Changes to the Soviet tank destroyer branch. Sau USSR Strengths and weaknesses of the machine

In the early 1960s it became clear that armor-piercing caliber shells tank guns D-10T. The D-25 and M-62, which were armed with the medium tanks T-54 and T-55 and the heavy tanks T-10 and T-10M, cannot penetrate either the frontal armor, hull, or turret of the American M60 tank and the English Chieftain. ". To combat these tanks, work began in parallel in various directions: the creation of new sub-caliber and cumulative shells for old tank guns; new rifled and smooth-bore tank guns of 115-130 mm caliber; tank guided projectiles, etc. One of the elements of this program was the 152-mm self-propelled artillery unit SU-152 (object 120), development code ("Taran") ...

The artillery system for it was designed at the Design Bureau of Plant No. 172, and the chassis was designed at the Sverdlovsk Transport Engineering Plant (chief designer Efimov). A prototype of the SU-152 "Taran" self-propelled gun (object 120) was manufactured in 1965 and was a completely enclosed vehicle with a fighting compartment in the rear, and an engine and transmission in the bow. The chassis and power plant of the self-propelled gun are borrowed from the SU-152P.

The M-69 cannon with a monoblock barrel 9045 mm long (59.5 klb) is placed in a rotating turret at the rear of the self-propelled gun. Its horizontal guidance is carried out by turning the turret using an electric drive, and its vertical guidance is carried out by a hydraulic drive. The gun is equipped with an ejector mounted in the muzzle of the barrel: when fired, powder gases filled its receiver and then, when the pressure in it and in the barrel bore after the projectile was fired, rushed through inclined nozzles to the barrel, drawing out those gases that remained in the breech. The operating time of the ejector was regulated by ball valves in the filling channels of the receiver.

The bolt of the M-69 cannon is a semi-automatic horizontal wedge, loading is separate-case. Powder charges - full weight 10.7 kg, and reduced weight 3.5 kg. — located in metal or combustible cartridges. For armor-piercing tracer shells, a special charge weighing 9.8 kg was used.

The gun could fire high-explosive fragmentation shells weighing 43.5 kg, sub-caliber armor-piercing shells weighing 12.5 kg, as well as cumulative shells. For firing high-explosive fragmentation shells, two types of charges were used: full - weighing 10.7 kg, and reduced - weighing 3.5 kg. For an armor-piercing projectile, a special charge weighing 9.8 kg was used. Armor-piercing shells were capable of penetrating armor up to 295 mm thick from a distance of up to 3500 m. The direct shot range was 2050 m at a target height of 2 m and 2500 m at a target height of 3 m. To aim the gun at the target during daylight hours, the TSh-22 sight was used , in the dark - a periscope night sight. The total transportable ammunition of the self-propelled gun was 22 rounds. The additional weapons included a 14.5 mm machine gun, as well as 2 AK-47 and 20 hand grenades F-1.

The hull of the self-propelled gun was welded from rolled steel armor sheets and divided into three compartments: power (engine and transmission), control and combat compartments. The thickness of the frontal sheet of the hull was 30 mm. According to the tactical and technical requirements, the frontal armor of the hull and turret was supposed to protect the self-propelled guns from damage by armor-piercing shells of 57 mm caliber with an impact speed of 950 m/s.

The SU-152 Taran (object 120) was not accepted for service. The main reason for this was the creation of effective alternative anti-tank weapons - the 125-mm D-81 smoothbore gun and anti-tank guided missiles.

When creating the SU-152 Taran, the designers used many new and original engineering and technical solutions. Many of them came in handy later, in the 60s, when creating the next generation of self-propelled artillery.

Performance characteristics of the 152-mm self-propelled gun SU-152 Taran (Object 120)

Combat weight.t 27
Crew. people 4
Overall dimensions, mm:
case length 6870
width 3120
height 2820
Booking, mm:
body forehead 30
Armament 152 mm M-69 cannon
Ammunition 22 rounds
Engine V-54-105, 12-cylinder, V-shaped. 4-stroke liquid-cooled diesel, power 294 kW at 2000 rpm
Maximum speed on the highway, km/h 63.4
Cruising range on the highway, km 280

This publication attempts to analyze the anti-tank capabilities of Soviet self-propelled artillery systems (SPGs) available in the USSR during the Great Patriotic War. By the beginning of hostilities in June 1941, the Red Army had practically no self-propelled artillery units, although work on their creation had been carried out since the first half of the 30s. The self-propelled guns brought to the stage of serial production in the USSR were created on the basis of artillery systems with low ballistics and were considered as means of supporting infantry units. The first Soviet self-propelled guns were armed with 76-mm regimental guns of the 1927 model and 122-mm howitzers of the 1910/30 model.

The first Soviet production model of the self-propelled gun was the SU-12 on the chassis of a three-axle American Moreland TX6 truck with two drive axles. A pedestal installation with a 76-mm regimental gun was mounted on the Morland's cargo platform. Self-propelled cargo guns entered service in 1933 and were first demonstrated at a parade in 1934. Soon after the start of serial production of GAZ-AAA trucks in the USSR, assembly of the SU-1-12 self-propelled guns began on their basis. According to archival data, a total of 99 SU-12/SU-1-12 self-propelled guns were built. Of these, 48 are based on the Moreland truck and 51 are based on the Soviet GAZ-AAA truck.

SU-12 on parade

Initially, the SU-12 self-propelled guns did not have any armor protection at all, but soon a U-shaped armor shield was installed to protect the crew from bullets and shrapnel. The gun's ammunition load was 36 shrapnel and fragmentation grenades, armor-piercing shells were not provided. The rate of fire was 10-12 rounds/min. Mounting the gun on a truck platform made it possible to quickly and inexpensively create an improvised self-propelled gun. The gun mount had a firing sector of 270 degrees; fire from the gun could be fired either directly backward or along the side. It was also possible in principle to fire on the move, but this greatly reduced accuracy.

The mobility of the SU-12 when moving on good roads was significantly higher than that of 76-mm horse-drawn regimental guns. However, the first Soviet self-propelled gun had many shortcomings. The vulnerability of the artillery crew, partially covered by a 4-mm steel shield, when firing direct fire was very great. The maneuverability of a wheeled vehicle on soft soils left much to be desired and was seriously inferior to the horse-drawn teams of regimental and divisional artillery. The only way to pull out a wheeled self-propelled gun stuck in the mud was with a tractor. In this regard, it was decided to build self-propelled guns on tracked chassis, and production of the SU-12 was stopped in 1935.

The first Soviet self-propelled guns were successfully used in combat operations in the Far East against the Japanese in the late 30s and in the Winter War with Finland. All SU-12s available in the western part of the country were lost shortly after the German attack, without having an impact on the course of hostilities.

In the 20-30s, the creation of self-propelled guns based on trucks was a worldwide trend, and this experience in the USSR turned out to be useful. But if installing anti-aircraft guns on trucks made sense, then for self-propelled guns operating in close proximity to the enemy, the use of an unprotected vehicle chassis with limited maneuverability was certainly a dead-end solution.

