MODERNIZATION OF ROCKET SYSTEMS

Transcription

1 MILAN MACHALA 1 RADEK DOSKOČIL 2 CONTEMPORARY TRENDS IN DEVELOPMENT AND MODERNIZATION OF ROCKET SYSTEMS This article deals with contemporary trends in development and modernization of rocket systems of field artillery. Especially reasons for modernization of rocket systems are mentioned. These reasons emerge from nature of contemporary armed conflict in the world. The main attribute of modernization is implementation of control system on the board of rockets. Introduction The USA military intervention against the Iraqi army on the territory of Kuwait in 1990 showed the need to improve some tactical dates of filed artillery rockets. It was necessary to increase maximum range of fire, accuracy of hit of target and possibility to use various types of warheads (WH) according to type of target. These tactical parameters were improved by modernization of older rockets M26 for Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The original rockets for MLRS of calibre 122 mm are modernized in a similar way. This type of rockets is mainly in service of armies of new NATO member countries. In NATO armies is this type of rockets modernized too. Contemporary state of modernization of MLRS Rocket system MLRS is used by armies of the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Norway, United Kingdom, Turkey, The Netherlands and 1 Milan Machala, Ing., CSc., University of Defence Brno, Czech Republic, Faculty of Military Technology, Department of Aircraft and Rocket Technology, Kounicova 65, Brno, [email protected]. 2 Radek Doskočil, Ing., University of Defence Brno, Czech Republic, Faculty of Military Technology, Department of Air Defence Systems, Kounicova 65, Brno, , [email protected]. 132

2 Greece. The basic tactical parameters of rockets are presented in Table 1. The Table 1 shows: the range is increased by 25 km (up to 70 km) by using high-performance solid propellant (SP) charge. The original colloidal charge was replaced by high-performance heterogeneous SP charge; new type of WH was designed for M30 (in the Table 1); accuracy of hit of target was increased by using control system containing GPS. It means that the modernized rocket M30, Figure 2, meet new tactical requirements in contrary to rockets M26. Realized modernization of rockets influences the tactical deployment of MLRS in fight. Implemented control system allows to fire at pinpoint and moving targets too. Table 1. The basic tactical parameters of rockets ROCKET RANGE [KM] WARHEADS TYPE OF SP CHARGE M pc submunition M DPICM M26 A1 518 pc submunition M DPICM 518 pc submunition M 77 M26 A DPICM Rocket motor with colloidal M26 AT pc PT mines AT2 SP charge M28 Inert charge with 3 smoke cartridges Inert charge with 3 smoke M28 A cartridges, rocket has blunt nose M pc submunition M 85 DPICM; unitary WH with high penetration effects; Anti-tank SMART submunition; HPMW. Rocket motor with heterogeneous SP charge NOTE Unguided rockets Practical unguided rockets Guided rocket, with GPS 133

3 Launcher was modernized too. The main modifications are: implementation of Improved Fire Control Systems (IFCS) contains remote digital transfer of firing data, implementation of Improved Positioning and Determining System (IPDS) contains GPS, implementation of Improved Launcher Mechanical System (ILMS) contains new type of hydraulic and pneumatic control mechanism of carriage. It allows decrease the time of preparation to fire. German Company Diehl Munitionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG is one of the prosperous companies on the field of modernization. This company participated on modernization of MLRS (Figure 1) and 122 mm rocket launcher M Figure 1. MLRS M 270 On 21st July 2005, a team from MBDA and Lockheed Martin successfully conducted a test flight of a GMLRS ER (Guide Multiple Launch

4 Rocket System Extended Range) rocket at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, USA. Figure 2. Rocket M30 Modernization of system RM M 70 Next example of modernization of a field artillery rocket system is the 122 mm rocket launcher (RM 70), Figure 3. Figure 3. Original rocket launcher 122 mm (RM 70) 135

5 Upgraded rocket launcher marked as RM M 70 Modular, Figure 4, is a product of modernization that was carried out by company Diehl in cooperation with KONŠTRUKTA-Defence, Trenčín, Slovak republic. Figure 4. RM 70 Modular Contemporary modernization is characterized by following modifications: MODERNIZATION OF LAUNCHER: possibility to use the MLRS Rocket Pod, Figure 5; 136 Figure 5. MLRS Rocket Pod

