Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1220268
tanks. Dual-band optical infrared sensors are protected from false read- ings and signals such as a flame of a lighter, camera flash or a burning cig- arette. This is a relevant change made when compared to older systems as such (integrated on the Leopard 2A4 MBT for instance) where accidental activation in field conditions used to happen sometimes. The system has a reaction time of 10 ms. Extinguishing may be initiated automatically or manually. In case of ammunition deflagration (not detonation) there is a very high chance that the fire would be extinguished. Furthermore, the crew is also protected with an effective UOW Pandora eye protection system. The vehicle is also protected by the PCO Obra active protection system. It consists of four sensor blocks placed on the turret. The sensors cover 360 degrees and -6 to 30 degrees elevation-wise. Obra's purpose is to detect impulse laser rangefinders or target designators. It is coupled with 2×4 81 mm multispectral smoke camouflage grenade launchers. The system may be operated in fully automatic, semi-automatic or manual modes. The cradle assembly consists of a gun fitted with a monolithic smooth- bore barrel that is 25 calibers long. It also features a thermal shield and a gas ejector. The gun uses long recoil principle, with the chamber closed with a wedge breech block. The charges are fired with an electric trigger or manually – should any kind of a malfunction occur. The recoil section fea- tures a hydraulic recoil system. The barrel uses electric drives, if malfunc- tion occurs its azimuth and elevation can both be changed manually. Con- trary to the widely circulated rumors, the mortar assembly does not have much in common with the 122mm 2S1 howitzer, apart from the general appearance. Size, materials and manufacturing process are all different, thus the solution in question can be referred to as 'brand new'. The mortar is durable. This is one of its major advantages. The weapon can withstand far more than the required 2,000 shots thanks to precise machining of the barrel (autofrettage) and innovative oil aerosol injection system for the chamber and the barrel. The oil is injected during the last phase of gas flow, after the round is fired. As a result, during the test program it turned out that even after firing 1,000 shots the barrel still met the factory norms that are applicable in case of a component that could potentially be fitted as an original part on a brand-new mortar (!). As a wedge breech system has been used here, the 120 mm round needs to have a metal base that would seal off the breech and ensure correct ignition of the charges. Selection of this solution has been justified, as it improves safety and reli- ability of the ammunition and of the auto-loader mechanism. The existing mortar rounds can also be fitted with a metal base via a simple upgrade process. No separate manufacturing line with advanced machinery is re- quired for that purpose. Notably, the solution has been patented by HSW. The procedure can be carried out in any conditions. Any ammunition man- ufacturing facility, manufacturing artillery brass within the caliber range between 100 and 203 mm can also mass manufacture the required base elements. Rak can also fire manually loaded rounds of any length. How- ever, the rate of fire goes down to 6 rounds per minute, depending on the position of the turret in relation to the hull. The usual course of action is to use the auto-loader providing constant rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute (or, theoretically, higher). Maximum round length that the auto-loader can accommodate is 830 mm. Maximum range depends on the ammunition used. However, for the newly developed RAK-HE mortar rounds the range is defined as 10,800 meters. CEP for this distance is less than 50 meters – and this is a great result. The electronics are EMP-protected thanks to a proper shielding. The auto-loader system makes it possible to load the mortar regardless of the turret-hull position and regardless of the elevation. However, for high elevation angles the ammunition carriage must be aligned with the www.fragoutmag.com