Over the past decades, the Ukrainian industry has repeatedly made attempts to deeply modernize Soviet multiple launch rocket systems. In most cases, such projects did not have any special advantages and did not leave the stage of testing prototypes. The new project "Vilkha" compares favorably with many predecessors and competitors. According to the latest reports, the new MLRS coped with the tests, as a result of which it was put into service and became the subject of an order for mass production.
A few days ago, the Ukrainian mass media published new information about the progress of the Vilkha (Alder) project. The news came from the general director of the Kiev design bureau "Luch" Oleg Korostelev. The head of the enterprise said that the latest multiple launch rocket system was officially adopted. In addition, the first order for the serial production of new weapons and auxiliary systems has already been received. It is alleged that the first production samples will go to the Ukrainian army in 2019.
"Vilha" at the parade in Kiev, August 2018 Photo Wikimedia Commons
Also, the general director of KB "Luch" spoke about the possible appearance of another contract. According to him, one of the foreign armies is showing interest in the Olkha. However, who exactly can become the first foreign customer of such weapons has not yet been specified.
O. Korostelev recalled that several new products were developed within the framework of the Vilkha project. First of all, the designers of "Luch" have proposed a new version of the guided missile, which has improved characteristics. Also, a project was developed to modernize the existing combat vehicle "Smerch", providing for the replacement of a number of onboard systems. First of all, they updated the means of guidance and fire control.
Unfortunately, the representative of the developer organization did not specify some of the features of the signed contract. The ordered number of modernized combat vehicles and guided missiles for them remains unknown. Also, the cost of production of these products and the timing of their delivery are not named. Perhaps this data will be published later.
While some technical features of the serial "Alder" remain unknown. So, in the recent past, the possibility of creating an upgraded self-propelled launcher on a new chassis has been repeatedly mentioned. Whether it was possible to bring this project to production is unknown. If it is not ready yet, then the repaired and modernized combat vehicles of the old type will go to the troops.
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The existence of the project MLRS "Vilkha" was announced in January 2016, but the development started earlier. According to known data, the project employs almost a dozen different organizations and enterprises. The development of the main components and the overall coordination of the work was carried out by the Luch KB. Initially, most of the information about the new project was not disclosed, which, in particular, led to the emergence of various versions. For example, some sources mentioned that the "Alder" is based on the developments on an older project of the operational-tactical missile system "Sapsan".
Quite quickly, a curious confusion arose in the context of the Vilkha project. In various statements and publications, this development was simultaneously referred to as a multiple launch rocket system and an operational-tactical missile system. However, later, new information appeared that made it possible to clarify the classification of the project. "Alder" can rightfully be considered a variant of deep modernization of the existing MLRS and attributed to the same class of weapons.
According to plans for the beginning of 2016, in the coming months, the enterprises participating in the project were to complete design work and prepare new weapons for testing. The end of 2016 and all of 2017 were allocated for test firing. Based on the results of these checks, a decision should be made on the adoption and launch of mass production. The first serial products "Vilkha" were supposed to be transferred to the troops in 2018. As it is now clear, the original work schedule was disrupted, and certain stages of the project seriously shifted to the right. However, the new MLRS was nevertheless managed to be brought, at least, to the official acceptance into service.
Experienced MLRS on trials, August 26, 2016 Photo Facebook.com/yuri.biriukov
By the time of the first open mention in the speeches of officials, the project not only existed, but also managed to go through some early stages. Thanks to this, not too much time passed between the announcement and the first tests. The first test launch of the Alder rocket took place on March 22, 2016 at a test site in the Odessa region. It was argued that the product successfully passed the specified trajectory and hit the conditional target. On August 26 of the same year, new missiles were launched from the Smerch MLRS combat vehicle. The 14 missiles used had the necessary equipment and, as mentioned, confirmed some of the characteristics. In mid-November, two experimental missiles with a real warhead were used.
In 2017, the Luch Design Bureau and related enterprises conducted two test firing sessions: in May and in December. In both cases, four rockets were used. The purpose of these tests was to fine-tune individual systems and test new units. Shortly before the December tests, the Artem holding company spoke about the development of a new technology for the production of missile casings. Especially for the production of such products, a new foreign-made rolling machine was installed and launched at the enterprise. After testing missiles with new hulls, it was asserted that the technologies for their production had justified themselves.
In April 2018, state tests of a new multiple launch rocket system took place at one of the ranges of the Kherson region. According to published data, the tests have confirmed the highest characteristics of range and accuracy of fire. On August 24, the Smerch launcher, updated according to the Alder project, took part in the parade dedicated to the Independence Day of Ukraine.
According to the latest reports, the Olkha MLRS passed the state tests and received a recommendation for adoption. Serial production has already been launched, and next year the first samples should be delivered to units of the Ukrainian army. It is also expected to start work in the interests of a foreign customer.
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According to the published data, the Vilkha project provides for a deep modernization of the existing Smerch multiple launch rocket system, developed about 30 years ago. Improving the performance and expanding the range of tasks to be solved is carried out due to the new rocket and the upgrade of the self-propelled launcher devices. Thus, the Ukrainian "Alder" can hardly be considered a fully independent development.
Experimental launchers made by minor alterations of the standard 9A52 combat vehicle of the Smerch complex were used in the tests. The chassis, rail package and part of the onboard systems remained the same. At the same time, Ukrainian enterprises replaced the existing fire control devices with new devices. First of all, satellite navigation devices and devices for transmitting data to electronic components of new missiles were added. In addition, the package of starting rails carries a light casing from a certain time.
