BM-30 Smerch explained

BM-30 Smerch
Origin:	Soviet Union, Russia
Type:	Multiple rocket launcher
Is Artillery:	yes
Is Vehicle:	yes
Service:	1989–present
Used By:	See Operators
Wars:	Second Chechen War War in Donbas Syrian civil war 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war^[1] 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine^[2]
Designer:	Splav State Research and Production Enterprise
Design Date:	1980s
Manufacturer:	Splav State Research and Production Enterprise
Production Date:	1989–present
Variants:	See Variants
Weight:	43.7 t
Length:	12m (39feet)
Width:	3.05abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Height:	3.05abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Crew:	3
Caliber:	300 mm
Barrels:	12
Max Range:	120km (80miles) (9M542 rocket) 200km (100miles) (9M544 rocket)
Primary Armament:	9M55 or 9M528 rockets
Engine Power:	525hp
Suspension:	8×8 wheeled
Vehicle Range:	850km (530miles)
Speed:	60km/h

The BM-30 Smerch (Russian: Смерч||tornado, 'whirlwind'), 9K58 Smerch or 9A52-2 Smerch-M is a heavy self-propelled 300 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union to fire a full load of 12 solid-fuelled projectiles. The system is intended to defeat personnel, armored, and soft targets in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts and ammunition depots. It was designed in the early 1980s and entered service in the Soviet Army in 1989.^[3] When first observed by the West in 1983, it received the code MRL 280mm M1983. It continues in use by Russia; a program to replace it with the 9A52-4 Tornado began in 2018.^[4]

Operational history

The first confirmed combat uses of the Smerch were in two war zones in 2014. Syrian military forces used the system against rebel forces during the Syrian civil war, including in fighting in Jobar.^[5] It was also used by Russia-backed militants to deliver explosive and cluster munitions to Ukrainian military positions and likewise by the Ukrainian Army.^{[6] [7]} Several have been seen in use by pro-Russian rebels.^{[8] [9]} The Russian Ground Forces used the BM-30 in Syria in October 2015 during the Russian intervention in Syria.^[10]

During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia and Azerbaijan both targeted each other's territory with Smerch rockets.^[11]

As of March 2024, there is visual evidence of two Russian Military BM-30s being destroyed in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[12] Smerch rockets were fired from Belgorod in the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine. During the Battle of Kharkiv it is alleged that 11 Smerch rockets were fired on 27–28 February alone.^[13]

Components

The main components of the RSZO 9K58 "Smerch" system are the following:

• Rockets 9M55 or 9M528 (in containers);
• BM 9A52-2 launch vehicle;
• TZM 9T234-2 transloader with an 850 kg crane and 12 spare rockets;
• Automated fire control equipment in the command post 1K123 "Vivary";
• Maintenance vehicle PM-2-70 MTO-V;
• Set of arsenal equipment 9F819;
• Training facilities 9F827 and 9F840.

300mm rockets with a firing range of 70 and 90 km and various warheads have been developed for the Smerch MLRS.

The 9A52-2 vehicle with the automated system ensures:

• delivery of fire from an un-surveyed fire position;
• laying of the launch tube cluster with the crew staying in the cabin and without using aiming points;
• autonomous determination of an azimuth of the launch tube cluster's longitudinal axis;
• visual representation of graphical information for the launch tube cluster laying, the route of vehicle movement and location as well as a point of destination and direction of movement on the video terminal;
• increase in MLRS survivability owing to reduced time of staying at a fire position;
• increased comfort for the laying operator, especially in adverse weather conditions and at night;
• increased independent operation owing to the navigation and survey equipment, which allows the vehicle to rapidly change fire positions and move autonomously;
• reduction of the combat crew.

General characteristics

• Chassis: MAZ-543M or MAZ-79111
• Emplacement Time: 3 min
• Displacement Time: 2 min
• Launch Rate
  • Salvo Time: 12 rounds in 38 seconds
• Reload Time: 20 min

Variants

• 9A52 – Standard variant on MAZ-79111 truck.
• 9A52-2 – Modified variant on MAZ-543M truck.
• 9A52-2T – Export version, based on the Tatra T816 10×10 truck.^[14]
• 9A52-4 – Lighter, airmobile version on KamAZ-6350 truck with modular 6-round rocket pack. Demonstrated in 2007.
• Arctic version with rockets mounted on DT-30PM tracked vehicle.^[15]
• 9A54 – Tornado-S, upgraded with a GLONASS receiver and automated digital FCS.^{[2] [16]}

