View source for Engineering:BM-30 Smerch

{{Infobox weapon
|name= BM-30 ''Smerch''
| image= RSZO Smertch.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption= 9A52-2 "Smerch" launch vehicle
|origin= [[Place:Soviet Union|Soviet Union]], Russia
|type= [[Engineering:Multiple rocket launcher|Multiple rocket launcher]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=yes
|is_vehicle= yes
|is_UK=
<!-- Service history -->
|service= 1989 – present
|used_by = ''see Operators''
|wars= Second Chechen War, War in Donbass, Syrian Civil War<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HtihJHMBwI</ref>
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= Splav State Research and Production Enterprise
|design_date= 1980s
|manufacturer= Splav State Research and Production Enterprise
|production_date= 1989 – present
|number=
|variants= See Variants
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight=43.7 t
|length={{convert|12|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|part_length=
|width={{convert|3.05|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}
|height={{convert|3.05|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}
|crew= 3
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=
|caliber={{convert|300|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|barrels=12
|action=
|rate=
|velocity=
|range=
|max_range={{convert|90|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|feed=
|sights=
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=
|traverse=
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications -->
|blade_type=
|hilt_type=
|sheath_type=
|head_type=
|haft_type=
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
|diameter=
|filling=
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|yield=
<!-- Vehicle specifications -->
|armour=
|primary_armament= 9M55 or 9M528 rockets
|secondary_armament=
|engine= D12A-525A V12 diesel engine 
|engine_power={{convert|525|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
|pw_ratio=
|suspension= 8×8 wheeled
|vehicle_range={{convert|850|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|speed={{convert|60|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
}}

[[File:9a52 smerch.jpg|thumb|9K58 «Smerch» in Saint-Petersburg Artillery museum]]
[[File:Army2016demo-068.jpg|thumb|9T234-2 transporter-loader of 9K58]]
[[File:Army2016demo-065.jpg|thumb|9A52-2 launch vehicle of 9K58 / BM-30 Smerch MLRS]]
[[File:9К58 Смерч 3.jpg|thumb|9K58 Smerch (IDELF-2008 - Ministry of Defence of Russia exposition)]]
The '''BM-30 ''Smerch''''' ({{lang-rus|Смерч}}, "tornado", "whirlwind"), '''9K58 Smerch''' or '''9A52-2 Smerch-M''' is a [[Place:Soviet Union|Soviet]] heavy [[Engineering:Multiple rocket launcher|multiple rocket launcher]]. 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.<ref>{{ru icon}} [http://www.vk.mesi.ru/arms2108.html MLRS Smerch] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223033453/http://www.vk.mesi.ru/arms2108.html |date=23 December 2007 }}</ref> When first observed by the West in 1983, it received the code '''MRL 280mm M1983'''. It is expected to be superseded by the [[Engineering:9A52-4 Tornado|9A52-4 Tornado]].

==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.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXg3joI0n8c</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk_AdzMZytw</ref><ref>[https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2014/12/27/syrias-bm-30-smerchs-emerging-from-the-shadows/ Syria’s BM-30 Smerchs, emerging from the shadows] Dec 27, 2014</ref> It was also used by Russia-backed militants to deliver explosive and cluster munitions to Ukrainian military positions and by Ukrainian Army at populated areas of Donetsk and Lugansk regions in the War in Donbass.<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/09/01/ukraine-rising-civilian-toll-luhansk Ukraine: Rising Civilian Toll in Luhansk]</ref><ref>https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/10/20/ukraine-widespread-use-cluster-munitions</ref> Several have been seen in use by pro-Russian rebels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bellingcat-vehicles.silk.co/page/1152-Makeevka%3A-Smerch|title=[1152] Makeevka: Smerch|date=22 January 2015|work=Bellingcat Vehicles|accessdate=11 February 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211194523/https://bellingcat-vehicles.silk.co/page/1152-Makeevka%3A-Smerch|archivedate=11 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bellingcat-vehicles.silk.co/page/1154-Makeevka%3A-Smerch|title=[1154] Makeevka: Smerch|date=22 January 2015|work=Bellingcat Vehicles|accessdate=11 February 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211183317/https://bellingcat-vehicles.silk.co/page/1154-Makeevka%3A-Smerch|archivedate=11 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Russian Ground Forces used the BM-30 in Syria in October 2015 during the Russian intervention in Syria.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/russian-troops-fire-artillery-rockets-syria/story?id=34322668 Russian Troops Fire Artillery and Rockets in Syria] - ABCNews.com, 7 October 2015</ref>

==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&nbsp;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'''.

