The United Arab Emirates is building its own defense industry, but it is not yet truly developed. In many areas, the dependence on foreign supplies of certain products remains. However, attempts are being made to create their own models designed to replace imported weapons. So, the Jobaria Defense Systems company in recent years has offered several interesting rocket artillery combat vehicles.
According to known data, the UAE ground forces have a fairly large grouping of multiple launch rocket systems of various types and calibers. The most massive examples of this kind are Italian-made Firos 25 combat vehicles, carrying 122-mm unguided missiles. There are at least 48 of them. There is also information about the delivery of Chinese MLRS "Type 90". In the recent past, the Emirates received from the United States more than two dozen M142 HIMARS vehicles with 227-mm missiles. There are six Russian-made 9K58 Smerch systems in operation.
MLRS Jobaria MCL during the first public screening. Photo Thinkdefence.co.uk
At the same time, only a few combat vehicles made by the UAE are in service. Moreover, these samples have appeared relatively recently. In the foreseeable future, an increase in the number of domestic-made MLRS is expected, but news of real events in this area has not yet been received. Time will tell whether plans to increase the share of our own equipment will be realized.
Jobaria MCL
The first successful attempt to create its own multiple launch rocket system was made just a few years ago. At the same time, the authors of the new project have set themselves very ambitious tasks. The result of the design work, carried out in accordance with a special task, attracted the attention of the whole world and made a noise in every sense.
In 2013, at the IDEX international military-technical exhibition, Jobaria Defense Systems, part of the Al Jaber Group, presented a prototype of a promising MLRS with an extremely high combat potential. To obtain new combat characteristics, it was actually proposed to combine several separate combat vehicles into a large sample. Among other things, this led to a recognizable appearance and very serious operational limitations.
The product, called the Jobaria MCL (Multiple Cradle Launchers - "Multiple launchers") is the result of international cooperation. Having no special experience in the creation of missiles, the Emirati company turned to the Turkish Roketsan for help. She presented the necessary missiles, as well as launchers for them. The installations were proposed to be mounted on a special semi-trailer created by Jobaria. The complex also included a truck tractor designed to transport a platform with launchers. The mobility of the presented samples was provided by the machine of the American company Oshkosh.
The main element of the MCL complex is a semi-trailer with target equipment. Due to the large mass of weapons and launchers, the semi-trailer has five own axles with gable wheels. Almost all the target equipment of the complex is installed on it, with the exception of fire control equipment. So, in the front of the semi-trailer, directly above the kingpin, there is a large body with an auxiliary power unit. The rest of the site is given for four launchers. The semi-trailer is equipped with three pairs of hydraulic jacks for hanging before firing.
MCL in static display, 2013 Photo by Military-today.com
Each of the installations is built on the basis of its own rotary support, providing horizontal guidance. A swing frame with three rail packages is mounted on it. In packages, presumably equipped with light armor, 20 tubular guides are installed: four horizontal rows of five pipes each. The units are mounted on the platform one by one. In this case, the first and third are set with a shift to the right, and the second and fourth - to the left.
According to official information, the Jobaria MCL MLRS is intended to use the Roketsan TR-122 unguided missiles, which are actually a copy of the shells for the Soviet / Russian Grad system. A rocket with a caliber of 122 mm is capable of flying at a range of 16 to 40 km. There are ammunition with high-explosive fragmentation and cluster warheads. The Emirati multiple launch rocket system ammunition, ready for immediate use, consists of 240 rounds.
In the cabin of the MLRS tractor there are three crew workstations and equipment for remote control of launchers. There are also navigation aids associated with fire controls. The available systems allow you to fire at a rate of up to two shots per second. The ability to select the method of shooting is provided. The crew can use any number of missiles with any number of launchers. At the same time, a full salvo from all four launchers takes at least two minutes.
The new complex includes a transport-loading vehicle built on the basis of a similar semitrailer. The towed platform was equipped with storage devices for 240 rockets and a crane for reloading them onto a combat vehicle. The unification of the chassis and the tractor makes it possible for the MLRS and TZM to work together under any permissible conditions.
