Artillery cannot fully solve the assigned combat missions without accurate data on the location of the target and adjusting the fire. Reconnaissance of targets and determination of the results of firing can be carried out by different methods and means. Several decades ago, the so-called mobile reconnaissance points - special armored vehicles capable of exploring the battlefield, looking for targets and helping the work of gunners. The newest example of military equipment of this class at the moment is the PRP-4A "Argus" machine.
Until recently, the main mobile reconnaissance posts of the Russian ground forces were the PRP-4 "Nard" and PRP-4M "Deuteriy" armored vehicles, created during the Soviet era. Over the past decades, the requirements for such equipment have changed, as a result of which a new project of a special reconnaissance vehicle was developed. By reworking the chassis and other units, as well as by replacing part of the target equipment, it was possible to transfer the car to a modern element base, and also significantly improve its performance in comparison with its predecessors.
General view of the machine PRP-4A "Argus". Photo Rubtsovskiy branch of NPK "Uralvagonzavod" / Uvzrmz.ru
The project of the improved reconnaissance station PRP-4A was developed by the designers of the Rubtsovsk Machine-Building Plant (since 2011 - the Rubtsovsk branch of the Uralvagonzavod Research and Production Corporation). Previously, this enterprise was engaged in serial production of similar equipment of previous models, and now it was entrusted with the creation of a new model. The main work was completed in the middle of the last decade. After the required tests, in 2008 a new reconnaissance point was put into service under the official designation PRP-4A "Argus".
It should be noted that the general public did not immediately find out about the latest domestic development. Information about the Argus project appeared earlier, but the first official demonstration of such equipment took place only in 2013. Subsequently, mobile reconnaissance posts of the new model participated in several domestic military-technical exhibitions as exhibits in a static parking lot.
At its core, the new PRP-4A armored vehicle is a further development of existing samples of a similar purpose. The improvement of technical and operational characteristics was carried out by replacing special equipment, while protection, power plant, weapons, etc. remained the same. As a result, the modern model and its predecessors have minimal external differences with a noticeable difference in capabilities.
Like its predecessors, the Argus reconnaissance aircraft is built on the chassis of the BMP-1/2 infantry fighting vehicle. Due to its different role on the battlefield, the existing model is undergoing some changes. So, the central compartment with the fighting compartment is being finalized in order to install new equipment. In addition, the aft troop compartment is released, part of the volume of which is also used as a hardware compartment. The presence of a large number of large-sized devices led to a sharp reduction in the armament complex. For self-defense, the crew can only use relatively low-power weapons.
The hull of the base infantry vehicle is used without any major changes or modifications. It retains a bulletproof armor that only protects against small arms. The layout remains the same with the front engine compartment, next to which is the control compartment. The central part of the hull carries a turret with a set of special means, and there is free space under it and in the stern, which is used in one way or another.
"Argus" at the RAE-2013 exhibition. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
In front of the hull is a 300 hp UTD-20S1 diesel engine coupled with a mechanical transmission. The design of the undercarriage is preserved. Each side accommodates six road wheels with individual torsion bar suspension. Some of the rollers are equipped with additional hydraulic shock absorbers. The drive wheels are placed in the front of the hull, and the guides are located in the stern. The upper track rests on the support rollers. The mobile reconnaissance post retains the ability to sail, for which the rewinding of the tracks and special grilles over the rear of them are used.
The existing conical tower, which is notable for its low height, has received updated equipment. A large number of optical, electronic and other devices for various purposes are installed both inside the fighting compartment and on the outer surface of the tower. With their help, the crew can conduct reconnaissance, observe the terrain, search for targets and determine their coordinates. Due to the use of various means, the PRP-4A can observe objects at a line-of-sight distance or at a great distance.
The simplest means of observing the terrain are several periscopic devices located on the roof of the tower. Two of these devices are mounted in the front of the roof and provide observation of the front hemisphere. The main periscopes are complemented by several similar devices of a simplified design, located on the roof and on the hatches. With the help of all these instruments, the crew can monitor large sectors of the surrounding terrain, however, to observe some areas of space, a turret rotation is required.
Large armored casings are fixed on the sides of the tower, which are necessary to accommodate additional optoelectronic equipment. For visual search of targets, it is proposed to use an active-pulse device 1PN125 and a thermal imager 1PN126. These products are housed in protected housings with movable front covers. Rigid fastening of devices allows observing only a certain sector of the front hemisphere.
Reconnaissance point in the exposition of the Army-2013 forum. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
To increase the viewing range and detect enemy targets at any time of the day and in all weather conditions, the onboard equipment has its own 1L120-1 type radar. In the aft part of the tower, it is planned to install an additional protected box, inside which an antenna device with a hydraulic lifting drive is placed. When preparing the radar for operation, the outer cover is lifted, after which the hydraulics raises the antenna and brings it to the operating position.
If necessary, the crew of a mobile reconnaissance point can monitor the terrain using remote means. There are several portable optical devices on board the vehicle, with the help of which a stationary observation post is quickly organized.
Data from all devices, including a video signal from optoelectronic devices, are fed to a computer complex equipped with two automated workstations for the crew. With the help of the latter, reconnaissance operators can study the terrain and look for various enemy targets, including camouflaged ones. The onboard equipment includes navigation aids necessary to determine the own coordinates of the armored vehicle and calculate the location of targets. There are communication facilities that allow you to transfer data about the found objects to one or another consumer. Communication range - 50 km. There are also facilities for storing the collected information.
