The best self-propelled howitzers. Self-propelled artillery of the Red Army

For hundreds of years, artillery has been an important component of the Russian army. However, she reached her power and prosperity during the Second World War - it was not by chance that she was called the "god of war." An analysis of a long-term military campaign made it possible to determine the most promising areas of this kind of troops for decades to come. As a result, today, modern Russian artillery has the necessary power both for the effective conduct of hostilities in local conflicts, and to repel massive aggression.

legacy of the past

New samples of Russian weapons "lead a pedigree" from the 60s of the XX century, when the Soviet army leadership set a course for high-quality rearmament. Dozens of leading design bureaus, where outstanding engineers and designers worked, laid the theoretical and technical foundation for the creation of the latest weapons.

The experience of previous wars and the analysis of the potential of foreign armies have clearly shown that it is necessary to rely on mobile self-propelled artillery and mortar installations. Thanks to decisions made half a century ago, Russian artillery acquired a solid fleet of caterpillar and wheeled missile and artillery weapons, the basis of which is the “flower collection”: from the nimble 122-mm Gvozdika howitzer to the formidable 240-mm Tulip.

Barrel field artillery

The barrel artillery of Russia has a huge number of guns. They are in service with artillery units, units and formations of the Ground Forces and represent the basis of the firepower of the Marine Corps and Internal Troops. Barrel artillery combines high firepower, accuracy and accuracy of fire with simplicity of design and use, mobility, increased reliability, flexibility of fire, and is also economical.

Many samples of towed guns were designed taking into account the experience of the Second World War. They're in Russian army are gradually being replaced by self-propelled artillery guns developed in 1971-1975, optimized for performing fire missions even in a nuclear conflict. The towed guns are supposed to be used in fortified areas and in secondary theaters of military operations.

Armaments

At present, the barrel artillery of Russia has the following samples self-propelled guns:

• Floating howitzer 2S1 "Carnation" (122-mm).
• Howitzer 2SZ "Acacia" (152 mm).
• Howitzer 2S19 "Msta-S" (152 mm).
• Gun 2S5 "Hyacinth" (152 mm).
• Gun 2S7 "Peony" (203 mm).

A self-propelled howitzer with unique characteristics and the ability to fire in the “flurry of fire” mode 2S35 “Coalition-SV” (152 mm) is undergoing active tests.

The 120-mm self-propelled guns 2S23 "Nona-SVK", 2S9 "Nona-S", 2S31 "Vena" and their towed analogue 2B16 "Nona-K" are intended for fire support of combined arms units. A feature of these guns is that they can serve as mortars, mortars, howitzers or anti-tank guns.

anti-tank artillery

Along with the creation of highly effective anti-tank missile systems, considerable attention is paid to the development of anti-tank artillery guns. Their advantages over anti-tank missiles lie primarily in their relative cheapness, simplicity of design and use, and the ability to fire around the clock in any weather.

Russian anti-tank artillery is moving towards increasing power and caliber, improving ammunition and sighting devices. The pinnacle of this development was the 100-mm anti-tank smoothbore gun MT-12 (2A29) "Rapier" with increased initial speed projectile and an effective firing range of up to 1500 m. The gun can fire an anti-tank missile 9M117 "Kastet", capable of penetrating armor up to 660 mm thick behind dynamic protection.

The towed PT 2A45M Sprut-B, which is in service with the Russian Federation, also has even greater armor penetration. Behind dynamic protection, it is capable of hitting armor up to 770 mm thick. Russian self-propelled artillery in this segment is represented by the 2S25 Sprut-SD self-propelled gun, which has recently been put into service with paratroopers.

mortars

Modern Russian artillery is unthinkable without mortars for various purposes and calibers. Russian samples of this class of weapons are exclusively effective tool suppression, destruction and fire support. The troops have the following samples of mortar weapons:

• Automatic 2B9M "Cornflower" (82 mm).
• 2B14-1 "Tray" (82 mm).
• Mortar complex 2S12 "Sani" (120-mm).
• Self-propelled 2S4 "Tulip" (240 mm).
• M-160 (160 mm) and M-240 (240 mm).

Characteristics and features

If the mortars "Tray" and "Sled" repeat the designs of models of the Great Patriotic War, then "Cornflower" is a fundamentally new system. It is equipped with automatic reloading mechanisms, which allows firing with an excellent rate of fire of 100-120 rds / min (compared to 24 rds / min for the Tray mortar).

Russian artillery can rightly be proud of the self-propelled mortar "Tulip", which is also an original system. In the stowed position, its 240-mm barrel is mounted on the roof of an armored tracked chassis, in combat it rests on a special plate resting on the ground. In this case, all operations are carried out using a hydraulic system.

Coastal troops in the Russian Federation as a branch of independent forces of the Navy was formed in 1989. The basis of its firepower is made up of mobile missile and artillery systems:

• "Redoubt" (missile).
• 4K51 "Frontier" (missile).
• 3K55 "Bastion" (missile).
• 3K60 "Ball" (missile).
• A-222 "Coast" (artillery 130-mm).

These complexes are truly unique and represent real threat any enemy fleet. The newest "Bastion" in combat duty since 2010, equipped with Onyx/Yakhont hypersonic missiles. During the Crimean events, several "Bastions", defiantly placed on the peninsula, thwarted plans for a "show of force" by the NATO fleet.

The latest Russian coastal defense artillery A-222 "Bereg" effectively works both on small-sized high-speed vessels moving at a speed of 100 knots (180 km / h), and medium surface ships (within 23 km from the complex), and ground targets.

Support powerful complexes heavy artillery is always ready as part of the Coastal Forces: self-propelled guns "Gyatsint-S", gun-howitzer "Gyatsint-B", gun-howitzer "Msta-B", howitzers D-20 and D-30, MLRS.

Multiple launch rocket systems

Since the Second World War, Russian rocket artillery, as the successor to the USSR, has had a powerful group of MLRS. In the 1950s, a 122-mm 40-barrel system BM-21 "Grad" was created. The ground forces of the Russian Federation have 4,500 such systems.

BM-21 "Grad" became the prototype of the "Grad-1" system, created in 1975 to equip tank and motorized rifle regiments, as well as a more powerful 220-mm Uragan system for artillery units of the army level. This line of development was continued by the Smerch long-range system with 300-mm projectiles and the new Prima divisional-level MLRS with an increased number of guides and increased power rockets with a detachable warhead.

Procurement of a new MLRS "Tornado" is underway - a bicaliber system mounted on the MAZ-543M chassis. In the Tornado-G variant, it fires 122-mm rockets from the Grad MLRS, three times as effective as the latter. In the Tornado-S variant, designed for firing 300-mm rockets, it is 3-4 times superior to the Smerch in terms of combat effectiveness. "Tornado" strikes targets with a volley and single high-precision rockets.

