The joint exercises of NATO forces Saber Strike 2016 are continuing. As part of this event, the military personnel of several countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, in the conditions of training grounds on the territory of a number of Eastern European states, are practicing interaction and solving assigned combat training tasks. A large number of soldiers and officers were involved in the maneuvers, as well as various military equipment belonging to different countries. Two units of combat vehicles delivered to Eastern Europe attracted the attention of the press abroad and in our country.
On June 14, a C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft from the 164th Transport Wing of the Tennessee National Guard landed at the airport in Tallinn (Estonia). On board the aircraft were two combat vehicles of the M142 HIMARS type. This equipment, also belonging to the National Guard, was delivered to the Baltic States to participate in the current exercise Saber Strike 2016. As part of the exercise, the missile systems were supposed to go to one of the training grounds, which became a maneuvering ground, and then attack conditional targets.
The transfer of missile systems attracted the attention of the foreign and domestic press. So, in some foreign publications, the participation of two HIMARS systems in the Baltic exercises was called "an unambiguous signal to Moscow." Pentagon officials, in turn, did without such bold and even provocative statements. According to official data, missile systems are involved in exercises to work out the interaction of the armies of several countries and to gain experience in working at new ranges.
M142 HIMARS is firing. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Reviews of the foreign press about the M142 HIMARS complexes and their capabilities, as well as the political consequences of the transfer of such equipment, cannot but attract attention. Let's consider these systems and try to determine what kind of threat they can pose to Russia, being deployed in the countries of Eastern Europe.
The first work on the topic HIMARS (High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System - "Highly mobile rocket artillery system") was carried out in the eighties. The M270 MLRS MLRS that existed at that time met the requirements in terms of its main characteristics, but its mobility could be insufficient for solving some problems. As a result, it was required to create a new similar system in a more mobile version. By the early nineties, the possibility of creating a relatively compact launcher with six rails for 227-mm rockets was determined, which could be placed on an airborne chassis.
In mid-1990, the Pentagon formed the requirements for a new multiple launch rocket system, characterized by high mobility and mobility. A few years later, a prototype of the HIMARS system came out for testing, which, however, was noticeably different from subsequent production vehicles. In early 1996, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to complete design work and build several full prototypes of the new system. Fulfillment of the terms of this contract made it possible to complete the project and prepare new combat vehicles for serial production. After a series of necessary tests, in 2003, the M142 HIMARS complex was put into service. It should be noted that the adoption into service did not lead to a halt in various works. The creation of new ammunition for the missile system has been going on for a long time and has not stopped until now.
When developing the new project HIMARS, the main task was to ensure high mobility of equipment on the battlefield, as well as to simplify the transfer of military transport aircraft. Such requirements led to the choice of one of the available serial wheeled chassis. In addition, it was decided to rework the existing launcher with a halving of the ammunition load. As a result, the missile system retained some basic characteristics, and also improved some of the other parameters.
Two combat vehicles in the cockpit of a military transport aircraft. Photo Army.mil
The basis for the M142 HIMARS combat vehicle is a three-axle all-wheel drive chassis of the FMTV family with a carrying capacity of 5 tons. The base vehicle is built according to a cabover configuration and receives a set of necessary units. So, serial equipment can receive both standard and protected cockpits. A block of additional equipment is mounted on the chassis behind the cab, and the cargo area of the frame is given for the placement of a rotary support device with a launcher.
The total length of the vehicle is 7 m, the width is 2.4 m, the height (in the stowed position) is 3.2 m. The combat weight of the self-propelled launcher with ammunition reaches 10.9 tons. The vehicle is capable of speeds up to 85 km / h and passes through one filling up to 480 km. The complex is controlled by a crew of three, located inside the cockpit. According to the developer, if necessary, all control operations of a combat vehicle can be performed by one person.
The rear of the chassis houses a slewing ring with drives for horizontal and vertical guidance. It is possible to fire in any direction with elevation angles from -2 ° to + 60 °. The aiming drives are controlled from the control panel located in the cockpit. The fire control systems of the M142 HIMARS complex are unified with the MLRS complex equipment.
