It is difficult to imagine a modern armed conflict that does not use improvised, homemade military equipment. Various armed formations, preparing for battle, install available weapons of one kind or another on available civilian vehicles. For some time now, serious arms manufacturers have also begun to show interest in such technology. So, on the basis of other people's experience and their own developments, the Russian industry has created a multipurpose combat vehicle "SAMUM".
The SAMUM project ("Modernized super-mobile artillery multipurpose installation") was first presented last year at the international military-technical forum "Army-2017". It was developed by the Podolsk Electromechanical Plant (PEMZ), which already has experience in the field of light artillery systems and controls. In particular, the well-known artillery installation became one of the main components of the promising complex.
Exhibition sample of the self-propelled gun "SAMUM". Photo Voennoe.rf
The main task of the SAMUM project, as its detailed name implies, was the creation of a promising light armored combat vehicle with artillery weapons. This product is designed for cutting edge work and has a number of basic tasks to accomplish. First of all, its armament is designed to attack air targets in the near zone. If necessary, the crew can open fire on ground targets. The combat characteristics of the SAMUM machine, in general, meet the requirements of modern low-intensity conflicts.
It should be noted that at the time of the first public demonstration, the SAMUM car existed only as a full-size mock-up. PEMZ planned to use this model for a series of checks and tests, the results of which were supposed to make changes to the original design. However, in the near future, after the completion of development work, a full-fledged armored vehicle could be offered to the military.
The SAMUM product, shown last year, is a light wheeled platform-armored car, on which an artillery mount with a pair of 23-mm automatic cannons is mounted. In general, the complex is based on long-known solutions and serial units. At the same time, various technical solutions were used, due to which a noticeable increase in combat and operational characteristics is provided. As a result, the factory "SAMUM" should have significant advantages over similar samples of handicraft production.
Podolsk engineers have developed a new wheeled chassis especially for the new artillery self-propelled gun. Despite the novelty, this machine is based on serial components and assemblies. The main source of components for the SAMUM product was Ural serial vehicles. In addition, the chassis contains units from Russian-developed armored personnel carriers. All this is expected to simplify and reduce the cost of serial production of self-propelled guns while obtaining sufficiently high tactical and technical characteristics.
The chassis for installation is equipped with a light armored body that provides protection against small arms bullets or shell fragments. The developer declared the use of composite armor, the composition of which, however, was not disclosed. The body of the chassis has a bonnet configuration, which is traditional for cars. In front of it is the engine, behind it is the cockpit. The rear of the hull forms a large enough cargo area to accommodate weapons. This fact gives the armored vehicle a certain resemblance to pickup vehicles, often used in the construction of improvised military equipment.
The presented SAMUM project envisaged the use of a 200 hp diesel engine. With the existing transmission, the engine power must be distributed to all four wheels. The undercarriage of the car received a pneumo-hydraulic suspension. The possibility of blocking suspension units is declared. This allows the machine to maintain a stable position during firing and not swing, losing accuracy and accuracy. It can be assumed that the presence of a suspension lock made it possible to do without jacks for preliminary hanging of the installation before firing.
To accommodate weapons, the project provides for a fairly large platform formed by the rear of the hull. Above the rear axle, the PEMZ designers placed a box-shaped unit, on the roof of which an artillery mount is mounted. The internal volume of such a box is used to accommodate ammunition. The rear side of the body is hinged and provides access to the inside. The prototype shown at Army-2017 had devices for securing and transporting three boxes with shells.
Stern view. Photo Defense.ru
A well-known development of the Podolsk Electromechanical Plant is used as the main armament of the SAMUM machine. It was decided to equip the chassis of a new type with a relatively old anti-aircraft artillery mount ZU-23 / 30M1-4. In the past, PEMZ has proposed and implemented several projects for the deep modernization of serial ZU-23 installations, aimed at improving the main combat characteristics. Initially, the updated installations were carried out only in towed form, but with the advent of the SAMUM project, they were able to become self-propelled.
Mounting the ZU-23 / 30M1-4 on a self-propelled vehicle did not lead to a serious redesign of its design. The engineers had to remove only the wheeled support platform from the anti-aircraft installation. Now the turntable with weapons and devices is attached directly to the cargo area of the vehicle. The electrical devices of the installation are connected to the power system of the base machine. A number of the main units of the installation in the new project received new housings and casings. Their presence to a certain extent ennobled the exterior of the entire car. The anti-aircraft installation was supplemented with a second control panel that duplicates the main devices and allows you to solve combat missions in difficult conditions without exposing the gunner to a known danger.
It is curious that at the open site of the Army-2017 forum, PEMZ simultaneously demonstrated both a well-known modified anti-aircraft gun and a self-propelled vehicle built with its use. Guests of the event could compare the original product and its modified version on the spot.
Recall that the projects for the modernization of the ZU-23 installation from the PEMZ provided for the abandonment of one of the gunner's workplaces, instead of which it was proposed to mount various new devices. At the same time, the installation had to change its appearance in a noticeable way. Ahead, on the turntable of the installation, devices for mounting a swinging artillery unit were retained. The left side of the platform is given to the gunner's workplace with fire control devices. Next to it and on the starboard side are large casings of other devices.
Despite the cardinal update of the instruments, the ZU-23 / 30M1-4 retains its armament in the form of twin 23 mm 2A14 automatic cannons. Cannons can use shells of several types for different purposes. The ammunition is fed by belts from a pair of side boxes. The rate of fire of each gun is 1000 rounds per minute. The upgraded installation has electric guidance drives with manual redundancy. The available mechanisms provide horizontal circular guidance with some restrictions in the sector of the machine's cabin. Vertical guidance - from 0 ° to + 70 °.