Flak

Russian anti-aircraft artillery is represented by the following self-propelled small-caliber systems:

• Quadruple self-propelled installation "Shilka" (23 mm).
• Self-propelled twin installation "Tunguska" (30 mm).
• Self-propelled twin installation "Pantsir" (30 mm).
• Towed twin installation ZU-23 (2A13) (23 mm).

Self-propelled units are equipped with a radio instrumentation system that provides target acquisition and auto-tracking, generation of data for aiming. Automatic aiming of guns is carried out with the help of hydraulic drives. Shilka is exclusively an artillery system, while Tunguska and Pantsir are also armed with anti-aircraft missiles.

In the interests missile troops and artillery, new models of weapons and equipment are being created. Several new type of self-propelled guns were developed in last years as part of development work with the code "Sketch". The new family of vehicles includes three combat vehicles with different base chassis and different weapons. According to breaking news, such equipment in the near future will be able to enter service with the Russian army.
New reports about the progress and results of the Sketch project, as well as about the vehicles of this family, appeared a few days ago. It is curious that the first news was announced at the official level. On September 30, on the eve of the Day of the Ground Forces, the MK publication published an interview with the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, Colonel-General Oleg Salyukov. The commander spoke about current work and promising projects. Among other things, he mentioned new developments for artillery formations.
Self-propelled gun "Phlox". Photo T-digest. ...

Over the past decades, the US Army has repeatedly upgraded the M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery mounts. At the same time, it became clear a long time ago that such equipment cannot be updated forever and needs to be replaced. A few weeks ago, at the AUSA Annual Meeting 2018 conference, the prospects for ground artillery were discussed and calls were again made to replace the M109 with new models. Among other things, legislators remembered the closed project XM2001 Crusader. Two decades ago, this self-propelled gun was already considered as a future replacement for the Paladins.
In early October, a regular conference of the United States Army Association (AUSA) was held, during which the military, experts and government officials discussed a number of critical issues. Along with other topics, the development of ground forces in general and ground artillery in particular was discussed. In this context, very harsh statements were made about the United States lagging behind other leading countries of the world. ...

A few years ago, Germany and France took an important step in the development of their ground forces. It was decided to merge the two leading defense companies into a new enterprise capable of creating and producing various models of equipment and weapons. In the future, KNDS should present a number of new developments of various kinds. Together with other programs, a project was launched to create a promising self-propelled artillery mount under the designation CIFS or Common Indirect Fire System.
The launch of the promising project Common Indirect Fire System ("Common system for firing from closed positions") was preceded by a number of major events affecting the rearmament of the two armies as a whole. Back in 2012, the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and the French Nexter Defense Systems decided to join forces to develop a new type of main battle tank. It was assumed that this machine in the distant future will go into service with Germany and France, replacing the existing models. ...

In the early thirties, Soviet specialists began to study the appearance of promising self-propelled artillery installations. Various options for such a technique were proposed, considered and tested, and some of them, having confirmed their potential, have found application in practice. Others were considered unsuccessful and abandoned. One of the examples of the most interesting, but unpromising development in the field of self-propelled artillery can be considered the project of coastal self-propelled guns, developed at the suggestion of A.A. Tolochkova.
One of actual problems At that time, there was the organization of antiamphibious defense on the numerous sea coasts of the Soviet Union. In 1932, the Artillery Research Institute proposed a new concept for building coastal defense. According to it, in order to effectively counter enemy ships and landing craft, sufficiently powerful guns on self-propelled platforms were required. ...

The SU-100 anti-tank self-propelled artillery mount was created on the basis of the T-34-85 medium tank by the Uralmashzavod design bureau in late 1943 - early 1944 and was a further development of the SU-85. By that time, it had already become clear that the 85 mm SU-85 gun was not a worthy opponent in the fight against German heavy tanks.
SU-100 and SU-85. External difference in the commander's cupola protruding from the hull
Serial production of the SU-100 was launched at Uralmashzavod in August 1944 and continued until early 1948. In addition, in 1951-1956, the production of self-propelled guns under license was carried out in Czechoslovakia. In total, 4976 SU-100s were produced in the USSR and Czechoslovakia.
The first combat use of the SU-100 took place in January 1945 in Hungary, and later the SU-100 was used in a number of operations of the Great Patriotic War and the Soviet-Japanese War, but in general their combat use was limited. They just “didn’t have time to go to war”, like the same IS-3s. ...

According to the press service of the Central Military District, a few days ago one of the artillery units replenished the fleet of its equipment. The army handed over another batch of high-power self-propelled guns 2S7M "Malka". In the very near future, this technique, which is characterized by the highest performance, will take part in its first live-fire exercises. After that, she will continue to serve, and will make a significant contribution to the combat capability of the ground forces, providing them with the ability to destroy various objects at great depths.
The press service of the Central Military District announced the delivery of new equipment on Monday, June 25. According to an official statement, one of the district's artillery formations stationed in the Kemerovo region received a divisional set of new equipment. As part of the State Defense Order, a batch of 12 self-propelled guns was handed over to the army unit. The message also provided some technical data directly related to obtaining high combat effectiveness. ...

The missile troops and artillery of the Russian ground forces have at their disposal self-propelled artillery mounts with guns of various types and calibers. The largest caliber of a serial gun at the moment is 203 mm. The self-propelled gun 2S7M "Malka", designed to solve special problems, is equipped with such a tool. Despite its considerable age, such equipment retains its place in the troops and increases their combat potential in the required way. In addition, there are development paths that allow you to keep "Malka" in parts with new results.
As the assigned GRAU index shows, the 2S7M Malka self-propelled gun is a modernized version of an older combat vehicle. This sample was developed on the basis of the 2S7 Pion system, intended for the artillery units of the reserve of the Supreme High Command. The base "Peony" was put into service in 1976 and showed more than high performance. ...

In some cases, troops cannot use "full-sized" self-propelled artillery systems, and therefore they need compact and lightweight models with sufficiently high firepower. Several countries have already proposed their options for solving such problems, including China. People's Republic. In the recent past, the industry of this country presented several artillery self-propelled guns with weapons at once. different classes built on a common chassis. The CS / SS6 self-propelled mortar was included in this family.
Over the past few years, the Chinese military-industrial corporation NORINCO has been dealing with the subject of light artillery self-propelled guns with one or another weapon. From time to time, new samples of such combat vehicles are demonstrated at Chinese exhibitions. Of particular interest in this context was the AirShow China 2016 exhibition, held in Zhuhai the year before last. ...

A few years ago, the Chinese military-industrial corporation NORINCO began developing a family of promising light combat vehicles with artillery weapons based on a unified four-axle off-road chassis. In 2016, several samples of such equipment were presented at once, differing in weapons and related equipment. Together with other vehicles, the developer demonstrated the CS / SM10 self-propelled artillery mount.
The goal of a major program launched by NORINCO several years ago was to create a unified chassis and a number of military equipment samples based on it. On the basis of a common wheeled platform, it was proposed to create several self-propelled artillery mounts with rocket and barrel weapons. From the point of view of design, this problem was successfully solved. The designers created several new projects, after which one of the Chinese factories built a set of prototypes. ...

