Self-propelled howitzer Gvozdika intended to suppress and destroy manpower, artillery and mortar batteries, as well as to destroy bunkers, provide passages in minefields and field obstacles.
Self-propelled gun 2S1 “Gvozdika”
Soviet 122 mm regimental self-propelled howitzer. Created at the Kharkov plant named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze.
The chief designer of the chassis is A.F. Belousov, the designer of the 122-mm gun 2A31 is F.F. Petrov.
History of creation
After the end of the Great Patriotic War The Soviet Union's arsenal consisted mainly of anti-tank and assault self-propelled guns, while Western countries and the United States already had self-propelled guns designed for firing from indirect positions. A trend has emerged to replace towed artillery with self-propelled artillery. The indispensability of self-propelled guns in local conflicts became obvious, therefore, in the period from 1947 to 1953, research was carried out to create new self-propelled howitzers, but in 1955, at the direction of N. S. Khrushchev, most work on self-propelled artillery was stopped. Some time later, the USSR Ministry of Defense came to the conclusion that a strategic nuclear war was unlikely, since it would lead to the destruction of both warring parties. At the same time, local conflicts using tactical tactics could become more realistic. nuclear weapons. In such conflicts, self-propelled artillery had an undeniable advantage over towed artillery.
With the resignation of N.S. Khrushchev, the development of self-propelled artillery in the USSR was resumed. In 1965, at the Lvov training ground, Soviet troops conducted large-scale exercises using artillery installations from the Great Patriotic War. The results of the exercises showed that the self-propelled artillery units in service did not meet the requirements modern combat. In order to eliminate the gap between Soviet self-propelled artillery and the artillery of NATO countries, in 1967 a resolution of the CPSU Central Committee and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 609-201 of July 4 was issued. In accordance with this decree, the development of a new 122-mm self-propelled howitzer for ground forces Soviet army.
Previously, VNII-100 carried out research work to determine the appearance and basic characteristics of the new self-propelled guns. During the research, three variants of self-propelled guns were developed. The first is based on the Object 124 chassis (in turn, created on the basis of the SU-100P), the second is based on the MT-LB multi-purpose transporter tractor, the third option is based on the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle. In all variants, the main weapon was a 122-mm howitzer with D-30 ballistics. Based on the results of the work, it was found that the chassis of the “Object 124” has excessive carrying capacity and weight, and the self-propelled guns will also lose the ability to cross water obstacles by swimming. The MT-LB chassis had insufficient stability when firing and did not have the required level of permissible loads on the chassis of the vehicle. The most optimal chassis was the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, but P.P. Isakov achieved a ban on the use of the BMP-1 as the base chassis. Therefore, it was decided to use the extended and modified base of the MT-LB multi-purpose transporter-tractor as the base one. The resulting developments formed the basis of the development work under the name “Gvozdika” (GRAU index - 2S1). The Gvozdika was supposed to go into service with artillery divisions of motorized rifle regiments to replace the 122-mm M-30 and D-30 howitzers.
