There are new messages about promising projects being developed by the Belarusian defense industry. From the latest news, it follows that the enterprises of the Republic of Belarus have completed all the necessary work, as a result of which a new model of military equipment was adopted for the army. In July, the fleet of equipment of the Belarusian armed forces was replenished with new multiple launch rocket systems "Polonez". The official acceptance into service took place in the middle of last month.
According to reports, the development of the "Polonez" MLRS started several years ago. On May 9 last year, prototypes of such equipment were first shown to the general public. At the same time, Belarus published information about the new complex. In the future, the equipment underwent the necessary tests, which made it possible to make further plans for the deployment of mass production and the adoption of equipment for service. Initially, it was assumed that the "Polonaise" will enter service in the fall of 2016. Last spring, it became known about a change in plans with a shift in terms to the left. Thanks to one or another success, the expected date of adoption was postponed to July.
In early July this year, the Belarusian and Russian media published information announced by the head of the missile forces and artillery of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus Gennady Kozlovsky. According to him, by this point, the industry and the army began to transfer a new multiple launch rocket system. The last modifications of the equipment were carried out in accordance with the wishes of the customer. On July 17, the Polonez system was planned to be officially put into service. Apparently, these plans were fulfilled, and the fleet of equipment of the Belarusian ground forces was officially replenished with a new model.
Launcher on parade. Photo Kp.by
The MLRS "Polonaise", according to the Belarusian side, is the result of the work of the state's own industry. A minimum number of foreign-made components is used, the share of which does not exceed several tens of percent. In the future, it is planned to reduce it by several times, having mastered the production of the vast majority of the main components on their own. At the same time, regardless of the share of domestic and foreign components, the Polonez system turns out to be the first sample of this class, developed and put into series by the Belarusian industry.
According to some reports, confirmed by the available information, the Chinese defense industry played a significant role in the development of the "Polonez" MLRS project. Several years ago, China introduced the promising A200 guided missiles to the international arms and equipment market. This weapon, due to its fairly high performance and relative availability for customers, could find use in the Belarusian project. Thus, some of the elements of the complex could have been developed by Belarus, while other components are not more than manufactured under license. One way or another, the result of this approach was the solution of the main tasks set by the customer.
The "Polonaise" multiple launch rocket system includes several basic elements. The main one is a self-propelled launcher with a package of guides. To ensure its operation, a transport-loading machine is included in the complex. The means of destruction of targets are missiles with the required characteristics. Both machines of the "Polonez" complex are based on the four-axle special chassis MZKT-7930 "Astrologer". The use of the same chassis provides a certain ease of operation and maintenance of equipment, and also allows the machines to work together in different conditions.
Parade line. Photo Abw.by
The wheeled chassis used have diesel engines with a power of 500 hp, which allow them to carry up to 24 tons of cargo and reach a maximum speed of 70 km / h. The four-axle undercarriage provides high cross-country ability. In the course of the restructuring under the Polonez project, the base chassis receive a set of new equipment necessary for solving the assigned tasks. The target equipment consists of a main platform and some units installed on it. The sets of additional equipment for the launcher and the charging machine are partially unified, but have some noticeable differences.
The self-propelled launcher is built on the basis of a platform mounted on the cargo area of the chassis. The platform receives boxes for storing property, fasteners for other units, etc. In addition, four hydraulic jacks are attached to it, which are used to stabilize the machine during basic operations. The location of these devices is interesting. They are placed between the wheels and are located in niches, outside covered with grate ladders.
A pivot support of the launcher is placed on the platform. Its design allows targeting weapons in a horizontal plane. Lift boom drives are responsible for vertical guidance, on which a package of guides is attached. The design of the launcher provides for the simultaneous installation of two blocks of four transport and launch containers of missiles on each. The block is a 2x2 structure, assembled using appropriate devices and fixed to the boom. This simplifies the use of missiles and speeds up the reloading of the combat vehicle.
The cockpit of the self-propelled launcher houses the control panels required for the use of weapons. The available equipment allows the crew of the MLRS "Polonaise" to determine their location, as well as the position relative to the target, calculate the guidance angles and enter data into the missile guidance systems, and then control the operation of the launcher.
Transport and loading machines. Photo News.tut.by
The transport-loading vehicle of the complex has a cargo platform similar to the units of the launcher, but carries different equipment. For the transportation of eight transport and launch containers with missiles on the platform, there are appropriate attachments. Lifting and slewing devices, however, are not provided. A crane is installed at the rear of the vehicle, with the help of which it is proposed to transfer ammunition from a transport vehicle to a combat vehicle.