The history of Soviet light self-propelled artillery installations is inextricably linked with the city of Gorky, the current Nizhny Novgorod. It was here that they developed and built artillery systems, which were installed on light Soviet self-propelled guns. The ZIS-30, the first mass-produced Soviet light self-propelled guns of the war period, was also created and produced here. In Gorky, there was also the head production of the T-60 and T-70 tanks, on the basis of which self-propelled guns were developed. It is not surprising that the design bureau of the Gorky Automobile Plant. Molotov eventually also joined in the creation of self-propelled guns. The GAZ-71 and GAZ-72 vehicles developed here, which will be discussed in this material, under certain circumstances, could well become the main light self-propelled units of the Red Army.
Forced Competition
Works on the line of self-propelled units for GAZ them. Molotov can be considered not quite specialized. The plant already had enough worries in the main field of activity. ...

During the Second World War, there was a steady trend towards an increase in the caliber of anti-tank artillery. So, the American army entered the war with 37 mm guns, and ended it with guns of 76 and 90 mm calibers. An increase in caliber inevitably entailed an increase in the mass of the gun. For infantry divisions, this was not critical (it was only necessary to introduce more powerful tractors), but in the airborne units the situation was different.
The lessons of the Arnhem operation, during which the British paratroopers had to fight German tanks, were taken into account by the American command. Since 1945, the 90-mm anti-tank gun T8, which was a barrel of a 90-mm M1 anti-aircraft gun, combined with recoil devices of a 105-mm M2A1 howitzer and a lightweight carriage. ...

Not all countries have the opportunity to produce or acquire military equipment with the necessary capabilities and characteristics in a timely manner. As a result, they have to look for alternative ways to upgrade the fleet of combat vehicles. One obvious way to modernize the army is to rebuild existing equipment that is still serviceable. It is this principle that underlies the new project of the AMX-13D30 Vulcano self-propelled artillery mount, developed in Peru.
It should be recalled that the Peruvian ground forces cannot be called fully developed and modern. So, they are armed with only 24 artillery self-propelled guns. These are 12 French-made Canon de 155 mm Mle F3 Automoteur vehicles and the same number of American M109 self-propelled guns. Both samples of armored vehicles carry guns with a caliber of 155 mm. At the same time, the army needs more self-propelled guns, and in addition, it needs systems of other calibers. ...

The M7B2 Priest 105mm self-propelled howitzer was the last production variant of the famous American self-propelled gun during World War II. This modification was in service longer than others, the American army used this self-propelled guns in the years Korean War. In the post-war years, various versions of the Priest self-propelled artillery were also widely supplied to US allies as part of various military assistance programs. So several dozen M7 self-propelled guns, including the M7B2 Priest modification, were received by the Belgians, in Belgium they were used at least until 1964, and the Germans also received it. in Germany self-propelled howitzers M7B2 Priest were in service with the newly created Bundeswehr for some time.
This American 105-mm self-propelled gun was created already during the Second World War, it was standardized in April 1942, after which it received the official designation 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7. ...

Self-propelled artillery mount

Self-propelled artillery mount (ACS, colloquial self-propelled gun, Saushka,trucker, mouth Artsamokhod, sometimes used colloquially self-propelled gun ) - fighting machine, which is an artillery piece mounted on a self-propelled (self-propelled) chassis. In the broad sense of the word, all combat vehicles armed with guns can be considered as self-propelled guns. However, in a narrow sense, self-propelled guns include wheeled and tracked combat vehicles with cannon or howitzer weapons that are not tanks or armored vehicles. The types and purpose of self-propelled guns are very diverse: they can be both armored and unarmored, use a wheeled or tracked chassis, have a turret or fixed gun mount. Some of the self-propelled guns with a turret gun very much resemble a tank, but they differ from the tank in terms of armor-weapon balance and tactical use.

The history of self-propelled artillery installations begins with the history of heavy cannon armored vehicles at the beginning of the 20th century and the development of tanks in the First World War. Moreover, from today's point of view, the first French Saint-Chamond and Schneider tanks are more likely an analogue of later assault gun class self-propelled guns, rather than real tanks. The middle and second half of the 20th century were a time of rapid development of various self-propelled artillery installations in the leading industrial and military developed countries. Achievements of military science at the beginning of the 21st century - high accuracy of fire, electronic systems positioning and guidance - allowed self-propelled guns, according to experts who note the high role of self-propelled artillery in modern combat, to take a significant position among other armored vehicles, which previously belonged undividedly to tanks.

Modern period (1945 - present)

The development of the concept of the main battle tank led to the disappearance of the class of assault guns. Numerous anti-tank missile systems and combat helicopters made tank destroyers obsolete. As a result, self-propelled howitzers and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns were further developed. In the USSR, the rapid development of rocket technology had a negative impact on the development of cannon artillery, but by the beginning of the 70s. In the 20th century, self-propelled guns-deserved veterans of the Great Patriotic War were replaced by modern artillery systems 122-mm 2S1 "Gvozdika", 152.4-mm 2S3 "Acacia" and 2S5 "Hyacinth", 203-mm 2S7 "Pion", 240-mm self-propelled mortar 2S4 "Tulip" . Further development led to the creation of the most advanced Soviet and Russian self-propelled guns - an airborne 120-mm

Self-propelled artillery systems hold leading positions at the forefront. Below are the available wheeled and tracked variants of self-propelled guns available on the market.

Recent military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have spurred the development and delivery of a variety of anti-mine armored vehicles, and there is also an order for high-precision artillery systems to provide deterrent fire.

Some countries use both towed and self-propelled (SP) artillery systems, others plan to switch to using only self-propelled systems.

Of course, there are situations in which standard towed artillery systems are used, as are mortars and surface-to-surface missile systems. For airborne and amphibious assaults, towed artillery systems provide a number of significant tactical advantages over heavier self-propelled artillery pieces. Towed systems with a conventional barrel caliber of 105-155 mm are quickly carried by helicopter and are currently being successfully used in Afghanistan.

However, self-propelled artillery systems continue to lead the battlefield, with upgrades in projectiles and loading systems, and supported by a number of different systems currently being produced and developed around the world.

Track systems

The Chinese firm North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) has launched several 152mm and 122mm self-propelled artillery systems on the market, and today produces the PLZ 45, which is a 155mm/45 caliber system originally developed to meet the demands of the National Liberation Army (PLA). It has also been exported to Kuwait and more recently to Saudi Arabia.

PLZ 45

The maximum range of a standard HE ER FB projectile with improved aerodynamics and lead belt (HE ER FB) is 30 km, although this distance can be increased to 50 km using the newly developed HE ER FB with rocket booster and gas generator (BB RA).

To support the PLZ 45, the PCZ 45 ammunition support vehicle was developed and produced. It carries up to 90 rounds.

