General Facts

TYPE
Multiple rocket launcher

ORIGIN
USSR

NICKNAMES
BM 9A52
Smerch, Tornado (Russian nickname)
M1983 (NATO reporting name)

DESIGNED
1980's

DESIGNER
Splav

PRODUCTION
1989 - present

PRODUCERS
Russia
USSR

QUANTITY
Unknown

UNIT COST
Unknown

CHARACTERISTICS
Long range
Enormous firepower
Various warheads available
Good mobility
Large and heavy
Lack of armor protection
Unguided ammunition

Introduction

The BM-30 Smerch is a multiple rocket launcher of Soviet origin. Due to its firepower and range it is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems. It was developed in the 1980's, partly in response to the US MLRS system. The name Smerch is Russian for tornado.

Layout

The BM-30 is based on the large MAZ-543 8x8 truck chassis and features a trainable 12 round launcher for 300mm artillery rockets. The 300mm solid fuel rockets are unguided and spin stabilized and feature wrap around folding fins.

Firepower

BM-30 is able to launch all 12 300mm rockets in 38 seconds. The rockets have a range of 70 or 90 km and may feature a wide variety of warheads. Reloading takes about 20 minutes. There is no secondary armament. The range and firepower makes the BM-30 one of the most powerful contemporary artillery systems.

Protection

The BM-30 is an unarmored system that is vulnerable to any kind of direct and indirect fire. Its long range allows it to engage many enemy systems beyond their maximum range.

Mobility

The MAZ-543 8x8 truck on which the BM-30 is based has a good mobility, both on and off road. A 525 hp diesel engine provides propulsion and allows road speeds of up to 65 km/h.

Users

For a large caliber rocket artillery system the BM-30 has been produced in large quantities. It is in service with Russian forces and has been exported to a variety of Asian and Middle Eastern nations with good ties to Russia.

9A52 launch vehicle

The 9A52 is the standard and most common version of the BM-30 Smerch. The original 9A52-1 is based on the MAZ-543 chassis and the newer 9A52-2 on the similar but more modern MAZ-79111.

9T234 transloader

The 9T234 is a transloader based on the same chassis as the launch vehicle. It carries additional ammunition and a crane for reloading the launch vehicle.

9A52-2T launch vehicle

The 9A52-2T is an export version of the BM-30 Smerch that is based on a Tatra T816 10x10 truck chassis. The launcher and capabilities are similar to the systems based on the MAZ chassis. The 9T234-2T transloader is based the same 10x10 chassis.

9A52-4 launch vehicle

The 9A52-4 is a lightweight airmobile version of the Smerch system. It features only six launch tubes and is based on KaMAZ 8x8 truck chassis. It can be considered a counterpart to the US HIMARS system.