The domestic defense industry continues to develop promising artillery systems of different classes and regularly demonstrates its successes in this area. So, during the recent international military-technical forum "Army-2017", several options for the development of the already well-known project 2S41 "Drok" were shown, which implies the creation of a self-propelled mortar based on existing platforms. It is noteworthy that at the exhibition two models of similar equipment were shown at once, which have certain differences.
According to known data, the 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortar has been developed by order of the Ministry of Defense over the past several years. The project is being created within the framework of development work with the code "Sketch". The first mentions of this ROC date back to early 2014. Then the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" published a video describing his work and telling about new projects. Among other things, the video showed the work on the promising Sketch machine, but then the main details of the project were not disclosed.
According to later published data, the goal of the Sketch program was to create promising models of highly mobile artillery weapons on various chassis. Both wheeled armored vehicles and two-link tracked transporters were considered as carriers of new weapons. Subsequently, one of the variants of the architecture of such a combat vehicle was separated into a separate ROC with a rather complicated name indicating its "origin".
Technique developed by the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" at the exhibition in December 2016. In the foreground - mortar 2S41 "Drok". Photo Soyuzmash.ru
As part of the Sketch development work, an additional R&D project was launched with the complex name Sketch-Drok-KSH. The purpose of this project was to develop a promising combat vehicle based on the existing domestically developed wheeled chassis. This sample was supposed to receive a new combat module with an 82-mm mortar, as well as one or another auxiliary weapon. The result of the new ROC was to be a self-propelled mortar called "Drok". As you can see from its name, the responsible persons decided to continue the "plant-floral" line of names.
Last year, new data on the ROC "Sketch" were published, from which it became known that the project was being developed in accordance with a contract signed in August 2015. According to the original work plan, a prototype self-propelled mortar should have been submitted by the end of 2016. Acceptance tests were supposed to be completed in February 2018, state tests by the end of September. At the same time, there is reason to believe that the project could not meet the specified deadlines.
In December last year, within the framework of the regular collegium of the Ministry of Defense, an exhibition of promising developments in the field of weapons and equipment was held. Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" demonstrated its latest achievements using several models. It was during that exhibition that the results of the ROC "Sketch-Drok-KSh" were first shown. The Institute and the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate demonstrated a large-scale model of the 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortar based on the K4386 Typhoon-K armored car.
Apparently, this very model was present at the GRAU stand at the Army-2017 forum. The general architecture or configuration of this self-propelled mortar has not changed - the layout has retained all the previous features. At the same time, at a recent exhibition, a second mock-up of a combat vehicle was shown, showing the further development of the project. This model was present at the booth of the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik". It is noteworthy that the older model, shown by the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate, retained its original color in a khaki color. The new copy of the combat vehicle, in turn, received the characteristic camouflage used by the Uralvagonzavod corporation.
Despite certain changes to the main combat module and, possibly, other units, both variants of the 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortar are proposed to be built on the basis of the K4386 Typhoon-VDV armored car. This machine, as its name implies, was created specifically for the airborne troops and therefore has a number of characteristic features. The armored car project provides for protection against small arms and explosive devices. Depending on the wishes of the customer, the vehicle can receive one or another weapon, up to a remotely controlled combat module with a 30-mm automatic cannon.
Depending on the configuration used, the K4386 armored car can have a total weight of up to 13.5 tons. Diesel engine with a capacity of 350 hp. allows you to reach speeds of up to 100 km / h on the highway. The habitable compartment can accommodate up to eight seats, including the driver's seat. Landing is done through the side and aft doors. The project proposed the use of bulletproof booking, and in addition, measures were taken to reduce the negative impact of the blast shock wave. The available load capacity and chassis strength allowed the Typhoon-VDV armored car to be used in the development of a promising self-propelled mortar.
The first mock-up of the 2S41 Drok vehicle, shown at the end of last year, demonstrated the main features of the new combat module. On the pursuit in the aft part of the protected hull, it is proposed to mount a combat module with a mortar having the required characteristics. Some of the module's devices are placed inside a compact armored case. At the same time, some units are displayed inside the hull, which makes it possible to service weapons from the fighting compartment.