In the pre-war period, a number of self-propelled guns based on light tanks were created in the Soviet Union. T-37A floating tankettes were considered as carriers of 45-mm anti-tank guns, but the matter was limited to the construction of two prototypes. It was possible to bring the SU-5-2 self-propelled gun with a 122-mm howitzer mod. 1910/30 based on the T-26 tank. SU-5-2 were produced in small series from 1936 to 1937, a total of 31 vehicles were built.

The ammunition load of the 122-mm self-propelled gun SU-5-2 was 4 shells and 6 charges. Pointing angles horizontally - 30°, vertically from 0° to +60°. The maximum initial speed of a fragmentation projectile is 335 m/s, the maximum firing range is 7680 m, the rate of fire is 5-6 rounds/min. The thickness of the frontal armor was 15 mm, the side and rear were 10 mm, that is, the armor protection was quite adequate to withstand bullets and shrapnel, but it was only available in the front and partially on the sides.

In general, the SU-5-2 had good combat qualities for its time, which was confirmed during the fighting at Lake Khasan. The reports of the command of the 2nd mechanized brigade of the Red Army noted:

“122-mm self-propelled guns provided great support to tanks and infantry, destroying barbed wire obstacles and enemy firing points.”

Due to their small numbers, the 76-mm SU-12 and 122-mm SU-5-2 did not have a noticeable impact on the course of hostilities in the initial period of the war. The anti-tank capabilities of the 76-mm SU-12 were low, with increased vulnerability of both the self-propelled gun itself and its crew to bullets and shrapnel. With an initial speed of 76 mm blunt-headed armor-piercing projectile BR-350A - 370 m/s at a distance of 500 meters when meeting at an angle of 90 °, it penetrated 30 mm armor, which made it possible to fight only light German tanks and armored vehicles. Before the advent of cumulative shells in the ammunition load of regimental guns, their anti-tank capabilities were very modest.

Despite the fact that the 122-mm howitzer did not have armor-piercing shells in its ammunition, firing high-explosive fragmentation grenades was often quite effective. Thus, with the weight of the 53-OF-462 projectile being 21.76 kg, it contained 3.67 kg of TNT, which in 1941, with a direct hit, was guaranteed to hit any German tank. When a shell exploded, heavy fragments were formed that could penetrate armor up to 20 mm thick within a radius of 2-3 meters. This was quite enough to destroy the armor of armored personnel carriers and light tanks, as well as disable the chassis, surveillance devices, sights and weapons. That is, with the correct tactics of use and the presence of a significant number of SU-5-2 in the troops, these self-propelled guns in the initial period of the war could fight not only with fortifications and infantry, but also with German tanks.

Before the war, the USSR had already created self-propelled guns with high anti-tank potential. In 1936, the SU-6, armed with 76 mm, was tested anti-aircraft gun 3-K on the chassis of the T-26 light tank. This vehicle was intended for anti-aircraft escort of motorized columns. It did not suit the military, since the entire crew did not fit in the artillery mount, and the installer of the remote tubes was forced to travel in an escort vehicle.

Not very successful as an anti-aircraft gun, the SU-6 self-propelled gun could become a very effective anti-tank weapon, operating from pre-prepared positions and from ambushes. The BR-361 armor-piercing projectile, fired from a 3-K gun at a distance of 1000 meters at an impact angle of 90°, penetrated 82 mm armor. In 1941-1942, the capabilities of the 76-mm SU-6 self-propelled gun allowed it to successfully fight any German tanks at real firing distances. If using sub-caliber shells, the armor penetration rates would be much higher. Unfortunately, the SU-6 never entered service as an anti-tank self-propelled artillery mount (PT SAU).

Many researchers classify the KV-2 tank as a heavy assault self-propelled gun. Formally, thanks to the presence of a rotating turret, the KV-2 is identified as a tank. But in fact, a combat vehicle armed with a unique 152-mm tank howitzer mod. 1938/40 (M-10T), in many respects it was a self-propelled gun. The M-10T howitzer was aimed vertically in the range from −3 to +18°; with the turret stationary, it could be aimed in a small horizontal sector, which was typical for self-propelled guns. The ammunition load was 36 rounds of separate cartridge loading.

The KV-2 was created based on the experience of fighting Finnish bunkers on the Mannerheim Line. The thickness of the frontal and side armor was 75 mm, and the thickness of the gun's armored mask was 110 mm, which made it low-vulnerable to anti-tank guns of 37-50 mm caliber. However, the high security of the KV-2 was often devalued by low technical reliability and poor training of driver mechanics.

With a V-2K diesel engine power of 500 hp, a 52-ton vehicle could theoretically accelerate to 34 km/h on the highway. In reality, the speed on a good road did not exceed 25 km/h. The tank moved over rough terrain at a walking speed of 5-7 km/h. Taking into account the fact that the KV-2’s cross-country ability on soft soils was not very good, and it was not easy to pull out a tank stuck in the mud, we had to choose the route of movement very carefully. Due to its excessive weight and dimensions, crossing water obstacles often became an insurmountable task; bridges and crossings did not hold up, and many KV-2s were simply abandoned during the retreat.

KV-2 captured by the enemy

On June 22, 1941, the KV-2's ammunition load contained only OF-530 high-explosive fragmentation grenades weighing 40 kg, containing about 6 kg of TNT. A hit by such a shell on any German tank in 1941 would inevitably turn it into a pile of flaming scrap metal. In practice, due to the impossibility of equipping the ammunition load with standard ammunition, all shells from the M-10 towed howitzer were used for firing. At the same time, the required number of gunpowder bundles was removed from the cartridge case. Cast iron fragmentation howitzer grenades, incendiary shells, old high-explosive grenades and even shrapnel, set to strike, were used. When firing at German tanks, concrete-piercing shells showed good results.

The M-10T gun had a whole set of shortcomings that devalued its effectiveness on the battlefield. Due to the unbalance of the tower, the standard electric motor could not always cope with its weight, which made rotation of the tower very difficult. Even with a small angle of inclination of the tank, the turret was often impossible to rotate. Due to excessive recoil, the gun could only be fired when the tank was completely stopped. The recoil of the gun could simply disable both the turret rotation mechanism and the engine-transmission group, and this despite the fact that firing from the M-10T tank was strictly prohibited when fully charged. The practical rate of fire with aiming adjustment was 2 rounds/min, which, combined with the low turret traverse speed and the relatively short direct shot range, reduced the anti-tank capabilities.

Due to all this, the combat effectiveness of a vehicle designed for offensive combat operations and the destruction of enemy fortifications when fired at direct fire from a distance of several hundred meters turned out to be low. However, most of the KV-2 was lost not in duels with German tanks, but as a result of damage from German artillery fire, attacks by dive bombers, engine, transmission and chassis breakdowns, and lack of fuel and lubricants. Shortly after the start of the war, production of the KV-2 was curtailed. In total, from January 1940 to July 1941, 204 vehicles were built.

