NPO Splav, the Tula-based defence concern specializing in rocket artillery systems for land and naval applications, has already begun introducing elements of automation in its latest products, director Alexander Smirnov has told Sputnik.
"If we look at first generation systems, be it Grad or Tornado, they, of course, possess some minimal tools of automation. It's difficult to determine the percentage of robotization in a particular complex or system. But I can say with confidence that the systems created in recent years, including the Tornado-G and Tornado-S, have already implemented components which can become the foundation for a promising robotized MLRS," Smirnov explained.
The director noted, for example, that the Tornado-G is equipped with an automated guidance and fire-control system, along with automated equipment for launch preparations and the launch itself.
"This allows us to automate the preparation process, and to control the guidance of the launch package, and the firing itself, and to carry out automatic topographic positioning and orientation of the combat vehicle on the ground, to remotely enter flight mission data into the fuses and launch projectiles without the crew having to leave their cabin," Smirnov said.