Continued from above...
The Russian Zubr's have 'pop-up' MLRS as shown in the embedded image below. The Chinese ones have the MLRS covers but I was wondering in any one had seen the launchers 'exposed', or knows if the launchers are installed?
Looks like some sort of anti submarine/ multi purpose mortar which is also good for mine clearing etc or anti personel/smoke grenades launched prior to beach landing. My guess is similar to the Swedish ASW 600 grenades or the RBU 6000s etc.
Certainly a very useful weapon system for a landing craft platform or storming a beachhead etc.
As an aside. I think smoke grenades/bombs would've cut down significantly on Allied casualties if they were employed in Normandy. Massive smoke screen is a critical component of overall fire support protocols but I do not know the tactical doctrines of WWII vs they are today. I'm sure the chemical smokes (and the launchers) were probably not as 'advance' as they are today either maybe that's why they weren't used on DDay.
I'm sure I read in the past that the launchers on the Russian vessels were used for putting down blanket suppressing fire - so some sort of HE round? I just pulled this off Wikpedia:
'2 × 140 mm Ogon launchers, 22 rockets each with 132 rockets in total; or 2 x 122 mm retractable rocket launchers'