At the Victory Parade in Tula, the PRP-5 mobile reconnaissance point, also known in the media as the Mars 2000 armored reconnaissance vehicle (BRM), was first presented. The novelty drove in a column with other armored vehicles, the creation of which was attended by specialists of the local NGO Strela.
Tula designers developed a module for the PRP-5, which consists of reconnaissance equipment on retractable masts, a radar station (radar), communications equipment, and a machine gun. The chassis for Mars-2000 was provided by Military Industrial Company LLC (MIC, Moscow). We are talking about the BTR-82A armored personnel carrier, popular in the Russian army, adopted for service in 2013.
“Adequate solution”
At the end of May, General Director of the military-industrial complex Alexander Krasovitsky announced the PRP-5 project in an interview with TASS. The top manager noted that the key advantage of the chassis for the "Mars 2000" is the ability to overcome water obstacles by swimming, unlike other armored wheeled platforms. Now the BRM is at the stage of state testing.
“Work is ongoing on the creation of a new combat reconnaissance vehicle, the Mars-2000 BRM, based on the BTR-82. In addition, the option is being worked out to create the Sosna short-range self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system based on the BTR-82, ”Krasovitsky said.
Experts believe that the PRP-5 is a military intelligence means capable of detecting enemy forces and positions, including camouflaged ones, at tactical depths. Also, this machine, according to analysts, can perform the function of target designation for high-precision weapons, which are equipped with the Russian army.
“There is not much information about Mars 2000, but with high probability we can say that its tasks will include reconnaissance and target designation using a laser range finder. The operating experience of the previous analogues allows us to conclude that PRP-5 will be able to conduct covert surveillance of the enemy in different parts of the terrain thanks to retractable mast mechanisms, ”the founder of the Military Russia portal Dmitry Kornev said in an interview with RT.
As the expert suggests, the PRP-5 should be equipped with the latest digital equipment, a radar, various sensors, optical means, including a video camera, and a closed channel for transmitting information in real time.
- PRP-5 mobile reconnaissance point ("Mars-2000") at the night rehearsal of the Victory Parade in Tula
- © YouTube
Currently, the Russian army is armed with various modifications of the PRP-4, developed on the BMP-1 tracked chassis back in the Soviet years. One of the latest versions of this machine is the 13-ton PRP-4A Argus, equipped with a thermal imaging infrared device and a laser range finder. It is intended to replace the Nard in the PRP-4 troops. Judging by the information of the RF Ministry of Defense, Argus is mainly used for guiding artillery.
“Against the background of its predecessors, the Mars 2000 stands out for its design on a wheeled chassis. It has certain advantages over the caterpillar. In particular, four-axle platforms feel good on soft ground and swim well. Most likely, the military has certain requirements in this regard, for which the PRP-5 was adapted, ”says Kornev.
In a RT commentary, specialist in the field of armored vehicles Alexei Khlopotov also pointed out that the wheeled chassis is a more mobile and inexpensive platform for deploying reconnaissance assets. In addition, according to the expert, the BMP base, on which the PRP-4 is designed, "is starting to become obsolete."
Khlopotov emphasized that the BTR-82A is a suitable platform for installing reconnaissance equipment under the Mars-2000 project. The advantages of this armored personnel carrier, the analyst attributed considerable capacity, ease of control afloat, good maneuverability, increased range, maneuverability, reliability and low cost.
“Judging by current trends, the Russian army will have more anti-aircraft systems and artillery systems on wheels. Naturally, these types of equipment will require escort vehicles on a wheeled platform. I think that the PRP-5 will just fulfill this role and the choice in favor of the BTR-82A looks like an adequate solution, ”Khlopotov explained.
According to VPK, the BTR-82A is qualitatively different from the base model. The combat effectiveness coefficient of this armored personnel carrier is two times higher than the serial BTR-80A.
The design of the combat module of the machine allows you to install various types of weapons. BTR-82A is more protected thanks to special materials and energy-absorbing properties of the bottom. In addition, the armored personnel carrier is equipped with an autonomous diesel generator set, which provides energy without using the main engine.
“In order to create comfortable working conditions for the crew and the landing force in the car, to reduce their fatigue during marches and combat, especially in conditions of elevated temperatures, an air conditioning system is installed on the BTR-82A. Its use also creates optimal conditions for the operation of electronic equipment, ”said military industry experts.
Towards Artificial Intelligence
As experts said, reconnaissance tasks at the theater of operations (theater of operations) can perform a variety of machines. Compared to drones, they have such significant advantages as stealth and a significant amount of payload.
“Small and cheap tactical UAVs are extremely widespread in the world, but their capabilities are limited due to a very modest payload and vulnerability. For example, drones are unlikely to detect masked objects. Their use is truly effective only in conjunction with other intelligence tools, ”explained Kornev.
- Robotic complex "Nerekhta"
- © Vitaly V.Kuzmin
The main requirements for modern armored reconnaissance systems were called patency, mobility, an effective encryption system, a remotely controlled module, a wide range of products and high-quality equipment that can detect enemy forces and equipment in various ranges. At the same time, powerful strike weapons, as analysts emphasized, are not relevant for the BRM.
Khlopotov does not exclude the possibility that in the future at the theater of operations will appear robotic crewless reconnaissance systems. However, according to him, this "is a matter of a rather distant future."
“At the moment, we are observing a trend in the development of artificial intelligence. Its technology really allows you to identify and recognize goals. This progress is aimed at minimizing human participation on the battlefield. But for this it is necessary to solve many complex issues. The most important, in my opinion, problem is in the moral plane - is it possible to trust the machine to make decisions and who will be responsible for the mistake, ”Khlopotov argues.
According to Kornev, the current technological level allows the Russian army to use small reconnaissance systems with a remote control system on a theater of operations.
“Yes, no one has robots in the classical sense of the word, and artificial intelligence technologies are clearly underdeveloped so far. But in principle, today, crewless vehicles can cover sections of the front with a width of about 3 km and a depth of 1.5-2 km. The final decision is up to the military, but I think that such experiments are already underway, ”Kornev concluded.