The PLZ 45 and PCZ 45 are marketed by NORINCO as a complete battery and regimental artillery system.

NORINCO has also launched a new SH 3 fully tracked 122mm self-propelled artillery system with a combat weight of 33 tons. The system is equipped with a turret, the gun of which is loaded with 122 mm projectiles with a maximum range of 15.3 km, provided that it is a HE charge, and a range of 27 km with a charge of HE BB RA.

In addition, China is testing a number of new artillery systems, including the PLZ 52 with a 152mm/52 caliber charge and a new 122mm self-propelled amphibious system.

The only currently used cannon artillery system operated by the German Army is the 155 mm/52 caliber PzH 2000 self-propelled system manufactured by Krauss Maffei Wegmann.

PzH 2000

The German army received a batch of 185 systems, export deliveries were made to Greece (24 systems), Italy (70 systems from the Italian production line) and the Netherlands, which ordered 57 systems; many have already been delivered, but some remain as surplus due to restructuring claims. Production of all ordered PzH 2000 will be completed before the end of this year, but delivery to the market continues.

The combat weight of the PzH 2000 is more than 55 tons, including a semi-automatic projectile loading system and a manually loaded modular charge system (MCS). Carries 60 155mm projectiles and 288 MCS rounds. The maximum flight range of a 155-millimeter charge HE L 15 A 2 is 30 km, but with the improvement of the projectile, its flight range can be increased to 40 km.

The German army, like a number of other countries, places particular emphasis on rapid reaction forces, and Krauss Maffei Wegmann has privately developed the 155mm/52 caliber Artillery Gun Module (AGM).

The first AGM consisted of the remaining M 270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) tracked chassis, with a remote control turret at the rear, loaded with the same 155mm/52 caliber charges as in the PhZ 2000. At the front of the vehicle is a protected cockpit from which the command controls the tool.

Further joint development between Krauss Maffei Wegmann and the Spanish company General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas (GDSBS) resulted in the DONAR, a 155 mm/52 caliber self-propelled artillery system, which was first shown publicly in mid-2008 and is now being tested.

DONAR

DONAR is latest model AGM mounted on a new chassis developed by GDSBS based on the latest Pizarro 2 amphibious fighting vehicle chassis currently being produced for the Spanish Army. DONAR weighs 35 tons and is operated by a team of two people.

The German army has now retired all 155mm M 109A3G self-propelled artillery pieces, some of which have been sent abroad. Privately, Rheinmetall Weapons and Munitions carried out a modular upgrade of the M 109 with the M-109 L52, which allows the use of the entire range of 155 mm / 52 PhZ 2000 ammunition. It was released to the market as a modular system that can be adapted to personal user requirements .

The standard 155mm self-propelled artillery system of the Italian Army today is a modernized M 109 L, equipped with a full complement of 155mm/39 caliber ammunition carried by the FH-70. Now they are being replaced by 70 PzH 2000, the first 2 of which came from Germany, and the rest are produced under license by Oto Melara. By early July, Oto Melara had produced 51 PzH 2000s, 42 of which were delivered to the Italian Army. Production will end in September 2010.

Oto Melara developed the Palmaria 155mm/41 caliber self-propelled artillery system for export, which was sold to Libya and recently also to Nigeria.

Palmaria 155mm

The turret is used in the TAMSE VCA 155 155 mm artillery system operated by Argentina. The system is based on the extended chassis of the TAM tank.

It is known that Iran has developed at least two tracked self-propelled systems, which are now operated by the Iranian army.

The Raad-1 is a 122 mm tracked system equipped with chassis components for the Boraq tracked armored personnel carrier. This system is equipped with a turret similar to that installed on the Russian 122mm 2S1 self-propelled system. The standard maximum range of the projectile is 15.2 km.

Raad-2

The larger Iranian system is Raad-2. It has a combat weight of 16 tons and a barrel of 155 mm/39 caliber, it uses projectiles similar to the US-made M 185 used in the late production version of the M 109. The maximum range of the standard M 109 HE projectile is 18.1 km. It is possible to increase the range by upgrading the projectile.

Japan has also been developing its own self-propelled artillery systems for many years. Upgraded old model Type 75 155mm - Type 99 has a longer range thanks to the installation of the barrel 155mm / 39 caliber. Like many other Japanese aircraft, the Type 75 was not offered for export.

Type 75 155mm

The South Korean company Samsung Techwin, under the license of the current BAE Systems US Combat Systems, has assembled 1040 M109A2 155mm self-propelled artillery systems, which are now operated by South Korea. However, since then the armed forces South Korea were replenished with the 155 mm / 52 caliber K9 system manufactured by Samsung Techwin, which has been in operation for 10 years and is the next modification of the M109A2.

M109A2 155mm

The K 9 has a combat weight of 46.3 tons and a standard range of 18 km for the 155 mm M107HE projectile, which can be extended to 40 km using the HE BB projectile.

In support of the K9, the K10 vehicle was developed to supply additional ammunition; it is currently in production and being put into operation.

K9 is also produced in Turkey on the equipment of the Command ground forces Turkey. Over 250 units were produced under local name Firtina.

In replacement of the currently operated self-propelled artillery systems, Poland has chosen for itself the 155 mm / 52 caliber Krab system. It is produced locally, is a tracked system, equipped with one of the versions of the AS 90 turret with a 155-millimeter 52-caliber barrel manufactured by BAE Systems Global Combat Systems. The first order was made for 8 systems, which will be assigned to 2 batteries, 4 systems for each. This order must be completed by 2011.

The Russian army still uses a large number of old artillery self-propelled systems, including 203 mm 2S7, 152 mm 2S5, 152 mm 2S3 and 122 mm 2S1. It is planned that these systems will be in operation for several more years.

The newest Russian self-propelled system, the 152-millimeter 2S19 MSTA-S, was put into service in 1989, but since then it has been constantly upgraded, especially in the field of fire control system.

2S19 MSTA-S

The 155 mm/52 caliber 2S9M1 system was offered as a sample for export, but no sales have been made at the moment.

A few years ago, Russia completed a prototype of the unique 152-millimeter Koalitsiya-SV twin self-propelled artillery system, but it remained at the testing stage.

Coalition-SV

In Singapore, following the development and production of a range of towed 155mm systems - including the FH-88 (39 gauge), FH-2000 (52 gauge) and the later Pegasus light towed howitzer (39 gauge) equipped with an APU ) - Singapore Technologies Kenetics (STK) has taken up a new self-propelled artillery system. It is called Primus and it goes without saying that all 54 systems produced were sent to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Primus is a tracked system that fires 155mm/39 caliber projectiles, is equipped with a semi-automatic loading system, the fuze-loaded projectile is loaded automatically and the powder charge is manually loaded. Ammunition consists of 26 155-mm shells and the corresponding powder charges (charge modules).