Table of performance characteristics of preliminary projects 2S1, completed at VNII-100
| Base | Object 124 | MT-LB | Object 765 |
| Crew, people | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Combat weight, i.e. | 22,2 | 15,842 | 15,164 |
| Gun brand | D-30 | D-30 | D-30 |
| Transportable ammunition, rds. | 100 | 60 | 60 |
| Machine gun | 1 x 7.62 mm PCT | 1 x 7.62 mm PCT | 1 x 7.62 mm PCT |
| Machine gun ammunition, cartridge. | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Engine make | B-59 | YaMZ-238 | UTD-20 |
| engine's type | diesel | diesel | diesel |
| Engine power, l. With. | 520 | 240 | 300 |
| 63-70 | 60 | 65 | |
| Cruising range on the highway, km. | 500 | 500 | 500 |
Kharkovsky was appointed the main developer of 2S1 tractor plant named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze, the 2A31 howitzer (in-house designation D-32) was created at OKB-9. In August 1969, the first four experimental Gvozdika 2S1 self-propelled guns entered field testing. Tests revealed high levels of gas contamination in the fighting compartment. At the same time, a similar situation arose with the 152-mm divisional self-propelled howitzer 2S3. At the same time, cap versions of howitzers were developed for both self-propelled artillery installations. On the basis of the 2A31, a 122-mm howitzer D-16 with cap loading was created. Instead of a wedge bolt, a chain rammer and charges in a sleeve, the D-16 used a piston bolt, a pneumatic rammer and cap charges. But tests have shown that the disadvantages of the new D-16 howitzer are similar, since the fiery intensity of the shots remained the same, while maintaining the same accuracy and firing range. In addition, inconvenience was identified when working with charge canisters, as well as design flaws in the pneumatic rammer, as a result of which the rate of fire remained at the level of the base gun. Subsequent improvement of the D-16 design led to the creation of a modernized model under the designation D-16M, which showed an increase in the firing range of a high-explosive fragmentation projectile to 18 km, thanks to an enlarged chamber and the use of more powerful cap charges.
In 1971, the 3rd Central Research Institute, within the framework of the Development research work, reviewed and analyzed the results of work on cap versions of 122 mm and 152 mm howitzers. Despite the obtained indicators, the 3rd Central Research Institute concluded that it was inappropriate to conduct further research on the cap version of the 2A31 howitzer. The main reason was the absence at that time technical solution, which made it possible to create and put into operation reliable and safe charges in a rigid cap or combustible cartridge case. It was recommended to use the scientific and technical basis of the research carried out when creating new 122-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectiles with an improved aerodynamic shape. The problem of gas contamination in the fighting compartment of the 2S1 self-propelled gun was solved in a different way, namely, by using a more powerful ejector and cartridges with improved sealing. In 1970, by decree of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 770-249 of September 14, after modifications, the 2S1 “Gvozdika” self-propelled artillery mount was adopted by the Soviet army. In 1972, the 4P134 parachute platform, which had a flight weight with a load of up to 20.5 tons, passed state tests and was put into service. On this platform, using the five-dome parachute system PS-9404-63R, it was planned to carry out the landing of 2S1 self-propelled howitzers. The system, consisting of the 4P134 platform, the PS-9404-63R parachute system and the 2S1 self-propelled guns, has passed a full cycle of tests, but at airborne weapons was not received in connection with the development of the 122-mm self-propelled howitzer 2S2 “Violet”.
Modifications
Comparative table of performance characteristics of various modifications of the 2S1 self-propelled gun
| 2S1 | 2S1M | 2S1M1 | 2S34 | RAK-120 | |
| Country of origin | USSR | Poland | Russia | Russia | Poland |
| 1970 | 1971 | 2003 | 2008 | experienced | |
| Combat weight, i.e. | 15,7 | 15,7 | 15,7 | 16 | 16 |
| Gun index | 2A31 | 2A31 | 2A31 | 2A80-1 | |
| Gun caliber, mm | 121,92 | 121,92 | 121,92 | 120 | 120 |
| Barrel length, club. | 35 | 35 | 35 | ||
| Angles VN, degrees | -3...+70 | -3...+70 | -3...+70 | -2...+80 | +45...+85 |
