A-222 Coast – Artillery System

A-222 Coast

Some of the last general once said that a gun in the bank worth a dozen deck. Arguing is not necessary, because the accuracy of firing naval guns at least strongly influenced by airborne and pitching, which the gunners on land not subject to the battery. Typically, coastal batteries are placed near the naval bases, for example, Sevastopol and Vladivostok, the major ports on the approaches to the strategically important straits, such as the Channel, the channels, such as Panama, the islands and capes. The instruments installed in the open top patios, massive stone forts and dungeons, or in rotating armored turrets. This is usually long-range naval gun to 406 mm, are aimed at moving, maneuvering target using the Navy adopted rangefinders and riflescopes. Since the middle of XIX century., In some countries, along the coast, began to lay the railway branch, which went to a special platform with guns mounted on them. During the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet coastal defense, successfully used such caliber gun system 100, 130 and 305 mm. However, all of them were inherent flaws – in particular, linked to the rails, they were limited in the exercises, in addition, gauge could detect enemy reconnaissance with all the ensuing consequences.

This took into account the developers of new home complexes, which were to come to replace the already obsolete predecessors. Thus, in 60 – 70-ies. To cover the approaches to the coast, created and stationary complexes with anti-ship missiles Yakhont which, together with the command posts, were hidden in a well-protected by mines and caves, and traveling “Basalt”. Those and others are able to keep under fire the space area of 280 km2. At the same time designed and artillery system “Coast”, designed to defeat surface ships of all classes, reflection, assault and firing at ground targets, “Coast” was secretly moved by land. invisible to the enemy advancing to threatened areas, and just as soon get out of the likely impact. It is clear that the standard army self-propelled artillery pieces were not suitable for this purpose, because they can not aiming to destroy high-speed, maneuvering target – small landing craft to the same bad weather with limited visibility. “Coast” designed by the ship’s principle – self-contained, centrally controlled fire six 130-mm guns (like the light cruiser during the Second World War). All his cars are made of identical, self-propelled, 4-axle, four-wheel drive chassis MAZ-543M, equipped with night vision devices, navigation equipment and its sources of electricity.

In a special van available brain complex, central fire control station BR-136, associated with 1-2 observation points, a helicopter spotter and guns, his room is divided into five compartments. There are mounted on retractable antenna base, and radar with a separate drive, and distance-sighting device. And also – equipment for primary processing of information about the enemy, digital computer, wireless, the driver’s seat, an electrician, commanders of the complex and the central office, management teams, artillery and electricians radiometristov. At the disposal of the commander of “Beach” – navigation equipment, communications, alarm, hairline to monitor the objectives, the phone negotiating with observation points and a table with a topographic map. The commander of the central office liaises with the guns. In addition, the location (engine compartment) backup diesel generator, 30 kW, and in front, under the cab – two conditioners: one creates the climate needed for normal functioning of the calculation of the post, the second – for the devices. Van is equipped with electromechanical jacks and manual drive for its horizontal installation on rough terrain. Target detection is performed through two channels: radar and optical-electronic modes of circular and sectoral Search for distances up to 35 thousand m. The system can automatically, despite the noise, accompanied by four of the object, providing a simultaneous firing of two and instantaneous transfer of fire on the other. In addition, there is a television-channel laser and additional equipment.

Information received from the radar, comes to light with a rectangular scan in azimuth. Operators combine two electric viewfinder with the echo signal from the target and include one of the two channels of automatic tracking. Targeting can be manual, semiautomatic and inertia. The second channel can connect the TV and laser target tracking system, data on which are displayed on display along with the distance to it, certain laser rangefinder. Targeting, taking into account the ballistic and meteorological amendments come into six self-propelled guns, taking into consideration, and their distance from the central office, and adjustment of fire leading to the echo signals from discontinuities shells. “Coast” is able to single or volley fire, making it, by choice, at 4, 6, 8,10, or 12 rounds per minute. Every self-propelled gun A-222 is located on the support-rotary mechanism (such as roller bearing) in the rotating turret. In her serving her commanding officer, in possession of a power control all devices, fire control system, pointing devices, feeders, and ejection of ammunition cartridge cases, life-support machines, fire fighting, opto-electronic monitoring devices with the night channel, the quantum range finder, ballistic computer, tablet, radio and intercom. Gunner has an optical sight, a complex of light signaling. Two loaders are symmetrically trunk, a feeding mechanism of ammunition, yet the same – the back, a combat pack and the boot device.

