The Russian protection business is venturing deeper into high-tech artillery with a brand new precision-guided artillery shell designed for the 2S42 Lotos self-propelled gun. Developed by TsNIItochmash JSC, a part of Russia’s sprawling Rostec conglomerate, this superior shell is about to realize a outstanding vary of 30 kilometers.
Though particulars in regards to the shell’s last testing phases and projected completion dates stay undisclosed, this growth indicators a major step ahead in Russia’s artillery capabilities. The 2S42 Lotos itself is a extremely cell, computerized artillery system designed for the Russian airborne forces, showcasing flexibility on the battlefield with its broad vary of munitions choices—from high-explosive rounds to guided shells, it provides versatility geared toward making certain influence beneath varied fight circumstances.
The crew at TsNIItochmash additionally revealed an intention to equip the Lotos gun on completely different platforms, such because the BMP-3 infantry preventing automobile and probably wheeled chassis. This adaptability may pave the best way for the Lotos to be standardized throughout a number of models within the Russian floor forces, aligning it with Russia’s major battle programs and including versatility in various fight terrains.
Throughout a latest dwell demonstration, the 2S42 Lotos utilized RDG-U smoke grenades, which kind a protecting smoke display across the automobile. This barrier creates a “thermal veil” that reduces vulnerability to precision-guided munitions and thermal imaging, successfully shielding the Lotos from enemy concentrating on programs.
With a caliber of 120 mm, the Lotos gun is able to firing six to eight rounds per minute, boasting an operational vary of as much as 13 kilometers. Regardless of its comparatively light-weight armor, designed primarily to face up to small arms hearth and shrapnel, the Lotos consists of an energetic safety system and superior sensors, enhancing its survivability and tactical effectiveness in hostile environments.
The onboard fire-control system, coupled with specialised optical-electronic and infrared sensors, helps exact concentrating on even in low-visibility circumstances. Moreover, the Lotos is provided with a digital communication system, permitting real-time data sharing with allied models and facilitating coordinated hearth assist.
The developmental journey of the 2S42 Lotos started in 2019, with rigorous testing beneath excessive circumstances. Trials all through 2020 evaluated its firing precision and interoperability with different navy models, with the Lotos poised to interchange older self-propelled programs just like the 2S9 Nona-S and the 2S31 Vienna. In comparison with its predecessors, the Lotos provides considerably improved technical specs tailor-made to airborne operations.
Studies of subject checks for the 2S42 in Ukraine emerged in 2022 and 2023, with Russian sources claiming that the Lotos demonstrated substantial accuracy and mobility in concentrating on fortified Ukrainian positions. Though official confirmations of its widespread deployment stay scarce, its status for efficient efficiency has been underscored by these experiences.
Past the usual mannequin, upgraded variations with enhanced digital safety and navigation capabilities are beneath growth, looking for to bolster each resilience and firing precision. The Lotos can be outfitted with a radiological and chemical safety module, enabling the automobile and crew to function in contaminated zones, including an additional layer of battlefield survivability.
This new guided artillery shell joins a lineup of specialised munitions, which incorporates the Krasnopol, a well known 152-mm laser-guided projectile produced by the Russian KBP Instrument Design Bureau. The Krasnopol is engineered with a laser receiver that prompts upon goal illumination, enabling high-precision strikes as much as 20 kilometers. Current iterations of Krasnopol have pushed this vary to 25 kilometers, and the shell may be deployed by varied Russian artillery programs, together with the 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzer and the D-20 towed howitzer.
One other innovation is the Centimeter, a 152-mm guided shell with a novel dual-guidance system. Whereas it could not match the prominence of Krasnopol, the Centimeter can nonetheless strike protected targets at distances of as much as 20 kilometers and is appropriate with the identical artillery platforms.
For the 120-mm caliber class, Russia has launched the Kitolov, a laser-guided shell designed for self-propelled mortars just like the 2S9 Nona-S and the forthcoming 2S42 Lotos. Kitolov is crafted to have interaction frivolously armored autos, fortified positions, and personnel at ranges between 9 and 12 kilometers, minimizing ammunition use whereas attaining high-accuracy strikes.
Russia’s newest developments embody the Gran shell, which is tailor-made for contemporary programs just like the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV howitzer. With an prolonged vary of as much as 70 kilometers, the Gran ranks among the many longest-range artillery munitions in Russia’s arsenal, utilizing each inertial and satellite tv for pc steering to keep up accuracy over lengthy distances while not having laser designators.
These precision-guided munitions are integral to fashionable Russian artillery doctrine, delivering quick and environment friendly goal elimination with minimal ammunition expenditure. Within the ongoing battle in Ukraine, guided shells have confirmed invaluable, enhancing the effectiveness of artillery assist and enabling exact coordination with reconnaissance models.
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