During the initial period of the war, tank repair plants accumulated a significant number of damaged and faulty T-26 light tanks. various modifications. Often the tanks had damage to the turret or armament, which prevented their further use. Double-turret tanks with machine gun armament also demonstrated their complete inconsistency. Under these conditions, it seemed quite logical to convert tanks with faulty or outdated weapons into self-propelled guns. It is known that a number of vehicles with dismantled turrets were rearmed with 37 and 45 mm anti-tank guns with armor shields. According to archival documents, such self-propelled guns, for example, were available in the 124th Tank Brigade in October 1941, but no images of the vehicles have been preserved. In terms of firepower, improvised self-propelled guns were not superior to T-26 tanks with a 45-mm gun, but were inferior in terms of crew protection. But the advantage of such machines was much best review the battlefield, and even in the conditions of catastrophic losses in the first months of the war, any combat-ready armored vehicle was worth its weight in gold. With proper tactics of using 37 and 45 mm self-propelled guns in 1941, they could quite successfully fight enemy tanks.

In the fall of 1941, self-propelled guns armed with 76-mm KT guns were produced at the Leningrad Kirov plant on repaired T-26 chassis. This gun was a tank version of the 1927 model 76 mm regimental gun, with similar ballistics and ammunition. In different sources, these self-propelled guns were designated differently: T-26-SU, SU-T-26, but most often SU-76P or SU-26. The SU-26 gun had all-round fire, and the crew in front was covered with an armored shield.

Destroyed SU-26

Later versions, built in 1942, also had armor protection on the sides. According to archival data, 14 SU-26 self-propelled guns were built in Leningrad during the war, some of them survived until the blockade was broken. Of course, the anti-tank potential of these self-propelled guns was very weak, and they were used mainly for artillery support of tanks and infantry.

The first Soviet specialized tank destroyer was the ZIS-30, armed with a 57-mm anti-tank gun mod. 1941. Very often this gun is called ZIS-2, but this is not entirely correct. From the ZIS-2 PTO, the production of which was resumed in 1943, the 57-mm gun mod. 1941 differed in a number of details, although in general the design was the same. Anti-tank 57-mm guns had excellent armor penetration and at the beginning of the war were guaranteed to penetrate the frontal armor of any German tank.

The ZIS-30 tank destroyer was a lightweight anti-tank installation with an open weapon. The upper mount of the gun was mounted in the middle part on the body of the T-20 Komsomolets light tractor. The vertical aiming angles ranged from -5 to +25°, along the horizon - in the 30° sector. The practical rate of fire reached 20 rounds/min. The crew, consisting of 5 people, was protected from bullets and shrapnel in battle only by a gun shield. The gun could only be fired from a standing position. Due to the high center of gravity and strong recoil, in order to avoid capsizing, it was necessary to fold back the openers in the rear of the self-propelled gun. For self-defense, the self-propelled gun had a 7.62-mm DT machine gun, inherited from the Komsomolets tractor.

Serial production of the ZIS-30 self-propelled gun began at the end of September 1941 at the Nizhny Novgorod Machine-Building Plant and lasted only about a month. During this time, it was possible to build 101 self-propelled guns. By official version production of the ZIS-30 was discontinued due to the lack of Komsomolets tractors, but even if this was so, what prevented the installation of very effective anti-tank 57-mm guns on the chassis of light tanks?

The most likely reason for curtailing the construction of the 57-mm tank destroyer was, most likely, difficulties with the production of gun barrels. The percentage of defects in the manufacture of barrels reached completely indecent values, and it was not possible to correct this situation on the existing machine park, despite the efforts of the manufacturing plant’s workforce. It is this, and not the “excess power” of 57-mm anti-tank guns, that explains their low production volumes in 1941 and the subsequent abandonment of serial construction. Gorky Artillery Plant No. 92, and V.G. himself. The grab turned out to be simpler, based on the design of the 57-mm gun mod. 1941, to establish production of a divisional 76-mm gun, which became widely known as the ZIS-3. At the time of its creation, the 76-mm divisional gun of the 1942 model (ZIS-3) had quite acceptable armor penetration, while possessing a more powerful high-explosive fragmentation projectile. Subsequently, this weapon became widespread and was popular among the troops. The ZIS-3 was in service not only with divisional artillery; specially modified guns were used by anti-tank fighter units and installed on self-propelled artillery mounts. Subsequently, the production of the 57-mm anti-tank gun, after making some changes to the design, under the name ZIS-2, was resumed in 1943. This became possible after receiving a perfect machine park from the USA, which made it possible to solve the problem with the manufacture of barrels.

As for the ZIS-30 self-propelled gun, this self-propelled gun initially performed well in conditions of an acute shortage of anti-tank weapons. Artillerymen, who had previously dealt with 45-mm anti-tank guns, especially liked the high armor penetration and direct shot range. During combat use, the self-propelled gun revealed a number of serious shortcomings: overloaded chassis, insufficient power reserve, small ammunition capacity and a tendency to tip over. However, all this was quite predictable, since the ZIS-30 self-propelled gun was a typical ersatz - a wartime model created in a hurry from what was at hand, little suitable friend for a friend of the chassis and artillery unit. By mid-1942, almost all ZIS-30s were lost during the fighting. However, they turned out to be very useful tool fight against German tanks. Self-propelled guns ZIS-30 were in service with anti-tank batteries tank brigades Western and Southwestern Fronts and took an active part in the defense of Moscow.

After stabilization of the situation at the front and a number of successful offensive operations of the Red Army, an urgent need arose for self-propelled guns for artillery support. Unlike tanks, self-propelled guns were not supposed to directly participate in the attack. Moving at a distance of 500-600 meters from the advancing troops, they suppressed firing points with the fire of their guns, destroyed fortifications and destroyed enemy infantry. That is, a typical “artillery attack” was required, to use the enemy’s terminology. This placed different demands on self-propelled guns compared to tanks. The security of self-propelled guns could have been less, but it was preferable to increase the caliber of the guns, and, as a consequence, the power of the projectiles.

In late autumn 1942, production of the SU-76 began. This self-propelled gun was created on the basis of the T-60 and T-70 light tanks using a number of automotive units and is armed with a 76-mm ZIS-ZSh gun (Sh - assault) - a version of the divisional gun specially developed for self-propelled guns. The vertical aiming angles ranged from -3 to +25°, along the horizon - in the 15° sector. The elevation angle of the gun made it possible to reach the firing range of the ZIS-3 divisional gun, that is, 13 km. The ammunition load was 60 shells. The thickness of the frontal armor - 26-35 mm, side and stern -10-15 mm made it possible to protect the crew (4 people) from small arms fire and fragments. On first serial modification there was also an armored 7 mm roof.

The SU-76 power plant was a pair of two GAZ-202 automobile engines with a total power of 140 hp. According to the designers, this was supposed to reduce the cost of production of self-propelled guns, but caused massive complaints from the active army. The power plant was very difficult to control; non-synchronous operation of the engines caused strong torsional vibrations, which led to rapid failure of the transmission.