Rocket projectiles

Variant		Rocket		Warhead			Guidance system	Range
Name	Type	Weight	Length	Weight	Submunition	Self-destruct time		Min. (km)	Max. (km)
9M55K	Cluster munition, anti-personnel	800 kg	7.6 m	243 kg	72 × 1.75 kg, each with 96 fragments (4.5 g each)	110 sec
9M55K1	Cluster munition, self-guided anti-tank		243 kg	5 × 15 kg
9M55K4	Cluster munition, AT minelets.		243 kg	25 × 5 kg mines	24 hour
9M55K5	HEAT/HE-Fragmentation.		243 kg	646 × 0.25 kg (up to 120 mm RHA armor-piercing)	260 sec
9M55F	Separable HE-Fragmentation		258 kg
9M55C	Thermobaric		243 kg
9M528	HE-Fragmentation	815 kg	243 kg
9M534	UAV delivery system			Drone
9М542	HE-Fragmentation, PGM		150 kg			Inertial, GLONASS, 4 canards
R624			250 kg			Inertial, GPS, 90 pulse engines
R624M			170 kg

Operators

Current operators

• Algeria – 50 systems in 1999.^[17]
• Armenia – 6 systems. Received more as of 2018.^[18]
• Azerbaijan – 40 systems.^[19]
• – 48 systems in 1990.^[20]
• China – Locally produced as the PHL-03.
• India – Total 372 9A52-2T launchers in service.^[21] The launchers for the Indian Army's 9K58 Smerch 300 mm multiple launch (MLR) systems are mounted on Indian made T816 KOLOS TATRA. Each launcher has been provided with its own ammunition replenishment vehicle based on the same T816. Since 2012 India's state-owned Ordnance Factory Board has produced several rocket variants for the system that have a strike range of 70 or 90 km.^[22]
• ^[23]
• – 27 systems in 1996.
• – 36 systems PHL03/AR2 Chinese version.^{[24] [25]}
• – 36 units, more produced locally as the A-100E with complete TOT, based on the Chinese A-100,^[26]
• – 106.^[27] More in production (in 2020).^{[28] [29]}
• – Unknown number, used in the Syrian civil war.^[30]
• – 6 systems 9A52-2T in 2008/2009.^[31]
• – 80 as of 2014.^[32]
• – 6 systems.
• – 12 systems.^[33]

Former operators

• Republic of Belarus (1991–1994)
• : Passed on to successor states.
• Iraq – 0 systems in 2016.^[34]
• Russian Federation(1991–1993)>

Similar systems

• – Visually similar missile based on the Wanshan WS-2400 8x8 cross country truck. However, the PHL-03 and BM-30 do not share interchangeable parts, so they are distinct missiles despite their similar appearance. The Chinese vehicle utilizes a German-designed diesel engine, transmission and hydraulics, manufactured by Wanshan in China, following a technology transfer from ZF Friedrichshafen. The program actually begun in the late 1990s, with the '96' in the designation reportedly meaning 1996, the year that the Chinese military first issued the requirement for a new long range SPMRLS. The program went through major redesign changes when the BM-30 Smerch was purchased.^[35] Although dubbed by many Chinese as a guided self-propelled multiple rocket launching system (SPMRLS), the PHL96 is not strictly speaking a guided SPMRLS because, technically, none of rockets are guided – the guidance is actually achieved via the sub-munitions, such as the 9M55K1 cluster munition. Only a very limited number of the PHL96 entered Chinese service because its successor, the PHL03, entered service shortly after.

