On January 31, a regular meeting of the board of the State Military-Industrial Committee of the Republic of Belarus was held in Minsk. During this event, an exhibition was held showing the latest developments of the Belarusian industry. One of the exhibits of this exhibition was a promising multiple launch rocket system "Flute" developed by the company "BSVT - New Technologies". Experienced MLRS was demonstrated for the first time, previously only advertising materials were shown.
Based on ready-made components
Complex "Flute" is a light MLRS, which includes all the necessary components. The wheeled chassis provides high mobility, modern electronics increase fire performance, and rockets can attack a wide range of targets. An important feature of the project is the widespread use of ready-made components, incl. already available in the warehouses of many armies.
The chassis of the Asilak armored car was chosen as the basis for the MLRS. This car is a Belarusian licensed version of the Russian Buran car, built on the chassis of the GAZ-3308 Sadko truck. In connection with the installation of the launcher, the armored car loses the rear of the protected case; only a two-seater cabin remains.
The power plant and the crew are covered with 6A class armor, which protects against rifle bullets and shell fragments. The cabin is designed as a two-seater, with the driver and commander in it. There is no auxiliary weapon for self-defense on the prototype. At the same time, embrasures with covers for firing from the crew's personal weapons are provided in the glazing.
The crew has all the necessary control and communication systems at their disposal. "Flute" carries an automated workstation for the commander, which allows control of all onboard systems.
The fire control system is capable of processing incoming information and providing data for firing. The OMS is integrated with the Alliance automated control system. With the help of the latter, data is exchanged with other MLRS or command posts. Among other things, this allows you to collect several combat vehicles in a battery.
A rotary launcher with guides for rockets is mounted on the rear of the chassis. The actuators allow vertical guidance from 0 to 55 ° and horizontally from 102 ° to the left to 70 ° to the right. The cab covers a 34 ° wide sector to the right and left of the longitudinal axis.
The launcher is equipped with 80 guides of 80 mm caliber. It is proposed to use unguided aircraft missiles of the S-8 family as rockets. The ammunition load of the MLRS can include projectiles with warheads for various purposes, providing a solution to various tasks. The firing range is from 1 to 3 km. It is claimed that the Alliance automated control system ensures high firing accuracy with such ammunition. The relatively low characteristics of the rocket made it possible to do without stabilizing the chassis when firing.
Unlike some other modern MLRS, "Flute" does not have the capacity to carry additional ammunition or load shells onto the launcher. Thus, the combat vehicle requires the help of another vehicle to reload.
Fighting vehicle MLRS "Flute" has dimensions at the level of the base armored car. Combat weight - slightly less than 7 tons. After arriving at a position, the vehicle needs 60 seconds to deploy. Preparation for shooting takes no more than 30 seconds.
First successes
Experienced "Flute" was shown only a few days ago, but the first information about the project and its progress appeared earlier. Back in November last year, the Belarusian press spoke about the development of an MLRS project based on a licensed armored car. By that time, a prototype had already been built and testing began.
According to the latest data, the MLRS "Flute" is still at the stage of field tests. The results have not yet been announced, but it is argued that all activities will be completed this year. After that, most likely, the new development will be offered to potential customers.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Flute project is based on the idea of building a multiple launch rocket system based on an affordable unguided aircraft missile. This concept enjoys a certain popularity in the world, but it is used mainly in the construction of improvised equipment in artisanal conditions. The Belarusian industry, in turn, has implemented an interesting idea at a normal industrial and technological level.
MLRS "Fluita" is built on the chassis "Asilak" / "Buran" / "Sadko". This sample is well mastered by the industry and operators and shows fairly high performance. The applied chassis provides the combat vehicle with the required mobility and allows you to quickly transfer it to position.
The existing armored car with advanced protection was taken as the basis for the MLRS. Due to the limited characteristics of the S-8 missile, the combat vehicle may be at risk and therefore needs protection from small arms or shrapnel. The use of the section of the finished armored hull allows you to save on production.
Of great interest is the use of the existing NAR as a missile. S-8 products are widespread, which simplifies procurement. In addition, there are several options for the combat equipment of such missiles, which allows you to select ammunition in accordance with the type of targets.
NAR S-8 is distinguished by its small size (length no more than 1, 6-1, 7 m) and weight (up to 15-16 kg). Due to this, 80 guides were placed on the compact launcher. Large volley volumes are an important advantage.
However, it is the ammunition used that causes several disadvantages of the new MLRS. First of all, it is a short firing range - no more than 3 km. This seriously limits the potential of the system, leads to special requirements in terms of protection, and also complicates the organization of combat work.
The transfer of the NAR to a land platform may become a problem. The design of the S-8 stabilizers ensures the correct spinning and stabilization of the product in flight when launched from a carrier moving at a speed of at least 100-150 km / h. Failure to comply with this condition deteriorates stabilization, shooting accuracy drops. How this issue was resolved in the "Flute" project - if it was solved at all - is unclear.
The solution could be the alteration of aircraft missiles before use on the MLRS, providing for the replacement of the stabilizer. However, such measures lead to a loss of unification and a deterioration in the economic performance of the system.
A special tool for special tasks
In general, the new Belarusian MLRS "Flute" is noticeably different from other models of its class, which are in service, and its differences are primarily associated with the choice of ammunition. The implemented concept of using aircraft missiles on a land platform has advantages, but not without disadvantages. However, in this case, the resulting sample has the right to life and may interest buyers.
The "flute" can be viewed as a means of close fire support for the forward edge, attacking targets only in line of sight. The defeat of objects in the depth of the defense is actually not possible. Thus, a fundamentally new means of attacking the enemy at short distances may appear at the disposal of the ground forces.
However, it is difficult to imagine situations in which a full-fledged MLRS with a firing range of 2-3 km could be found. It is unlikely that they can occur frequently and in all sectors of the front. At the same time, it is obvious that due to the difference in characteristics, the "Flute" cannot become a full-fledged addition to other MLRS of the "traditional" type, such as the "Grad". There is no need to talk about competition at all.
Thus, the MLRS "Flute" can be considered a very curious example, embodying an ambiguous idea and therefore having limited prospects. Nevertheless, such a multiple launch rocket system may be of interest to certain customers, although one should not expect great popularity in the market.
It is alleged that the "Flute" is now being tested, which means that in the near future it will be offered to customers. After that, the real prospects of the project in terms of sales will become clear.
