Russian defense science and industry regularly proposes new ideas, and many of them are being implemented in practice. For obvious reasons, not all of them talk about new developments at once. This contributes to the emergence of scattered messages, rumors, ratings, etc. At the same time, often sensational press reports do not fully correspond to the real state of affairs. A similar situation could be observed the other day. Interesting reports about the development of a new robotic complex "Shturm", as it turned out, did not quite correspond to reality.
Sensational tank robot
The controversial story began on the morning of August 8, when the online edition of RBC published data on the existence of another promising project. According to an unnamed source of the publication in the Ministry of Defense, the scientific and production corporation Uralvagonzavod is currently developing a new assault robotic complex of a heavy class. Experimental design work was assigned the code "Shturm".
Possible appearance of the control machine from the R&D "Shturm"
The main goal of the project is to reduce the loss of personnel during the conduct of hostilities in the city. The complex is planned to include four variants of combat vehicles, differing from each other in weapons. The source claimed that by now a mock-up of the future vehicle with combat equipment has been created. With its help, the mobility of the complex will be demonstrated.
RBC also provided basic data on the components of the robotic complex. Fighting vehicle number 1 should have a mass of 50 tons and carry armament in the form of a 125-mm D-414 cannon and a coaxial machine gun. The gun is planned to be equipped with an automatic loader for 22 rounds. It is also expected to use systems of all-aspect protection against anti-tank weapons. Fighting vehicle number 2 should differ from the first in the composition of the armament. It is planned to equip it with a unit of RPO-2 “Shmel-M” rocket throwers and a PKTM machine gun. Project No. 3 provides for the use of a combat module with a pair of 30-mm automatic cannons, a machine gun and flamethrowers. Vehicle # 4 must carry a launcher for 16 unguided rockets MO.1.01.04M, taken from the TOS-1 flamethrower system.
All means of the "Shturm" complex will be controlled by a single remote control point. It is proposed to build it on the basis of the T-72B3 tank. The on-board equipment of such a point will make it possible to control robotic equipment at distances of up to 3 km. On the basis of the main tank, it is also proposed to create a heavy armored personnel carrier BTR-T, capable of transporting eight soldiers with weapons.
According to RBC, the Shturm project provides for high mobility of equipment, including in urban areas. Machines should be protected from explosive devices. In addition, they must withstand 10-15 grenades from hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers. It should be possible to rotate the turret and freely aim the weapon, even in narrow aisles. The equipment needs artillery weapons, suitable for the destruction of manpower and unprotected equipment, as well as various structures.
Combat robots should be able to quickly find and hit targets from all angles, including those with a large excess over them. In this case, it is required to exclude damage to urban development. The source claims that the military demanded to provide for firing in a programmed mode. It is proposed to form a combat mission based on the results of reconnaissance and load it into the automatics of armored vehicles.
The RBC article states that NPK Uralvagonzavod and the Ministry of Defense did not comment on the data of an unnamed source in any way. After the main information about the "Shturm", the material included a commentary by a well-known expert in the field of military equipment Viktor Murakhovsky, the history of similar projects in the distant past and the latest news related to the "Armata" project.
Dubious sensation
On the same day, an expert in the field of armored vehicles Alexei Khlopotov, also known as Gur Khan, answered the most interesting and promising messages from RBC. In his blog, he sharply criticized the publication about the development work "Shturm", and in addition, urged journalists to stop "feeding the people with fakes." Further, the specialist clearly explained why the news from RBC is not real news.
A. Khlopotov pointed out that the reports of RBC about "Sturm" are in fact a free retelling and interpretation of an already known document. In mid-June, the presentation "Problematic issues of the development of military-purpose robotic systems", prepared by Andrei Anisimov, senior researcher at the 3rd Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense, got into free access. The presentation was intended for demonstration at the XXI All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference "Actual Problems of Protection and Security".
The presentation included a section entitled “Advanced Research”. It mentioned only one experimental design work ("Armata") and three research projects at once. One of them is called "Storm". Also, the presentation presented the possible appearance of promising robotic complexes, the organizational structures of the complexes, etc. Finally, the author of the presentation cited certain conclusions drawn from the results of the work already completed.
A. Khlopotov rightly noted that this presentation has long been studied and analyzed in the respective communities. After that, in his opinion, the authors of the "sensation" in the press had only to put together separate statements and add an "inside flair". And so an interesting message appeared about the promising development of the domestic industry.
The specialist also drew attention to the status of the "Storm" project in the presentation and in a recent press publication. In the original document, it is listed as research work, while RBC designated it as development work. In domestic practice, these terms denote different stages of work, and such a "replacement" cannot be recognized as justified.
According to A. Khlopotov, R&D "Shturm" and other works mentioned in the presentation from A. Anisimov have long been completed. Some of these proposals have remained on paper, while others have found application in real development work. However, the samples of equipment shown in the document are "nothing more than pictures."
The specialist drew attention to the conclusions of the two published materials. Although the article in the press was based on the presentation of the 3rd Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense, its conclusion does not correspond to the conclusions of the original document. Taking this and all the previous points into account, A. Khlopotov calls the RBC article a fake.
Considering this "fake", A. Khlopotov noted its especially sad feature. The worthy and respected specialist V. Murakhovsky indirectly suffered from this article. He had to give a serious comment to a nonexistent project.
The subject of the dispute
Having considered the aforementioned presentation "Problematic issues of the development of the RTK VN", it is easy to see that both RBC and A. Khlopotov wrote about the same proposal of the domestic military science. From the available data, it follows that in the recent past, the 3rd Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense conducted research with the code "Storm". At the level of theory, the appearance of a whole family of armored combat vehicles with remote control and automation was worked out, after which specialists studied its prospects and made conclusions.
