Articol Def Tech 2022-Zvincual
Articol Def Tech 2022-Zvincual
Articol Def Tech 2022-Zvincual
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All content following this page was uploaded by Neculai-Daniel Zvincu on 22 December 2022.
Faculty of Integrated Armament Systems, Military Engineering and Mechatronics, Military Technical
Academy „Ferdinand I , Bucharest, ROMANIA, [email protected]
Abstract: The LAROM is a Romanian mobile multiple unguided rockets launcher that can operate
with the standard 122 mm rockets, as well as with the more advanced 160 mm rocket, having a strike
range between 20 and 45 km.
In their previous research, the authors calculated, for the scenario of two rockets launched, the
minimum forces, moments and oscillations, determining the optimal time required between the launches.
The assessment took into consideration the induced forces on the launch facility (tipping part, chassis).
The main objective of this paper to assess the optimal time and launching order for multiple GRAD
rockets, considering theoretical determinations.
Introduction
LAROM is a MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems) jointly developed by Aerostar (Romania)
and Israel Military Industries (IMI), configured with either GRAD 122 mm or IMI's LAR 160 mm
unguided rockets. The vehicle has two launch pod containers. Depending on calibre, each container
holds 13 or 20 rockets. The LAROM is based on a Roman DAC-25.360 6x6 military truck. The vehicle
is reloaded by supporting ammunition resupply truck [1].
GRAD MLRS were first developed in the early 1960‘s. These systems are still having a role on
today‘s battlefields, despite the intent of users to develop modern, similar capabilities or replace them
with guided rockets of different calibre [2, 3, 4].
Continuing the previous research, the authors have advanced towards a theoretical evaluation of
multiple GRAD rockets being launched from LAROM platform [5]. The purpose is not only to
determine the optimal time between launchings, but also to establish the best launching order. For this
purpose, the Matlab application ILANPRN is used. The algorithm is described next in the following
subchapters.
The geometric and mass parameters of the launcher platform were defined in previous authors‘
research [5, 6].
The algorithm for calculating the launch oscillations is the following (figure 4):
Ist approximation
- the position variables , , , , , and the binding forces and momentum , ,
, , , , , , , , , are initiated with the zero value;
- the calculation is performed for the fired unguided missile, (the movement in the launching
tube) being determined;
For the other missiles in the containers, as well as for the launched missile, the binding forces and
momentum transmitted to the tipping platform are determined, being applied in the center of mass of the
tipping part ( , , , , , ).
- the numerical determinations are performed at the level of the tipping part, using data from the
previous steps, in order to determine , , , , , , , , ;
- the chassis calculation is performed based on previous determined data in order to determine the
, and variables
IInd approximation
The position variables , , , , , are considered known from the first approximation. The
obtained results are compared with those of the previous approximation, in order to verify the
convergence of the algorithm. In order to obtain a satisfactory convergence of the results, it is necessary
to go through at least 3 iterations [5, 6, 7, 8].
The equation system solved in the previous approximation has the following form:
1.1
The approximations are performed in MATLAB using the ode45 solver based on the fourth and
fifth order Runge - Kutta methods and algorithms. These methods use a weighted average of the
estimated values of the derivatives in the area of interest so as to calculate a value , having known
the value . Thus, if we consider a function with initial conditions , using the
Runge - Kutta method, is determined with the relation:
1.2
where
- is the value of for ,
- ) is the value of for ,
- is the second estimated value of for ,
- is the estimated value of for .
Initial data for the optimal time between launchings determinations:
- initial horizontal firing angle, ;
- initial vertical firing angle, ;
- number of unguided missiles considered = 4.
The amplitude and the impulse of the oscillatory movements of the firing platform were calculated.
The formulas used for amplitudes and impulses determination are the following:
2.1
The equivalent values for the total amplitude and impulse of the oscillatory movements of the
platform are determined using the formulas:
2.2
The scenarios considered involved firing from two fixed positions symmetrically opposed (rocket
from position 3 followed by the one from position 38) coupled with two launchings from variable
positions. A total of twenty cases were calculated, as presented in table 1. Considering either the total
amplitude of the oscillation or the total impulse of the oscillation, one obtains different results for the
best and worst case scenario.
Figure 7: Oscillations created during the translational movement of the chassis on Z axis
Figures 6 and 7 describe the oscillatory evolution of the chassis during the rotational and
translational movement on the axis of interest. Same procedure can be applied to extract oscillatory
evolution graphs for the tipping platform, using the features from Matlab ILANPRN program.
Figure 9: Movement of a material point located on the chassis, considering different times of launching
In figure 9 it can be observed that for a time step of 0.2 seconds, the movement is amortised the
earliest and the amplitude of the oscillations is the lowest, therefore this is the best case scenario for the
given options. With time intervals of 0.8 and 0.6 seconds between the rockets launchings, the stress
induced to the launching platform is at the highest value.
4. Acknowledgments
Numerical determinations were conducted using the MATLAB program in order to evaluate the
effects of firing unguided rockets when considering different launchings order and time intervals
between launchings. It is considered the influence of the oscillatory movements given by the rotation
angles of the tipping part and chassis along the x/y axis and the linear oscillation of the chassis along the
z axis when the second unguided missile is launched.
The best and worst case scenarios in terms of the stress induced to the launching platform are
presented, considering the launch of four unguided GRAD rockets from different launch pod positions.
References
1. Stroea, A.; Băjenaru, Ghe. – Romanian artillery in data and images, Technical-Editorial Center
of the Army Publishing House, Bucharest, 2010;
2. https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-
22
3. https://www.newsweek.com/russia-reportedly-blasts-ukrainian-targets-bm-21-grad-rocket-
launcher-1713192
4. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/11/armenia-unlawful-rocket-missile-strikes-azerbaijan
5. https://www.aadcf.nvu.bg/scientific_events/dtf2021/wtl/5%20Zv%C3%AEncu.pdf
6. Şomoiag, P. – Weapons Systems. Dinamics of self-propelled launching systems, Military
Technical Academy Publishing House, Bucharest, 2007;
7. McCoy, R. L. – Modern Exterior Ballistics, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1999;
8. Şomoiag, P.; Sava, A.C.; Moldoveanu, C.E.; Iancu, I. - Weapons systems. The firing action on
missile launching systems, Military Technical Academy Publishing House, Bucharest, 2012.