The launcher of the M142 machine is designed taking into account the experience of the MLRS system, and also uses some of its units. The installation is a U-shaped device with fasteners for replaceable rail packages. In addition, a reloading system crane is placed on the top of the launcher. This design of the launcher allows the HIMARS complex to use the standard transport and launch containers created for the M270 MLRS.
Unloading equipment in Estonia. Photo Army.mil
The container is a block of several (in the standard version - 6) fiberglass transport and launch containers of a tubular structure with guides for imparting rotation to missiles. The containers are interconnected by several cage frames, which allows simultaneous operations with the entire package. The ammunition is placed in containers at the factory, after which sealed covers are installed. Removal or other maintenance of missiles prior to firing is not provided.
To carry out reloading, the launcher turns back in the direction of travel, after which the support frame of the lifting device is extended from its upper part. Using a set of ropes and hooks, a package of containers is lifted from the ground or from the cargo platform of a transport vehicle, after which it is placed inside the launcher. Dismantling the used bag is carried out in the same way.
An important feature of MLRS and HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems is a wide range of compatible ammunition. Due to the lack of its own launch guides, the machine can carry containers with rockets of various types and different calibers. Thanks to this, the self-propelled launcher can carry from one to six missiles with different characteristics.
As a simplified and lightweight version of the M270 MLRS, the M142 HIMARS system retains the ability to use existing ammunition. In addition, new types of rockets have been unified. Products borrowed from an existing project are often referred to as MFOM (MLRS Family of Munitions - "Family of ammunition for MLRS"). This family includes both unmanaged and managed systems. All shells of the MFOM family have a caliber of 227 mm and a length of 3, 94 m, but differ in weight and combat load. Regardless of the types of missiles, the HIMARS launcher can carry an ammunition load of six rounds.
HIMARS with protected cab. Photo Lockheedmartin.com
The following rockets have been developed for MLRS and HIMARS:
- M26 and its modifications. Equipped with cumulative fragmentation ammunition in the amount of 518 to 644 pieces. The flight range, depending on the modification, is from 32 to 45 km;
- M30. A projectile with 404 submunitions and a combined control system based on inertial and satellite navigation. Able to fly 84 km;
- M31. Modification of the M30 product with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing 90 kg. The rest of the characteristics do not change.
Also, several foreign countries have developed a number of new rockets compatible with the M270 and M142. They are designed to solve different problems and differ in different characteristics.
If necessary, multiple launch rocket systems can be used as operational-tactical missile systems. In this case, the launcher should be equipped with guides with missiles of the AFOM series (Army TACMS Family of Munitions - "Army ATACMS ammunition family"). The products of this line, also known as M39 or MGM-140, are unguided and guided missiles with different combat loads and different ranges. The following missiles are in service:
- MGM-140A. Unguided missile with a range of 128 km. Combat load in the form of 950 high-explosive fragmentation submunitions;
- MGM-140B. A missile with a range of 165 km and a combined inertial-satellite control system. Carries 275 high-explosive fragmentation ammunition;
- MGM-140E. At the moment, the most advanced development of the family, with a range of up to 270 km. The control system is used. A 227-kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead is delivered to the target.
After the adoption of the M142 HIMARS complex, the development of ammunition for it did not stop. For this reason, the development of new missiles for one purpose or another continues to this day. The main focus is on the development of MGM-140 ATACMS missiles. Such armament allows to solve tasks inaccessible for ammunition of the MFOM family, which is due to the increased interest from the customer. Attempts were also made to modify the complex for the use of existing and promising anti-aircraft missiles.
Recharge process. The lifting device is extended, the container package is being prepared for loading. Photo Rbase.new-factoria.ru
After carrying out all the necessary tests, the new M142 HIMARS complexes went into series. By the middle of the 2000s, this technique entered the troops, after which its development began. In the future, several new contracts were signed for the supply of HIMARS systems to the Army, the Marine Corps and the National Guard. To date, American gunners from various structures have received a total of 417 missile systems and a significant number of ammunition of all compatible types.