• A-100 – A 300 mm, 10-tube multiple rocket launcher developed by the Beijing-based China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) in the late 1990s. The A-100 has a minimum firing range of 40 km & a maximum firing range of 100 km.
• PHL-03 – Chinese development of the PHL96 with 150 km range.^[36] The PHL03 is a highly digitized PHL96 with a computerized fire control system (FCS) incorporating GPS/GLONASS, similar to that of the Type 90A SPMRL, with a four-man crew (compared with three for the BM-30/PHL96), which entered service around 2004–2005, only a year or two after its predecessor, the PHL96. As with the PHL96, the PHL03 is not exactly a guided SPMRL because it is the submunitions that are guided, not the rockets themselves.
• – Chinese development of the PHL03. This is actually the first model of the Chinese versions of the BM-30 SPMRL that is a truly a guided rocket system, in that the rockets themselves are guided by the simple primitive cascade inertial terminal guidance used on the WS series SPMRL, which became standard for later Chinese versions. Russia had already developed a guided version of the BM-30 with mid-course radio command guidance to immediately correct the error in the flight of the rocket once detected by the ballistic tracking radar, but this was not adopted due to financial constraints.
• – Chinese development of the AR-1. A 10-round version of the AR-1, with two launching boxes, each containing five expandable launching tubes. Once rockets are launched, the entire launch box is replaced, instead of individually reloading each tube as in earlier versions, thus greatly reducing the reload time.^{[37] [38]}
• A-100E – Export variant of the AR-1A. In service with the Pakistan Army.
• AR-2 – Chinese development of the AR-1/1A manufactured by Norinco, with range increased to 130 km.^[39]
• AR-3 – Chinese system manufactured by Norinco launching 300 mm or 370 mm rockets^[40]
• Vilkha - A Ukrainian development of the Smerch system that entered service in 2018 with the Ukrainian Rocket Forces.

See also

• • , 240 mm
• , 220 mm
• , 333 mm
  • , BM-13 of World War II
  • , 214 mm
• , 230–260 mm
• , Heavy Flame Thrower System (multiple rocket / thermobaric weapon launcher)
• , 300 mm

References

• Russia's Arms Catalog 2004

Bibliography

• Jamie Prenatt and Adam Hook, Katyusha – Russian Multiple Rocket Launchers 1941–Present, New Vanguard 235, Osprey Publishing Ltd, Oxford 2016.

External links

• Smerch – 9A52 – 300mm multi-barreled rocket launcher – Walk around photos
• Splav State Research and Production Enterprise