The first 25 SU-76s produced were sent to a training self-propelled artillery regiment in January 1943. A month later, the first two self-propelled artillery regiments (SAP) formed on the SU-76 went to the Volkhov Front and took part in breaking the siege of Leningrad. During combat operations, self-propelled guns demonstrated good mobility and maneuverability. The firepower of the guns made it possible to effectively destroy light field fortifications and destroy concentrations of enemy manpower. But at the same time, there was a massive failure of transmission elements and engines. This led to the stop of mass production after the production of 320 cars. Refinement of the engine-transmission compartment did not lead to a fundamental change in the design. To increase reliability, it was decided to strengthen its elements in order to increase reliability and increase service life. Subsequently, the power of the twin propulsion system was increased to 170 hp. In addition, the armored roof of the fighting compartment was abandoned, which made it possible to reduce the weight from 11.2 to 10.5 tons and improved the crew’s working conditions and visibility. IN stowed position To protect from road dust and precipitation, the fighting compartment was covered with a tarpaulin. This version of the self-propelled gun, designated SU-76M, managed to take part in the Battle of Kursk. The understanding that a self-propelled gun is not a tank did not come to many commanders right away. Attempts to use the SU-76M with bulletproof armor in frontal attacks on well-fortified enemy positions inevitably led to heavy losses. It was then that this self-propelled gun earned unflattering nicknames among front-line soldiers: “bitch”, “naked-ass Ferdinand” and “mass grave of the crew”. However, when used correctly, the SU-76M performed well. In defense, they repelled infantry attacks and were used as a protected mobile anti-tank reserve. During the offensive, self-propelled guns suppressed machine gun nests, destroyed pillboxes and bunkers, made passages in wire barriers with gun fire, and also, if necessary, fought counterattacking tanks.

In the second half of the war, a 76-mm armor-piercing projectile could no longer reliably hit German Pz medium tanks. IV late modifications and heavy Pz. V "Panther" and Pz. VI "Tiger", and firing cumulative shells used in regimental guns was strictly prohibited for divisional and tank guns due to the unreliable operation of the fuses and the possibility of explosion in the barrel. This problem was resolved after the introduction of the 53-UBR-354P round with the 53-BR-350P sub-caliber projectile into the ammunition load. Sub-caliber projectile at a distance of 500 meters it penetrated 90 mm armor along the normal line, which made it possible to confidently hit the frontal armor of the German “fours”, as well as the sides of the “Tigers” and “Panthers”. Of course, the SU-76M was not suitable for duels with enemy tanks and anti-tank self-propelled guns, which, starting in 1943, were routinely armed with long-barreled guns with high ballistics. But when operating from ambushes, various types of shelters and in street battles, the chances were good. Good mobility and high maneuverability on soft soils also played a role. Proper use of camouflage taking into account the terrain, as well as maneuvering from one shelter dug in the ground to another, often made it possible to achieve victory even over heavy enemy tanks. The demand for the SU-76M as a universal means of artillery support for infantry and tank units is confirmed by the huge circulation of 14,292 vehicles built.

At the very end of the war, the role of 76-mm self-propelled guns as a means of combating enemy armored vehicles decreased. By that time, our troops were already quite saturated with specialized anti-tank guns and tank destroyers, and enemy tanks had become a rarity. During this period, the SU-76M was used exclusively for its intended purpose, and also as an armored personnel carrier for transporting infantry, evacuating the wounded, and as a forward artillery observer vehicle.

At the beginning of 1943, based on captured German tanks Pz. Kpfw III and StuG III self-propelled guns, production of the SU-76I self-propelled gun began. In terms of security, with almost identical weapon characteristics, they were significantly superior to the SU-76. The thickness of the frontal armor of captured vehicles, depending on the modification, was 30-60 mm. The conning tower forehead and sides were protected by 30 mm armor, the roof thickness was 10 mm. The cabin had the shape of a truncated pyramid with rational angles of inclination of the armor plates, which increased armor resistance. Some of the vehicles intended for use as command vehicles were equipped with a powerful radio station and commander's turrets with entrance hatch from Pz. Kpfw III.

Komandirskaya SU-76I

Initially, the self-propelled guns, created on the basis of trophies, were planned to be armed, by analogy with the SU-76, with a 76.2 mm ZIS-3Sh cannon. But in the case of using this weapon, reliable protection of the gun embrasure from bullets and shrapnel was not provided, since when lifting and turning the gun, cracks invariably formed in the shield. In this case, the special self-propelled 76.2 mm S-1 gun came in handy. Previously, it was created on the basis of the F-34 tank, specifically for light experimental self-propelled guns of the Gorky Automobile Plant. The gun's vertical aiming angles range from -5 to 15°, horizontally - in a sector of ±10°. The ammunition load was 98 shells. On command vehicles, due to the use of a more bulky and powerful radio station, the ammunition load was reduced.

Production of the vehicle lasted from March to November 1943. The SU-76I, built in a quantity of about 200 copies, despite its better protection compared to the SU-76, was not well suited to the role of a light tank destroyer. The practical rate of fire of the gun was no more than 5 - 6 rounds/min. And in terms of armor penetration characteristics, the S-1 gun was completely identical to the F-34 tank. However, several cases of successful use of the SU-76I against medium German tanks. The first vehicles began to enter service with the troops in May 1943, that is, several months later than the SU-76, but unlike Soviet self-propelled guns, they did not cause any particular complaints. The troops loved the SU-76I; self-propelled gunners noted its high reliability compared to the SU-76, ease of control and abundance of observation devices. In addition, in terms of mobility on rough terrain, the self-propelled gun was practically not inferior to T-34 tanks, surpassing them in speed by good roads. Despite the presence of an armored roof, the crews liked the relative space inside the fighting compartment compared to other Soviet self-propelled artillery mounts; the commander, gunner and loader were not too cramped in the conning tower. The difficulty of starting the engine in severe frost was noted as a significant drawback.

Self-propelled artillery regiments armed with the SU-76I received their baptism of fire during the Battle of Kursk, where they generally performed well. In July 1943, based on experience in combat use, an armored reflective shield was installed on the mantlet of the SU-76I gun to prevent the gun from being jammed by bullets and fragments. To increase the cruising range, the SU-76I was equipped with two external gas tanks mounted on easily removable brackets along the stern.

Self-propelled guns SU-76I were actively used during the Belgorod-Kharkov operation, while many vehicles that received combat damage were restored several times. The SU-76I was used in the active army until mid-1944, after which the vehicles that survived the battles were written off due to extreme wear and tear and lack of spare parts.

In addition to 76-mm guns, they tried to install a 122-mm M-30 howitzer on captured chassis. It is known about the construction of several vehicles under the name SG-122 “Artshturm” or SG-122A for short. This self-propelled gun was created on the basis of the StuG III Ausf assault gun. C or Ausf. D. It is known that 10 self-propelled guns were ordered in September 1942, but information about whether this order was fully completed has not been preserved.