Over time, part of the serial equipment was sent to hot spots. So, in February 2010, one of the units, armed with the M142, took part in hostilities for the first time. During one of the operations in Afghanistan, two missile launches were made. The products seriously deviated from the required trajectory, as a result of which they fell to the side of the chosen target and led to the death of several civilians. Until the end of the investigation, the operation of the HIMARS systems was suspended. In the future, the problems were resolved, which made it possible to return the complexes to operation.
Since November 2015, HIMARS complexes sent to Iraq have been participating in the fight against terrorists. Since then, several hundred missile launches of various types have been carried out at various enemy targets. In view of the continuing unfavorable situation in the region, it should be expected that the operation of these systems will continue for a long time, and the total ammunition consumption will repeatedly increase in comparison with the available indicators.
A few days ago, two M142 HIMARS combat vehicles of the Tennessee National Guard were transferred to Estonia to participate in the joint NATO exercise Saber Strike 2016. During this event, the crews of the complexes successfully coped with the assigned tasks, transferring to the required range, followed by firing at training targets.
Control panel installed in the cab. Photo Rbase.new-factoria.ru
A number of foreign media outlets called the transfer of HIMARS systems to the Baltic states "a signal for Moscow." Recently, relations between Russia and NATO have worsened, and regular exercises in Eastern Europe, at a minimum distance from the Russian borders, only worsen the situation. In addition, unfriendly publications in the foreign press do not help to improve relations.
It should be noted that the authors of the "signal" version are right to a certain extent. The transfer of multiple launch rocket systems can indeed be regarded as an aggressive step that does nothing to defuse the situation. If it is possible to attack targets at distances from 30 to 270 km, such complexes can pose a threat to border facilities. The existence of a wide range of warheads and the relatively high accuracy of corrected ammunition only increase the risks and also make the threat more serious.
The latest American missile systems should be considered with Russian developments of a similar purpose. First of all, the HIMARS system brings to mind the 9K58 Smerch MLRS. Combat vehicles of this type are capable of firing a volley of 12 rounds of 300 mm caliber. Depending on the type of ammunition used, targets can be hit at a range of up to 70-90 km. Warheads of various types are delivered to targets, both unitary and cluster with different submunitions.
Also, the Tornado-S modernization project is being implemented, within the framework of which the control system of the complex is being updated, and new ammunition is being created. Rocket projectiles are capable of flying at a range of up to 120 km while maintaining combat qualities at the level of existing missiles.
MLRS M270 MLRS fires a missile of the ATACMS family. Photo Wikimedoa Commons
The M142 HIMARS combat vehicle can be used not only as a multiple launch rocket system, but also as an operational-tactical missile system. In this case, the Tochka-U and Iskander systems can be considered Russian analogues of the complex. Depending on the type of missile, the Tochka-U complex is capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 120 km, and Iskander - up to 500 km. Various missile warheads are also offered.
Concerns have been expressed that the M142 HIMARS complexes may be deployed in Eastern Europe on an ongoing basis. In this case, some response to new threats will be needed. It is noteworthy that one of the options for such an answer already exists. Earlier, in foreign and domestic sources, information appeared about the transfer of Iskander complexes to the Kaliningrad region. In addition, such transport tasks were repeatedly practiced during the exercises. By deploying such systems in the western regions of the country, including the Kaliningrad region, it is possible to defeat targets in a large part of Eastern Europe.
The totality of the characteristics of the M142 HIMARS missile systems, as well as the characteristic features of the systems themselves and their ammunition, make us consider such a technique a rather serious threat that requires a response. Whether such equipment will remain in the Baltics, or will return to the United States after the completion of the current exercises, is still unknown. Nevertheless, such risks must be taken into account now and appropriate plans must be made. How the situation will develop further - time will tell.
