Several years ago, the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" first presented a model of a promising self-propelled mortar 2S41 "Drok". At the recent exhibition "Army-2019", for the first time, they showed a full-fledged sample of such a combat vehicle. In the near future, "Drok" must pass all the necessary tests and enter the troops. It is expected that this combat vehicle will give the army some new capabilities directly related to the specifics of modern conflicts.
Technical look
Let us recall that the project 2S41 "Drok" provides for the construction of a self-propelled combat vehicle based on the wheeled armored car K-4386 "Typhoon-VDV". A two-axle armored vehicle must carry combat modules with a mortar and machine gun, ammunition and crew. "Drok" has a combat weight of 14 tons and is operated by a crew of four.
The basic armored car has anti-bullet and mine protection. It is also equipped with optical-electronic countermeasures to enemy weapons. The main armament of "Drok" is an 82-mm smooth-bore mortar, which is a modified product 2B14 "Tray". Auxiliary - 7, 62-mm PKTM machine gun on DBM.
Currently, the 2S41 machine is being tested. Completion of all inspections is scheduled for next year. At the same time, it is expected to be officially adopted and put into production. The airborne troops will be the operator of the new mortars.
Positive features
The concept of a self-propelled mortar on a serial chassis is not new, but in current conditions its importance is increasing. The development of artillery systems and reconnaissance means increases the risks for mortars. A portable or towed mortar with a tractor and crew can become a victim of retaliation, and therefore mortar workers need a mobile and protected platform.
The K-4386 armored car shows high mobility characteristics on the highway and off-road, which makes it easier to enter and leave a position. In addition, it was developed taking into account the requirements of the Airborne Forces and can be dropped using a parachute system.
In addition, the vehicle initially carries anti-bullet and anti-fragmentation armor. The safety level of the crew has been increased due to the refusal to fire through the open upper hatch: on the Drok, the mortar is located in the armored turret. The OEP system and DUBM with a machine gun will allow you to fight off the enemy in a direct collision.
The mortar barrel is mounted on recoil devices in a tower with mechanized guidance drives. Also, the 2S41 is equipped with a modern fire control system, which provides the calculation of data for firing. All operations to prepare for a shot are carried out from the fighting compartment, while some of the tasks are taken over by automation. The maximum rate of fire reaches 12 rds / min. In the fighting compartment, ammunition is transported in 40 minutes.
An important feature of "Drok", which gives advantages in certain situations, is the ability to dismantle the trunk. For this, the armored car transports a base plate and a biped. However, the main mode of operation involves the use of the barrel on tower installations.
From the point of view of the combat missions performed, the 2S41 does not differ from other domestic 82 mm mortars. It is capable of striking various targets and objects at ranges from 100 m to 6 km in open areas or in building conditions. It is possible to use all existing mines of its caliber. At the same time, "Drok" differs from a number of other systems of its class by the increased efficiency of fire provided by the developed FCS.
Promising self-propelled mortars will enter service with the Airborne Forces. Operation in these troops provides for landing and parachute landing. Having descended to the ground, combat vehicles will be able to immediately engage in work and provide fire support for the landing. A self-propelled mortar based on a modern armored car will be a good and necessary replacement for wearable or towed systems with similar characteristics.
Visible disadvantages
However, the Drok project does not always receive only positive reviews. After the first demonstration of self-propelled mortar layouts, the first criticism was heard. Indeed, some of the features of the sample presented raise questions.
First of all, criticism is related to the relative complexity of the project and the high cost of the combat vehicle. An armored car with a special turret and mortar is much more expensive than portable and transportable 82-mm systems with a different carrier - a truck or an unarmored vehicle. However, in this case, the higher price is directly related to increased survivability and combat qualities, simplified landing, etc.
You can make a complaint about the selected chassis. The armored car K-4386 "Typhoon-VDV" has not yet passed all the necessary tests and has not yet entered the troops. However, the tests of this machine have already advanced quite far, and in addition, it is considered as one of the foundations of the rearmament of the Airborne Forces. On the basis of such a chassis, several new combat and auxiliary vehicles with different weapons were created, including a self-propelled mortar. In the coming years, the airborne units will receive a whole range of unified equipment, which is still at the stage of development work.
A significant part of self-propelled mortars, including domestic ones, are equipped with 120 mm barrels. As a result, in terms of fire characteristics, they surpass the promising 2S41, and this could be considered as a disadvantage of the latter. However, it is necessary to take into account that the Airborne Forces need systems of different calibers, and the niche of the 120-mm artillery system in the future rearmament is given to the self-propelled gun 2S42 "Lotos" with a universal weapon.
Thus, the main visible shortcomings of the new domestic development only seem to be such. All the main provisions of the technical assignment for the Gorse were worked out taking into account the requirements of the airborne troops and the specifics of their service.
Expected results
The promising self-propelled mortar 2S41 "Drok" was developed as part of the large-scale development work "Sketch", and several other models of self-propelled artillery were created with it. To date, all representatives of this ROC have entered testing, and in the near future they are expected to be adopted.
According to the latest data, "Drok" may complete checks and enter service next year. The desired volumes of purchases of such equipment and plans for the rearmament of specific units have not yet been announced.
The appearance of serial 2S41 vehicles will have a positive effect on the combat effectiveness of the mortar units of the Airborne Forces. The airborne troops are armed with only one 82 mm mortar - the 2B14 product in its original design. Such a weapon, showing the required characteristics, has known disadvantages. Even a partial replacement of portable mortars with self-propelled ones will give positive results.
The Airborne Forces will receive a modern means of fire support with the required combat characteristics, increased mobility and survivability. The deliveries of serial "Droks" will ensure the transfer of most of the landing artillery to self-propelled chassis with known positive consequences. Perhaps, in the future, it will even be possible to completely abandon portable mortars, which do not provide adequate protection for the fighters.
Thus, in the near future, our airborne forces expect new valuable acquisitions. It is important that we are talking not only about the 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortar. The armament will also have to enter other modern samples of different classes and types.
