MILITARY NEWS: THE DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY FREE ROCKET LAUNCHING POSITIONS, BY LT. -COL. YU. SOBOLEV AND ENG. -MAJ.V. OZHOGIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 11, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 1, 1962
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
Next 2 Page(s) In Document Denied
Q
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 I - -
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
The Destruction of Enemy Free Rocket Launching-=positions
by
L~~, a _ Co 1 e I'u a Sobo lev and Eng o -Ma j . V . Ozhogin
One of the main means in the armies of our possible
enemies for the delivery of nuclear warheads is free
rockets (neupravlyayemyy reaktivnyy snaryad - NLTRS) of
"Honest John" and "Little John" type, and also the
"Lacrosse'? guided missile (upravlyayemyy snaryad - URS),
which ,are intended for the tactical support of troop
combat operationso
These free rockets form a component part of the
armament of the batteries of battalions (divizion) of
infantry (armored) divisions, and of the separate
battalions (divizion) of the Reserve of the High Command
(rezerv gla~~nogo komandovaniya -RGK) , The launching
positions of the batteries in the composition of the
divisions are positioned 6 to 8 km behind the forward
edge in an offensive, and from 8 to 12 km in defense;
the positions of the batteries in the composition of
an RGK battalion are comparatively positioned at 8 to
10 km, and 10 to 12 km,
Rocket launchers (reaktivnaya ustanovka) are used
independently as well as in the composition of a battery.
If several launchers are disposed on one position, they
are placed not nearer than 200 m to each other, The
preparation of the positions lies mainly in camouflage
work and the preparation of access routese
As a rule, the rocket launchers are moved up to
their positions just before fire is opened, and after one
or two launchings (vystrel) they are immediately withdrawn
to alternate positions (zapasnaya pozitsiya) or to the
assembly area (vyzhydatelnyy rayon). The total time
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
that they are at the launching p?sition~_f_rom the moment
of arrival i~o 'the beginning of departure -dan be 30 to
40 minutes , and from the moment of cone li~ding fire to
withdrawal from the position - 10 to 15 minutes,
Therefore, rocket launchers, which are intended
mainly for firing atomic warheads, must be destroyed
immediately in order to deprive the enemy of the
possibility of firing from them again.
The most reliable means of destroying the launchers
is undoubtedly atomic ammunition and aircraft, though
sometimes conventional artillery is used to destroy
them,
As is known, conventional artillery carries out
neutralizing and destructive fire. Neutralizing fire
can only tempc~rar~ily hold up firing fx?om a rocket launcher
or its withdrawal from the position, Therefore,
neutralizing fire should only be resorted to as a temporary
measure, to be undertaken until an atomic strike is inflicted
or until the target's destructi?n is entrusted to aviation.
If it is impossible to make dse of these means, then
conventional artillery is called upon to bring down
destructive fire, Analysis has shown that for carrying
out fire for effect againnst rocket launchers it is best
to make use of 122, 130, and 152 mm artillery.
For guns of this caliber it is best to select firing
positions 6 to 8 km .from the forward edge. Consequently,
taking into account the distance of the NUBS launching
mounts from the forward edge, it can be estimated that
the average range of fire for effect against rocket
launchers will be 16 km.
Preparation of settings (ustanovka) to fire for effect.
When firing at long ranges, changes in the accuracy
of setting preparations for conducting fire for effect
have a great bearing on variatioaas in ammunition
expenditure. Consequently, if the density of artillery
is small, then the necessity to destroy the rocket
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
launchers forces one to search for and develop those
methods of preparation which w ould facilitate the
sudden destruction of a target in any conditions of
weather and at any time of the day or night with the
minimum expenditure of forces and weapons.
One of the most accurate methods of determining
settings, which will at the same time ensure surprise
in the opening of fire for effect, is that of full
preparation. However, as tests show, neutralizing fire
and especially destructive fire against rocket launchers
with high-explosive fragmentation shells involves an
enormous expenditure of ammunition, and therefore
cannot be used extensively. The expenditure of
ammunition can, however, be reduced by carrying out
adjustment of fire with the help of radar stations.
Moreover, the most effective reduction in the expenditure
of ammunition is achieved with fire at ranges close to
the maximum ones.