The 122-mm M-30 howitzer could not be installed in a standard German conning tower. The Soviet-made conning tower was significantly higher. The thickness of the front armor of the cabin is 45 mm, the sides are 35 mm, the stern is 25 mm, the roof is 20 mm. The vehicle was not very successful; experts noted that the front rollers were overloaded and the fighting compartment was highly polluted during firing. Self-propelled guns on a captured chassis after installing an armored cabin Soviet made turned out to be cramped and had weaker armor than the German StuG III. The lack of good sighting devices and observation devices at that time also had a negative impact on the combat characteristics of self-propelled guns. It can be noted that in addition to the conversion of trophies, the Red Army in 1942-1943 used a lot of captured German armored vehicles in an unchanged form. Thus, on the Kursk Bulge, captured SU-75 (StuG III) and Marder III fought alongside the T-34.

The SU-122 self-propelled gun, built on a chassis, turned out to be more viable Soviet tank T-34. The total number of parts borrowed from the tank was 75%, the remaining parts were new, specially manufactured for the self-propelled gun. In many ways, the appearance of the SU-122 is associated with the experience of operating captured German “artillery assault” aircraft in the army. Assault guns were significantly cheaper than tanks; spacious conning towers made it possible to install guns larger caliber. The use of the 122-mm M-30 howitzer as a weapon promised a number of significant benefits. This weapon could easily be placed in the conning tower of a self-propelled gun, which was confirmed by the experience of creating the SG-122A. Compared to a 76-mm projectile, a howitzer 122-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectile had a significantly greater destructive effect. The 122-mm projectile, weighing 21.76 kg, contained 3.67 explosives, versus 6.2 kg of a “three-inch” projectile with 710 gr. explosive. One shot of a 122 mm gun could achieve more than several shots of a 76 mm gun. The powerful high-explosive effect of the 122-mm projectile made it possible to destroy not only wooden-earth fortifications, but also concrete pillboxes or strong brick buildings. HEAT shells could also be successfully used to destroy highly protected fortifications.

The SU-122 self-propelled gun was not born out of nowhere; at the end of 1941, the concept of a turretless tank was proposed with full preservation of the T-34 chassis, armed with a 76-mm cannon. The weight savings achieved by eliminating the turret made it possible to increase the thickness of the frontal armor to 75 mm. Manufacturing labor intensity was reduced by 25%. Subsequently, these developments were used to create a 122-mm self-propelled gun.

In terms of security, the SU-122 was practically no different from the T-34. The self-propelled gun was armed with a tank modification of the 122-mm divisional howitzer mod. 1938 - M-30S, retaining a number of features of the towed gun. Thus, the placement of controls for aiming mechanisms on opposite sides of the barrel required two gunners in the crew, which, of course, did not add free space in the self-propelled gun. The range of elevation angles was from −3° to +25°, the horizontal firing sector was ±10°. The maximum firing range is 8000 meters. Rate of fire - 2-3 rounds/min. Ammunition capacity from 32 to 40 rounds of separate cartridge loading, depending on the production series. These were mainly high-explosive fragmentation shells.

The need for such vehicles at the front was enormous, despite a number of criticisms identified during testing, the self-propelled gun was adopted for service. First Regiment self-propelled guns SU-122 was formed at the end of 1942. 122-mm self-propelled guns appeared at the front in February 1943 and were received with great enthusiasm. Combat tests self-propelled guns were tested in early February 1943 in order to test their use tactics. The most successful option is considered to be the use of the SU-122 to support advancing infantry and tanks, being behind them at a distance of 400-600 meters. During the breakthrough of enemy defenses, self-propelled guns suppressed enemy firing points with fire from their guns, destroyed obstacles and barriers, and also repelled counterattacks.

When a 122-mm high-explosive fragmentation shell hit a medium tank, as a rule, it was destroyed or disabled. According to reports German tank crews who took part in the battle of Kursk, they repeatedly recorded cases of serious damage to heavy tanks Pz. VI "Tiger" as a result of shelling with 122-mm howitzer shells.

Here is what Major Gomilla, commander III, writes about this. Abteilung/Panzer Regiment of the Panzer Division Grossdeutschland:

"...Hauptmann von Williborn, commander of the 10th company, was seriously wounded during the battle. His Tiger received a total of eight hits from 122 mm shells from assault guns based on the T-34 tank. One shell penetrated the side armor of the hull. The turret was hit by six shells, three of which made only small dents in the armor, the other two cracked the armor and broke off small pieces of it. The sixth shell broke off a huge piece of armor (the size of two palms), which flew into the fighting compartment of the tank. The electrical circuit for the gun's electric trigger failed, and the surveillance devices were broken or knocked out of their mounting positions. The weld on the tower came apart and a half-meter crack formed, which could not be repaired by the field repair crew.”

In general, assessing the anti-tank capabilities of the SU-122, we can state that they were very weak. This, in fact, ultimately served as one of the main reasons for the removal of the self-propelled guns from production. Despite the presence in the ammunition load of BP-460A cumulative shells weighing 13.4 kg, with armor penetration of 175 mm, it was only possible to hit a moving tank with the first shot from an ambush or in battle conditions in a populated area. A total of 638 vehicles were built, production of the SU-122 self-propelled gun was completed in the summer of 1943. However, several self-propelled guns of this type survived until the end of hostilities, taking part in the assault on Berlin.

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The branch of upgraded tank destroyers in the USSR will be subject to serious changes. In particular, there is a new TOP in the game: Object 268 4 option. Consequently, the rest of the equipment moves down, which leads to changes in some technical parameters. In addition, the weak and unplayable SU-101M1 will completely disappear from the branch. Let's figure out what awaits us.

Level 9: Object 263. The vehicle moves downwards, accordingly the following changes are expected: description, tactical and technical characteristics, weapons (a 122-mm M62-C2 gun is installed).

Level 8: SU-122-54. The vehicle description and weapons also change here. In particular, the PT is losing its 100mm D54s gun.

Level 7: SU-101. The vehicle is also expected to change its performance characteristics and description of the equipment in the hangar. In addition, the PT loses two guns at once: the 122-mm D-25S model of 1944, and the 122-mm M62-S2. Instead, more suitable weapons will be added.

Removed from the game; no change is expected for vehicles below level seven.

Why is this being done? The main goal of the developers: to optimize this branch of Soviet tanks to the current requirements of the game in order to make the gameplay more balanced and rich. Moreover, the introduction of a new tank into the game should arouse interest among tankers in this unpopular branch of development. PTs with a stern turret require certain gaming skills, so many people prefer to take the easier route.

Here's the news today:

The artillery units of the Eastern Military District (EMD) received a batch of 203-mm Pion self-propelled artillery systems.

The head of the district's press service, Colonel Alexander Gordeev, told Interfax-AVN on Thursday. »Today, the Pion self-propelled gun is considered the most powerful self-propelled artillery unit in the world. Its main armament is a 203-mm cannon, weighing more than 14 tons. It is located at the rear of the installation. The gun is equipped with a semi-automatic hydraulic loading system, which allows this process to be carried out at any barrel elevation angle,” said A. Gordeev.

He noted that when developing the chassis of the installation, components and assemblies of the T-80 tank were used. “The self-propelled gun has an individual torsion bar suspension,” the officer specified.

