БМ-30 «Смерч» / Одна из самых смертоносных реактивных систем залпового огня в мире

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Between 1969 and 1976 soviets were creating a concept of a new extremely powerful artillery rocket system. In 1976 a requirement was issued by the soviet government to develop this new artillery system. In 1982 this new system successfully completed trials. The Smerch (Tornado) was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1987. At the time it was the most powerful multiple launch artillery rocket system in the world. Even today, after more than 30 years of service, it remains one of the deadliest systems of this type. Currently Russian Army operates just over 100 of these artillery rocket systems. It saw combat during both Russian wars in Chechnya. Recently it saw combat in Ukraine and Syria. Other operators of the Smerch are Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kuwait, Peru, Syria, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. In 2020 Azerbaijan used these heavy artillery rocket systems against Armenian forces.
Russian designation for the whole artillery system is the 9K58, while the launcher vehicle is designated as the 9A52 or BM-30.
The Smerch has 12 tubes for 300 mm artillery rockets. A standard rocket is 7.6 m long and weights 800 kg. Originally this multiple launch rocket system had a range of 70 km. Though this range was extended on improved systems. A number of warheads were developed for this system, including HE-FRAG, fuel-air explosive, incendiary, cluster with anti-personnel and anti-tank submunitions or self-guided anti-tank munitions. The launcher vehicle is capable of salvo firing or launching single rockets.
The Smerch proved to be extremely effective against concentration of troops and armored vehicles, artillery and air defense batteries, airfields and other area targets. A full salvo of a single launcher covers an area of up to 67 hectares.
The Smerch launch vehicle can stop and open fire within 3 minutes from travelling. It takes the same amount of time to leave the firing position. Rockets are launched directly form the cab, or remotely form the vehicle. A full salvo takes 38 seconds.
Launcher vehicle of the Smerch is based on a MAZ-543M heavy high mobility chassis with 8x8 configuration. This vehicle is powered by the D12A-525A 38.9-liter diesel engine, developing 525 horsepower. It is fitted with a central tyre inflation system, which improves mobility over difficult terrain, such as sand, snow and mud.
The Smerch is reloaded by an associated 9T234-2 reloading vehicle. It is based on a similar MAZ-543A heavy high mobility chassis with 8x8 configuration. The reloading vehicle is fitted with hydraulic crane and carries a full set of 12 reload rockets. Reloading takes 36 minutes. Reloading usually takes place away from the firing position, to avoid counter-battery fire.
A Smerch unit is typically composed of 6 launcher vehicles and 6 reloading vehicles. The fire control system of the Smerch, the Vivari, can function automatically or under manual control. The Vivari system is housed in a command vehicle and controls 6 launchers. It calculates ballistic and targeting data of each launcher.

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