For the first time, they started talking about the Belarusian self-propelled ATGM "Karakal" made by Beltech with the participation of the Kiev design bureau "Luch" after the exhibition "IDEX-2011", where it was first demonstrated on February 20-24, 2011. According to the developers of the company, in Abu Dhabi, they signed a contract for the supply of a certain number of copies of "Karakal" to one of the eastern countries. Which country it is is still kept secret. In addition, other states of the region have shown interest in the complex. The next appearance of "Karakal" took place on May 24-27 last year in Minsk at the sixth exhibition of international importance "MILEX-2011". This complex has become one of the few that the Belarusian defense industry has created from scratch and brought to readiness for production, earlier such projects were mainly in the form of modernizing old complexes and replacing individual units with them.
The main purpose of the new complex is to defeat armored vehicles of a potential enemy, even vehicles equipped with dynamic armor protection, defensive and protective structures, surface boats and ships, and air targets at low altitudes. The presented complex is made on the basis of a light-armored car with a 4x4 wheel formula, made in Belarus. The car is divided into two isolated compartments:
- the front compartment is used to accommodate a crew of two people;
- the rear compartment is used to accommodate a retractable transport and launcher.
The TPU is equipped with 4 “Barrier” anti-tank missiles developed by the Ukrainian design bureau “Luch”. Electro-optical equipment and infrared observation sensors were placed between the two blocks of two missiles, in the center of the TPU. The capabilities of the "Karakal" complex are an automatic target tracking mode with laser guidance and hitting two targets simultaneously. In addition, in manual mode, the rocket is controlled by the operator using telemetry, the rocket is guided by the joystick at the selected target, it is possible to turn on the automatic mode after pointing. Pointing can be done 170 degrees azimuth and 15 degrees in elevation.
When switching from traveling mode to combat mode, the TPU moves up, while the hatch cover remains on top of the TPU. After launching the ammunition, the TPU automatically returns to its original position, where the installation is automatically reloaded. Full ammunition for Barrier missiles - 12 units, of which:
- four ATGMs are ready for use;
- four ATGMs are ready for automatic loading;
- four ATGMs are located in the combat stowage.
In addition to the retractable transport and launcher, in the rear compartment there is a remote installation of the Karakal complex - the Skif ATGM, on which one ATGM is located.
It can be controlled remotely using a laptop at a distance of up to 50 meters. Deployment of the SPU on the ground does not take more than 5 minutes. ATGM "Barrier" can be equipped with warheads of different types, such as tandem, armor-piercing or cumulative. According to the results of the conducted field tests, out of 10 ATGMs, 8-9 ATGMs will be able to accurately hit a given target. The declared armor penetration is 800 mm of dynamic protection. A missile with a thermobaric warhead was specially developed for the Karakal complex.
In addition to an automobile chassis with a different wheel formula, the designers are ready to implement the complex on a tracked chassis, provide them with surface boats and ships, and manufacture the complex on stationary platforms.
In general, "Karakal" is a whole complex of counteraction to the offensive of a potential enemy. This complex includes:
- control system - a combat control machine, from which the actions of the entire complex are actually guided;
- reconnaissance system - a reconnaissance vehicle with drones of the Midivisana type and a ground control complex. The built-in radar provides detection at a distance of up to 20 kilometers, the use of drones increases the detection area up to 30 kilometers;
- mobile means of firing - a mobile launcher with ATGM R-2 "Barrier". One subdivision can contain from 4 to 6 SPUs. It is this separately taken universal SPU that is mistaken for a whole complex of ATGM "KARAKAL", although it is possible to use SPU separately, since its own SPU means are capable of detecting targets at a distance of up to 7 kilometers;
- the system of technical support and provision - the MTO vehicle, in which the SPU maintenance equipment is transported and delivered. The subdivision has the number of MTO vehicles - one vehicle for three self-propelled launchers of the complex.
All systems of the complex are made in the same type of composite casing based on polymer armor. The armor of the vehicle body is combined, multi-layered. Such solutions reduced the radar signature of the complex and provided effective protection. On request, it is possible to install dynamic protection class, according to STANAG 4569, levels 1-4. In front of the vehicle to protect the crew, it is possible to install bulletproof windows.
Complex "Karakal" as part of one unit can conduct long-term autonomous operations, first destroying the cover of enemy units, aircraft, then the main mechanized forces and manpower of the enemy. For the first time since their independence, Belarusian designers have created a unified anti-tank system, provided with their own control and reconnaissance means. In addition, the complex can serve as the basis for a unified system of fire destruction of the enemy, which will be able to include not only SPU with ATGMs, but also subunits of barrel artillery and MLRS. For the operation of these units in a single system, it will be enough to use for adjusting the drones of the "Karakal" complex.
The main characteristics of the universal SPU "Karakal":
- ATGM - R-2 "Barrier";
- caliber - 130 mm;
- crew / crew - 2 people;
- dead zone of ATGM application - 100 meters;
- range day / night - 5.5 / 3 kilometers;
- cruising range - 1000 kilometers;
- SPU weight - 4 tons;
- transfer to a combat position no more than 300 seconds;
- remote launcher - ATGM "Skif";
- guidance system - semi-automatic with auto tracking, day / night - television / thermal imaging.
The car chassis has the following speed characteristics:
- maximum speed on equipped roads - 80 km / h;
- the maximum speed on not equipped roads - 60 km / h;
- maximum speed over rough terrain - 15 km / h;
The main advantages of the new complex:
- high maneuverability and mobility;
- automatic recharge of TPU;
- additional ability to fire from a remote launcher;
- firing by the operator immediately from the SPU and the remote launcher;
- automatic tracking of detected objects;
- increased possibilities of maintainability, due to the availability of MTO machines;
- one SPU is able to resist / destroy one tank company - 10 tanks;
- one unit consisting of the full complex "Karakal" will stop / destroy the 1st tank battalion.
Additional Information
On November 27, 2011, at the military parade on the Independence Day of Turkmenistan, the SPU of the Karakal complex was marked in the ranks of the armed forces marching along the main street of Ashgabat. Probably, Turkmenistan is still the main customer of the new ATGM "Karakal".