Notes and References

1. News: Ripley . Tim . 8 October 2020 . Armenia and Azerbaijan trade heavy fire . . 19 September 2022.
2. Web site: 11 March 2022. Ukraine conflict: Russian forces employ guided rockets. Janes Information Services. https://web.archive.org/web/20220319221356/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraine-conflict-russian-forces-employ-guided-rockets. 19 March 2022. live.
3. Web site: Военная кафедра МЭСИ. 2007-12-23. vk.mesi.ru. ru. MESI Military Department. https://web.archive.org/web/20071223033453/http://www.vk.mesi.ru/arms2108.html. 2007-12-23. dead. 2019-08-14.
4. Web site: Russia refits Missile Troops and Artillery. dead . 25 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181125162853/https://www.janes.com/article/84715/russia-refits-missile-troops-and-artillery. Dmitry Fediushko . 20 November 2018. 25 November 2018.
5. Web site: Syria's BM-30 Smerchs, emerging from the shadows . bellingcat . 2014-12-27 . 2019-08-14.
6. Web site: Ukraine: Rising Civilian Toll in Luhansk . September 2014 . 4 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140901234205/http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/09/01/ukraine-rising-civilian-toll-luhansk . 1 September 2014 . live .
7. Web site: Ukraine: Widespread Use of Cluster Munitions . 20 October 2014 . 4 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161221121049/https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/10/20/ukraine-widespread-use-cluster-munitions . 21 December 2016 . live .
8. Web site: [1152] Makeevka: Smerch]. 22 January 2015. Bellingcat Vehicles. 11 February 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150211194523/https://bellingcat-vehicles.silk.co/page/1152-Makeevka%3A-Smerch. 11 February 2015.
9. Web site: [1154] Makeevka: Smerch]. 22 January 2015. Bellingcat Vehicles. 11 February 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150211183317/https://bellingcat-vehicles.silk.co/page/1154-Makeevka%3A-Smerch. 11 February 2015.
10. Web site: Russian Troops Fire Artillery and Rockets in Syria . ABC News . 2019-08-14.
11. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/05/world/europe/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh.html ‘Then I Heard a Boom’: Heavy Weapons Take Toll on Civilians in Armenia-Azerbaijan Clash'
12. Web site: Attack on Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine .
13. Web site: 2022-05-14 . Exclusive: Russian general who oversaw atrocities in Syria led cluster bomb attacks on civilians in Ukraine . CNN. en.
14. Web site: Объединяя лучшее. Боевая машина 9А52-2Т РЗСО «СМЕРЧ» на шасси автомобиля «Татра» на выставке вооружений в Нижнем Тагиле «REA-2008» в 2008 году . 2011-01-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110222032836/http://www.otvaga2004.narod.ru/xlopotov_8/2010_smerch1.htm . 22 February 2011.
15. Web site: Russian army Arctic brigade will be equipped with Grad & Smerch MLRS on DT-30PM . Defense Security global news industry army 2018 . 2013-07-14 . 2019-08-14.
16. https://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_army_vehicles_system_artillery_uk/tornado-s_9k515_mlrs_300mm_multiple_launch_rocket_system_data_fact_sheet.html TORNADO-S 9K515 MLRS
17. Web site: Военные новости России: армия и оборонно-промышленный комплекс . 2 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160914042407/http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk?pag=article&aid=93042&cid=24 . 14 September 2016 . live.
18. Web site: Armenia receives $200mln worth of weapons from Russia . 24 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180724213739/http://tass.com/world/1014422 . 24 July 2018 . live.
19. Web site: Россия вооружает Азербайджан . 18 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130622014315/http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/13199631/v_baku_idet_smerch . 22 June 2013 . live.
20. Web site: Belarus Army Equipment . 3 November 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170216181337/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/belarus/army-equipment.htm . 16 February 2017 . live.
21. Web site: Thakur . Vijainder K. . 2023-12-22 . Payback Time For HIMARS Attacks: Russia's New Uragan-1M MLRS Ready To Pound Ukraine Into Submission . 2024-05-17 . Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News . en-US.
22. Web site: Janes | Latest defence and security news . 2 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180802132109/https://www.janes.com/article/82102/indian-army-s-smerch-launchers-to-be-mounted-on-locally-designed-10x10-vehicles . 2 August 2018 . live.
23. Web site: otvaga_matybulak_260.jpg . 2011-01-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111004105920/http://otvaga2004.narod.ru/publ_w7_2010/matybulak/43/otvaga_matybulak_260.jpg . 4 October 2011.
24. News: China Providing AR2 Long-range MLRS to Morocco . 21 September 2013 . Kanwa Daily News . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130925080657/http://www.kanwa.com/dnws/showpl.php?id=626 . 25 September 2013 .
25. Web site: United Nations Register of Conventional Arms . 21 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150926013658/http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A%2F67%2F212 . 26 September 2015 . live.
26. Web site: Type A100. Global Security. 17 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160327104623/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/a100.htm. 27 March 2016. live.
27. Web site: Russian Army Equipment . 29 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120626123431/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/army-equipment.htm . 26 June 2012 . live.
28. Web site: Artillery brigade in west Russia beefed up with multiple rocket launchers.
29. Web site: ЦАМТО / Новости / В артиллерийское соединение Балтийского флота поступили новые РСЗО "Смерч".
30. Web site: Evidence of the Syrian Military Deploying BM-30 Smerch Launched Cluster Munitions . Eliot Higgins . Eliot Higgins . Brown Moses Blog . 14 February 2014 . 14 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140306214523/http://brown-moses.blogspot.com/2014/02/evidence-of-syrian-military-deploying.html . 6 March 2014 . live.
31. The Military Balance 2010. p.-372
32. Web site: Міністерство. Міністерство оборони України. 23 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141030205253/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=armament&sub=sv_rszv. 30 October 2014. live.
33. News: Las Fuerzas Armadas de Venezuela reciben más armamento ruso. 10 April 2012. Infodefensa. 3 April 2012. es.
34. Web site: Армия и ОПК . ТАSS . 2019-08-14 . ru . 2019-08-14 .
35. Web site: 9A52-2 BM-30 300-mm Multiple Rocket Launcher. John Pike. 23 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141007153414/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/9a52.htm. 7 October 2014. live.
36. Book: Blasko, Dennis J.. The Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century. 2013-06-17. Routledge. 978-1-136-51996-3. 192.
37. Web site: й³ڱָȱݣʵڣ-½-½. 23 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150509011814/http://club.xilu.com/emas/msgview-821955-4273681.html. 9 May 2015. live.
38. Web site: AR2型300毫米远程火箭炮系统 – 飞扬军事 – 信息资讯 – 军事主题 – 陆地狂飙. 2013-09-27. fyjs.cn. zh. AR2 300 mm Long Range Rocket System – Flying Military – Information – Military Theme – Land Mania. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927234745/http://www.fyjs.cn/viewarticle.php?id=241742. 2013-09-27. dead. 2019-08-14.
39. Web site: AR2300Զ̻ϵͳ. 23 December 2014.
40. Web site: Foss . Christopher F. . Long-range firepower [IDX15D2] ]. 24 February 2015 . 12 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181112101758/https://www.janes.com/article/49332/long-range-firepower-idx15d2 . 12 November 2018 . live.