For the "Polonaise" multiple launch rocket system, missiles with relatively high ranges have been developed. According to official data, these products can hit targets at ranges of up to 200 km. At the same time, it was mentioned that there is the possibility of simultaneous shelling and destruction of eight different targets at maximum range. The indicators of the range and capabilities of missiles have become one of the arguments in favor of the version about, at least, the joint development of these products.
According to data on the possible use of Chinese developments, the A200 missile developed by the First Academy or CALT can be used as part of the Polonez MLRS. A new family of guided missiles was introduced several years ago. In the spring of last year, the Belarusian delegation visited China, after which it reported on the achievement of an agreement on the participation of the Chinese side in ensuring the defense capability of Belarus. One of the points of such agreements could be cooperation in the creation and production of new missile systems. If this information is true, then the Belarusian military became the first customer of the A200 missiles.
According to reports, the A200 family missiles have a caliber of 301 mm and a length of 7264 mm. Tail fins with a span of 615 mm are used. The launch mass of the missiles, regardless of the type of warhead, is 750 kg. The missiles are equipped with solid-propellant engines, as well as a combined guidance system based on inertial and satellite navigation. There are three variants of warheads, separated in the final phase of the flight. The firing range of A200 products can vary from 50 to 200 km. The circular probable deviation at the maximum range, according to various sources, does not exceed 50 m. The use of guidance systems makes it possible to fire missiles of one salvo at several separate targets.
Missile containers and crane installed on the TPM. Photo Kp.by
The missiles are delivered in sealed transport and launch containers. These products are square and long. On the outer surfaces of the TPK there are devices for connecting to each other or mounting on the launcher. Containers are used both for transporting missiles and for launching them, during which they serve as guides.
According to Belarusian officials, the first tests of the new multiple launch rocket system took place last year. It is noteworthy that one of the testing grounds in China became the site for these checks. After that, some work was carried out, as a result of which the countries-developers of the project were able to start new checks. In early February 2016, the Belarusian military conducted a rocket and artillery exercise. As part of these maneuvers, firing from various systems was carried out at the Polessky training ground. Among other types of weapons and equipment, the Polonez complexes took part in the February exercises.
To date, the Belarusian-Chinese multiple launch rocket system has passed all the necessary checks, which made it possible to identify and eliminate all the shortcomings, as well as to adopt it. The corresponding document appeared in the middle of last month. In accordance with it, the "Polonaise" MLRS officially becomes a weapon of the Belarusian army. In addition, now we can expect the start of mass production of new equipment. In previous parades and other events, only two complexes participated in the launcher and TPM. In the foreseeable future, the number of such equipment should increase significantly. It was reported that in the fall the troops will have to start operating the first division of the new MLRS.
In its current form, the "Polonez" MLRS can significantly increase the strike potential of the missile forces and artillery of the Republic of Belarus. Polonaise differs from many other modern multiple launch rocket systems by its greater firing range and the use of guided missiles capable of hitting targets with a sufficiently high accuracy. In addition, the potential of such technology may be influenced by the geographical features of Eastern Europe. In the conditions of this region, the firing range of up to 200 km turns out to be a very serious argument.
Rocket A200 Chinese design. Photo Bmpd.livejournal.com
The Polonaise project shows the ability of the Belarusian defense industry to create quite interesting projects of weapons and military equipment. Nevertheless, the achievement of comparatively high characteristics is still a very difficult task, which is why the specialists of Belarus are forced to turn to other countries for help. In the case of the Polonez MLRS, such assistance took the form of the delivery of ready-made missiles with the required characteristics. At the same time, ready-made special chassis of Belarusian production with a set of additional equipment were used in the project.
There are some reports on the plans of the Belarusian industry regarding the development of the Polonez complexes. It is reported that in the near future, the enterprises participating in the project intend to develop new versions of guided missiles with enhanced characteristics. With the help of such products, it is expected to significantly increase the firing range, expanding the area of responsibility of missile systems. The emergence of new relatively long-range missiles can turn a multiple launch rocket system into an operational-tactical-class complex. Nevertheless, there is still no information about the existence of such projects and the reality of their appearance.
The joint development of the Belarusian and Chinese industries last and this year passed all the necessary tests, according to the results of which it was recommended for adoption. Certain successes of the new project made it possible to shift the terms of acceptance into service and begin deliveries of finished equipment several months earlier than originally planned. As a result, a few weeks ago, an official order appeared on the adoption of the "Polonez" multiple launch rocket system into service with the missile forces and artillery of the Republic of Belarus. By now, the army should have received the first systems of this type. In the future, the production of equipment and weapons will continue.
