One of the most powerful artillery systems in our army is the 2S7M Malka self-propelled gun. This product is quite old and needs modernization. As it was announced the other day, the design update has already been completed and is being tested at the test site. In the near future, it is planned to launch a serial upgrade.
Industry works
On December 17, RIA Novosti published a long interview with Dmitry Semizorov, General Director of Uraltransmash. Various topics were raised in the conversation, incl. promising projects for the modernization of artillery systems.
According to D. Semizorov, in December the plant is going to complete work on updating the CAO 2S7M. We are talking about a major overhaul of a self-propelled gun and a deep modernization of part of its systems. The use of new components and assemblies is envisaged, aimed at both improving performance and import substitution.
At the moment, as stated, the experienced "Malka" after modernization is being tested in a test site. The prototype copes with the assigned tasks and confirms the correctness of the solutions used. During the next 2020, Uraltransmash is going to prepare the serial production of the updated equipment.
Updating and replacing
The ongoing modernization affects a number of major systems and components of the CAO. At the same time, other units cost only repairs to extend the resource. In some cases, modernization is associated with the abandonment of imported units in favor of domestic ones.
A similar import substitution was carried out in the field of power units and on-board electronics. According to D. Semizorov, earlier, a Ukrainian-made power plant was used at Malka. The corresponding units were replaced with domestic products. Also, the onboard gearboxes manufactured in Kharkov went under the replacement.
Foreign components were present in the fire control system and in the anti-nuclear defense complex. In the last project, they were abandoned, using domestic counterparts.
At the same time, a number of other components and assemblies have been replaced. The modernized 2S7M cannon receives new means of internal and external communication, devices for receiving and processing data, observation equipment, etc. According to known data, the proposed modernization of radio-electronic means ensures the compatibility of "Malka" with modern automated command and control systems.
From the announced data, it follows that the full set of new equipment so far has only experienced equipment built for testing. However, next year it is planned to launch serial work on the modernization of combat self-propelled guns.
"Malka" as part of the complex
At present, the Russian army is improving its missile forces and artillery, aimed at increasing their combat effectiveness. Such processes are directly related to the implementation of the so-called. reconnaissance and strike complexes (RUK) - systems that include a variety of reconnaissance means and artillery or missiles.
The combined use of modern reconnaissance means and SAO / ACS can reduce the time between the detection and destruction of the target. It is planned to reduce this interval by 1.5-2 times. Such an increase in combat qualities should take place in all areas, including high-power artillery.
It should be considered that the modernization of communication and control facilities on the Malka self-propelled gun is directly related to the implementation of the RUK concept. With the help of new devices, gunners will be able to get more accurate information about targets faster and more efficiently carry out a combat mission. Interaction with a wide range of reconnaissance assets is possible.
In the spring of last year, the Ministry of Defense announced the first experiments on joint work of the CAO 2S7M and the Orlan-10 unmanned complex. The reconnaissance UAV identified a conditional target and determined its coordinates, which were then forwarded to the calculation of the self-propelled gun. The target with previously unknown coordinates was successfully hit in a short time. In the future, such firing was repeated many times, and the use of UAVs fully justified itself.
Some of the technical details of the current modernization of the Malka vehicles remain unknown. In particular, the main capabilities and features of interaction with third-party data sources, etc., remain secret. However, there is every reason to believe that in this regard, the 2S7M after the new update will have advantages over the previous modification.
Old but effective
It is curious that in the latest reports on the modernization of the CAO 2S7M "Malka", the topic of the weapon itself is not raised. Apparently, the project does not provide for the replacement or alteration of the gun - it is proposed to increase the combat characteristics by improving the fire control systems and related means.
However, the artillery unit of "Malka" does not need to be updated. During the development of the 2S7M project, the necessary changes were made to it, ensuring the required characteristics were obtained, after which new modifications were not required. The 203-mm 2A44 cannon and associated units provide the necessary combat and operational performance.
A gun with a caliber of 203 mm with a barrel length of 55 klb uses separate loading rounds with shells of a number of types for different purposes. The mass of the shells reaches 110 kg. The maximum firing range (active-rocket projectile 3VOF35) - 47, 5 km. The shots are loaded using an appropriate remote-controlled mechanism. Rate of fire - 2, 5 shots / min.
According to the tabular characteristics, the 2S7M is one of the most powerful artillery systems in service in our country and in the world. With such parameters, the refinement of the weapon itself does not make sense, but the improvement of the FCS is fully justified and should give a noticeable effect.
Continuous development
Thus, the domestic defense industry continues the process of developing artillery systems, as a result of which the army can count on receiving modern and effective equipment. These processes affect all major classes of artillery, incl. high power systems.
In the case of CAO 2S7M "Malka", there is also a constant and systematic development with a consistent solution of certain technical problems. In the recent past, the issues of interaction of self-propelled guns with new reconnaissance means have been worked out, and now a project has been completed to modernize equipment with the replacement of part of the units. Next year, such a project will be brought to a series.
Malka has already become a full-fledged element of the promising RUK, and the new modernization will expand its capabilities. All this will significantly increase the potential of high-power artillery with minimal costs for the construction and development of equipment. Despite its considerable age, the CAO 2S7M remain in service, and the army and industry, represented by the Uraltransmash plant and other enterprises, are taking all measures to extend their service life and increase their combat potential.