Primus 155mm

The Spanish Army, meanwhile, operates a fleet of 155mm M109A5E self-propelled guns, and their local manufacturer, GDSBS, is currently upgrading this system, one aspect of which is the installation digital system navigation, aiming and guidance (DINAPS).

M109A5E

DINAPS is a modular system that combines a hybrid navigation system (inertial and GPS), a muzzle velocity radar sensor, navigation and ballistic software that allows you to connect to the command and control system of the Spanish army.

The navigation unit determines the horizontal and vertical pointing angles of the barrel, makes automatic adjustments to the data of the projectile, charge and meteorological conditions, while the automatic guidance system (AGLS) is used in combination with DINAPS to aim the weapon at the target.

In Switzerland, RUAG Land Systems upgraded 348 M109 self-propelled artillery systems, the improved model was named Panzerhaubitze 88/95 and is now on the export market.

Panzerhaubitze М109

The complete modernization touched upon the installation of a 155mm / 47 caliber artillery gun, to which 40 155mm shells are attached with the corresponding number of charge modules. The maximum flight range of a standard projectile is 23 km. The gun temperature sensor and semi-automatic Charger, which increases the rate of fire to 3 shots per 15 seconds. The Panzerhaubitze 88/95 is also equipped with a navigation and gun guidance system that continuously provides the commander, gunner and driver with the necessary information displayed on the displays.

Other innovations include an upgraded electrical system, a remote gun release system, and a fire detection and suppression system.

Switzerland also delivered additional M109A3 systems to Chile (24) and the United Arab Emirates, but they were not upgraded prior to delivery.

The Royal Artillery of the British Army currently exclusively uses the 155 mm / 39 caliber AS90 self-propelled system manufactured by the current company BAE Systems Global Combat Systems. These systems, totaling 179 pieces, were supplied by a company then called Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd (VSEL). It was planned to upgrade the systems with the installation of an extended range artillery gun (52 caliber) and a modular charge system (MCS), but the program was suspended.

The AS90 is currently undergoing upgrades in a number of key areas under the Enhanced Capabilities Program (CEP) to extend its lifespan, but BAE Systems Global Combat Systems no longer offers the system on the market.

AS90

In the US, due to the end of life of the 203 mm M110 and 175 mm M 107, the only self-propelled system in service is the 155 mm M109.

The latest version, the M109 A6 Paladin, features a 155mm/39 caliber artillery piece, a new turret and an upgraded chassis.

M109 A6 Paladin

The US Army received a delivery of 975 M109 A6 Paladin self-propelled systems from BAE Systems US Combat Systems, plus the same number of auxiliary ammunition transport vehicles (FAASV) M 992 A2.

The US Army hopes to upgrade most of the M109A6 Paladin fleet to the M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) standard. The first model of this system was released at the end of 2007.

The M 109 A 6 Paladin PIM has an upgraded M 109 A 6 Paladin turret mounted on a new chassis, which is also used for the Bradley airborne combat vehicles used by the US Army.

At the same time, the development of a new 155-millimeter self-propelled system was launched, following the reduction of the program of the promising 155-millimeter Crusader self-propelled system. 155mm / 38 caliber NLOS-C (Non - Line - of - Sight Cannon) manufactured by the current BAE Systems US Combat Systems was part of the Advanced combat systems(FCS) of the US Army, and the first NLOS-C P 1, one of the first five prototypes produced, was released in 2008.

The NLOS-C P1 crew consists of two people, the system is equipped with a 155mm / 38 caliber artillery gun with an automatic projectile loading system that first loads the projectile and then the MCS.

NLOS-C P1

Earlier this year, the US Department of Defense announced the closure of that part of the Advanced Combat Systems program that is associated with guided vehicles, including NLOS-C, and at the moment all work is frozen. Now the US Army is studying its future needs in the field of self-propelled artillery.

BAE Systems Global Combat Systems continues to supply the 155mm/52 caliber International Howitzer to the market, and may also upgrade additional US Army M 109s for export.

Wheel systems

In recent years, there has been a clear trend towards the creation and implementation of self-propelled wheeled artillery systems.

Compared to their tracked counterparts, wheeled self-propelled systems offer a number of significant operational advantages. These include greater strategic mobility, tk. they move quickly over long distances without the aid of heavy equipment transporters (HETs). It was also stated that they have lower operating costs, they are more accessible to manage and maintain.

China has developed a number of self-propelled wheeled artillery systems, and NORINCO is putting on the market at least 2 of them - SH 1 and SH 2 - for potential overseas customers.

The most powerful system is the SH 1 (6 x 6) with an all-terrain chassis, a protected cabin and a 155mm / 52 caliber artillery gun mounted in the stern. The machine is controlled by a team of 6 people, has a combat weight of 22 tons and a maximum speed of 90 km / h.

SH 1 (6 x 6)

It is equipped with a computerized fire control system, the ammunition load is 20 155-mm projectiles and the corresponding charge modules with a maximum projectile range of 53 km when firing HE E RFB BB RA manufactured by NORINCO.

Less powerful NORINCO products include the SH 2 system, based on a new 6x6 all-terrain chassis with front and rear wheel steer capability. The 122 mm gun, developed on the basis of NORINCO's internally produced D-30 towed gun, is mounted on a platform in the center of the chassis.

The maximum range of the SH 2 projectile, when firing HE BB RA, is 24 km. The combat kit consists of 24 shells with charge modules. Like the larger SH 1, the SH 2 has an integrated computerized fire control system.

SH2

NORINCO has started production of a new version of the SH 2 - the SH 5 - which replaces the 122mm D-30 gun with a 105mm/37 caliber gun. This system is operated by a team of 4 and has a maximum projectile range of 18 km when firing HE BB projectiles.

China has developed a number of other self-propelled wheeled artillery systems, including one based on an 8x8 armored personnel carrier chassis, which may well be used in PLA military operations in the future.

In France, Nexter Systems privately developed the 155mm/52 caliber self-propelled artillery system CAESAR, the first prototype of which was presented in 1994.

CAESAR

This was followed by a pre-production model, which the French Army upgraded before placing an order for 5 systems for testing at the end of 2000. They were delivered in 2002/2003, four of them were given to artillery units, and the fifth was left for combat training, in reserve.

The French Army has decided to upgrade part of its fleet of 155mm GCT tracked systems (AUF1) to the AUF2 configuration, which includes the installation of 155mm/52 caliber guns.

As a result, it was decided to remove the existing 155-millimeter AUF1 guns, and in 2004 the French army signed a contract with Nexter Systems for the supply of 72 CAESAR systems. The first copies were provided in July 2008, and by mid-2009 there were 35 of them.

The CAESAR of the French Army is based on a 6x6 Sherpa truck chassis manufactured by Renault Trucks Defense with a fully protected cab.

The 155mm/52 caliber gun is mounted at the rear of the vehicle, equipped with a large coulter that lowers before opening fire to provide a stable platform.

The system has a computerized fire control system to ensure automatic operations, ammunition has 18 rounds and a corresponding number of charge modules. The maximum range of the HE BB projectile is 42 km.

