Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

[burjuin]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Armenian Army

[burjuin]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Army officer drowns in the sea

[ 20 August 2013 11:41 ]

Baku. Hafiz Heydarov- APA. Azerbaijani Army officer drowned in the Caspian Sea.

According to APA, the incident was recorded near Zira settlement.

Officer of Defense Ministry’s military unit, 29-year-old Gadimov Elchin Nazim drowned while fishing in the Caspian Sea. Rescuers of the Emergency Situations Ministry have been involved in the search of his body. His body hasn’t been found, yet.

Defense Ministry’s press service has confirmed the fact to APA.

apa.az

[gokorik]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Nice point.

You know, it's possible that Russia actually gave the green light for this deal to happen and we might be letting them check the systems out so they can get a hands on approach as to what the Chinese have done without Russia having to publicly do so by buying the system themselves (saving face). We might be helping them extend the Smerch's or any of its replacement MRLS' ranges via the AR1A.

Could be but, I don't think China is ahead of Russia in the missile department. Equal maybe but not ahead. I believe Russia's military and intelligence services are already aware what type of propellant is used, its motor design, guidance mechanisms, etc. and I would say it's military industiral complex is totally capable of replicating and even exceeding the range, payload and accuracy. Why haven't the Russians done so? I don't think their military companies or scientific institutions risk a financial loss to produce new weapons unless there's funding by their government or another country.

Also compare the warhead weight of the 90km Smerch missile(243 kg) vs the 130 km AR-1A (200kg). The Smerch has about a 22% heavier warhead which must affect range significantly. It would be interesting if you could reduce the warhead on the Smerch down to 200kg and use the weight saved to increase rocket fuel. I wonder what its max range would become... Definitely 100km+. I guess my point is that the AR-1A isn't that much of an advance technologically over the Smerch at least in the range department, although I do agree Russia has a large interest in inspecting the system in detail. If so, hopefully they helped pay for some of it.

[AstalaVist]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

AR1A in action,

[burjuin]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

[burjuin]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Armenian Army
Special forces

[Eddo211]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Could be but, I don't think China is ahead of Russia in the missile department. Equal maybe but not ahead. I believe Russia's military and intelligence services are already aware what type of propellant is used, its motor design, guidance mechanisms, etc. and I would say it's military industiral complex is totally capable of replicating and even exceeding the range, payload and accuracy. Why haven't the Russians done so? I don't think their military companies or scientific institutions risk a financial loss to produce new weapons unless there's funding by their government or another country.

Also compare the warhead weight of the 90km Smerch missile(243 kg) vs the 130 km AR-1A (200kg). The Smerch has about a 22% heavier warhead which must affect range significantly. It would be interesting if you could reduce the warhead on the Smerch down to 200kg and use the weight saved to increase rocket fuel. I wonder what its max range would become... Definitely 100km+. I guess my point is that the AR-1A isn't that much of an advance technologically over the Smerch at least in the range department, although I do agree Russia has a large interest in inspecting the system in detail. If so, hopefully they helped pay for some of it.

43kg of rocket fuel would take your missile a very long way (I say more than 40km) but what about other factors such as control, accuracy....interesting.

here is the AR!A in specs:

Entered service ?
Crew 4 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 42.5 t
Length ?
Width ?
Height ?
Armament
Caliber 300-mm
Number of tubes 10
Rocket weight 840 kg
Warhead weight 200 kg
Firing range 20 - 130 km
Full salvo duration 60 s
Reloading time 20 minutes
Mobility
Engine diesel
Engine power ~ 500 hp
Maximum road speed 60 km/h
Range 650 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step ~ 0.6 m
Trench ~ 2 m
Fording ~ 1 m

The AR1A multiple launch rocket system was developed from the A-100, which was introduced in the late 1990s, but was not accepted to service with the Chinese army. The artillery rocket system was first demonstrated in 2009. This MLRS is based on the Russian 9K58 Smerch technology. It is a further development of the PHL03 which is in service with the Chinese army. The AR1A is being actively proposed for export customers. Some sources claim, that Pakistan procured a battalion of the AR1A systems (36 launchers) for trials and evaluation. It is referred as the A-100E. A follow-on order is also likely. It was purchased in response to India's acquisition of the Russian 9A52-2T Smerch (variant of the original 9K58 Smerch). Pakistan also considers transferring production of this system from China. Both the Smerch and the A-100E are 300-mm MLRS systems. Recently it was reported that Armenia ordered unspecified number of these rocket systems.

The AR1A is a long-range artillery system, intended to attack important ground targets, such as airfields, command centers, radar stations, artillery or missile batteries, concentrations of troops and vehicles.

This artillery rocket system has a re-arranged rocket tubes, comparing with it's predecessor. These are reloaded as two complete box-shaped pods. Each pod contains 5 launching tubes. Rockets are factory-fitted inside these pods. Also pods are easier to maintain. Manufacturers claim, that the AR1A is not compatible with the Smerch rockets. They also insist that rockets use different propellant motors and components. A number of warheads are available for this system, including HE-FRAG, fuel-air explosive, cargo, with anti-tank or anti-personnel submunitions. A standard HE-FRAG warhead weights about 200 kg. Maximum range of fire is up to 130 km. Minimum range is 20 km. Rockets are fitted with a range and direction correction system for improved accuracy.

A crew of four prepares the launching vehicle for firing within 5 minutes. Vehicle leaves firing position in 1 minute. The launch vehicle is fitted with a GPS system. It is capable of autonomous determination of position coordinates and direction. Launch vehicle can fire single rockets or full salvo.

Launcher vehicle of this multiple launch rocket system is based on a 8x8 heavy high mobility truck chassis. Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre inflation system.

A battery of this artillery system includes launch vehicles, command vehicle, meteorological survey vehicle, reloading vehicle and other support systems. This artillery rocket system usually execute fire missions by battalion or battery level, however every single launcher can also execute fire missions autonomously.

Reloading of this artillery system usually takes place away from the firing position, to avoid counter-battery fire. A full set of reload pods is carried by escorting reloading vehicle, which is fitted with a crane. Launching vehicle is reloaded within 20 minutes.

http://www.military-today.com/artillery/ar1a.htm

[burjuin]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army

[burjuin]

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Nagorno-Karabakh Air Defence

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Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Armenian Army