ZU-23 / 30M1-4 has a separate bracket for installing portable anti-aircraft missile systems. Thus, a pair of automatic cannons can be supplemented with missiles. This significantly increases the firing zone of the installation, and in addition, in fact, creates an echeloned defense system capable of attacking targets using various means.
On the right, on the swinging part of the installation, there is a block of optoelectronic equipment with day and night equipment, as well as a laser rangefinder. The signal from these devices is displayed on the screen located above the gunner's control panel. Air target detection during daylight hours is provided at ranges of up to 8 km - outside the firing zone. The equipment of the installation has several operating modes: automatic, semi-automatic and manual. In the latter two cases, the operator can use a movable panel that controls electric guidance drives and weapons.
Installation of ZU-23 / 30M1-4 in towed version, rear view. Photo PEMZ / pemz-podolsk.ru
In the case of the SAMUM self-propelled gun, its own anti-aircraft gun controls have been supplemented with new devices. The second console, which has the same functions, is located inside the cockpit. Thanks to this, while working in difficult conditions, the gunner can be protected by armor and operate in more comfortable conditions.
The SAMUM multipurpose combat vehicle has very modest dimensions and adequate mobility. At the same time, sufficiently high combat characteristics are provided. The total length of the presented sample is 5 m. Width - 2, 75 m, height - 2, 7 m. It is curious that the artillery mount in the stowed position does not protrude beyond the frontal projection of the cockpit. The track of the new chassis is 3.1 m, the ground clearance is 500 mm. The curb weight is determined at 6.5 tons with a carrying capacity of 1.5 tons.
A relatively powerful engine allows the car to reach speeds of up to 160 km / h. The power reserve with two 70-liter tanks is 1000 km. The armored vehicle can climb slopes up to 32 ° and move with a roll of up to 30 °. Water bodies with a depth of 1, 6 m "SAMUM" overcomes by fords.
A pair of 23-mm cannons with a total rate of fire of 2000 rounds per minute, controlled by modern electronic devices, allows for fairly high combat characteristics. Optical-electronic equipment allows you to find air or ground targets at ranges up to 8 km. The effective range of cannon fire reaches 2.5 km. Height reach - 1.5 km. Transportable ammunition includes 1000 rounds.
The crew consists of three people. It probably includes a driver, commander and gunner. On the march, they can be located inside a protected cabin; during combat work - depending on the current situation. So, two posts can be used to control the anti-aircraft installation. The first is located directly on a rotating platform with weapons. The second is protected by armor, inside the cockpit. The cab is equipped with advanced glazing that provides good visibility in all conditions. Landing is done through a pair of side doors. The gunner's workplace ZU-23 / 30M1-4 is located open.
Last year, the SAMUM multifunctional self-propelled unit was presented as a prototype used in preliminary tests. In the foreseeable future, the Podolsk Electromechanical Plant planned to continue work on the project, and in the future to present a full-fledged project, ready for mass production and deliveries to the troops.
The "premiere show" of a promising model of an armored combat vehicle took place several months ago, and since then there have been no new reports on the progress of the SAMUM project. Apparently, PEMZ continues development work and is not yet ready to present their new results. However, in just a few months, the next military-technical forum "Army-2018" will take place, and it can become a platform for demonstrating a new version of an armored vehicle.
While waiting for a new display of a promising armored vehicle, you can try to assess it and predict the real prospects of the project. As you know, the main goal of the SAMUM project was to create an analogue of the widespread improvised handicraft combat vehicles built using the production facilities of real enterprises. At the same time, it was possible to get rid of the characteristic shortcomings of equipment assembled on the basis of civilian vehicles, as well as get noticeable advantages over it. A ready-made sample of a new type is of certain interest, at least from the point of view of technology.
Self-propelled feed with ammunition storage. Photo Defense.ru
The ZU-23 / 30M1-4 system installed on the SAMUM vehicle was originally intended for use in air defense. However, in practice, weapons of this kind are now more often used to attack ground targets. The new domestic project provides a solution to both problems. At the same time, it has a serious advantage in the form of full-fledged bulletproof armor, which artisanal samples usually lack.
A protected vehicle with artillery (or rocket-artillery) weapons can be used as a means of fire support for units and attack ground targets, while retaining the ability to combat aircraft. Also, a similar vehicle can be used to escort convoys or patrol specified areas. Thanks to the armor, the crew will not be afraid of the enemy's small arms, and a pair of 23-mm automatic cannons will leave the enemy minimal chances.
However, the SAMUM project may have certain problems at the conceptual level. The latter originated in the specific conditions of the absence of full-fledged technology, and is not without its drawbacks. Thus, a modern developed army, armed with various types of equipment of different classes, may simply not show interest in a pickup truck with anti-aircraft guns, even if it is of factory origin. As a result, the prospects of the SAMUM machine in the context of the development of the Russian army are very vague.
At the same time, such samples, distinguished by high quality production, may be of interest to various foreign customers. Many poor countries want to carry out rearmament, but limited financial resources do not allow them to acquire "full-fledged" samples of military equipment. Russian "SAMUM" can be a good way out of this situation. It is quite possible that certain foreign armies are already interested in Russian development.
The SAMUM self-propelled artillery mount may become the subject of a production and supply contract, but a different development of events is also possible. Nevertheless, regardless of further developments, this project is at least of technical interest. In addition, he shows and implements an interesting approach to the creation of new technology, based on the developments of "unofficial" masters. Whether such a combat vehicle will be able to repeat the successes of handicraft developments - time will tell.