To date, 2 foreign buyers have placed orders for the CAESAR system. The Royal Thai Army ordered 6 systems (they have already been delivered at the moment) and an unnamed export buyer - it was determined that this is the National Guard Saudi Arabia(SANG) - placed an order for 100 units. The latter are based on the Mercedes-Benz 6x6 truck chassis.

The Israeli company Soltam Systems has extensive experience in the design, development and production of various towed artillery systems and tracked self-propelled systems.

It has now entered the wheeled systems market with the ATMOS 2000 (Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System), which is currently on the market with a 155mm barrel in 39, 45 and 52 calibers, fire control system options vary depending on customer preference.

ATMOS 2000 (Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System)

The system has been evaluated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and is planned to be introduced into the IDF fleet in support of the upgraded 155mm M109 Doher systems.

ATMOS can be installed on any chassis, the control cabin is located in the front of the system, the implement is installed in the rear. The maximum range of the projectile depends on the projectile/charge combination, averaging 41 km.

The first export buyer of this system was Uganda, which took delivery of the first batch of 3 units. To meet the needs of Romania, the company developed the 155 mm/52 caliber ATROM in cooperation with the Romanian company Aerostar. It is based on a domestically developed ROMAN 6x6 truck chassis and a 155mm/52 caliber ATMOS gun mounted on the rear of the system.

The Russian 122mm D-30 towed gun is the most used in the world. To increase its mobility, Soltam Systems has developed a self-propelled version of the D-30 called the Semser.

Semser D-30

Kazakhstan became the first buyer of Semser. The system is adapted to the back of the all-terrain chassis 8x8 KamAZ.

The former Yugoslavia has considerable experience in the development and production of towed artillery systems, as well as in the modernization of older systems.

Serbia has continued this tradition and currently produces the 155 mm/52 caliber self-propelled system NORA B-52, which is based on the KamAZ 63510 8x8 truck chassis.

NORA B-52

155mm/52 caliber gun mounted on a turntable at the rear of the chassis; while driving, the barrel is fixed in front of the system, and during fire, the gun fires from the rear. Ammunition consists of 36 projectiles and the corresponding number of charge modules, the maximum range of the ER FB BB projectile at the moment is 44 km.

As with many systems of this type of recent production, it is possible to install various fire control systems, including the latest version with automatic guidance, a command and control system and an additional power supply.

In the 70s of the 20th century, Czechoslovakia developed the Dana 152-millimeter self-propelled artillery system, which was based on the Tatra 8x8 armored truck chassis. About 750 units were produced for the domestic and foreign market, many of which are currently in operation.

The further development of the Slovak self-propelled guns ended with the production of the 155mm/45 caliber Zuzana, modernized in many aspects. The system is based on the all-terrain chassis of the Tatra 815 series, has a protected crew cabin in the front of the system, a fully enclosed turret in the middle and a protected engine compartment in the rear.

Zuzana

In addition to being used by the Slovak army, Zuzana was also sold to Cyprus and a little later to Georgia.

For test purposes, the tower was placed on a T-72 M1 tank chassis and as a result further developments the Zuzana 2 155mm / 52 caliber system was received, which is based on the new Tatra chassis and is still at the prototype testing stage.

In order to meet the demands of the South African Army, a 155mm / 45 caliber 6x6 self-propelled howitzer-gun G6 was developed using the same gun as the towed G5.

self-propelled gun howitzer G6

South Africa received 43 units, exported 24 units to Oman and 78 to the United Arab Emirates.

The G6 has a combat weight of 47 tons, is typically flown by a team of 6, and has a range of 700 km. The ammunition load is 45 155-mm shells and charges developed by Rheinmetall Denel Munitions.

The maximum range of a 155 mm HE BB charge is 39.3 km, but this distance can be increased to 50 km through the use of high-explosive projectile, with an increased range of fire (VLAP), already produced for export.

The result of further development by Denel Land Systems is the G6-52 155mm/52 caliber self-propelled artillery system, which is based on an upgraded chassis, has a new turret system with an integrated automatic loading system for 155mm projectiles. This contributes to a high rate of fire up to 8 rounds per minute. The turret has an ammunition load of 40 155 mm rounds, and an additional 8 155 mm rounds are located in the chassis.

artillery self-propelled system G6-52

This system is based on the latest G6 chassis, has also been successfully tested on the T-72 MBT chassis (for India), and in this form the system is called T6. The development of this system has not yet been completed.

Denel Land Systems is also developing the T5 Condor 155mm self-propelled artillery system for export. The first copy was mounted on a Tatra truck chassis with a payload capacity to tow a 155mm/52 caliber G5-2000 artillery system. An automatic implement control system is built into the system as standard. The complex can also be installed on another chassis.

Denel Land Systems is developing a new version of the 105mm LEO (Light Experimental Weapons) towed system, which will feature truck mounted installation. Together with General Dynamics Land Systems, it developed a trial self-propelled version of the system, with a turret mounted on an 8x8 light armored combat vehicle (LAV) chassis.

At the same time, BAE Systems Global Combat Systems is currently finishing work on the 6x6_ FH-77 BW L52 Archer self-propelled system. An order for 48 units of this model is expected, 24 of which will be shipped to Norway, and another 24 to Sweden.

FH-77 BW L52 Archer

The Archer is based on a Volvo 6x6 all-terrain chassis, has a fully protected cab at the front of the system and a 155mm/52 caliber gun at the rear. The weapon is controlled, aimed and launched by a team located in the cockpit.

Ammunition is 34 projectiles and the corresponding number of charges, the average flight range is 40 km for a standard projectile, and 60 km for an extended range projectile.

In addition to using normal projectiles, the system can use more advanced technologies such as BONUS overhead projectiles and Excalibur precision targeting projectiles.

Projectile development

In recent years, numerous developments have been carried out in the field of ammunition, especially artillery shells and charge modules.

The traditional HE, smoke, and flare ammunition types have been supplemented by extended range projectiles with a gas generator or rocket booster, or projectiles that combine these characteristics.

To repel a massive armed attack, 155-millimeter (and other caliber) shells-containers were developed and put into operation, stuffed with a large number of smaller shells equipped with HEAT-type cumulative anti-tank warheads.

Some shells had a self-destruction mechanism, others did not, as a result of which vast territories were bombarded with unexploded shells that impeded the advance of friendly troops.

As a result of the convention on cluster munitions, the use of cluster munitions as well as missiles with this kind of submunitions was banned, but a number of countries still produce and use such munitions.

To suppress high-value targets such as tanks and artillery systems, advanced 155-millimeter projectiles for attack from above were developed and put into production. These include BONUS shells manufactured by Nexter Munitions/BAE Systems Global Combat Systems (used by France and Sweden) and German SMArt shells used by Australia, Germany, Greece, Switzerland and the UK.

The U.S. Army introduced the Copperhead Artillery Guided Projectile (CLGP) many years ago, and although they are nearly past their expiration date, they are still on the roster.

