Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1220268
els, headsets, command signaling terminal and internal speaker. • Navigation system with vehicle movement sensor, INU module and GPS receiver coupled with a SAASM module. • Power supply systems. ZZKO Topaz is a C3ITAR-class system. It uses data exchange between the computer-terminals installed on command vehicles, artillery assets and other specialized platforms (including reconnaissance platforms), providing automated data exchange via programmable, software-defined radios. Topaz is a digital system with audio-priority. Its latest variants meet the requirements related to use in ASCA environments which means that vehicles using the Topaz solution can become a part of networks es- tablished within automated artillery C2 suites, such as AFADTS, ADLER, ATLAS, BATES and so on. The whole Topaz system makes it possible to transition from being on the move to engagement in less than 30 sec. The vehicles can be on the move again in up to 15 sec. These values are impressive. The German Adler system offers transition time of 30 sec and 5-10 sec are required before any round is even sent towards the enemy. Kapustnik-B system used in Russia offers transition time of 40-50 sec, plus 5-10 sec are needed to establish radio communication. One shall note though that the new Kapustnik-BM and Vivary solutions offer reaction times that are shorter than above. The level of accuracy and time required to develop firing solution are of top class, in case of Topaz. The system is automated to the extent that allows for, theoretically, remote control of the turret. Despite the above, the manufacturer still provided the user with an ability to control the mortar in a completely manual manner. Each of the optical systems and all the electronics could be rendered unusable, and still, if target coordinates are known, the mortar may fire the rounds accurately. 7.62 mm UKM-2000 machine gun fitted with the daytime/night PCO CKW Bazalt sight, acts as the auxiliary armament. It is mounted above the commander's turret. Rak turret module is a unique design, globally. It is the sole series man- ufactured turret system with an auto-loader that also stores the ammuni- tion, being capable of firing the rounds within the full range of azimuths and elevation. The system provides the user with constant, unvaried and combat-conditions-realistic rate of fire of up to 8 rounds per minute. And this is not just a claim that is made within the advertising folders. The Polish automated fire control system is fairly advanced – times of reac- tion place it among the best in its class. The accuracy attained by Rak at distances beyond 10 km, with the use of rounds that are relatively short, is comparable to the accuracy achievable by rifled-barrel mortars at a dis- tance of 7 km. Furthermore, "Rak" may also lay down effective direct fire, also against moving targets. This is facilitated both by the armament, as well as by the fact that the platform features a thermal imaging sight and a ballistic computer. Situational awareness is not provided by Liswarta and two telescopes – these are just a redundant solution. The advanced SOD-1 360-degrees observation system is the primary asset here. Furthermore, the crew is also well protected. Not only does the above stem from short time required to fire the rounds and leave the firing position (with perfor- mance figures impossible to achieve for towed mortars). Rak also offers a completely sealed-off crew compartment with an efficient A/C and air-fil- tering and ventilation systems, protecting the soldiers from NBC threats. The anti-fragmentation liner and effective explosion mitigating measures are yet another protective asset. It also remains important that Rak fea- tures a soft-kill APS that is effective against beam riders or laser-desig- nation-guided weapons. High quality of the turret system, redundancy and fail-safe modes, along with advanced tech used in manufacturing alto- gether resulted in a durable, reliable system with a relatively long lifecycle. RAK – CARRIER Due to the fact that the turret system can be easily integrated onto any carrier, the carrier platform is of secondary relevance somehow. If a tracked carrier is selected, both HSW LPG as well as other platforms, indicated by the ordering party, could be employed. Some rumors sug- gest that the system could be integrated onto the K9 platform. Marder Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin www.fragoutmag.com