Russians demonstrate unmanned D-30 howitzer on MTS-15 “Klever” tracked chassis

11 August, 2024 MTS-15 "Klever" with D-30. Photo from open sources An unnamed company of the Russian military industry has presented an unmanned tracked platform with a D-30 122mm howitzer.

The stand appeared at the Russian defense exhibition ARMY 2024. The howitzer, mounted on the MTS-15 Klever tracked platform, is equipped with a four-shot autoloader. According to the information stand, the deployment and retraction of the combat vehicle 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, which is enough for counter-battery warfare.

MTS-15 "Klever" with D-30. Photo from open sources

As an example of the vulnerability of towed artillery to modern counter-battery weapons, Militarnyi reported that 22 D-30 howitzers were destroyed in a week by a single battalion. 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 kilometers. The MTS-15 chassis has a payload of 15 tons, a range of 120 kilometers, and a top speed of up to 12 kilometers per hour.

MTS-15 "Klever" with D-30. Photo from open sources

Although such a platform has a significant advantage in distancing the crew from the firing position, there is also a significant logistical disadvantage.

It is unclear how it is supposed to move near the line of contact within the range of drones and artillery, especially given their low mobility and low range.

Due to its obviously heavy weight, the MTS-15 "Klever" must be trawled to approach a firing position, unloaded, and then move independently, making the platform even more vulnerable to modern weapons.

Previously, at last year's exhibition, the Russians presented a wheeled firing platform "Zubilo" with ZU-23-2.