| Carryable ammunition, rds. | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 60 |
| Minimum firing range OFS/OFM (mortar mine), km | 4,2/- | 4,2/- | 4,2/- | 1,8/0,5 | -/0,5 |
| Maximum firing range OFS/OFM, km | 15,2/- | 15,2/- | 15,2/- | 13/7,5 | -/12 |
| Maximum firing range of AR (active-missile projectile) OFS, km | 21,9 | 21,9 | 21,9 | 17,5 | - |
| Maximum firing range of UAS (high-precision weapons), km | 13,5 | 13,5 | 13,5 | 12 | 10 |
| - | - | - | 7,62 | - | |
| Engine model | YaMZ-238 | SW-680T | YaMZ-238 | YaMZ-238 | SW-680T |
Mass production
Serial production began in 1971 and ended at the end of 1991, except for the USSR, the 2S1 self-propelled guns were produced under license in Poland since 1971 and Bulgaria since 1979. During the production process, the Polish version of “Gvozdika” was modernized. The 2S1M Gozdzik version was equipped with a SW680T diesel engine, new road wheels and modified hydrodynamic flaps for movement on water. Bulgarian-made 2S1 self-propelled guns entered service with the Soviet army and, apart from poorer workmanship, were no different from the Soviet 2S1 model. In total, over the years of production, more than 10,000 units of 2S1 were manufactured. After production ceased, modernized versions were developed in Poland and Russia. In Russia, a modernized version of 2S1M1 with an ASUNO 1B168-1 installation was developed, in Poland a version 2C1T Gozdzik was developed with an ASUNO TOPAZ installation. Developed in 2003 and entered service in 2008 Russian army self-propelled artillery piece 2S34 “Khosta”, representing a modernization of the 2S1 self-propelled gun, the 2A31 howitzer was replaced by the 2A80-1 gun. In addition, a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun is installed on the commander’s cupola. In 2008-2009, the Polish military-industrial complex created a pilot modernization of the 2S1 self-propelled gun under the designation Rak-120. The 2A31 gun was replaced with a 120 mm smoothbore mortar equipped with an automatic loader. Carryable ammunition has been increased from 40 rounds to 60, but any data on the beginning serial production this modification is not available.
In addition to the basic modifications produced in the USSR and Poland, there are other versions of the Gvozdika self-propelled gun. In Romania, in the 1980s, a variant of the 2S1 self-propelled gun was created, designated Model 89. It differs from the 2S1 in its basic chassis. Instead of the modified MT-LB base, the MLI-84 BMP chassis was used. In 1996, the Iranian military-industrial complex manufactured and since 2002 put into mass production the 122-mm self-propelled howitzer Raad-1 (Arabic Thunder-1). The Iranian self-propelled gun differs from the 2S1 in its basic chassis; instead of the MT-LB, the Iranian Boragh infantry fighting vehicle is used.
Design
Armored hull and turret
The 2S1 “Gvozdika” self-propelled howitzer is made according to the turret design that has become classic for self-propelled artillery. The body of the vehicle is welded from rolled steel armor plates, is completely sealed and allows you to overcome water obstacles by swimming. The hull is divided into three sections: power (engine and transmission), control section and combat section. The engine and transmission compartment is located in the front part of the hull on the starboard side. To the left of it is the driver's seat with chassis controls. The fighting compartment is located in the middle and rear parts of the hull. On the roof of the hull, a welded turret with a rotating basket of the fighting compartment is installed on a ball shoulder strap. The turret contains a gun and crew seats. On the right side there is a loader's seat, as well as stowage for cartridges with charges, on the left side in the front of the turret there is a gunner's seat and sights. Behind the gunner is the SPG commander's seat, equipped with a rotating turret mounted on the roof of the turret. In the turret niche there are two stowages with charges and shells for cumulative ammunition. In the rear part of the hull there are stowages for shells and charges of the main gun. The stowage can be supplied from the ground through a special aft hatch. The armor of the 2S1 self-propelled gun provides bulletproof and anti-fragmentation protection for the crew. The thickness of the hull and turret sheets reaches 20 mm in some places.