The 300mm rockets with a firing range of 70 and 90&nbsp;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: [[Engineering:MAZ-7310|MAZ-543M]] or [[Engineering:MAZ-7310|MAZ-79111]]
* Emplacement Time: 3 min
* Displacement Time: 2 min
* Launch Rate
: Salvo Time: 12 rounds in 38 seconds
* Reload Time: 20 min

== Rocket projectiles ==
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
|-
!colspan=2|Variant
!colspan=2|Rocket
!colspan=2|Warhead
!rowspan=2|Self-destruct time
!colspan=2|Range
|-
!Name
!Type
!Weight
!Length
!Weight
!Submunition
!Min.
!Max.
|-
!9M55K
| Cluster munition, anti-personnel
| rowspan=6| 800&nbsp;kg
| rowspan=7 align="center"| 7.6 m
| 243&nbsp;kg
| 72 × 1.75&nbsp;kg, each with 96 fragments <small>(4.5&thinsp;g each)</small>
| align="center"| 110 sec
| rowspan=6| 20&thinsp;km
| rowspan=6| 50&thinsp;km
|-
!9M55K1
| Cluster munition, self-guided anti-tank
| 243&nbsp;kg
| 5 × 15&nbsp;kg
|-
!9M55K4
| Cluster munition, AT minelets.
| 243&nbsp;kg
| 25 × 5&nbsp;kg mines
| align="center"| 24 hour
|-
!9M55K5
| [[Engineering:High-explosive anti-tank warhead|HEAT]]/HE-Fragmentation.
| 243&nbsp;kg
| 646 × 0.25&nbsp;kg <small>(up to 120&nbsp;mm RHA armor-piercing)</small>
| align="center"| 260 sec
|-
!9M55F
| separable HE-Fragmentation
| 258&nbsp;kg
|
|-
!9M55C
| Thermobaric
| 243&nbsp;kg
|
|-
!9M528
| HE-Fragmentation
| 815&nbsp;kg
| 243&nbsp;kg
|
|
| 25&thinsp;km
| 90&thinsp;km
|-
|}

== Variants ==
[[File:Smerch 30MM hemant rawat (11).jpg|thumb|Indian BM-30 Smerch launchers on Indian built [[Engineering:Tatra 816|Tatra 816]] trucks during a military parade]]
* '''9A52'''- Standard variant on [[Engineering:MAZ-7310|MAZ-79111]] truck.
* '''9A52-2''' - Modified variant on [[Engineering:MAZ-7310|MAZ-543M]] truck.
* '''9A52-2T''' - Export version, based on the Tatra T816 10x10 truck.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://otvaga2004.narod.ru/xlopotov_8/2010_smerch1.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-01-05 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222032836/http://www.otvaga2004.narod.ru/xlopotov_8/2010_smerch1.htm |archivedate=22 February 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* '''9A52-4''' - Lighter, airmobile version on KamAZ-6350 truck with modular 6-round rocket pack. Demonstrated in 2007.
* Arctic version with rockets mounted on [[Engineering:Vityaz (ATV)|DT-30PM]] tracked vehicle.<ref>[https://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/russian_army_arctic_brigade_will_be_equipped_with_grad_smerch_mlrs_on_dt-30pm.html Russian army Arctic brigade will be equipped with Grad & Smerch MLRS on DT-30PM] - Armyrecognition.com, 10 February 2018</ref>
{{clear}}

== Operators ==
[[File:BM-30 operators.png|thumb|300px|Map of BM-30 operators in blue with former operators in red]]
[[File:BM-30 Smerch parade.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian BM-30 Smerch launchers during a military parade]]
[[File:Kuwait BM-30 Smerch launchers, 2011.jpg|thumb|Kuwaiti BM-30 Smerch launchers during a military parade in Kuwait]]