One of the variants of the NIR "Shturm" heavy combat vehicle - a functional analogue of a tank or ACS
According to the document, the aim of the R&D "Shturm" was to develop a new automated system of robotic weapons and equipment systems. It was supposed to ensure their joint coordinated work in solving combat missions. The system of complexes was considered in the context of rearmament of the ground forces. With its help, the troops could carry out various tasks, including carrying out an assault.
One of the slides in the presentation showed the possible structure of such a system of complexes. The organizational structure of the robotic system of functionally connected RTKs provided for the presence of one robotic company, working together with the control department. The company can include up to five platoons for different purposes, armed with different equipment. The proposed structure includes heavy, medium and light robotic platoons, as well as a reconnaissance platoon and a special platoon.
A. Anisimov gave possible options for arming different vehicles intended for such platoons. The technical appearance and characteristics of the chassis for them were not specified. The control department must operate well-protected tracked armored vehicles with the necessary equipment and weapons for self-defense.
The heavy platoon can be armed with equipment with 152 or 125 mm guns, supplemented by a 7.62 mm machine gun. It is also possible to use the product with a pair of 30-mm cannons, a machine gun and anti-tank missiles. For medium platoons, combat modules with a 57-mm cannon, 7, 62-mm machine guns and missiles are offered. The 57mm cannon can be replaced with a 30mm cannon. Also, instead of missiles and guns, you can install RPO products. For light RTKs, a machine gun and missiles are proposed. Ground reconnaissance devices and unmanned aerial vehicles should be installed on board the reconnaissance robots. The equipment of a special platoon is determined by its tasks.
The presentation included images showing the possible appearance of individual robots from the hypothetical Shturm system. The three examples shown are “built” on a similar tracked chassis with six road wheels per side. Obviously, the proposed classic tank layout with the aft placement of the engine and the allocation of front compartments for target equipment or workplaces. The common feature of the three samples is the advanced additional protection of the enclosures. Frontal and side projections are covered with dynamic protection units or lattice screens.
The control vehicle, according to the presentation, may have a characteristic silhouette formed by a large wheelhouse with workstations for the crew and operators. For self-defense, she is armed with a machine gun mount. Also presented are two variants of the appearance of heavy-class vehicles, externally differing only in the combat module and weapons. The unified chassis in both cases has a complete set of additional protection and carries a dozer blade. In addition, the existing figures show advanced optoelectronic devices necessary for the operator to observe the situation.
The first of the heavy robots was "equipped" with a relatively large uninhabited turret with a large-caliber gun with an average barrel length. The second sample received a different module with a pair of 30-mm automatic cannons, on either side of which there are two blocks with missiles or rocket-propelled flamethrowers. In both cases, the towers are equipped with panoramic sights and optical-electronic devices for direct guidance.
Another version of the RTK. In terms of weapons, it is similar to modern tank support combat vehicles.
Unfortunately, research work in the field of combat robotics has led to not very happy conclusions. In the corresponding section "Problematic issues of the development of the RTK VN" it is noted that the appearance of combat robots will not have a noticeable effect on the capabilities of a motorized rifle brigade. It was found that such a technique is controlled by the operator, and its real capabilities are directly related to a person's ability to understand the environment and make the right tactical decisions. With highly maneuverable actions of combined arms formations, all this makes the RTK ineffective.
A similar situation with the impossibility of effective use of robots in combined arms combat will persist for the next 10-15 years. At the same time, before the appearance of equipment with improved combat qualities, the RTK can be used when storming fortifications or other objects. It is advisable to use them together with other maneuverable melee weapons as a fire support tool. The independent operation of the complex in certain situations can lead to the disruption of the combat mission.
There are also special requirements for the use of technology in combat conditions. It makes sense for short-term, quick and one-time use of robots in a given area. Moreover, maintenance points should be located as close as possible to the firing positions. This will speed up the maintenance of vehicles and the loading of ammunition before entering the position again.
Fortunately, domestic experts already see ways to solve the urgent problems of military robotics. The same presentation provides a list of areas that should be given special attention in the future. Development of communication and control facilities, surveillance equipment, etc. will provide a noticeable increase in tactical, technical and operational characteristics, making it possible to solve the assigned tasks.
A matter for the future
From the available information, it follows that Russian scientists and designers have carried out a number of research projects and studied several options for robotic systems of various types and purposes. Together with other proposals, the RTK system with the Shturm code was studied. Experts have come to objective and fair conclusions, which, however, are not particularly optimistic.
R&D "Shturm" and other studies have shown a very limited potential of robotic systems created on the basis of modern technologies and the available element base. As a consequence, the further development of the ideas of "Sturm" does not make sense, at least now or in the coming years. The promising R&D did not become a promising R&D project, and industry and science were busy working on other issues. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that certain ideas of the latest research projects have found application in new real projects.
Russian scientists and designers are constantly proposing new ideas in the field of weapons and military equipment, and their theoretical elaboration begins almost immediately. The most successful proposals soon find application in full-fledged development work, the ultimate goal of which is the rearmament of the army. Others, in turn, do not leave the stage of study. For objective reasons, many proposals in the field of robotics currently run the risk of not going beyond the R&D stage, as happened with the recent "Storm". However, don't be upset. With the appearance of appropriate opportunities, the ideas of this project may well be turned into design documentation and even into full-fledged prototypes or serial samples.