Armament
The main armament of the 2S1 self-propelled gun is the 122-mm howitzer 2A31. The gun is completely unified in terms of ballistic characteristics and ammunition used with the 122-mm towed howitzer D-30. The 2A31 barrel consists of a pipe, breech, ejector and muzzle brake. The length of the pipe is 4270 mm. On the inside of the barrel, over a length of 3400 mm, there are 36 rifling grooves with a progressive steepness ranging from 3 degrees57 to 7 degrees10. The length of the charging chamber is 594 mm. The total weight of the barrel group is 955 kg. The gun's breech is vertically wedge-type and is equipped with a semi-automatic re-cocking mechanism. A tray with a retainer is installed on the wedge, which prevents the projectile from falling out of the barrel at high elevation angles, and also facilitates manual loading. When the bolt is opened, the retainer is automatically recessed into the wedge and does not interfere with the extraction of the cartridge case. The total mass of the bolt group is 35.65 kg. Recoil devices consist of a spindle-type hydraulic recoil brake filled with Steol-M or POZH-70 fluid and a pneumatic knurler filled with nitrogen or air. To relieve pressure when operating in different temperature ranges, a spring-type compensator is installed on the rollback brake. The recoil brake cylinders are fixed in the gun breech. The maximum rollback length is 600 mm. The gun tube is attached to a cradle consisting of two clips. In the front cage there is a casing with fixed cylinders of recoil devices. In the middle part there are mounts for an armored mask with trunnions. A fence is mounted to the back of the cradle. On the right cheek for the commander there is a mechanism for blocking the manual release of the gun, on the left there is a system of levers with a manual release. A folding part of the fence with an electromechanical forwarding mechanism is installed between the cheeks.
Surveillance and communications equipment
To aim the gun and carry out reconnaissance of the area during the day and at night, a TKN-3B combined sight with an OU-3GA2 searchlight, as well as two prismatic periscope observation devices TNPO-170A, are installed in the commander’s cupola. The gunner's position is equipped with a 1OP40 artillery panoramic sight for firing from indirect firing positions and an OP5-37 direct fire sight for firing at observed targets. On the right side of the turret, in front of the loader's hatch, a rotating MK-4 observation device is installed. The driver's mechanic's position is equipped with two prismatic observation devices TNPO-170A with electrical heating, as well as a night vision device TVN-2B for driving at night. In front of the driver's seat there is an electrically heated viewing glass and a protective armor cover.
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 the R-124 intercom equipment.
Engine and transmission
The 2S1 has a V-shaped 8-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine YaMZ-238N liquid-cooled with gas turbine supercharging with a power of 300 hp.
The transmission is mechanical, double-flow, with two planetary-friction turning mechanisms. Has six forward and one reverse gears. The maximum theoretical speed in sixth forward gear is 61.5 km/h. In reverse gear, travel speeds of up to 6.3 km/h are ensured.
Chassis
The 2S1 chassis is a modified chassis of the MT-LB multi-purpose transporter-tractor. In order for the chassis to provide the specified parameters, the design of the MT-LB chassis has undergone significant modification. Compared to the base vehicle, an additional pair of road wheels was introduced into the chassis. Thus, the chassis consists of seven pairs of rubber-coated road wheels. There are guide wheels at the rear of the machine and drive wheels at the front. The caterpillar belt consists of small links with hinges connected by pins. The width of each track is 350 mm with a pitch of 111 mm. Gvozdika's suspension is individual torsion bar. Double-sided hydraulic shock absorbers are installed on the first and seventh road wheels.
Self-propelled artillery and combat vehicles
2S8 "Astra" - an experienced 120-mm self-propelled mortar. Designed to equip ground forces battalions of the Soviet Army. Work on this vehicle was stopped due to the creation of a new rifled semi-automatic gun 2A51. In July 1977, at an intersectoral meeting, a decision was signed to close work on the Astra self-propelled mortar and prepare a decision to open new job to create a 120-mm self-propelled artillery gun 2S17 “Nona-SV”.
-2S15 "Norov" - an experimental 100-mm self-propelled anti-tank gun. Intended to fight enemy tanks. As a result of delays and postponements, the first prototypes were ready only by 1983. By the time the tests were completed, NATO countries had already found more advanced tanks, against which the 100-mm 2S15 anti-tank gun was ineffective. Therefore, the work was closed, and the self-propelled gun was not accepted for service.