The presence of several launchers led to the receipt of the corresponding dimensions. The total length of the complex in transport and combat position is about 30 m. Weight - 105 tons. At the same time, a sufficiently powerful tractor allows you to move along the highway at a speed of up to 80 km / h. The developers did not specify how much driving performance deteriorates on rough terrain.
At the IDEX-2013 exhibition, there were two Jobaria MCL multiple launch rocket systems at once. At the same time, it was argued that a certain amount of such equipment had already been transferred to the UAE ground forces. Subsequent events and reports showed that the vehicles that were present at the exhibition were adopted. Information about the assembly of new samples has not been reported in recent years. Apparently, the unique multiple launch rocket system remained in the amount of two copies.
Semi-trailer with launchers. Photo Military-today.com
According to foreign media reports, Jobaria MCL combat vehicles have already been used in combat. One or two MLRS of this type participated in the intervention in Yemen. The results of their combat use are unknown, but it can be assumed that the effectiveness of one MCL corresponds to several other systems with 122-mm missiles. A few days ago, there was information about the new deployment of such systems in Yemen.
It should be noted that the project by Jobaria Defense Systems was immediately criticized. In fact, the only advantage of the MCL complex was the large ammunition load, ready for use. However, it came at the price of reduced mobility, especially in difficult terrain, and visibility. In addition, there is a dubious survivability: the battery of "traditional" MLRS, hitting the enemy's retaliation, can partially retain its combat effectiveness, while the MCL will be completely disabled.
Probably, it was not the most successful ratio of combat and operational characteristics, accompanied by a rather high price, that affected the production volumes of equipment. Only two Jobaria MCLs are known to exist. Apparently, after 2013, such machines were not built.
Jobaria MCL with TR-300 missiles
At the same IDEX-2013 exhibition, Jobaria Land Systems presented advertising materials for another project of a promising multiple launch rocket system, characterized by increased combat qualities. In this project, the increase in performance was provided by the use of larger and heavier missiles.
Such a project again involved the use of a large five-axle semi-trailer with three pairs of hydraulic jacks. In front of the platform there was a block with energy systems, and the main platform was given over to four launchers of a modified design. In the second project, it was planned to use larger missiles with increased characteristics, as a result of which the installations were redesigned.
The intended appearance of a semi-trailer with launchers for 300 mm missiles. Figure Network54.com
The designers retained the slewing platforms, but the swinging parts were modified. Now it was proposed to install four large transport and launch containers on them: two vertically on each side. The large size of the containers and the impossibility of increasing the platform led to the fact that in the transport position the missiles are staggered. Probably, this could lead to difficulties in deploying the complex in position and aiming installations.
In this version, the Emirati MLRS was supposed to use 300 mm Roketsan TR-300 rockets. According to the developer, such products have a trajectory correction system and are capable of flying over a distance of more than 100 km. A high-explosive fragmentation or cluster warhead weighing 150 kg is delivered to the target. The 300-mm version of the Jobaria MCL MLRS was supposed to carry 16 such missiles with the ability to launch any number in one salvo.
Information on the MCL project for TR-300 missiles was presented back in 2013, but a ready-made sample of such a combat vehicle is not yet available. Moreover, since a certain time, the developer company has stopped displaying advertising materials. Apparently, such a project of a multiple launch rocket system was considered unsuccessful and unsuitable for real operation. As a result, the UAE army has to be content with only a system for 122-mm missiles.
Jobaria TCL
In February last year, Jobaria Defense Systems proposed a third version of the multiple launch rocket system with increased combat characteristics. The presented development also had a characteristic appearance, but differed from previous samples in more modest dimensions and capabilities. At the same time, it was about the application of some ideas and solutions already tested in practice.
In February last year, at the IDEX-2017 exhibition, layouts of a new MLRS were shown for the first time, combining a relatively large caliber of missiles with not the largest overall dimensions. This complex was named Jobaria TCL (Twin Cradle Launchers - "Twin launchers"). As the name suggests, the main goal of the project was to halve the number of installations compared to the existing sample.