In addition, each tower is equipped with filtering and installing impermeable to radioactive and toxic substances, and heater. Barrel 130-mm gun bloc (the first sample was a free-pipe), a length without muzzle brake 7150 mm or 55 caliber, with the housing. Shutter wedge, horizontal, semi-automatic, opening to the right, added to loading and delivery mechanism that allows the calculation to make up to 16 rounds per minute. Electromechanical actuators provide guidance tower on commands from a central office or on your own, at 120 ° to the sides and give the gun angle of elevation of minus 5 to plus 50 °. It is equipped with hydraulic brakes and hydropneumatic recuperator rollback. Ammunition Ammunition is composed of 40 unitary rounds of ammunition weighing 34 kg. When firing with a total charge of 12.9 kg, the pressure of powder gases in the barrel reaches 3150 kg/cm2, which reports the initial velocity projectiles of 930 m / s and reach to 27150 m. The calculation may use high-explosive shells from the bottom or radiovzryvatelyami , the last grade of AR-5 – armor-piercing tracer, anti-aircraft with the main fuses, special high-power, education and training. Between the tower and the cab driver’s compartment is designed with power unit and drives two rotary amplifier guidance systems, DC generators for power jacks, ensuring stability of the machine when shooting.

The complex “Beach” is also a vehicle for combat duty, designed for uninterrupted power supply to the central office and the guns. It is produced by two diesel-electric unit with a capacity of 30 kW with a supply of fuel for the continuous operation during the week. And this machine is equipped with navigation equipment and special devices – for example, to detect in the air and on the ground of radioactive and chemical poisons. In addition to powertrains, the van arranged 2 – 4-bed cabins, a dining room, she’s a lounge, kitchen with supplies for a week, dryer, elektrootopitel, ventilation for the summer time. Serves them four. Here the calculation of “Coast” shifts rests. On the roof of the van is set 7,52 mm universal machine gun. For some time, “Coast” as well as other new items, was considered a secret. Apparently, therefore, his appearance made a strong impression on the organizers and visitors of the exhibition of arms and military equipment in Abu Dhabi. In any case, they are interested in foreign customers. But to start manufacturing land cruisers for ourselves and for export as soon failed. Had an artificial violations of established economic relations with Belarus, which, incidentally. was ready to supply chassis for the series “banks”, Ukraine is unceremoniously seized prototype complex, hoping to establish “separatist production. But the plant, which should produce vans, found their production unprofitable for themselves.

Meanwhile, the designers found a way to increase the firepower of the “Coast”, adding his 20-ton multi-purpose system “Hermes”, performed on the basis of a floating amphibious tracked BMD-3. In her tower, located in the center of the body, installed twin 155-mm cannon, and mounted between the trunks served by two numbers calculation of electron-optical block with a 4-channel infrared instrument of direct vision and a 2-channel laser designator. Hermes is able to do up to 14-16 rounds per minute, high-explosive fragmentation projectiles improved aerodynamic shape, active-reactive, cluster and managed type Krasnopol “and” Centimeter “. In the middle of the front of the car is the driver’s seat in the stern – surveillance radar. For the movement afloat are two water cannon. Thus, the creators of “banks” have provided an opportunity to modernize and increase power. And it becomes especially important, given the ill-conceived reduction (in the last decade) the number of ships of the Navy, it is intended to cover the maritime borders of our country. (Vasily Malikov, Journal of Engineering Youth N 12, 2000)