-2S17 "Nona-SV" - an experimental 120-mm self-propelled artillery gun. It was designed as a replacement for the 2S8 self-propelled mortar. However, in connection with the start of work on the creation of a more advanced automated self-propelled gun 2S31, work on 2S17 was closed.
-9P139 "Grad-1" - a tracked version of the combat vehicle of the regimental MLRS "Grad-1". The development was carried out at the State Design Bureau of Compressor Engineering of the USSR Ministry of Aviation Industry under the leadership of chief designer A.I. Yaskin. The machine was designed in 1974. In 1976 it was put into service, and then a small production batch of vehicles was created. Full-scale production of 9P139 combat vehicles was planned to be organized in Bulgaria, but mass production was not mastered.
Engineering and specialized machines
UR-77 “Meteorite” - a mine clearance installation, making moves in anti-tank minefields during battle. Serially produced since 1978 to replace the UR-67.
- “Object 29” is a multi-purpose tracked light chassis, differs from the base chassis 2S1 in elements of electrical equipment and the placement of spare parts.
-2S1-N - multi-purpose transporter-tractor, manufactured on the basis of the SAU 2S1 tracked chassis, in the process of major overhaul. Intended for transporting people and cargo in an enclosed cabin.
Foreign
BMP-23 - Bulgarian fighting machine infantry with the installation of a 23-mm 2A14 cannon and a 9K11 “Malyutka” ATGM in a two-man turret. The vehicle is based on the MT-LB chassis using SAU 2S1 chassis components.
-LPG - (Lekkie Podwozie Gasienicowe - Light tracked vehicle) artillery fire control vehicle. This tracked vehicle is used to control the Krab and Rak self-propelled guns, and also as a medical and support vehicle.
-KhTZ-26N is a Ukrainian-made snow and swamp all-terrain vehicle based on the demilitarized 2S1 chassis. Designed for installation special equipment and work in off-road conditions.
-TGM-126-1 is a transport tracked vehicle on a 2S1 chassis made in Ukraine.
Combat use of self-propelled gun Gvozdika
The 2S1 self-propelled howitzer received its baptism of fire during the war in Afghanistan. The tactics of use boiled down to moving 2S1 batteries after the assault groups and destroying detected enemy firing points with direct fire. Such tactics significantly reduced the losses of Soviet troops. During escort in difficult terrain, fire support was provided by special reserve batteries 2S1. The command of the 2S1 batteries was carried out by commanders and artillery platoons, which provided reinforcement for motorized rifle battalions and companies. One of the most famous episodes of use for 2S1 was the operation to capture the Shingar and Khaki-Safed areas. In 1986, 2S1s were used during the offensive against the enemy in Kandahar province. Platoons of self-propelled howitzers provided fire support for the battalions. In total, during the offensive, the 2S1 self-propelled gun platoon destroyed 7 enemy targets. In general, based on the results of the first combat use, the 2S1 self-propelled guns performed well.
During the First Chechen campaign, the 2S1 self-propelled gun was used by the federal troops of the Russian Federation; in addition, it is known that in the period from 1992 to 1993, Chechen separatists captured several Gvozdika self-propelled guns with ammunition. During the Second Chechen Campaign they were used by federal troops. For example, self-propelled howitzers 2S1 Marine Corps in the fall of 1999, they provided artillery support to the 100th Special Purpose Division of the Russian Internal Troops.
"Carnations" were used by the Transnistrian Guard in June 1992 during the Transnistrian conflict. In the 1990s, the 2S1 was used in the Yugoslav wars by various parties conflict. In 2014, during armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, self-propelled guns 2S1 were used both by Ukrainian troops and by militias of the DPR and LPR republics.