The Russian Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) has developed a range of laser-guided artillery shells, including the 152mm Krasnopol (a 155mm version is now also available). These shells were sold to France and India, where they were later used in the Bofors 155-millimeter FH-77B systems during the hostilities with Pakistan. At the moment, NORINCO supplies the market with 155-millimeter shells similar to the Russian Krasnopol in terms of characteristics.

Russia has also developed a 120mm version of laser-guided artillery projectiles, Gran (the entire system is called KM-8), for use in 120mm mortar systems, and Kitolov, a 122mm version for towed and self-propelled systems.

Canada and the United States have successfully deployed early versions of Raytheon's Excalibur 155mm precision guided missile (PGM) in Afghanistan. In the future, mass production of such missiles is planned. Every effort is being made to reduce their cost and make them widely used.

The ATK company also took part in the competition, providing the US Army with artillery shells equipped with a precision guidance system with remote detonation functions (PGK), they replaced the existing artillery fuses.

During testing, the system showed a total probable deviation of 50 m with a range of 20.5 km for the 155 mm M589A1 projectile.

The introduction of PGK will contribute to a significant reduction in the required number of projectiles to neutralize the target, which, as a result, will lead to an overall reduction in ammunition costs.

Conventional balloon-type projectiles are currently being actively replaced by modular MCS or uni-MCS, where 5 modules are used in the 155mm / 39 caliber system and six in 155mm / 52 caliber.

They are easier to handle and are suitable for any self-propelled system with an automatic loading system.

Many countries pay special attention to the developments of the ISTAR company, which contribute to facilitating target detection by artillery units. Such developments include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), various types of radars and other military sensors such as laser rangefinders/pointers and day/thermal vision devices that can detect and detect targets at long distances.

Forward requirements

Due to recent advances in munitions and charge modules, towed and self-propelled systems will continue to play a major role in military operations, but other systems are likely to be introduced in addition to them.

For example, the US Army's FCS (Advanced Combat Systems) program has developed a Closed Position Firing Missile Launcher (NLOS - LS) consisting of a Launch Canister Unit (CLU) holding 15 vertically mounted Precision Ballistic Missiles (PAM) or cruise missiles(LAM). At the moment, developments are underway on the LAM, in order to increase its flight range to 70 km. Despite the order to stop the entire program, work on NLOS - LS for the US Army is still ongoing.

The United Kingdom is currently implementing the Team Complex Weapons program, in which the first place is the development of the Fire Shadow winged ammunition, the supplier of which is MBDA. They seek to provide ground forces commanders with the ability to quickly capture and engage a target at greater distances and with greater accuracy.

A large number of countries are now focusing on fire control and munitions development rather than the firing platform itself.

Traditionally, fire operations are conducted at the battalion, battery or troop level, but many of the newly introduced self-propelled artillery systems are equipped with an on-board computerized fire control system, integrated with a ground navigation system, which would allow fire missions to be carried out autonomously.

This feature, combined with an automatic shell loading system, allows you to achieve high level rate of fire and the implementation of fire missions MRSI (simultaneous impact of multiple projectiles, "flurry of fire").

These systems come into action much faster, carry out a fire mission and also quickly withdraw to avoid retaliatory artillery fire.

They call combat vehicles, which are nothing more than an artillery piece mounted on a self-propelled chassis. In everyday life, they are sometimes called self-propelled guns or self-propelled guns. In this article, we will understand what self-propelled guns are, where they are used, how they are classified and how they differ from other types of weapons.

Summary

So what is SAU? In a broad sense, all combat vehicles that are armed with guns can be considered as self-propelled guns. However, in a narrow sense, only those vehicles that are armed with guns or howitzers, but are not tanks or armored vehicles, belong to self-propelled guns.

The types of ACS are diverse, as well as the scope of their application. They may have a wheeled or tracked chassis, be protected or not protected by armor, have a fixed or turret mounted main gun. Many self-propelled artillery installations of the world, equipped with a turret installation, outwardly resemble tanks. However, they differ significantly from tanks in terms of tactical use and armor-weapon balance.

The self-propelled artillery installation (SAU) began its history at about the same time as the first cannon armored vehicles, at the beginning of the 20th century. Moreover, from the point of view of modern military science, the former were more like an analogue of later self-propelled guns than tanks. In the middle and second half of the twentieth century, a period of rapid development of all kinds of self-propelled artillery installations began in the leading states.

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, thanks to an impressive leap in military science, self-propelled guns, according to many experts, began to claim superiority among other armored vehicles. Previously, it certainly belonged to the tanks. The role of self-propelled guns in the conditions of a modern military battle is growing every year.

The history of development

On the battlefield of the First World War, self-propelled units built on the basis of trucks, tractors or tracked chassis were used. Later, with the development of tanks, engineers realized that a tank base was best suited for mounting powerful artillery systems. Guns on unarmored chassis were also not forgotten, because they were famous for their great mobility.

In Russia, the first armored self-propelled guns were proposed by the son of D. I. Mendeleev - V. D. Mendeleev. During the First World War and the Civil War, 72-mm Lender guns built on the basis of the Russo-Balt truck were actively used. The cabins of some of them were even partially armored. In the 20s of the last century, the USSR, Germany and the USA were engaged in the development of self-propelled guns, but most of the projects were nothing more than surrogate installations.

When the Soviet Union and Germany began to actively develop their tank forces, it became possible to massively install artillery mounts on tank chassis. So, in the USSR, a prototype of the SU-14 self-propelled guns was created on the basis of the T-35 and T-28 tanks. In Germany, outdated Pz Kpfw I tanks were used to convert them to self-propelled guns.

Second World War required the use of all the resources of the participants. Germany massively produced self-propelled guns based on old and captured tanks. Based on their own machines, they made simpler and cheaper installations. The history included such German models: StuG III, and StuG IV, Hummel and Wespe, the Ferdinand self-propelled artillery mount (as the tank destroyers Hetzer and Elefant were called) and some others. Since the end of 1944, the production of self-propelled guns in Germany has exceeded the production of tanks in terms of volume.

The Red Army began to fight without mass-produced self-propelled artillery. The production of the only self-propelled howitzer SU-5 was stopped back in 1937. But already in July 1941, the ZiS-30 self-propelled guns of a surrogate type appeared. And the following year, assault guns of the SU-122 model rolled off the assembly line. Later, the famous SU-100 and ISU-152 appeared as a counterweight to German heavy armored vehicles.

The engineers of England and America concentrated their forces mainly on the production of self-propelled howitzers. So there were models: Sexton, Bishop, M12, and M7 Priest.

Due to the development of main battle tanks, the need to use assault guns has disappeared. systems, together with combat helicopters, can quite successfully replace anti-tank self-propelled guns. But howitzers and anti-aircraft installations are still developing.

With the development of ACS, the scope of their application grew, and the classification expanded. Consider the types of self-propelled artillery installations that appear in military science today.

