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MT-LB A-22 "Ogon" 140mm MRL

Russian engineers have installed a ship-based rocket salvo thermobaric system on the MT-LB multi-purpose light tracked armored tractor for use on land in the war with Ukraine. This may indicate both a shortage of attack systems and the search for new solutions for the operational improvement of weapons.

Specialists identified Russian MT-LBs equipped with launchers of the Soviet A-22 "Ogon" incendiary ship complex. This complex is intended for arming river and amphibious ships, including those on an air cushion. The complex ensures the destruction of coastal targets, equipment and manpower in the coastal zone, as well as surface targets (boats, watercraft) and the creation of fires. For this, 140-mm fragmentation and incendiary unguided rockets can be used from a launcher with 22 guides. Launches can be carried out both volley and single.

The A-22 Ogon MRL system is intended to equip the river and landing ships, including hovercraft, and provides: engagement of the area targets on the shore, equipment and manpower in the coastal zone, surface targets (boats, waterborne platforms), and setting seats of fire.

The A-22 "Fire" complex can use Soviet fragmentation OF-45 and ZZh-45 incendiary shells with a range of 4.5 km. There is also the possibility of using new Russian fragmentation unguided rockets OFD-45 with a launch range of 9.5 km. The OF-45 rocket carries a fragmentation warhead and ensures destruction of enemy personnel and lightly armored equipment. The ZZh-45 rocket is equipped with an incendiary warhead and is designed to set the seats of fire. The 140mm OFD-45 rocket offers 2.1 times longer range compared to the OF-45 and higher warhead power.

The launcher is designed to fire single rockets and salvo, as well as to store rockets in its tubes. Depending on the requirements for placing the MRL on board the ship, the MS-227 launcher retractable under the deck in stowed position or the fixed MS-227P launcher can be used. One launcher carries a pod with 22 rockets, while the additional rockets are stored under the deck if necessary.

In combat, the launcher conducts single or salvo fire with the interval between launches of 0.2 seconds. The maximum speed of the platform during fire is up to 30 knots, sea point - up to 3.

The DVU-3-BS rangefinder and sighting device is used on ships for remote control of the complex, as well as for searching and identifying targets. It provides horizontal and vertical guidance of the launcher. The DVU-3-BS rangefinder/sight is intended for remote control of fire against coastal and surface targets, as well as for target search and acquisition during daylight and at night, given they are meteorologically visible. It generates complete training and elevation angles and automatically sends them to the launcher.

At the same time, the issue of fire control and targeting of the MT-LB remains unclear. It is also unknown from which ships the Russians removed the A-22 "Ogon" complex, which in particular is part of the armament of landing ships on an air cushion of project 12322 "Zubr".