At the beginning of the Iran-Iraq War, 2S1 and 2S3 self-propelled guns were supplied to Iraq from the USSR, which formed the basis of Iraqi artillery groups. In 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, 2S1 self-propelled guns were used by Iraqi troops. In general, Iraq's experience of using artillery (including 2S1 and 2S3 self-propelled howitzers, as well as BM-21 MLRS) was assessed as negative, which, in turn, contributed to the emergence of the myth that soviet artillery ineffective. However, when assessing the actions of the Iraqi artillery, it was not taken into account that the command and control system and the equipment of the artillery groups of the Iraqi forces did not meet Soviet standards of that time. In 2011, during civil war in Libya, 2S1 self-propelled guns were used by government forces.
Machine evaluation
Comparison table of performance characteristics of 2S1 with next generation artillery systems
| 2S1 | 2S18 | 2S31 | |
| Year of adoption | 1970 | experienced | 2010 |
| Combat weight, i.e. | 15,7 | 18,7 | 19,08 |
| Crew, people | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Gun caliber, mm | 121,92 | 152,4 | 120 |
| Gun brand | 2A31 | 2A63 | 2A80 |
| Type of gun | howitzer | howitzer | gun-howitzer-mortar |
| Angles VN, degrees. | -3...+70 | -4...+70 | -4...+80 |
| Angles GN, degrees. | 360 | 360 | 360 |
| Carryable ammunition, rds. | 40 | 70 | |
| Minimum firing range of OFS (high-explosive fragmentation projectile), km. | 4,2 | 4,0 | 0,5 |
| Maximum firing range of OFS, km. | 15,2 | 15,2 | 13,0 |
| Weight of OFS, kg. | 21,76 | 43,56 | 20,5 |
| 4-5 | 6-8 | 8-10 | |
| Anti-aircraft machine gun caliber, mm | - | 7,62 | 7,62 |
| Maximum speed on the highway, km/h | 60 | 70 | 70 |
| 4,5 | 10 | 10 | |
| Cruising range on the highway, km | 500 | 600 | 600 |
In the 1970s, the Soviet Union attempted to rearm 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 Soviet Union significantly increased the survivability and maneuverability of its artillery troops; in addition, according to Western experts, it was the 2S1 and 2S3 self-propelled howitzers that made it possible to implement the USSR military doctrine of destroying delivery vehicles nuclear weapons even before the command of NATO forces has time to make a decision on its use.
Comparative table of performance characteristics of 2S1 with foreign analogues
| France AMX-105V | USA M-108 | UK FV433 | China Type 85 | Japan Type 74 | ||
| Start of mass production | 1970 | 1960 | 1962 | 1964 | 1975 | |
| Combat weight, t | 15,7 | 17 | 20,97 | 16,56 | 16,5 | 16,3 |
| Crew, people | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Gun caliber, mm | 121,92 | 105 | 105 | 105 | 121,92 | 105 |
| Barrel length, club | 35 | 30 | 30 | 35 | ||
| Angles VN, degrees. | -3...+70 | -4...+70 | -6...+75 | -5...+70 | -5...+70 | |
| Angles GN, degrees. | 360 | 360 | 360 | 360 | 45 | |
| Carryable ammunition, rds. | 40 | 37 | 86 | 40 | 40 | 30 |
| Maximum firing range of OFS, km | 15,2 | 15 | 11,5 | 17 | 15,3 | 11,27 |
| Maximum firing range of AR OFS, km | 21,9 | 15 | 21,0 | 14,5 | ||
| Maximum firing range of UAS, km | 13,5 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Weight of OFS, kg | 21,76 | 16 | 15 | 16,1 | 21,76 | 15 |
| Combat rate of fire, rds/min. | 4-5 | up to 8 | to 10 | up to 12 | 4-6 | |
| Anti-aircraft machine gun caliber, mm | - | 7,5/7,62 | 12,7 | 7,62 | - | 12,7 |
| Maximum speed on the highway, km/h | 60 | 60 | 56 | 48 | 60 | 50 |
| Maximum speed afloat, km/h | 4,5 | - | 6,43 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Highway range | 500 | 350 | 350 | 390 | 500 | 300 |