As the name implies, these combat vehicles are specialized in the destruction of armored vehicles. As a rule, they are armed with long-barreled semi-automatic guns with a caliber of 57 to 100 mm with a unitary loading method, which makes it possible to achieve a high rate of fire. Heavy tank destroyers, designed to fight similar enemy vehicles and heavy tanks, can be armed with long-barreled guns with separate loading, the caliber of which reaches 155 mm. Installations of this class are ineffective against fortifications and infantry. They got a jump in development during the Second World War. Characteristic representatives of tank destroyers of that time are the Soviet self-propelled guns of the SU-100 model and the German Jagdpanther. Currently, installations of this class have given way to anti-tank missile systems and combat helicopters, which are much more effective in dealing with tanks.

Assault guns

They are armored vehicles for fire support of tanks and infantry. Self-propelled guns of this type are armed with large-caliber (105-203 mm) short-barreled or long-barreled guns, which easily hit fortified infantry positions. In addition, assault guns could be effectively used against tanks. This type of self-propelled guns, like the previous one, was actively developed during the Second World War. The StuG III, StuG H42, and Brummbar were prominent examples of German assault self-propelled guns. Among the Soviet machines distinguished: Su-122 and Su-152. After the war, the development of main battle tanks led to the fact that they began to be armed with large-caliber guns that could easily hit enemy fortifications and unarmored targets. Thus, the need to use assault guns disappeared.

Self-propelled howitzers

They are mobile guns for indirect fire. In fact, this is a self-propelled analogue of towed artillery. Such self-propelled guns were armed with artillery systems with a caliber from 75 to 406 millimeters. They had light anti-fragmentation armor, which protected only from counter-battery fire. From the very beginning of the development of self-propelled artillery, self-propelled howitzers also developed. guns large caliber together with high mobility and modern positioning systems make this type of weapon one of the most effective to this day.

Self-propelled howitzers with a caliber of more than 152 millimeters are especially widespread. They can strike the enemy with nuclear weapons, which makes it possible to destroy large objects and entire groups of troops with a small number of shots. During World War II, the German Wespe and Hummel vehicles, the American M7 (Priest) and M12 howitzers, as well as the British Sexton and Bishop self-propelled guns became famous. The USSR tried to establish the production of such machines (model Su-5) back in the 40s, centuries passed, but this attempt was unsuccessful. Today, the modern Russian army is armed with one of the best self-propelled howitzers in the world - 2S19 "Msta-S" with a caliber of 152 mm. In the armies of the NATO countries, its alternative is the 155-mm self-propelled guns "Paladin".

anti-tank

Self-propelled guns of this class are semi-open or open vehicles armed with anti-tank weapons. Usually they are built on the basis of lightly armored tank chassis, which are already outdated for their intended purpose. Such machines were distinguished by a good combination of price and efficiency and were produced in fairly large volumes. At the same time, they still lost in terms of combat characteristics to machines of a narrower specialization. A good example of anti-tank self-propelled guns of the Second World War are German car Marder II and domestic SU-76M. As a rule, such installations were armed with small- or medium-caliber guns. However, sometimes more powerful versions were also encountered, for example, the German Nashorn in 128 mm caliber. AT modern army such units are not used.

Anti-aircraft installations

These are specialized cannon and machine gun installations, the task of which is to defeat low-flying and medium-high aircraft, as well as enemy helicopters. Usually they were armed with small-caliber automatic guns(20-40 mm) and / or large-caliber machine guns (12.7-14.5 mm). An important element was the guidance system for high-speed targets. Sometimes they were additionally armed with surface-to-air missiles. In urban battles and in cases where you need to resist big mass infantry, anti-aircraft installations showed themselves as well as possible. During the Second World War, the German anti-aircraft installations Wirbelwind and Ostwind, as well as the Soviet ZSU-37, especially distinguished themselves. The modern Russian army is armed with two ZSU: 23-4 ("Shilka") and "Tunguska".

Surrogate

They are improvised combat vehicles designed on the basis of commercial or tractors. As a rule, surrogate self-propelled guns did not have reservations. Among domestic installations of this class, the 57-mm anti-tank self-propelled combat vehicle ZiS-30, built on the basis of the Komsomolets tracked artillery tractor, has become widespread. The most widely surrogate vehicles were used by Nazi Germany and fascist Italy due to the lack of other armored vehicles.

A typical Soviet self-propelled artillery mount successfully combined the functions of several classes at once. A clear example of this was the ISU-152 model. The Germans followed the strategy of creating highly specialized self-propelled guns. As a consequence, some German installations were the best in their classes.

Tactics of use

Having figured out what ACS are and what they are, let's find out how they are used in practice. The main task of a self-propelled artillery installation on the battlefield is to support other branches of the armed forces with artillery fire from closed positions. Due to the fact that self-propelled guns have high mobility, they can accompany tanks during breakthroughs through the enemy defense line, significantly increasing the combat capabilities of tank and motorized infantry troops.

High mobility also gives self-propelled artillery the ability to independently attack the enemy. To do this, all shooting parameters are calculated in advance. Then the self-propelled guns go to the firing position and, without zeroing in, conduct a massive attack on the enemy. After that, they quickly leave the firing line, and by the time the enemy calculates the place for a retaliatory strike, the positions will already be empty.

If enemy tanks and motorized infantry break through the line of defense, self-propelled artillery can act as a successful anti-tank weapon. To do this, some models of self-propelled guns receive special shells in their ammunition load.

In recent years, self-propelled artillery has been used to destroy snipers who hide in places that are inconvenient for attacking with other fire weapons.

Single self-propelled artillery mounts armed with nuclear projectiles can destroy large objects, fortified settlements, as well as places of accumulation of enemy troops. At the same time, nuclear self-propelled guns are almost impossible to intercept. At the same time, the radius of possible targets hit by artillery ammunition is less than that of aviation or tactical missiles, as well as the power of the explosion.

Layout

The most common self-propelled vehicles today are usually built on the basis of a tank chassis or lightly armored tracked vehicles. In both cases, the layout of components and assemblies is similar. Unlike tanks, the self-propelled gun turret is located in the rear armored corps and not in the average. So the process of supplying ammunition from the ground is greatly facilitated. The engine-transmission group, respectively, is located in the front and middle parts of the body. Due to the fact that the transmission is located in the bow, it is advisable that the front wheels be driven. However, in modern self-propelled guns there is a tendency to use rear-wheel drive.

The control compartment, which is also the workplace of the driver, is located near the gearbox in the center of the machine or closer to its port side. The motor is located between the driver's seat and the fighting compartment. The fighting compartment includes ammunition and devices for aiming guns.

In addition to the described option for the placement of components and assemblies, the ZSU can be assembled according to a tank model. Sometimes they even represent a tank at all, the standard turret of which has been replaced with a special turret with a rapid-fire gun and guidance equipment. Here we have learned what ACS is.