The turret of last year's combat vehicle was distinguished by its comparative simplicity of shape. It consisted of several large parts with straight edges, placed at different angles to each other. Directly on the chase, it is proposed to install a cylindrical unit, on top of which the main dome of an asymmetrical shape should be placed. So, the left side of the inclined frontal sheet should have been less wide. The central and aft parts of the tower also had to differ in their size. Such features of the dome were associated with the use of an external machine gun mount: it was proposed to mount an additional machine gun outside the tower on a swinging installation on the left side. The roof of the mortar tower was placed with a noticeable slope back. In the stern, additional supports were provided for mounting smoke grenade launchers.
The K4368 Typhoon-VDV armored car with a combat module carrying a 30-mm cannon. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
One of the main ideas of the Drok project was the use of a removable-transportable mortar. In the frontal part of the new turret, the means of mounting a mortar were placed, allowing them to fire in the configuration of a self-propelled combat vehicle, or to remove the weapon and use it as a wearable system. The design of the gun mount provides the possibility of vertical guidance within a wide sector. Horizontal guidance - circular, by turning the entire tower.
The main weapon of the 2S41 Drok armored vehicle is an 82-mm breech-loading mortar with manual loading. Such a gun is capable of firing at targets at ranges from 100 to 6000 m. Without restoring the aiming, the mortar can show a rate of fire up to 12 rounds per minute. Ammunition - 40 minutes carried in the fighting compartment. Increased accuracy characteristics are declared, providing certain advantages over other artillery systems of a similar class.
The additional armament of a self-propelled mortar consists of one machine gun and several smoke grenade launchers. A remotely controlled installation with a rifle caliber machine gun is placed on the left side of the turret. The aft side of the sides provides for the installation of a pair of supports with three smoke grenade launchers on each side.
Keeping the dimensions at the level of the base armored car, the new 2S41 Drok sample has a larger combat weight. This parameter increased to 14 tons. At the same time, the main characteristics of mobility should remain approximately the same. The vehicle and its weapons must be operated by a crew of four.
The first model was presented at the end of last year and, apparently, showed the state of the project at that time. Over the past few months, the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" and related enterprises managed to change the design and improve the combat module with a mortar. All this led to both a redesign of the appearance and the emergence of a new layout. In particular, it was decided to distribute the weapons of the combat vehicle between the two combat modules, which made it possible to free up the volumes inside the main tower with the mortar. All these improvements were shown at the Army-2017 forum using a new layout.
The refusal to equip the module with a machine gun installation made it possible to simplify the design of the turret dome. Now it has a less complex shape and consists of fewer panels. It is proposed to mount a box with an inclined frontal sheet on the lower platform of the module, the embrasure of which is supplemented by a polygonal protruding device with a vertical window. The rectangular roof of the module is located at a slight angle to the horizontal. The sides and stern are vertical. Due to the new design of the dome, the circular platform partially protrudes beyond its forehead and sides.
The main weapon of the Drok, despite the revision of the dome, remains the same. As in the previous version of the project, the armored vehicle must carry an 82-mm breech mortar, suitable for quick dismantling and installation back. Inside the fighting compartment, there may be existing 40-round stowage and various equipment for aiming. The mortar is loaded from the treasury.
Of all the original additional weapons, the combat module retained only smoke grenade launchers. At the same time, it is now proposed to mount six such products on each side of the tower. The upper horizontal row of three grenade launchers should shoot into the front hemisphere, the lower one - back.
"Last year" model of the 2S41 at the "Army-2017" exhibition. Photo Bmpd.livejournal.com / Vastnik-rm.ru
Despite the reworking of the combat module, the self-propelled mortar must retain the ability to defend itself and carry appropriate weapons. To protect against infantry at short and medium ranges, it is again proposed to use a machine gun on a remotely controlled installation. At the same time, the machine gun should now be used as part of a separate module. In the presented layout, this product was located at the front of the roof, above the driver's workplace.
An interesting feature of the updated self-propelled mortar was the additional detection and warning of an attack. On the roof of the aft compartments of the model hull, the equipment blocks of the optical-electronic countermeasures complex were placed. Probably, it is this equipment that should be used for the correct and timely use of smoke grenade launchers. Other means of protection affecting the enemy's optics were not seen on the layout.
It can be assumed that the redesign of the combat module and the transfer of machine-gun armament to an additional remote-controlled installation led to some increase in the combat mass, but did not make this parameter unacceptably large. Thus, the driving performance of the 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortar can remain at the level of the basic Typhoon-VDV armored car. Despite all the changes, the crew probably remained the same.