By the time serial production of the 2S1 self-propelled gun began, NATO countries already had 105-mm self-propelled artillery mounts of a similar class in service. The French AMX-105B, based on the AMX-13 light tank, were closed self-propelled guns with all-round fire. The vehicles were equipped with a loading mechanism, which ensured a maximum rate of fire of up to 8 rounds per minute (versus 4-5 for the 2S1). For firing, 16-kilogram high-explosive shells were used with an initial speed of 670 m/s and a maximum firing range of 15 km, however, these self-propelled guns were manufactured only in a small production batch and were not widely used. The English FV433 self-propelled guns were manufactured on the basis of the FV430 universal tracked chassis. Similar to the 2S1, the FV433 was a lightly armored self-propelled howitzer with all-round fire. For firing, 105-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectiles L31 weighing 16.1 kg and a maximum firing range of 17 km are used (versus 15.2 km for 2S1). In addition to high-explosive fragmentation shells, shrapnel shells L42 weighing 10.49 kg, lighting shells L43, as well as smoke shells L37, L38 and L41 can also be used. The loading of the self-propelled gun is separate, semi-automatic - the projectile is sent into the barrel by the loading mechanism, the charge is inserted by the loader. The rate of fire of the FV433 self-propelled gun can reach 12 rounds per minute (versus 4-5 for the 2S1). In terms of mobility and range on the march, the English self-propelled gun is inferior to the Gvozdika, providing a maximum speed on the highway of 48 km/h and a range of 390 km. By the time the 2S1 was put into service, serial production of the FV433 had already been completed.
In China, attempts were made to create an analogue of the 2S1, under the designation Type 85 (sometimes appearing under the designation Type 54-II). The self-propelled howitzer was a Type 85 armored personnel carrier chassis, on which the upper mount of the D-30 howitzer was mounted, with guidance angles limited from -22.5 to +22.5 degrees horizontally. In the 1990s, the Type 85 was replaced by the Type 89 closed self-propelled gun, made according to the 2S1 type. In 1975, production of the 105-mm Type 74 self-propelled gun began in Japan, but production was short-lived and amounted to only 20 units, after which, by analogy with the United States, it was decided to concentrate on the production of 155-mm artillery.
In the Middle East, Egyptian and Syrian troops used the chassis of obsolete T-34 tanks, on which the D-30 howitzer was installed, to fill the gap in self-propelled artillery. The Ersatz self-propelled gun received the name T-34/122. Compared to the 2S1, the T-34/122 was twice as heavy and could not overcome water obstacles by swimming; the horizontal guidance angle was limited to 12 degrees, but the ammunition it carried was 100 rounds. With the start of deliveries of 2S1 to Syria from the USSR, the T-34/122 self-propelled guns were first forced out of elite units, and then were completely sent to storage.
Purpose and appearance The 2S1 resembles its counterpart, the M108 self-propelled howitzer. At the time of adoption in 1970, the 2S1 was superior to the M108 in the main parameters: OFS firing range (15.2 km versus 11.5), range (500 km versus 350), speed (60 km/h versus 56), was lighter by 5270 kg, but the maximum rate of fire of the 2A31 howitzer was 4-5 rounds per minute versus 10 for the M103. However, production of the M108 had already been completed by the time the 2S1 self-propelled gun was adopted, since the US Department of Defense considered the possibilities for further modernization of 105-mm howitzers limited, and the vehicle itself unreasonably expensive, and preferred to focus on the production of the 155-mm M109 self-propelled howitzer. The high-explosive fragmentation effect on the target of 122 mm shells was approximately equal to 105 mm shells. The reduced area of damage to openly located manpower in a prone position with a 122-mm 53-OF-462 projectile was 310 sq.m. versus 285 sq.m. for a high-explosive 105 mm M1 projectile. In the early 1970s, new 3OF24 ammunition entered service with the 122-mm howitzers 2S1, D-30 and M-30. Instead of TNT, composition A-IX-2 was used as an explosive, due to which the effectiveness of 3OF24 projectiles was increased by 1.2-1.7 times compared to 53-OF-462. Since 1982, the 3OF56 and 3OF56-1 projectiles of increased power have entered service with 122-mm howitzer systems.