Great accuracy in preparing settings and; consequent-
ly, economy in the expenditure of ammunition, is
achieved when, in determining corrections with the help
of radar stations, the accuracy weight (ves tochnosti)
of full preparation is taken into account, the accuracy
of corrections being equal in this case to~
/ 2. 2
(E' ) (E ~ ) (1)
2 pp P
G
(E' ) (E' )
PP p
where Ee is the average error in determining various
.factors, which are common both to the carrying
out of full preparation and to adjustment of
fire with the help of a radar station;
I
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
E' and E? are the average errors, characterizing
PP p respectively the accuracy of full prepara-
- - tion and the adjustment of fire on a
target with the help of a radar station
without taking into account the character-
istics of accuracy in determining the
general sources of error.
The amount of the correction determined when the
accuracy weight of full preparation is taken into
account, is equal to:
(2)
where d is the deviation of the center of the shell
grouping according to data from the radar
station;
E and E are the average errors, characterizing
PP p respectively the accuracy of full preparation
and the adjustment of fire on a target with
the help of a radar station.
Tests show that the amount of the corrections, calculated
in accordance with formula (2) is, in the majority of
conditions of fire, equal as regards range to three-
quarters, and ,as regards direction, to one-half of the
amount of the average deviations determined by the
radar station.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8 -
' ~ ~ ~ '. 50X1-HUM
However, successive adjustment of fire of'a rocket
launcher by the basic guns of all batteries of a
battalion with the help of a radar station, though pro-
viding great accuracy, cannot be regarded as advisable,
for it does not ensure surprise of destruction, requires
a lot of time, and leads to low density of fire. A 11
this allows the enemy to put our launcher out of action.
Therefore, it is essential to make use of the capability
of radar station type "ARSON" for determining with
great accuracy and in the minimum time the deviations
of the shells from a target by firing battery salvoes
and then to continue firing with such salvoes.
The corrections, determined by taking into account
the .accuracy weight of full preparation-in accordance
with the intersection (zasechka) of one or two salvoes
when firing for effect is started, can be regarded as
advisable for all the batteries of a battalion. By
taking into account these corrections, the accuracy of
preparation of launcher settings in the batteries which
have not adjusted on the target, is essentially increased.
This has been confirmed by tests.
The expenditure of shells and the number of
necessary or destroying a roc et aunt er, guns
roc et aunt ers are spose on As mentioned,
way. Consequently, firing for effect against a launcherd
means firing at an individual target.
The index to the effectiveness of fire for effect
against a rocket launcher is the probability of getting
even one hit on a target (in the dimensions of a target
mentioned above). Therefore, the expenditure rate of
shells is determined by the possibility of achieving
even one hit.
The amount of artillery necessary for carrying out
the fire mission also has important significance, Less
shells and fewer guns will naturally be required for the
neutralization of a rocket launcher than for the
destruction of it.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 -` - - ---
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
Tn the course of neutralizing rocket launchers, when
shells hit within the zone of their fragme.ratation action,
the members of a launcherQs crew who are preparing it for
firing and are standing up not under cover, can be put
out of action,
We have calculated the rate of shell expenditure in
one minute and the number of guns necessary to neutralize
a rocket launcher in the time allowed for neutralization,
The results of our calculations are given in Table 1,
Expenditure of shells in one minute, and the number of guns
necessary for neutralizing a rocket launcher
Time for
neutrali-
zation
Method
of
Preparation
Full
preparation
Determining
correction
at opening
of fire with
help of a
radar station
10
0
~~
10
21
lg
lg
35
14
14
38 ~ 17
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8 -
-~ ~ ~ 1 I 50X1-HUM
As illustrated in the table, the determination of
corrections whew fire for effect is opened, with the
help of a radar station, enables one to reduce the
expenditure of ammunition and the number of guns
considerably as compared with full preparation. Isere,
for the neutralization of a rocket launcher in 30 to
60 minutes, the corresponding requirements are one to
two batteries.
The expenditure of shells, and also the number of
guns brought in for destroying a rocket launcher in
30 minutes, are given in Table 2, The table shows that
for the destruction of a r?cket launcher by means of
conventional artillery, a considerable expenclitu~?e of
ammunition is required, especially when using data of
full prepara~ti~~a~.
The determination of corrections when fire for effect
is opened with the help of a radar station at ranges
greater than 16 km enables one to reduce the expenditure of
ammunition and the number of guns used by 1.5 to 2.5 times.
The task of destroying a rocket launcher can be accomplish-
ed by one battalion.
Order of conducting fire while firing for effect at
rocket aunt ers. Settangs or firing or a ect are
determined on .the basis of full preparation, One of the
batteries of a battalion opens fire in battery salvoes
on the computed setting of the sight. After the firing
of each salvo, a report is conveyed from the firing
position to the radar station, On the basis of the
intersection of one or two salvoes by the radar station,
a common correction is given for all the batteries of the
battalion. and fire for effect is continued. After the
general correction has been given, the settings of the
remaining batteries are mader~re precise in succession.
