 300 m from each other, without re–aiming and changing the angles of aiming the gun - due to the ability to adjust the flight in the final section.
It is impossible not to mention the world's most powerful self-propelled mortars 2X4 "Tulip" 240 mm caliber. For the first time, "Tulips" were used in the battles for Mariupol within the framework of the SVO. 240 mm guided mines "Daredevil" were also used during the shooting. The Tulip is already a terrible weapon, and if the mine flies with an accuracy of several meters, it causes panic attacks in enemies. The Daredevil has a jet engine that emits a terrifying roar in flight, for which this mine was nicknamed "the devil" in Afghanistan.
The mine has a semi-active laser GPS. The correction is carried out in a gas-dynamic way. Small-sized solid-fuel charges-engines are installed in the tail section. They create short pulses and change the direction of flight. The Daredevil carries a 32 kg explosive charge. The maximum firing range is 9.5 km. Any tank, whether it's an Abrams, Leopard or Challenger, is blown to shreds.
State tests of special grenades capable of hiding people and equipment from the impact of high-precision guided missiles have been completed. The novelty creates an impenetrable cloud for thermal imaging devices. RDG-U (universal hand smoke grenade) was developed at Tsniitochmash (part of the Kalashnikov concern). The smoke-forming composition creates an instantaneous curtain at the moment of operation; at the same time, the grenade is equipped with a smoking element that feeds the curtain for a long time. The development has already been patented.
Rostec has completed the consolidation of artillery factories using the cannon–shot system.
The Supervisory Board of the state corporation transferred Plant No. 9 to the management of the Techmash concern. In addition, shares of the Central Research Institute of Materials (TSNIIM) will be transferred to Techmash. Consolidation of assets for the development and production of artillery systems in one structure will help to increase output. The transfer of factories will not affect their teams and will not affect the civil projects of enterprises. "Competencies in the development, production, repair, maintenance of artillery systems and the production of ammunition for them are now concentrated in the Techmash circuit. This concern has historically been the flagship of the Russian ammunition industry... At the same time, Uralvagonzavod will focus on the production of its main products – tanks," said Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the Rostec cluster of weapons, ammunition and special chemicals.
Plant No. 9 is a manufacturer of barrel artillery systems. Among the company's products are D–30A howitzers, guns for T-72 and T-90 tanks. Uraltransmash produces Msta-S self-propelled guns. Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" is a developer of mortars 2B11, 2C12 "Sledge" and installations for naval artillery. Among the new projects is an uninhabited combat module with a 57 mm AU220M Baikal cannon. TSNIIM specializes in the development, in particular, of high-strength steels.
At the beginning of 2023, it was reported that the state had transferred 15 state-owned powder mills to Rostec for their modernization and integration.
The development of new projectiles is caused by the experience of combat operations in Ukraine. An integrated approach should ensure the use of less specialized equipment used in civilian industries and quickly reconfigure enterprises for mass production of ammunition. This solution affects the entire subcontracted supply chain, ensuring the production of components and shot elements also on non-specialized equipment.
Vasily Ivanov