According to published data, a promising combat vehicle with an 82-mm portable mortar is intended to arm artillery batteries of battalion artillery. It can be used by artillery units from motorized rifle, airborne assault and mountain battalions. In fact, the 2S41 Drok system is considered as a mobile alternative to the existing 82 mm mortars in a portable or towed version.
The advantages of this technique are obvious. With its help, mortarmen of ground or airborne troops will be able to quickly move to the most convenient position and, without wasting time on preparation and deployment, open fire on a specified target. After firing, a self-propelled vehicle can immediately go to another position or to the rear to replenish ammunition. The chassis, which is characterized by high maneuverability, will seriously increase the tactical mobility of the gun.
The basic armored car K4368 "Typhoon-VDV" was developed by order of the command of the airborne troops and for this reason has some characteristic features. In particular, it is adapted for parachute and landing landing. This fact in the most serious way increases the strategic mobility of technology, as well as expands the scope of its application.
In the event of a direct collision with infantry or unarmored enemy vehicles, the crew of the Gorse mortar will be able to defend themselves using the existing machine gun. It should be noted that the newer version of the armored vehicle has a definite advantage in this context. A separate combat module with a machine gun allows you to fire at targets in the near zone, regardless of the use of a mortar. The first version of the 2S41 project did not give such an opportunity: the placement of all weapons on the tower excluded the firing of a mortar and a machine gun in different sectors without alternately restoring their aiming.
Self-propelled mortar has serious advantages and has a fairly high combat potential. At the same time, the authors of the project from the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" and GRAU provided for the possibility of using weapons in a different configuration. If necessary, the mortar barrel can be removed from the combat module, supplemented with the necessary devices and used as a portable weapon. After completing the assigned combat missions, the crew can, as soon as possible, mount the barrel on the machine and continue working.
A new version of the 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortar presented by the Burevestnik Central Research Institute. Photo Bmpd.livejournal.com / Vastnik-rm.ru
An ambiguous feature of the project 2S41 "Gorse" can be considered the type of the selected main weapon. The "main caliber" of this armored vehicle was an 82 mm breech-loading mortar. Systems of this caliber are capable of effectively solving certain combat missions, but at the same time they can be considered not the most effective. So, in the field of self-propelled mortars, 120-mm systems, which have advantages in the form of firing range and the power of ammunition, have become widespread for a long time. Nevertheless, according to the customer's decision, within the framework of the Sketch-Drok-KSh design and development work, it was decided to use not the most powerful mortar. Probably, when creating such a technical task, the army took into account some factors that still remain unknown to the general public.
According to reports, to date, the project 2S41 "Drok" has been implemented, at least in the form of the necessary documentation and two mock-ups demonstrating a self-propelled mortar in different configurations. There is currently no information about the existence of full-fledged prototypes. Nevertheless, prototypes could have been built by now, but for one reason or another, the fact of their existence has not yet been disclosed. New information on this matter may appear in the near future.
According to already known information, a prototype of a self-propelled mortar of a new type was supposed to appear no later than the beginning of this year. By the end of January 2018, it was planned to conduct acceptance tests, and by the beginning of October, an act on the conduct of state tests should have been signed. What part of the necessary work has been completed to date has not yet been specified. The fact of the presence of mock-ups of equipment at the Army-2017 exhibition instead of full-fledged samples can be interpreted, among other things, as a sign of unavailability of prototypes.
However, even with all the possible problems of the new projects, the real results of the ROC "Sketch" may appear in the very near future. In the foreseeable future, prototypes can be tested, showing all their strengths and weaknesses. Based on the test results, the military will have to make a decision on the adoption of the self-propelled mortar for service and the deployment of mass production. It can be assumed that the release of such equipment, mainly based on existing components, will not be associated with serious difficulties.
With a favorable set of circumstances, the absence of serious problems of one kind or another, and the successful solution of all the assigned tasks, the new self-propelled mortar 2S41 "Drok" can be put into service at the end of this decade. As a result, by the mid-twenties, the army will be able to obtain a significant number of combat vehicles capable of positively affecting the combat effectiveness of ground and airborne units. However, while the operation of new self-propelled mortars based on the Typhoon-VDV armored car remains a matter of not the near future.