6 development of a new 122 mm Rocket Pod. It has the same mechanical and electrical interface as MLRS Rocket Pod, 28 launcher tubes, Figure 6.; Figure mm Rocket Pod, 28 launcher tubes new hydraulic drives, (faster moving to azimuth and elevation, simple maintenance and operation, the possibility of faster repairs etc.), upgrade of electronic equipment: digital data transfer; implementation of fire control system and its connection with system of automatic aiming; determining and positioning system providing data for fire control system. MODERNIZATION OF ORIGINAL ROCKET 122 MM JROF (FIGURE 7) CON- TAINS FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS: original rocket was added to 2 type of WH: 122 mm ERR (Extended Range Rocket), WH with 56 pc of HE submunition, 122 mm HE (High Explosive), new type of fuse PDF (Point Detonating Fuse), both of these rockets have new type of SP charge, original colloidal charge was replaced high-performance heterogeneous SP charge, it increases a range up to 40 km; in nose part of rocket is implemented guidance set with GPS (to contribute to increasing of accuracy of hit target and range); using of original rocket 122 mm JROF is possible. 137

7 Figure mm rocket (after modernization) For the 122 mm rocket was developed WH with AT submunition SMART, Figure 8. After ejection from the WH, the SMART submunition fell down to the ground using the parachute. This submunition contains CCD camera for searching of targets. After identification of the target, is initiated a rocket motor and HEAT ammunition is fired at the target. Figure 8. SMART submunition for the rocket 122 mm Figure 9. Power element WH HPMW 138

8 for destruction IT targets is developing WH signed HPMW (High- Power Microwave Warhead), Figure 9. Since 2004 The Slovak Army has in service one battery of the rocket launcher RM 70 MODULAR using rockets M26, M30 of MLRS and new rockets 122 mm, Figure 5 and 6. Modernization of rocket CRV 7 The CRV7 is unguided air rocket of calibre 70 mm. This rocket is used in pod rocket launcher HYDRA 70, Figure 10. Essential disadvantage of the CRV7 is the undesirable dispersion of fire due to atmospheric effects and motion of aircraft. In such case, it is necessary to fire a large number of rockets. The use of such weapon results into destruction of target including its large surrounding. It is contrary to contemporary requirements where is preferred only destruction of pinpoint target. Figure 10. Type of unguided rockets CRV7 and rocket pod HYDRA

9 Modernization of CRV7 is based on implementation of control system on board of the rocket, Figure 11a, b. The first tests of homing missile with laser guidance were carried out in The homing missile is guided to the reflect laser flux. For the modernization are also considered further types of control systems for this missile, e.g. GPS, IR sensor, radar guidance. Figure 11a. Nose part of CRV7 Figure 11b. Real shape of nose part of CRV7 This missile can be fired from a light terrain vehicle 6x6 or from a simple tri-pod, Figure 12. This version is determined for special operation forces. There are considered possibilities to eject the missile from smaller craft, helicopter and aircraft. 140 Figure 12. Firing test of CRV7

10 This development project belongs to programme FCS (Future Combat System). Norway Company Kongsberg with cooperating Company NOBLE (Norwegian Battle Lab and Experimentation) carry out development of new version CRV7. Conclusion Contemporary trends The modernized rockets M30 were successfully fired recently during Operation restoring Rights In Tal Afar, Iraq, and operation Sayaid in Iraq s Al Anbar Province [7]. We can observe that the unguided rockets will not be a part of future armament of NATO armies. Contemporary armed conflicts in the world, where NATO armies participate, influence and also bring new requirements on the rocket systems. Technical improvements have impact on: range of fire; accuracy of hit; design of current WH according to parameters of targets etc. The major modernization trends of field artillery rockets are: sufficient firing potential; higher precision (reduce CEP Circular Error Probable); better inertial measuring units (GPS); predictable effects and controllable effects; scaleable multiple effect (wrapped penetrators); semi-autonomous/autonomous operations; automatic target recognition (detect, classify, recognize, identify); greater system reliability; increased max range of fire; better ability (manoeuvrable); waypoint flight; in-flight communication (update, re-tasking etc.); multiple sensor package (uncooled IR, IR, millimeter wave, LADAR Laser Distance and Ranging, TV, semi-active Laser); greater sensor footprint; reduced size/weight; WH with controllable separating motors. 141

11 In the future will be developed system GCR (Guided Cargo Rocket). It is a replacement (descendant) of rocket M26, M30. It has following parameters: using for field artillery; range from 15 to 100 km; various type of WH, Idea of rocket is shown in Figure 13. Figure 13. Guided Cargo Rocket REFERENCES [1] VALCOURT, D.: Army s Precision Fires Study. Fort Still: US Army Field Artillery Center, Web pages: [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] 142