===Current operators===
* {{flag|Algeria}} - 50 systems in 1999.<ref>http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk?pag=article&aid=93042&cid=24</ref>
* {{flag|Armenia}} - 6 systems. Received more as of 2018.<ref>http://tass.com/world/1014422</ref>
* {{flag|Azerbaijan}} - 40 systems.<ref>http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/13199631/v_baku_idet_smerch</ref>
* {{BLR}} - 48 systems in 1990.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/belarus/army-equipment.htm Belarus Army Equipment<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* {{flag|China}} - Locally produced as the PHL03.
* {{flag|India}} - 42 9A52-2T systems in service. The launchers for the Indian Army’s 9K58 Smerch 300 mm multiple rocket launch (MRL) systems will be mounted on 81 indigenously designed 10×10 high-mobility vehicles provided by Indian private-sector defence manufacturer Ashok Leyland. The vehicle, which is fitted with a hydraulic crane to reload the system, will supplement and eventually replace the 9A52-2 launch vehicles based on the MAZ-543M 8×8 truck chassis. The IA operates several launcher variants for the Smerch system, including around 62 9K58 Smerch batteries, each of which has six launch vehicles. 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.<ref>https://www.janes.com/article/82102/indian-army-s-smerch-launchers-to-be-mounted-on-locally-designed-10x10-vehicles</ref>
* {{flag|Iraq}} - 0 systems in 2016.<ref>http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk?pag=article&aid=93042&cid=24</ref>
* {{flag|Kazakhstan}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://otvaga2004.narod.ru/publ_w7_2010/matybulak/43/otvaga_matybulak_260.jpg |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-01-05 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004105920/http://otvaga2004.narod.ru/publ_w7_2010/matybulak/43/otvaga_matybulak_260.jpg |archivedate=4 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* {{flag|Kuwait}} - 27 systems in 1996.
* {{MAR}} - 36 systems PHL03/AR2 Chinese version.<ref>{{cite news|title=China Providing AR2 Long-range MLRS to Morocco |url=http://www.kanwa.com/dnws/showpl.php?id=626 |accessdate=21 September 2013 |date= |publisher=Kanwa Daily News |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925080657/http://www.kanwa.com/dnws/showpl.php?id=626 |archivedate=25 September 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref>[https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/67/212 United Nations Register of Conventional Arms]</ref>
* {{PAK}} - 36 units, produced locally as the A-100E with complete TOT, based on the Chinese A-100, which is in turn based on the Soviet BM-30.<ref>{{cite web|title=Type A100|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/a100.htm|website=Global Security|accessdate=17 March 2016}}</ref>
* {{RUS}} - 106.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/army-equipment.htm Russian Army Equipment<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* {{flag|Syria}} - Unknown number, used in the Syrian civil war.<ref name="Brown Moses">{{Cite web |title=Evidence Of The Syrian Military Deploying BM-30 Smerch Launched Cluster Munitions |author=Eliot Higgins |work=Brown Moses Blog |date=14 February 2014 |url=http://brown-moses.blogspot.com/2014/02/evidence-of-syrian-military-deploying.html }}</ref>
* {{TKM}} - 6 systems 9A52-2T in 2008/2009.<ref>The Military Balance 2010. p.-372</ref>
* {{UKR}} - 80.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=armament&sub=sv_rszv|title=Міністерство|work=Міністерство оборони України|accessdate=23 December 2014}}</ref>
* {{UAE}} - 6 systems.
* {{VEN}} - 12 systems.<ref>{{cite news|title=Las Fuerzas Armadas de Venezuela reciben más armamento ruso|url=http://www.infodefensa.com/?noticia=las-fuerzas-armadas-de-venezuela-reciben-mas-armamento-ruso|accessdate=10 April 2012|newspaper=Infodefensa|date=3 April 2012|language=Spanish}}</ref>

=== Former operators ===
* {{USSR}}: Passed on to successor states.