The landing will not

Protecting the coast is carried out in parts of coastal defense, a key component of which is a coastal artillery. Modern requirements to conduct combat operations on the coast contribute to the emergence of mobile shore batteries. Such mobile batteries have indisputable advantages in comparison with stationary artillery system, since they provide the defense a much larger area, and allow to run in different parts of secrecy from the enemy. It should be noted that the effective protection of the coast of traditional self-propelled artillery units operated by the Army, to ensure they can not. Management systems that are included in their composition, are not designed to solve specific problems during firing at moving sea targets. Therefore, for the rapid destruction of small floating targets that are usually used for amphibious assault (fighting vehicles, tanks, boats), artillery systems need to recruit a special control system. Development of advanced mobile shore-based facilities that are in its composition such fire control system, many countries pay great attention. So, now one of the most advanced coastal defense experts believe the coastal artillery Sweden. For the protection of the coast of this country uses 70 batteries with a special gun mount from 25 to 210 mm. Thus more than a third of them are mobile.

Not surprisingly, in Russia, the length of the maritime boundaries of which is several thousand kilometers, the creation of mobile coastal complexes given the highest priority. Many good words can be said about the anti-missile complexes, for many years successfully operated in the Navy. The power of cruise missiles, a large range and noise immunity fire control system provides safe defeat these mobile complexes of ships of any class. Despite the continuous improvement of future coastal complexes, which constitute the basis of weapons, cruise missiles, the creators of equipment do not forget about the possibilities and merits of various caliber artillery systems, protect the sea borders. One of the novelties of Russia’s defense industry is a 130-mm self-propelled coastal artillery system “Coast”, designed to defeat surface ships (including high-speed – up to 200 knots), and assault, as well as for the destruction of ground targets. The complex consists of a central post with the fire control system, vehicle security alert and six self-propelled artillery units with 130-mm guns. All machines are complex “Beach” are mounted on the chassis of similar terrain MAZ-543M 8×8. The high permeability of the chassis, as well as the availability of night vision devices and navigation devices allow the machine to quickly change firing positions after the execution of combat missions and pa

Search marine and land targets, monitoring them and correcting fire self-propelled artillery can be implemented as a fire control system for the central office, and with one or two observation posts or helicopter spotter. In addition, self-propelled artillery units can fire in a decentralized and autonomous, using information on to their own electro-optical sights, commander surveillance and target acquisition devices, ballistic computer and laser rangefinders. Power supply systems of the central post at the firing position is carried out diesel generators to ensure the machine alert. In addition, all combat vehicles complex “Beach” have independent power source, which greatly increases their survivability and can maintain a high alert for several days.

The central position of the artillery complex “Beach” consists of a fire control system, the BR-136 “equipped with radar and optical-electronic means of detection and tracking of targets and auxiliary equipment designed for communications with complex machines and the maintenance of normal living conditions of personnel. The fire control system, the BR-136 provides a circular (or in a given sector), radar and television-optical surface situation reviewed at any time of day. It is possible to work in the presence of active and passive jamming. Automatically accompanied by up to four radar observable goals. In this case, two of them may be affected simultaneously. After the destruction of the target control system allows almost instantaneous transfer fire to the next target of the number of attendants. To define the parameters of motion of targets control system calculates the angles of the full guidance for the six guns in the mode of the central pickup based ballistic and meteorological amendments as well as removing every weapon from the central office. It provides complete automation of all processes of calculating the parameters, including the automatic adjustment of radar observed bursts from explosions of shells. During operation of the control information circular radar survey is displayed on the review with a rectangular scan in azimuth. The display also displayed two electronic viewfinder of the first and second channels of support – two thin lines, mobile operators using the ball of hand controls.

When combining electronic visors with marks of detected targets include automatic accompaniment. These TV-channel laser tracking displayed on TV display. At the same time on a special light board displayed information about the distance of detected objects, obtained from a laser rangefinder. Each of the two channel tracking operates in three modes, the control operator (manual guidance, inertial and semi-automatic maintenance), as well as two automatic (software-capture purposes, and automatic accompaniment) also. in the first channel provides the possibility of TV and laser tracking any of the detected targets. When you use operators in a controlled manner, as well as the quality control of automatic tracking is used special precise sectoral indicator “Azimuth-range”, which displays radar information about surface conditions. Channels artillery fire control complex “Coast” also operate in the mode binding elements of the complex on sea or on shore targets with this, “BR-136 provides firing guns as a single volley, and with velocities trelnostyu-4, 6, 8,