The Russian defence industry has presented an unmanned tracked platform with a D-30 122mm howitzer.

Specifically, the system appeared at the Russian defence exhibition ARMY 2024, mounted on the MTS-15 Klever tracked platform.

The D-30 is a Soviet-designed 122 mm towed howitzer that was introduced in the 1960s and has since become one of the most widely used artillery pieces in the world, being capable of delivering a variety of ammunition types for both direct and indirect fire roles. 

According to the available information, the deployment and retraction of the Unmanned Combat Ground Vehicle (UCGV) in question takes only 30 seconds. For reference, the deployment and folding time of the towed version of the D-30 is 1.5 to 2 minutes, including the time for firing.

The aiming angles of the D-30 mounted on the “Klever” range from 15 to 57 degrees vertically and from -30 to +30 degrees horizontally. The combat vehicle can be controlled at a distance of up to 500 meters and has a firing range of 15.3 km. The MTS-15 chassis has a payload of 15 tons, a range of 120 km, and a top speed of up to 12 km/h.

Also read: ZUZANA-2 | The successor of the self-propelled gun howitzer acquired by the National Guard

The extensive range provides the UCGV with a significant tactical advantage, allowing it to strike from a safe distance. 

The UCGV’s autonomous capabilities are also a notable aspect of its design. Equipped with an automatic loading system, the vehicle can carry and fire ammunition without human intervention, significantly enhancing its operational efficiency and reducing the risk to personnel in combat zones. 

The introduction of this artillery UCGV represents a significant tendency in Unmanned Ground Systems, a development that has the potential to alter the dynamics of ground warfare. 

Also read: Eurosatory 2022 | Excalibur Army unveils 155 mm Morana self-propelled howitzer