Back in 2016, it was claimed that the Ukrainian industry was working on a new version of the combat vehicle. All the main units were proposed to be installed on a four-axle KrAZ-7634NE chassis of our own production. However, such design tasks, apparently, have not yet been resolved. The well-known samples of "Vilkha" are still based on the old chassis of the "MAZ" brand.
The launch of an experimental rocket, August 26, 2016. Photo by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine / rnbo.gov.ua
The main novelty within the framework of the Alder project is the guided missile of the same name. Design Bureau "Luch" provides for the creation of a solid-propellant single-stage ammunition with a combined guidance system. There is reason to believe that the basis for the "Alder" was the missiles of the 9M55 family, originally used as part of the "Smerch" complex. An existing rocket could be equipped with updated devices or completely new devices with the necessary functions. The result is a new type of weaponry with a full-fledged guidance system.
According to known data, "Vilha" differs from the 9M55 in reduced dimensions. Its length was reduced to 7 m while maintaining the caliber of 300 mm. As before, a cylindrical body with a tapered head fairing and folding rudders in the tail section is used. The launch mass of the rocket is 800 kg. Of these, 500 kg falls on the solid-fuel engine of the new model, which provides a certain increase in flight characteristics.
The rocket received a combined control system based on inertial and satellite navigation devices. With their help, the automation determines the location of the rocket and generates commands for the rudders. Different control systems are used at different parts of the trajectory. Near the head of the hull there are several rings with 90 small-sized steering motors directed in all directions. Aerodynamic rudders are placed in the tail section of the product.
During the first few seconds of flight, the rocket is kept on its trajectory by means of gas-dynamic rudders. After the fuel of the steering engines has run out, a significant part of the flight is carried out in an uncontrolled mode. Correction means using tail rudders are activated only in the final leg of the flight. With their help, the rocket corrects the trajectory and goes to the target. According to 2017 data, when firing at the maximum range, the deviation of the missile from the aiming point did not exceed 15 m.
Onboard missile controls and fire control devices allow firing both at one target and at a specific area. Due to the launching of missiles in flight, the entire sector is fired without the need to turn the launcher. At the maximum range, missile disengagement reaches 1.5 km.
The Alder missile in its basic configuration carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing 250 kg. It was argued that in the future, new options for combat equipment may appear. In particular, a 170 kg warhead is proposed, which makes it possible to increase the fuel reserve, and with it the firing range.
Based on the Smerch complex, the Vilkha MLRS retains some characteristics. Thus, the same level of mobility on highways and rough terrain is maintained until the chassis is replaced. From the point of view of operation, the machine hardly changes. The ready-to-use ammunition load consists of 12 missiles in tubular guides.
Test launch of "Alder" on May 26, 2017. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine / mil.gov.ua
It is argued that the Alder missile in its basic configuration is capable of delivering a 250-kg warhead at a distance of 90 km. Earlier, bolder estimates were also given - up to 100 km. By reducing the mass of the warhead and another engine, the flight range is increased to 120 km. In flight along a ballistic trajectory, the product rises to an altitude of more than 40 km.
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MLRS "Vilkha" was put into service and entered into serial production. Next year, the Ukrainian army should receive the first production samples of this type. High hopes were pinned on new combat vehicles with guided missiles already in 2016. The military and political leadership of the country believes that MLRS with a firing range of at least 90-100 km will become a convenient and effective tool for solving known problems. In addition, Alder is cited as proof of the ability of the Ukrainian industry to create modern missile weapons.
However, there are no clear reasons for optimism so far. MLRS "Vilkha" has a number of characteristic features that are quite capable of becoming a reason for criticism. For example, statements about the ability to independently develop a tactical missile system look extremely interesting against the background of the use of old chassis and launchers. In addition, attempts to present a deep modernization of existing products as a fundamentally new development create a specific impression.
It must be admitted that the use of a different engine and combined guidance system provides an increase in the range and accuracy of fire. However, it must be borne in mind that such methods of modernizing existing MLRS are not something revolutionary new. A number of similar projects developed in other countries are known. For example, in Russia the Smerch system has been updated as part of the Tornado-S project. With similar updating principles, this complex is capable of firing at distances of up to 120 km, and there are opportunities for further increasing the ranges.
It should also be noted that the Russian MLRS "Tornado-S" has already gone into production and is available in the troops in significant quantities. The latest Ukrainian development only recently coped with the tests and was ordered by the army. The first samples are expected only next year, and the volume of the order remains unknown. However, knowing the specifics of the Ukrainian rearmament programs, it can be assumed that the supply of "Alder" will drag on for several years, and during this time the armies will transfer only small quantities of equipment and ammunition.
There is a fairly high probability that the "Vilkha" project will not lead to the desired results, and the basis of rocket artillery will continue to be made up of Soviet-made samples. Their operation cannot continue indefinitely, and it is not at all difficult to imagine what the results of their physical obsolescence and the impossibility of producing a sufficient amount of equipment for replacement will be.
As a result, the Olkha MLRS runs the risk of adding to the list of original Ukrainian developments that did not meet the expectations of the creators and customers. Known problems in the economy and industry do not allow Ukraine to quickly and in the required quantities build new models of equipment with high performance. However, if we take into account the views of the Kiev authorities, the political situation and the situation in Donbass, the impossibility of mass production of new weapons is not the worst scenario.