Models of the Jobaria TCL complex. On the left is a transport-loader, on the right is a combat vehicle. Photo Armyrecognition.com
The Jobaria TCL project envisages the use of a shortened three-axle semi-trailer. Reducing its size has reduced the number of jacks to four. On the trailer, as before, a separate body with an auxiliary power unit and other units is placed. The semitrailer platform is allocated for two slewing bearings of launchers.
In terms of their layout, the TCL MLRS units were similar to the MCL units in the TR-300 modification. On the swinging parts of the installations, it was also proposed to fix two pairs of containers with missiles. The total ammunition load should consist of eight missiles on two remote-controlled installations. Due to the limited length of the semitrailer in the transport position, TPKs should be staggered, with partial overlap.
A transport-loading vehicle unified with MLRS was also presented. On a similar semi-trailer, it was proposed to install a casing with a power plant, a crane and mounts for transporting eight TPKs with missiles. Thus, the total ammunition of the complex of two vehicles could provide two full volleys.
According to information last year, the Jobaria TCL project provided for the use of two types of missiles. Compatibility with Turkish TR-300s of 300 mm caliber was ensured. In addition, it is possible to use Chinese-designed A-300 missiles. The presented layouts represented the MLRS using the A-300. Such missiles, equipped with trajectory correction means, are capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 290 km.
Models of the new type of combat and auxiliary vehicles were first shown last year. At the same time, it was claimed that Jobaria Defense Systems had already received an order for the supply of such equipment to one of the Middle Eastern countries. Since then, no new information has been received about the TCL project. The construction and testing of prototypes was not reported. There is also no information on the fulfillment of the contract, which was mentioned in the past.
Overly bold ideas
Projects of multiple launch rocket systems of the Jobaria line brings together a number of common ideas and technical solutions. At the same time, some of the proposals of the designers, together with the expected results, bring certain problems. All three well-known projects - only one of which was brought to the construction of a real model - have serious engineering and operational shortcomings.
MLRS TCL, view from a different angle. Photo Armyrecognition.com
The first prototype of the family, which received four launchers for 240 missiles, is distinguished by its large dimensions and low maneuverability. This limits the range of tasks to be solved, and also leads to increased risks. An overly complex and expensive combat vehicle can suffer from any retaliatory strike from a developed enemy. In fact, its only advantages are large volley volumes and savings on the operation of one tractor instead of several.
Modification of the Jobaria MCL for 300-mm missiles retained all the main shortcomings of the basic model. However, a serious increase in the firing range to a certain extent reduced the risks for a combat vehicle. This version of the MLRS could be of interest to the army, but for some reason it was abandoned. At the same time, the exploitation of a pair of not very successful MCLs continued.
"Last year's" sample of a multiple launch rocket system with two launchers, in general, looks curious, but it is not without its drawbacks. First of all, attention should be paid to the use of two launchers with four missiles each. All existing foreign systems with similar capabilities are equipped with only one installation, on which all the ammunition is placed. This simplifies the design and reduces the cost of production with operation. For what reason the company Jobaria Defense Systems decided to keep not the most successful solution is unknown.
The MLRS of the Jobaria family, despite their characteristic appearance and rather high combat qualities, still cannot be called fully successful. Moreover, such conclusions are confirmed by practice. Even five years after the "premiere show" there are only two combat vehicles of the Jobaria MCL type - the customer, represented by the UAE army, did not want to acquire new samples of this type. The MCL project for more powerful and long-range missiles remained on paper, and the status of the TCL complex is still in question. For a year and a half after the demonstration of the layout and the announcement of the availability of the order, not even prototypes appeared, not to mention the serial equipment.
Thus, multiple launch rocket systems from Jobaria Defense Systems can be classified as notable, but not the most successful projects. An attempt to improve the combat qualities of equipment, placing at the forefront one of the main parameters, led to the emergence of a mass of serious shortcomings, which, moreover, remain in new projects. As a result, the main achievement of the entire Jobaria MLRS line was increased public attention, but not large supply contracts.
