A-215 Grad-M
Overview
A-215 Grad-M
A-215 Grad-M system installed on Project 21630 class corvette.
Source: Pliskin -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
1969 - 1972 (Soviet state trials)
MS-73 (launcher)
Russia
Description
Introduction
The A-215 Grad-M is a naval multiple rocket launch system of Soviet origin. It was introduced in the 1970's as armament for larger ships used in the amphibious assault role. The Grad-M is to engage targets on or near the beachhead in preparation of a landing operation. Unlike most naval multi-tube launchers the Grad-M is not for use in the anti-submarine warfare role.
Design
The A-215 Grad-M is a naval launcher for the 122mm artillery rockets introduced on the truck based BM-21 Grad system. The design of the naval launcher is quite different in order to facilitate quick reloading. Interestingly this is not achieved by reloading the launch tubes, but by replacing the blocks of launch tubes themselves. The MS-73 pedestal mounted launcher has two arms. From a revolving below deck magazine two packs of 20 rockets are loaded in a vertical position. This takes 50 seconds for an empty launcher, or 2 minutes when re-stowing empty packs in the magazine. The launcher then returns to traverse and elevation as determined by the fire control system located elsewhere in the ship.
Firepower
The Grad-M fires the 122mm 9M22 family of artillery rockets up to a range of 20 km. The upgraded A-215M can also fire the modernized 122mm rockets with 30 to 40 km range. The MS-73 launcher can be used up to sea state 6. Four salvos of 40 rockets each can be fired by a single launcher within 7 to 10 minutes.
Users
The Soviet Union, and later Russia, have fitted several classes of amphibious assault ships with the A-215 Grad-M. The Polish-built Project 775 (NATO: Ropucha) class landing ship tank was equipped with two A-215 systems each. The Russian Project 21630 Buyan class corvette is fitted with the A-215M system for coastal bombardment.
System composition
MS-73 launcher
The MS-73 launcher has two rails that hold a pack of 20 launch tubes each. The below deck revolving magazine holds 8 packs for a total of 160 artillery rockets. The PS-73 fire control system controls the launcher, aided by the TLD-2 laser range finder.
122mm 9M22 family of artillery rockets
The 9M22 family of artillery rockets were introduced on the BM-21 Grad. The 9M22 series has a 20 km maximum range. The modernized A-215M system can also fire the longer range variants of the 122m rocket. The 9M522 for instance has a range of 37.5 km.
Details
Media
A-215 Grad-M
Rear view of the MS-73 launcher of the A-215 Grad-M naval rocket artillery system. Note the doors on either side of the pedestal that are used to load packs of rockets onto the launcher.
Source: en.topwar.ru
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Project 775 class
122mm Grad artillery rocket launched A-215 Grad-M system on the bow of a project 775 landing ship.
Source: www.mil.ru
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
MS-73 launcher with below deck magazine
Artist impression of MS-73 launcher with below deck revolving magazine.
Source: www.en.missilery.info
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Platforms
Note: incomplete list
Project 775 class
Most Project 775 (NATO: Ropucha) class landing ship tank are fitted with two A-215 Grad-M system, making this class the most numerous application of the Grad-M.
Project 1174 Nosorog class
Project 1174 Nosorog (NATO: Ivan Rogov) class of landing platform is fitted with a single A-215 Grad-M launcher with 320 rockets, of which 160 in the below deck magazine.