The reconnaissance station PRP-4A "Argus" has the ability to work fully at any time of the day and does not depend on meteorological conditions. However, airborne surveillance devices differ from each other in their characteristics. When using optoelectronic devices, the crew can spot an enemy tank at distances of up to 8 km during the day and at a range of up to 3 km at night. If the enemy uses camouflage means in the visible and infrared ranges, the detection range of the tank drops to 2 km. The use of the 1L120-1 radar station allows you to search for armored vehicles in any conditions at ranges up to 16 km. The infantryman can be seen from 7 km away.
The direction to the target, which is necessary for calculating its coordinates, is determined by the angle of rotation of the tower with optical instruments or by the corresponding data from the radar station. To calculate the range, it is proposed to use a laser rangefinder or radar. When using a laser rangefinder, the distance to the enemy armored vehicle is determined at distances up to 10 km. The median error in determining the coordinates is 20 m. Measuring the range to large objects, such as landscape elements or buildings, can be carried out at distances up to 25 km. The radar is capable of determining the range to the object up to the maximum detection distance. The median error of the product 1L120-1 is 40 m.
Tower with special equipment. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
The PRP-4A machine must work at the forefront, which is why it needs effective protective equipment. In case of a meeting with the enemy, the reconnaissance point carries one PKTM machine gun. Weapons of caliber 7, 62 mm are placed in the frontal mount of the turret and have an ammunition load of 1000 rounds. Seven smoke grenade launchers are also located on the frontal leaf of the tower; at the stern, it is planned to install six more. The grenade launchers are controlled by the Shtora optical-electronic countermeasure system. Along the perimeter of the armored vehicle is a set of sensors that capture the laser radiation of enemy systems. When signs of attack are detected, a grenade is fired with a masking aerosol. There is a thermo-smoke equipment.
All systems are controlled by the crew located in the hull and in the turret. The driver's workplace remained in the same place and is located in the front of the body. Under the tower are two operators of onboard systems, who have workstations at their disposal. For access to the car, it is proposed to use hatches in the roof of the hull and turret.
In terms of its dimensions, the PRP-4M, in general, corresponds to the basic infantry fighting vehicle. The length of the reconnaissance aircraft exceeds 6, 7 m, width - 2, 94 m, height - less than 2, 2 m. Combat weight is determined at the level of 13, 8 tons. The use of the finished power plant led to the preservation of acceptable mobility parameters at the level of BMP-1/2 … On the highway, the armored vehicle can accelerate to a speed of 65 km / h, the cruising range is 550 km. Water obstacles are overcome by swimming at a speed of up to 7 km / h.
According to reports, a new type of experimental equipment was manufactured at the beginning of the second half of the last decade. After carrying out all the necessary tests and checks, the newest mobile reconnaissance point was recommended for adoption. The corresponding order was issued in 2008. However, the serial production of Argus machines began only a few years later. The site for the assembly of such equipment was an enterprise in Rubtsovsk, which developed a new project.
The first serial PRP-4A were transferred to combat units of the ground forces in 2012. The following year, the artillerymen of the Southern Military District received new equipment. Having mastered the machines, the scouts took part in the exercises of the missile forces and artillery, during which they tested their reconnaissance and fire adjustment skills in various conditions. In the future, the supply of serial armored vehicles was continued. They were transferred to the Southern, Western and Central military districts. The equipment was repeatedly involved in maneuvers, and its crews successfully solved the assigned tasks.
Until a certain time, reconnaissance points PRP-4A worked only at training ranges within the framework of combat training activities inaccessible to the general public. During the Russian Expo Arms 2015 exhibition, the combat work of such a technique was shown to the public for the first time. The exhibition program included demonstration firing of self-propelled artillery. Self-propelled guns 2S19 "Msta-S" were responsible for the defeat of the mock enemy, and their work was ensured by the crews of the "Argus" vehicles. The scouts searched for targets, determined their coordinates and issued target designations to the gunners. After firing, they monitored the effectiveness of the firing.
"Argus" on exercises. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The reconnaissance vehicles PRP-4A "Argus" already available in the troops have proven themselves well, which was noted by the military and political leadership of the country. Earlier it was announced that according to the results of tests, military operation and the use of equipment in the framework of the exercises, it was decided to make the "Argus" the main means of observation and reconnaissance in the artillery troops. For this, the serial production of equipment will continue for some time. According to existing plans, in the future, the new PRP-4A will have to supplement and then replace all existing mobile reconnaissance points of the old models.
For the successful development of a new model of military equipment, specialists of the Rubtsovsk branch of NPK Uralvagonzavod were awarded the 2016 Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology. For the creation and development of industrial production of PRP-4A "Argus" were awarded to the deputy director of the production enterprise Alexander Bodyansky, the head of the production workshop No. 1 Alexander Sankov, the former director and project manager Sergei Kurkin, as well as the former deputy chief designer Vladimir Shtekhman. As noted during the awards ceremony held in early February, 110 works in various fields were submitted for government awards. The Argus project, along with two dozen other works, was awarded a prize.
According to various sources, at least 15-20 vehicles of a new type have been built and handed over to the troops by now. In the foreseeable future, construction should continue, as a result of which the army will receive new "Argus". Taking into account the goals set in the form of a complete replacement of the reconnaissance points of the previous models, it is required to build and commission at least several dozen machines. It will take several years to implement such plans.
The idea of developing armored vehicles with special equipment capable of conducting reconnaissance in the interests of artillery formations appeared several decades ago. The first domestic sample of such equipment was adopted in 1970. In the future, the original concept was developed, as a result of which several new special machines appeared. The newest model of this class, with the highest performance, is currently the PRP-4A "Argus" reconnaissance aircraft. In the foreseeable future, it should replace outdated machines, becoming the main model of its class in the Russian armed forces.
