[Russkie]

New warhead for Russia's Smerch rocket

Russia's Splav State Research and Production Association has released details of the latest fuel-air explosive (FAE) warhead for use with its 300mm BM 9A52 12-round Smerch multiple-rocket system (MRS).

The unguided rocket, designated the 9M55S, has maximum and minimum ranges of 70km and 25km respectively. The complete rocket weighs 800kg, including the 100kg warhead.

The FAE mixture is dispensed to form a cloud some 25m in diameter over the target. This is then detonated and the resultant overpressure is highly lethal against not only troops in the open but also personnel sheltering in fortifications and trucks and light armoured vehicles.

Soviet troops discovered during the 1979-89 occupation of Afghanistan that anti-tank weapons fitted with a conventional high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead were of limited use against dug-in troops or caves and bunkers. This led to the development and fielding of many weapons with a FAE or thermobaric-type warhead.

Today, most Russian anti-tank guided weapons (ATGWs) are offered with either a tandem-charge HEAT - to defeat targets fitted with explosive-reactive armour - or a thermobaric warhead. These include the Kornet and Metis-M developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau. It also developed the Schmel system, including the RPO-A version that has a thermobaric warhead.

A range of man-portable unguided anti-tank weapons are also offered with this type of warhead, including the RShG-1 and RShG-2 as well as the TBG-7V for use with the widely deployed RPG-7V rocket-propelled grenade system. The Russian Bazalt State Research and Production Enterprise developed these warheads (Jane's Defence Weekly 15 October 2001).

The Smerch, originally developed to meet Soviet Army requirements, was first fielded in 1987 and remains the most powerful system of its type in service with any country. A family of 300mm unguided rockets has been developed, including separable high-explosive fragmentation warheads and cargo rounds carrying either 72 submunitions, five self-targeting submunitions (scattering 25 anti-tank mines) or 646 'shaped charge'-fragmentation bomblets.

These have a range of 70km, although more recently an extended-range version has been developed that can reach out to 90km. This is designated the 9M528 and weighs 900kg, including 75kg of explosives.

In addition to being used by Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, export sales of the Smerch system have been made to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

India has recently tested the Smerch and is understood to have placed an order for the complete system that includes not only the 8 x 8 launcher but also the 8 x 8 resupply vehicle and the essential command-and-control element

The Smerch is designed basically to destroy an entire Tank division.

[Hamilcar]

The Smerch is designed basically to destroy an entire Tank division.

Sweeeeet.

And the B-2 was designed to take out the entire Russian army without the need for sending in any tank divisions in the rist place.

[Nikita]

And the B-2 was designed to take out the entire Russian army without the need for sending in any tank divisions in the rist place.

And the S-300/400, MiG-31 were designed to tottaly destroy the B-2. Stealth may be useful against thirdworld countrys, but not against Russia

Do some research, or actually have a clue about what you just said, before you go stating things that make you seem like a fool.

[Hatred]

Yeah, sweet.. more weapons.
I'm happy now.

[MB.]

More weapons that aren't drones.... yawn.

[Piano Red]

Just for you Bill.

[Boondock Saint]

I love Russian nationalism, there is so little that amuses me but Russian nationalism certainly does ...

A few well placed cluster bombs and these oversized catapults are toast.

[MB.]

Heh, Nice Alexander.... still, I wait for the day when everyone will releasise that it makes more sense to simply make the drones the warheads themselves... both the delivery vehicle and the weapon.

As for that satement about Russian Nationalism.... its not Russian Nationalism that's annoying, it's post-facto Soviet nationalism that's annoying.

(The finalPHASE anyone?)

But, besides that, Canadian nationalism is far far far worse.

[MB.]

And the S-300/400, MiG-31 were designed to tottaly destroy the B-2. Stealth may be useful against thirdworld countrys, but not against Russia

Not true at all. The MiG-31 entered production in 79, well before the B2s was a known threat the USSR. Also, you're no doubt talking about the MiG-31s SBI-16 Zaslon radar, which, yes, while powerful is not tested against stealth aircraft. As far as I know, it is unknown if that radar is capable of engaging stealth craft.

[Devlar]

Nikitia wrote:

And the S-300/400, MiG-31 were designed to tottaly destroy the B-2. Stealth may be useful against thirdworld countrys, but not against Russia

Except not for the reason you think. The reason why stealth wouldn't work against Russia is because they have some old WW2 era equipment still at work that can see them because they use different (be it medival and short range) radar systems

[Comrade Ogilvy]

And the S-300/400, MiG-31 were designed to tottaly destroy the B-2. Stealth may be useful against thirdworld countrys, but not against Russia

So....Russia someow manages to pick up stuff on their radars that doesnt give a signature output?

Do some research, or actually have a clue about what you just said, before you go stating things that make you seem like a fool.

same goes for you.

[MB.]

See my post.

[Piano Red]

Except not for the reason you think. The reason why stealth wouldn't work against Russia is because they have some old WW2 era equipment still at work that can see them because they use different (be it medival and short range) radar systems

Hmm, i've never heard anything about this, what equipment is it exactly and why would stealth technology not work against such primitive systems?

[TROI]

The idea of drones scares the shite out of me. Basically domination of the globe would then come down to whoever could afford to build the most drone warriors, aircraft or whatever... Which would inevitably be the US.

[Comrade Ogilvy]

Better the Us than Russia.