Ukrainian volunteers have assembled an improvised rocket artillery system on the chassis of an armored Humvee, according to the Suspilʹne Vinnytsya.
Previously, similar rocket artillery installations were created on commercial pickup trucks and even on captured Russian military vehicles. However, this marks the first time such a system has been designed for a military Humvee. Components such as guiding systems and barrels are provided by troops serving on the front lines, highlighting the collaboration between the military and volunteers.
Denis Romanovsky, one of the volunteers involved in this initiative, explained that these rocket artillery installations are vital for maintaining combat capabilities in challenging conditions. “The moment support arrived at the unit, the guys handed it over to the installation so they could work without fear,” Romanovsky stated.
This project to create rocket artillery systems in Vinnytsia, a city in western Ukraine, began almost a year ago. Initially, these systems featured three or six barrels, but the recent model boasts an impressive nine-barrel configuration. The manufacturing and assembly take place at a facility overseen by Taras Prysyazhnyuk, who reported that this particular installation required extensive work to enhance and adapt the system. “It took us about a month to prepare. We needed to preserve everything that was on it and upgrade the installation. We played and came up with something. It all turned out well and easily lifts,” explained Prysyazhnyuk.
The weight of the installation is approximately 300 kilograms, according to Prysyazhnyuk. However, the effort required to build these systems is becoming increasingly challenging as the costs of materials continue to rise. “Everything is new. Unfortunately, as time goes on, it becomes more difficult to find something secondhand. We buy everything new, and sellers take full advantage,” noted Prysyazhnyuk.
Despite the challenges, the dedication of the volunteers is evident in their resourceful work. They consulted American manuals and instructions to assemble and connect the system’s components, ensuring its proper functionality. Artur Petrovsky, an auto electrician involved in the project, explained, “We found a manual on American websites, reviewed it, connected everything, and it all works. The launch is done by an electronic impulse. There is a power supply here.”
To operate the system safely from a distance, a control panel is mounted on a 20-meter cable, ensuring that the team can fire projectiles remotely. “We used a shielded strong wire so that even if you drive over it, nothing happens. We installed protection,” Petrovsky described the safety measures.
Over the past year since their creation, defenders have sent numerous videos showcasing the system’s capabilities on the front lines. “If aerial reconnaissance detected a concentration of armored vehicles or personnel, they set fire to them, including the enemy’s field depots and armored vehicles,” said Romanovsky.
These improvised rocket artillery systems are produced free of charge for Ukrainian defenders, with funding raised through social media campaigns. In some cases, like the armored Humvee, brigades that require such equipment provide the vehicle and the necessary funds for its production. In just a few days, this particular vehicle will be delivered to the front lines, contributing to the ongoing efforts of Ukrainian defenders as they strive for victory.