The corrections give~a are equal in range to three-quarters,
and in direction, to one-half, of the amount of the average
deviations determined by the radar sta.tioxn, Fire is
conducted ova three sight settings with a jump of 2 to 4 ~D
possibly vertikalnove dvizheniye - vertical movement7,
and on one azimuth mechanism setting with a sheaf interval
of 0-02.
Let us examine one of the possible variants in the
order of giving corrections to settings with the help
of a radar station while in the
destroy an enemy rocket launcherprocess of firing to
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
. ~ .:Table 2
Expenditure of shells and the number of guns necessary for the
destruction of a rocket launcher
IType of
Ijaunche ~
Honest
Jo}~n
Little
John
Method of
Preparation
Full
preparation
Determining
correction
at opening
of fire with
help of a -{
radar station)
Determining
correction
at opening
of fire with
help of a
radar station
Full
preparation
122
130
152
122
130
152
Soo
480
470
640
620
i
0
800
790
9
9
9
11 1 0
12 1520
12 1400
122 1100 1'
130 1050 15
152 1040 15
122 440 ~
130 360 6
152 390 6
Determining 122 5 p
Ebrrection 130 480 8
at opening 152 510 8
of fire with
help of a
radar station
16
950 12
910 12
850 12
7~
720
680
0
650
600
20
22
20
9
10
9
tion 30 minutes
20 ~ 24 ~ 26
1600 21 ' 600
1480 21 350
1460 21 _
o ~~ o
~~ a~
~ ~ m a~i m
z ~ o
33 - -
34 2900 42
900
830
810
2 00
2500
2300
l~
1380
1300
140
1370
1290
0
770
720
12 110 1 _ _
i3:; 99 15 loo0 16
12' - _ _
33 x+30 5 - _
36 390 56 4750 68
34 - - - -
20 130 23 _ _
20 160 24 1650 25
1g _ _ _ _
19 25.0 32 _ _
20 220 32 2750 39
1g _ _ _ _
11 105- 13 _
11 93 14 950 15
i~
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
A battalion of 130 mm guns ("Don") was given the
following task: within 30 minutes to destroy the enemy's
rocket launcher "Honest John" - target No. 101.
The battalion commanding officer ordered his chief
of staff to determine the settings for firing for effect
on the basis of full preparation, and with the opening
of fire to make them more precise with the help of
radar station "Leningrad".
At the battalion's headquarters, the following were
determined: the settings for firing for effect; the
order of conducting fire; the initial data for the radar
station, and data as to the point when. accompanying fire
begins (for the 1st battery) ,
When the data were ready, the battalion commanding
officer gave the command: "'Don?, ready,(stoy):
Target No. 101, charge two (zaryad vtoroy),angle of
elevation (uroven) 30-04, scale two (shkala dva), main
direction (osnovnoye napravleniye), sheaf (veer) 0-02,
one round (odin snaryad), volley (beglyy), load.
First, sight (pritsel) 328, right (praveye) 0-52.
Second, sight 332, xight 0-82.
Third, sight 330, right 1-32.
"'Leningrad', observe salvo firing of first battery 16150,
30-85, charge two', time of flight 47, height of
trajectory 2930. .Beginning of accompanying fire ?120,
30-?5."
After the chief of the radar station reported that
he was ready, the battalion commanding officer commanded:
"First, sight 328, two rounds at 50 seconds, by salvoes.
'Don' , f ire a ".
After each intersecting salvo (firing), the chief
of the radar station reported the amount and marks of the
deviations to the battalion headquarters:
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8
"'Don?, first - plus 220, right 13; second - plus 180
right 11."
In battalion headquarters they calculated:
-average deviation on basis of two rounds: plus 200,
right 12;
-amount of correction: 2008/4 . _ 150 m and
0-12.~c -p.06,
The battalion commanding officer gave the command:
"'Don', ready; -sight minus 3, left 0-06
volley, six rounds at 12 seconds, fire;-~' six rounds,
"'Leningrad?, observe fire ?f
30-42, beginning of accompanyingefireb?240rY30635~9
"Second, ready; Sight 329, two rounds salvo fire
(af ter the report of readiness from .the-2nd batter an
the radar .station) , f ire a -- Y d
After a correction has been given to the second b
the settings for the 3,rd batter attery,
the same way, Subsequentl 3' are made more precise in
normal way. Y, firing is .conducted in the.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/11 :CIA-RDP80T00246A029400340001-8