PERM, Eastern-European Russia. Oct 16 (Interfax-AVN) - The local Motovilikhinskiye Zavody JS has completed tests of the export variant of the 9-A52-2 modernised combat vehicle that is a part of the Smerch multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), an official of the enterprise said on Tuesday.
Mikhail Romanov, head of the special equipment export bureau in the enterprise's foreign relations department, told Interfax-Military News Agency that the modernisation primarily concerned the combat control and communication systems, as well as the automatic navigation and fire control system.
The modernised vehicle has a self-orientation and satellite navigation block. The modernisation allowed to guarantee high-speed automatic reception and transmission of data and its protection from unsanctioned access. The new device provides for the vehicle's autonomous referencing, navigation and orientation and its depiction on an electronic map.
Modernised Smerch calculates firing parameters and flight mission data in the automatic mode. Homing of the combat vehicle's guides is also automatic and does not require a sight or the crew's exit from the cabin.
9A-52-2 within Smerch has the weight of 33.7t. The modernisation helped increase Smerch's range of fire from 70 to 90km and reduce the vehicle's crew from four to three people. The term of the combat vehicle's preparation for the firing, which is the period from receiving flight mission data to opening fire, makes two minutes. The time of full burst is 40 seconds, area of saturation by one burst 67.2ha and reloading time 16 minutes. The system includes a special transport and loading vehicle for transporting rockets and loading the combat vehicle. The transport and loading vehicle can carry 12 rockets each weighing 800kg.