Ukraine destroys Russian "Frankenstein" bomb launcher

Defense Express reported on a new adaptation of the RBU-6000 shipboard installation in the hands of the Russian forces. 

In a recent operation, soldiers from the Signum unit of the 93rd separate mechanized brigade, alongside the 80th separate airborne assault brigade, successfully neutralized the makeshift weapon of the Russian occupying forces. Utilizing a thermal FPV drone under cover of darkness, the soldiers captured footage of the Russian vehicle's destruction, later shared on social media by volunteer Serhiy Sternenko.

Located in the Bakhmut region, the destroyed vehicle was a makeshift MLRS fashioned from a Ural base and armed with a Soviet RBU-6000 or Smerch-2 naval jet bomber.

This marks the second recent instance where the Signum unit's FPV drone operators have thwarted a similar Russian vehicle. A previous video, released on March 17, depicted the unit's fighters engaging with the "Frankenstein."

Earlier reports from Defense Express delved into this peculiar weaponry. Initially observed on an MT-LB armored vehicle, questions arose regarding the mechanism for firing and delivering rocket bombs.

In fall 2023, images from open sources depicted a MT-LB equipped with the RBU-6000, further highlighting Russia’s unconventional arsenal. Moreover, this year witnessed a new iteration of the "Frankenstein" on the T-80 tank platform, with at least two instances identified, suggesting Russian forces may have repurposed damaged tanks from repair bases for such makeshift MLRS.

Additionally, a third variant of the "Frankenstein" emerged, this time based on the Ural platform, observed in the temporarily occupied city of Alchevsk, Luhansk region. 

Defense Express analyzes that the vehicle's ability to maneuver with the hefty RBU-6000 is dubious, given its weight compared to the MT-LB's payload capacity. Loading the RBU-6000 on the MT-LB chassis poses another challenge, particularly considering the weight of its rocket bomb. Manual loading onto a "motorized skid steerer" would demand significant labor from maintenance crews, unlike the mechanized loading process on ships.

Even during the Soviet era, installing RBU-6000 bombers on shore-based stationary installations necessitated traditional ammunition cellars, akin to those on navy ships.

It's improbable that Russian forces installed shipboard fire control systems for the RBU-6000 on the MT-LB. Hence, firing accuracy is likely limited, with a standard rate of fire and range specified.

Reports suggest Cuba previously attempted a similar setup using a truck chassis, though details remain scant. This Cuban prototype may have influenced Russia's decision to enhance the MT-LB with the RBU-6000.