Let's learn more about this weapon:

On August 29, 1949, the first Soviet atomic bomb was tested: both warring factions began to possess nuclear weapons. With both sides of the conflict building up strategic nuclear weapons It became obvious that all-out nuclear war was unlikely and pointless. The theory of “limited nuclear war» with limited use of tactical nuclear weapons. In the early 1950s, the leaders of the warring parties faced the problem of delivering these weapons. The main delivery vehicles were the B-29 strategic bombers, on the one hand, and the Tu-4, on the other; they could not effectively strike at the advanced positions of enemy troops. The most suitable means were considered to be corps and divisional artillery systems, tactical missile systems and recoilless rifles.

The first Soviet artillery systems armed with nuclear ammunition were the 2B1 self-propelled mortar and self-propelled gun 2A3, however, these systems were bulky and could not meet the requirements for high mobility. With the beginning of the rapid development of rocket technology in the USSR, work on most samples of classical artillery, on the orders of N. S. Khrushchev, was stopped.

Photo 3.

After Khrushchev was removed from the post of First Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, work on artillery topics was resumed. By the spring of 1967, a preliminary design of a new heavy-duty self-propelled artillery mount (SAU) based on the Object 434 tank and a full-size wooden model had been completed. The project was a self-propelled gun closed type with a cutting installation for a tool designed by OKB-2. I received the layout negative reviews from representatives of the Ministry of Defense, however, the proposal to create self-propelled guns of special power interested the USSR Ministry of Defense, and on December 16, 1967, by order No. 801 of the Ministry of Defense Industry, research work was begun to determine the appearance and basic characteristics new self-propelled guns. The main requirement put forward for the new self-propelled guns was the maximum firing range - at least 25 km. The selection of the optimal caliber of the gun, as directed by the GRAU, was carried out by the M. I. Kalinin Artillery Academy. During the work, various existing and developed artillery systems were examined. The main ones were the 210 mm S-72 gun, the 180 mm S-23 gun and the 180 mm MU-1 coastal gun. According to the conclusion of the Leningrad Artillery Academy, the ballistic solution of the 210-mm S-72 gun was considered the most suitable. However, despite this, the Barrikady plant, to ensure continuity of manufacturing technologies for the already developed B-4 and B-4M guns, proposed reducing the caliber from 210 to 203 mm. This proposal was approved by GRAU.

Simultaneously with the choice of caliber, work was carried out on the selection of the chassis and layout for the future self-propelled guns. One of the options was the chassis of the MT-T multi-purpose tractor, based on the T-64A tank. This option received the designation “Object 429A”. An option based on heavy tank T-10, designated "216.sp1". Based on the results of the work, it turned out that an open installation of the gun would be optimal, while none of the existing types chassis, due to high strength recoil resistance of 135 tf when firing. Therefore, it was decided to develop a new chassis with the maximum possible unification of components with the tanks in service with the USSR. The resulting developments formed the basis of the development work under the name “Peony” (GRAU index - 2S7). "Peony" was supposed to enter service with reserve artillery divisions Supreme High Command to replace 203 mm towed howitzers B-4 and B-4M.

Photo 4.

Officially, work on a new self-propelled gun of special power was approved on July 8, 1970 by Resolution of the CPSU Central Committee and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 427-161. 2S7 was appointed head developer Kirov plant, the 2A44 cannon was designed at OKB-3 of the Volgograd Barrikady plant. On March 1, 1971, tactical and technical requirements for new self-propelled gun. According to the assignment, the 2S7 self-propelled gun was supposed to provide a non-ricochet firing range from 8.5 to 35 km with a high-explosive fragmentation projectile weighing 110 kg, while it was supposed to be able to fire a 3VB2 nuclear shot intended for the 203-mm B-4M howitzer. The speed on the highway had to be at least 50 km/h.

The new chassis with a stern mounted gun was designated “216.sp2”. In the period from 1973 to 1974, two prototypes of the 2S7 self-propelled guns were manufactured and sent for testing. The first sample underwent sea trials at the Strugi Krasnye training ground. The second sample was tested by fire, but could not meet the requirements for firing range. The problem was solved by selecting the optimal composition of the powder charge and the type of shot. In 1975, the Pion system was put into service Soviet army. In 1977, at the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Technical Physics, nuclear ammunition was developed and entered into service for the 2S7 self-propelled gun.

Photo 5.

Serial production of the 2S7 self-propelled guns began in 1975 at the Leningrad Kirov Plant. The 2A44 gun was produced by the Volgograd Barricades plant. Production of the 2S7 continued until the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1990, the last batch of 66 2S7M vehicles was transferred to the Soviet troops. In 1990, the cost of one 2S7 self-propelled artillery mount was 521,527 rubles. Over 16 years of production, more than 500 units of 2S7 of various modifications were produced.

In the 1980s, there was a need to modernize the 2S7 self-propelled guns. Therefore, development work was started under the code “Malka” (GRAU index - 2S7M). First of all, the question was raised about replacing the power plant, since the V-46-1 engine did not have sufficient power and reliability. For the Malka, the V-84B engine was created, which differed from that used in the T-72 tank in the features of the engine layout in the engine-transmission compartment. With the new engine, the self-propelled gun could be refueled not only with diesel fuel, but also with kerosene and gasoline.

Photo 6.

The chassis of the car was also modernized. In February 1985, self-propelled guns with a new power plant and modernized chassis passed the tests. As a result of the modernization, the service life of the self-propelled guns was increased to 8,000-10,000 km. To receive and display information from the senior battery officer's vehicle, the gunner's and commander's positions were equipped with digital indicators with automatic data reception, which reduced the time it took to transfer the vehicle from the traveling to the combat position and back. Thanks to the modified design of the stowage, the transportable ammunition load was increased to 8 rounds. The new loading mechanism made it possible to load the gun at any vertical pumping angle. Thus, the rate of fire was increased by 1.6 times (up to 2.5 rounds per minute), and the fire mode - by 1.25 times. To monitor important subsystems, regulatory monitoring equipment was installed in the vehicle, which continuously monitored weapons components, the engine, the hydraulic system and power units. Serial production of the 2S7M self-propelled gun began in 1986. In addition, the crew of the vehicle was reduced to 6 people.

At the end of the 1970s, based on the 2A44 cannon, a project for a naval artillery installation under the code “Pion-M” was developed. The theoretical mass of the artillery mount without ammunition was 65-70 tons. The ammunition load was supposed to be 75 rounds, and the rate of fire was up to 1.5 rounds per minute. The Pion-M artillery mount was supposed to be installed on Project 956 ships of the Sovremenny type. However, due to the fundamental disagreement of the Navy leadership with the use of large caliber, work on the Pion-M artillery mount did not progress beyond the project.

Photo 7.

