LRSVM Morava:
Development of Serbia's new LRSVM (Lanser Raketni Vishecevni Samokhodni Modularni) Morava modular multiple rocket launcher (MRL) is almost complete. Initial trials of the system vehicles started at the Jastrepac proving ground on 22 July, with the first 10 days earmarked mostly for tests of the mechanical, driving, and manoeuvring characteristics.
The first phase of these trials is due to end in August. Further trials are likely to follow and be completed by the end of the year, allowing serial production to begin in 2015.
During the recent Partner 2013 defence exhibition in Belgrade, the VTI (Voyno-Tehnicski Institut) Military-Technical Institute and its partners in the programme showed the latest version of the system's launch vehicle, and a prototype of the system's logistical vehicle. Both are based on the Serbian-made FAP 1118 BS/AV 4x4 truck chassis. An LRSVM Morava battery will consist of four self-propelled launchers and four logistical vehicles.
The self-propelled launcher is produced by FAP (chassis), IMK 14.oktobar (vehicle superstructure), VTI (unspecified automatic subsystems), and EI-Opec (the electronic launching subsystem). The logistical vehicle is produced by FAP (chassis), IMK 14.oktobar (crane) and Prva Petoletka Namenska (pump and hydraulic components). The launching pods are produced by INhrom.
VTI did not give details of the subsystems for which it is responsible, but these are probably electro-mechanical devices used to stabilise the vehicle and aim the rockets.
The self-propelled launcher has a modular design. It features an integrated command-and-control system but can conduct autonomous pre-programmed fire missions. The vehicle's primary navigation system is inertial, with a GPS satellite navigation receiver as the secondary navaid.
According to the VTI Military-Technical Institute, the fire-preparation time is 45 seconds, and the vehicle cam move off 30 seconds after firing its last rocket.
The system can use four different types of rocket:
- The 128 mm Plamen-A, with a range of 8.6 km
- The 128 mm Plamen-D, with a range of 12.6 km
- The 128 mm Oganj, with a range of 22.5 km
- The 122 mm Grad, with a range up to 35 km.
All types of rocket are fired from the appropriate pattern of multitube launch pod, and the mounting frame on the launch vehicle can carry two pods for the same calibre of rocket. The Plamen pod has 16 launch tubes, while the Oganj and Grad pods have 12 tubes.
The launcher and logistic vehicles shown at the exhibition featured redesigned launch pods for all rocket types. These had new patterns of launch tubes, and a box-like cover with a revised shape.
The development of suitable tubes was undertaken by the KOL-15N Inzenjering in Belgrade, while INhrom was responsible for serial production.
The first functional model of the new launcher tubes was made from ordinary steel. A block of four tubes was tested in November 2009 using Plamen-S rockets. These were followed in 2010 by long tubes for 128 mm Oganj rockets, and tubes for 122 mm Grad rockets. Both were made from standard steel. Wall thicknesses were 0.6 mm for the Oganj and Grad rockets, and 0.5 mm for the Plamen rockets.
Unfortunately, these steel tubes experienced a corrosion problem, so by the end of 2011 the material had been changed to stainless steel.
In January 2012, INhrom began production of tubes made from 0.6 mm thick stainless steel. Static tests of these began in March 2012 and led to the first firing trials in June of the same year.
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