== Similar systems ==
* '''{{vanchor |PHL-96}}''' - Aesthetically similar missile based on the Wanshan WS-2400 8 x 8 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 [[Company:ZF Friedrichshafen|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/9a52.htm|title=9A52-2 BM-30 300-mm Multiple Rocket Launcher|author=John Pike|publisher=|accessdate=23 December 2014}}</ref> 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.
[[File:PHL-03 heavy multiple rocket launcher.jpg|thumb|PHL-03 heavy multiple rocket launcher.]]
* '''[[Engineering:A-100 MRL|A-100]]''' - A 300&nbsp;mm, 10-tube multiple rocket launcher developed by the [[Place:Beijing|Beijing]]-based [[Organization:China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology|China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology]] (CALT) in the late 1990s. The A-100 has a minimum firing range of 40&nbsp;km & a maximum firing range of 100&nbsp;km.
* '''{{vanchor |PHL-03}}''' - Chinese development of the PHL96. The PHL03 is a highly digitized PHL96 with a computerized fire control system (FCS) incorporating GPS/GLONASS, similar to that of the [[Engineering:Type 81 (rocket launcher)#Type 90B|Type 90A SPMRL]], with a four-man crew (compared with three for the BM-30/PHL96), which entered service around 2004-2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baike.baidu.com/view/4025237.htm|title=PHL03式远程火箭炮_百度百科|publisher=|accessdate=23 December 2014}}</ref> 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.
* '''{{vanchor |AR-1}}''' - 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 [[Engineering:Weishi Rockets|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baike.baidu.com/view/435856.htm|title=BM-30龙卷风式火箭炮系统_百度百科|publisher=|accessdate=23 December 2014}}</ref>
* '''{{vanchor |AR-1A}}''' - 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://club.xilu.com/emas/msgview-821955-4273681.html|title=й³ڱָȱݣʵڣ-½-½|publisher=|accessdate=23 December 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.fyjs.cn/viewarticle.php?id=241742 AR-2 SPMRL] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927234745/http://www.fyjs.cn/viewarticle.php?id=241742 |date=27 September 2013 }}</ref>
* '''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 [[Company:Norinco|Norinco]], with range increased to 130&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wenku.baidu.com/view/8d9431bdf121dd36a32d82b6.html|title=AR2300Զ̻ϵͳ|publisher=|accessdate=23 December 2014}}</ref>
* '''{{vanchor |AR-3}}''' - Chinese development of the AR-2 manufactured by Norinco, with its caliber increased to 370&nbsp;mm; although it can still fire the 300&nbsp;mm rockets. As with the AR-1/1A/2, the AR-3 adopts a modular design by incorporating two launching boxes containing several launching tubes, with the launching boxes replaced after the launching of rockets. When using 300&nbsp;mm caliber rockets, each launching box contains five launching tubes like the earlier AR-1/1A/2, and when using 370&nbsp;mm caliber rockets, each launching box contains four launching tubes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.360doc.com/content/10/0805/12/37874_43829340.shtml|title=俄媒称中国将出口最新式AR-3型远程火箭炮(图)|publisher=|accessdate=23 December 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_army_artillery_vehicles_systems_uk/AR3 370 mm MRLS Multiple rocket launcher system(Army recognition)]</ref>

== See also ==
[[File:BM-30 Smerch MLRS.jpg|thumb|235px|BM-30 Smerch with projectile as a monument to A.N. Ganichev in Tula city]]
* [[Engineering:Katyusha rocket launcher|Katyusha]], BM-13, BM-8, and BM-31 multiple rocket launchers of World War II
* [[Engineering:BM-14|BM-14]] 140mm multiple rocket launcher
* [[Engineering:BM-21 Grad|BM-21 Grad]] 122mm multiple rocket launcher
* [[Engineering:BM-27 Uragan|BM-27 Uragan]] 220mm multiple rocket launcher
* [[Engineering:M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System|M270]], U.S. multiple rocket launcher
* Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher, 214mm Indian multiple rocket launcher
* [[Engineering:TOS-1|TOS-1 Buratino]] Heavy Flame Thrower System (multiple rocket / thermobaric weapon launcher)

== References ==
{{external media
|align=right
| video1 =[http://video.sibnet.ru/video584757-300_mm_RSZO__34_Smerch_34_/ 300mm Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher]:<br>0:48 - Cluster - fragmentation<br>1:30 - Separable HE-Frag warhead<br>2:00 - Cluster - self-guided EFP (AT) elements<br>3:00 - Cluster - anti-tank mines<br>3:30 - Cluster - shaped charge/frag elements<br>3:50 - Unmanned aerial vehicle<br>5:20 - Thermobaric warhead}}
{{Reflist}}
* ''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. {{ISBN|978 1 4728 1086 1}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.thetankmaster.com/ENGLISH/AFV/9a52_1.asp Smerch - 9A52 - 300mm multi-barreled rocket launcher – Walk around photos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060718185039/http://www.splav.org/en/arms/smerch/index.asp Splav State Research and Production Enterprise]

{{PostWWIISovietAFVS}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bm-30 Smerch}}
[[Category:Multiple rocket launchers]]

{{Sourceattribution|BM-30 Smerch|1}}