Armored Corps

The 2S7 “Pion” self-propelled gun is made according to a turretless design with an open installation of the gun in the rear of the self-propelled gun. The crew consists of 7 (in the modernized version 6) people. During the march, all crew members are placed in the self-propelled gun hull. The body is divided into four compartments. In the front part there is a control compartment with a seat for the commander, driver and a place for one of the crew members. Behind the control compartment is the engine and transmission compartment with the engine. Behind the engine-transmission compartment there is a crew compartment, in which there are stowages with shells, a place for a traveling gunner and places for 3 (in the modernized version 2) members of the crew. In the aft compartment there is a folding opener plate and a self-propelled gun. The 2S7 body is made of two-layer bulletproof armor with the thickness of the outer sheets being 13 mm and the inner sheets being 8 mm thick. The crew, being inside the self-propelled guns, is protected from the consequences of the use of weapons of mass destruction. The housing weakens the effect of penetrating radiation three times. Loading of the main gun during self-propelled gun operation is carried out from the ground or from a truck using a special lifting mechanism installed on the platform on the right side relative to the main gun. The loader is located to the left of the gun, controlling the process using the control panel.

Photo 8.

Armament

The main armament is the 203-mm 2A44 cannon, which has a maximum rate of fire of 1.5 rounds per minute (up to 2.5 rounds per minute on the modernized version). The gun barrel is a free tube connected to the breech. A piston valve is located in the breech. The gun barrel and recoil devices are placed in the cradle of the swinging part. The swinging part is fixed to the upper machine, which is mounted on an axis and secured with bastings. Recoil devices consist of a hydraulic recoil brake and two pneumatic knurling devices located symmetrically relative to the barrel bore. This scheme of recoil devices allows you to reliably hold the recoil parts of the gun in the extreme position before firing a shot at any angle of vertical pointing of the gun. The recoil length when fired reaches 1400 mm. Sector-type lifting and rotating mechanisms provide gun guidance in the angle range from 0 to +60 degrees. vertically and from -15 to +15 degrees. along the horizon. Guidance can be carried out either by hydraulic drives powered by pumping station SAU 2S7, and with the help of manual drives. The pneumatic balancing mechanism serves to compensate for the moment of imbalance of the swinging part of the implement. To facilitate the work of crew members, the self-propelled gun is equipped with a loading mechanism that ensures that shots are fed to the loading line and delivered to the gun chamber.

A folding base plate, located at the rear of the hull, transfers the force of the shot to the ground, providing greater stability of the self-propelled gun. With charge No. 3, the Peony could fire directly without installing a coulter. The transportable ammunition of the Pion self-propelled gun is 4 rounds (8 for the modernized version), attached to the self-propelled gun transport vehicle The main ammunition load of 40 rounds is carried. The main ammunition includes 3OF43 high-explosive fragmentation shells; in addition, 3-O-14 cluster shells, concrete-piercing and nuclear ammunition can be used. Additionally, the 2S7 self-propelled gun is equipped with a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun NSVT and portable anti-aircraft missile systems 9K32 "Strela-2".

Photo 9.

To aim the gun, the gunner's position is equipped with a PG-1M artillery panoramic sight for firing from indirect firing positions and an OP4M-99A direct fire sight for firing at observed targets. To monitor the terrain, the control department is equipped with seven prismatic periscopic observation devices TNPO-160, two more TNPO-160 devices are installed in the hatch covers of the crew compartment. To operate at night, some of the TNPO-160 devices can be replaced by TVNE-4B night vision devices.

External radio communication is supported by the R-123M radio station. The radio station operates in the VHF range and provides stable communication with similar stations at a distance of up to 28 km, depending on the height of the antenna of both radio stations. Negotiations between crew members are carried out through intercom equipment 1B116.

Photo 10.

Engine and transmission

The power plant in the 2S7 was a V-shaped 12-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine V-46-1 liquid-cooled supercharged with a power of 780 hp. The V-46-1 diesel engine was created on the basis of the V-46 engine installed on T-72 tanks. Distinctive features of the B-46-1 were minor layout changes associated with its adaptation for installation in the engine compartment of the 2S7 self-propelled gun. The main difference was the changed location of the power take-off shaft. To make it easier to start the engine winter conditions A heating system is installed in the engine-transmission compartment, developed on the basis of a similar system of the T-10M heavy tank. During the modernization of the 2S7M self-propelled guns, the power plant was replaced with a V-84B multi-fuel diesel engine with a power of 840 hp. The transmission is mechanical, with hydraulic control and a planetary rotation mechanism. Has seven forward and one reverse gears. The engine torque is transmitted through a bevel gearbox with a gear ratio of 0.682 to two onboard gearboxes.

Photo 11.

The 2S7 chassis is based on the main T-80 tank and consists of seven pairs of double rubber-coated road wheels and six pairs of single support rollers. There are guide wheels at the rear of the machine and drive wheels at the front. In the combat position, the guide wheels are lowered to the ground to give the self-propelled gun greater resistance to loads when firing. Lowering and raising is carried out using two hydraulic cylinders attached to the axles of the wheels. Suspension 2S7 - individual torsion bar with hydraulic shock absorbers.

Photo 12.

Special equipment

The preparation of the firing position was carried out using a coulter in the rear of the self-propelled gun. Raising and lowering the opener was carried out using two hydraulic jacks. Additionally, the 2S7 self-propelled gun was equipped with a 9R4-6U2 diesel generator with a power of 24 hp. The diesel generator was designed to ensure the operation of the main pump of the hydraulic system of the self-propelled gun during parking, when the vehicle engine was turned off.

Vehicles based

In 1969, at the Tula NIEMI, by decree of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated May 27, 1969, work began on the creation of a new front-line S-300V anti-aircraft missile system. Research carried out at NIEMI together with the Leningrad VNII-100 showed that there was no chassis suitable in terms of load capacity, internal dimensions and cross-country ability. Therefore, KB-3 of the Leningrad Kirov Plant was given the task of developing a new unified tracked chassis. The following requirements were imposed on the development: full mass- no more than 48 tons, load capacity - 20 tons, ensuring the operation of equipment and crew in conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction, high maneuverability and maneuverability. The chassis was designed almost simultaneously with the 2S7 self-propelled gun and was maximally unified with it. The main differences include the rear location of the engine-transmission compartment and the drive wheels of the tracked propulsion unit. As a result of the work carried out, the following modifications of the universal chassis were created.

- “Object 830” - for self-propelled launcher 9A83;
- “Object 831” - for the 9A82 self-propelled launcher;
-“Object 832” - for radar station 9S15;
- “Object 833” - in the basic version: for the multi-channel missile guidance station 9S32; in version "833-01" - for the 9S19 radar station;
-“Object 834” - for command post 9S457;
- “Object 835” - for launch-loading installations 9A84 and 9A85.
The production of prototypes of the universal chassis was carried out by the Leningrad Kirov Plant. Serial production was transferred to the Lipetsk Tractor Plant.
In 1997, by order of the Engineering Troops of the Russian Federation, a high-speed trench vehicle BTM-4M “Tundra” was developed for making trenches and digging in frozen soil.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, funding for the armed forces in Russia sharply decreased, and military equipment practically ceased to be purchased. Under these conditions, a conversion program was carried out at the Kirov plant military equipment, within the framework of which civil engineering vehicles were developed and began to be produced on the basis of the 2S7 self-propelled guns. In 1994, the highly mobile crane SGK-80 was developed, and four years later its modernized version, the SGK-80R, appeared. The cranes weighed 65 tons and had a lifting capacity of up to 80 tons. In 2004, by order of the Department of Traffic Safety and Ecology of the Ministry of Railways of Russia, self-propelled tracked vehicles SM-100 were developed, designed to eliminate the consequences of rolling stock derailments, as well as to carry out emergency rescue operations after natural and man-made disasters.

