It saw combat during both Russian wars in Chechnya. Other operators are Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kuwait, Peru, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.Russian designation for the whole artillery system is the 9K58, while the launching vehicle is the 9A52. Currently Russian Army operates just over 100 of these artillery rocket systems. It saw combat during both Russian wars in Chechnya. Other operators are Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kuwait, Peru, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.
The BM-30 Smerch
has 12 tubes for 300-mm rockets. The standard rocket is 7.6 m long and weights
800 kg. This multiple launch rocket system has firing range of 20 - 70 km.
Rockets are fitted with a range and direction correction system for better
accuracy. A number of rockets are developed for this vehicle, including
HE-FRAG, fuel-air explosive, incendiary, cluster with anti-personnel and
anti-tank mines or self-guided anti-tank munitions. Launcher is capable of
single or salvo firing. A full salvo of this rocket system covers are a of 67
hectares.The Smerch launch vehicle is prepared for firing within 3 minutes. It
takes the same amount of time to leave firing position. Rockets are launched
directly form the cab, or remotely form the vehicle. A full salvo takes 38
seconds.
The Smerch
launching vehicle is based on the MAZ-543 8x8 heavy
high mobility truck. Vehicle is powered by the D12A-525A 38.9-liter diesel
engine, developing 525 horsepower. It is fitted with a central tyre inflation
system.
Reloading of the
BM-30 is assisted by the 9T234-2 reloading vehicle. It is based on a similar
modified MAZ-543A chassis. The reloading vehicle is fitted with hydraulic crane
and carries a full set of 12 reload rockets. Reloading takes 36 minutes. A
Smerch unit is typically composed of six launchers and six reloading vehicles.
Reloading usually takes place away from the firing position, to avoid
counter-battery fire.
The fire control
system of the Smerch, the Vivari, can function automatically or under manual
control. The Vivari system is housed in a command vehicle and controls six
launchers. it calculates ballistic and targeting data of each launcher.
Variants :
9A52-4 - Lighter, airmobile version on KamAZ-6350
truck with modular 6-round rocket pack. Demonstrated in 2007.
9A52-2T - Export version, based on the Tatra
T816 10x10 truck.
PHL96 - License produced Chinese version, with
China negotiated the production right from Russia in 2008 after purchasing the
system separately from Ukraine, Russia and Belorussia in the mid 1990s. The
Chinese system is based on a Wanshan (万山,
meaning ten thousand mountains) WS-2400 8 x 8 cross country truck of Wanshan series
trucks manufactured by Hubei Sanjiang Space Wanshan Special
Vehicle Co. Ltd (湖北三江航天万山特种车辆有限公司)