Photo 13.

Combat use

During operation in the Soviet army, self-propelled guns "Pion" were never used in any armed conflict, but were intensively used in high-power artillery brigades of the GSVG. After the signing of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, all self-propelled guns "Pion" and "Malka" were withdrawn from the Armed Forces Russian Federation and redeployed to the Eastern Military District. The only episode of combat use of 2S7 self-propelled guns was the war in South Ossetia, where the Georgian side of the conflict used a battery of six 2S7 self-propelled guns. During the retreat, Georgian troops hid all six 2S7 self-propelled guns in the Gori area. One of 5 discovered Russian troops SAU 2S7 was captured as a trophy, the rest were destroyed.
In November 2014, Ukraine, in connection with the armed conflict, began reactivating and bringing its existing 2S7 installations into combat condition.

In the 1970s, the Soviet Union attempted to re-equip the Soviet army with new types of artillery weapons. The first example was the 2S3 self-propelled howitzer, presented to the public in 1973, followed by the 2S1 in 1974, 2S4 in 1975, and the 2S5 and 2S7 were introduced in 1979. Thanks to new technology, the Soviet Union significantly increased the survivability and maneuverability of its artillery forces. By the time mass production of the 2S7 self-propelled gun began, the US already had a 203-mm M110 hull self-propelled gun in service. In 1975, the 2S7 was significantly superior to the M110 in key parameters: OFS firing range (37.4 km versus 16.8 km), transportable ammunition (4 shots versus 2), power density (17.25 hp/t versus 15, 4), however, the 2S7 self-propelled gun was served by 7 people versus 5 on the M110. In 1977 and 1978, the US Army received improved M110A1 and M110A2 self-propelled guns, which had a maximum firing range increased to 30 km, but they could not surpass the 2S7 self-propelled gun in this parameter. An advantageous difference between the Pion and the M110 self-propelled guns is the fully armored chassis, while the M110 has only the engine and transmission compartment armored.

In the DPRK in 1978, on the basis of the Type 59 tank, the 170-mm Koksan self-propelled gun was created. The gun allowed firing at a distance of up to 60 km, but had a number of significant disadvantages: low barrel survivability, low rate of fire, low chassis mobility and lack of portable ammunition. In 1985, an improved version was developed; this weapon appearance and the layout was reminiscent of a 2S7 self-propelled gun.

Attempts to create systems similar to the M110 and 2S7 were made in Iraq. In the mid-1980s, development of the 210 mm AL FAO self-propelled gun began. The gun was created as a response to the Iranian M107, and the gun was supposed to be significantly superior to this self-propelled gun in all respects. As a result, it was manufactured and demonstrated in May 1989 prototype Self-propelled guns AL FAO. The self-propelled artillery mount was a G6 self-propelled howitzer chassis, on which a 210 mm gun was mounted. The self-propelled gun was capable of reaching speeds on the march of up to 80 km/h. The barrel length was 53 calibers. Firing could be carried out either with conventional 109.4 kg high-explosive fragmentation projectiles with a bottom notch and a maximum firing range of 45 km, or with projectiles with a bottom gas generator with a maximum firing range of up to 57.3 km. However, those that followed in the early 1990s economic sanctions against Iraq prevented further development of the weapon, and the project did not go beyond the prototype stage.

In the mid-1990s, the Chinese company NORINCO, based on the M110, developed a prototype of a 203-mm self-propelled gun with a new artillery unit. The reason for the development was the unsatisfactory firing range of the M110 self-propelled gun. The new artillery unit made it possible to increase the maximum firing range of high-explosive fragmentation shells to 40 km, and active-reactive shells to 50 km. In addition, the self-propelled guns could fire guided, nuclear projectiles, as well as cluster projectiles. anti-tank mines. The production of the development prototype did not progress further.

As a result of the completion of the Pion development work, the self-propelled guns entered service with the Soviet Army, embodying the most advanced ideas for designing high-power self-propelled guns. For its class, the 2S7 self-propelled gun had high performance characteristics (maneuverability and relatively short time for transferring the self-propelled gun to the combat position and back). Thanks to the 203.2 mm caliber and maximum range firing high-explosive fragmentation shells, the Pion self-propelled gun had high combat effectiveness: for example, in 10 minutes of fire raid, the self-propelled gun is capable of “delivering” about 500 kg of explosive to the target. The modernization carried out in 1986 to the 2S7M level allowed this self-propelled gun to meet the requirements for promising artillery weapon systems for the period until 2010. The only drawback noted by Western experts was the open installation of the gun, which did not allow the crew to be protected from shell fragments or enemy fire when working in position. It was proposed to further improve the system by creating guided projectiles of the “Daredevil” type, the firing range of which could be up to 120 km, as well as improving the working conditions of the self-propelled gun crew. In fact, after the withdrawal from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and redeployment to the Eastern Military District, most of the 2S7 and 2S7M self-propelled guns were sent for storage, and only a small part of them remained in operation.

Photo 14.

But look what interesting sample weapons:

Photo 16.

Experimental self-propelled artillery unit. The development of the self-propelled guns was carried out by the Central Design Bureau of the Uraltransmash plant, the chief designer was Nikolai Tupitsyn. The first prototype of the self-propelled gun was built in 1976. In total, two copies of the self-propelled gun were built - with a 152-mm caliber gun from the Akatsiya self-propelled gun and with a gun from the Giatsint self-propelled gun. The “object 327” self-propelled gun was developed as a competitor to the “Msta-S” self-propelled gun, but being quite revolutionary, it remained an experimental self-propelled gun. The self-propelled gun was distinguished by a high degree of automation - reloading of the gun was carried out routinely by an automatic loader with the gun located externally with the ammunition rack placed inside the body of the self-propelled gun. During tests with guns of two types, the self-propelled guns showed high efficiency, but preference was given to the more “technological” samples - 2S19 “Msta-S”. Testing and design of self-propelled guns were discontinued in 1987.

The name of the object “puck” was unofficial. The second copy of the self-propelled gun with the 2A37 gun from the Giatsint self-propelled gun has stood at the training ground since 1988 and is preserved in the museum of the Uraltransmash PA.

There is also a version that the prototype self-propelled gun shown in the photo is the only prototype that was also tested on the topics “object 316” (prototype of self-propelled gun “Msta-S”), “object 326” and “object 327”. During testing, guns with different ballistics were installed on a rotating platform turret. The presented sample with a cannon from the Giatsint self-propelled gun was tested in 1987.

Photo 17.

Photo 18.

sources

http://wartools.ru/sau-russia/sau-pion-2s7

http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/index-411.html

http://gods-of-war.pp.ua/?p=333

Look at the self-propelled guns, and here recently. Look at what it looked like before The original article is on the website InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy was made -