From positive qualities, Western experts note the high maneuverability and relatively small weight of the self-propelled guns, which allows the use of 2S1 in conjunction with amphibious infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. In addition, unlike US self-propelled howitzers, the 2S1 has a direct fire sight, and the ammunition load includes cumulative ammunition for combating enemy armored vehicles. Among the shortcomings, the weak armor of the hull was noted, which allows protecting the crew only from light small arms and shell fragments, the absence of an anti-aircraft machine gun on the commander's cupola, the driver's mechanic's limited right field of view, as well as separate-case loading, which limits the automation of loading processes.
After the transition of the field artillery of NATO countries to a single caliber of 155 mm, Soviet motorized rifle regiments began to significantly lose in firepower to the corresponding Western formations, therefore, to replace the regimental 122-mm howitzers D-30 and 2S1, the development of new 152-mm howitzers 2A61 and 2S18 began. However, mass production of new models of regimental artillery was never started. Instead, work began on the creation of a 120-mm universal self-propelled artillery gun 2S31. Despite the fact that the 2S1 self-propelled gun was outdated by the 1990s, a number of states continued to use it. In Russia and Poland, a program has been developed to modernize obsolete 2S1 self-propelled guns with their transfer to 120 mm caliber.
Operators
Modern
Azerbaijan - 46 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Algeria - 140 2С1, as of 2014, a total of 145 units delivered
-Angola - some, as of 2014
-Armenia - 10 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Belarus - 198 2S1 units, as of 2014, a total of 239 units delivered
-Bulgaria - 48 2S1 units, as of 2014, a total of 686 units delivered
-Vietnam - quantity and status unknown
-Democratic Republic of the Congo - 6 units 2C1, as of 2014
-Yemen - 25 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Kazakhstan - 120 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Kyrgyzstan - 18 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Republic of the Congo - 3 units 2С1, as of 2014
-Kuba - 40 units 2S1 and 2S3, as of 2014
-Poland - 290 2S1 units, as of 2014, a total of 533 2S1 units delivered
-Russia:
-Russian Ground Forces - 2200 2S1 units, of which 1800 are in storage, as of 2014
-Russian Marine Corps - 95 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Russian Border Troops - 90 units 2S1, 2S9 and 2S12, as of 2014
-Romania - 6 2S1 units and 18 Model 89 units, as of 2014, a total of 48 2S1 units delivered
-Serbia - 67 2S1 units, as of 2014, a total of 75 2S1 units delivered
-Syria - 400 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Sudan - 51 2S1 units, as of 2014
-USA - 19 2S1 units were delivered between 1992 and 2010, the exact purpose of the deliveries is unknown, they were officially supplied for training; perhaps for the purpose of studying design solutions
-Turkmenistan - 40 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Uzbekistan - 18 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Ukraine:
-Ukrainian Ground Forces - 300 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Ukrainian Marine Corps - 12 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Uruguay - 6 units 2С1, as of 2014
-Finland - 36 2S1 units (used under the designation PsH 74), as of 2014
-Croatia - 8 2S1 units, as of 2014, a total of 30 2S1 units delivered
-Chad - 10 units 2С1, as of 2014
-Eritrea - 32 2S1 units, as of 2014
-Ethiopia - a certain amount, as of 2014, a total of 82 2S1 units were delivered
-South Ossetia - 42 units 2S1 and 2S3, as of 2008
-South Sudan - 12 2S1 units, as of 2014.
Former
Afghanistan - a total of 15 2S1 units delivered
-Bosnia and Herzegovina - 24 2S1 units, as of 2013
-Hungary - more than 153 2S1 units in storage, as of 2010
-GDR - 374 2S1 units delivered from the USSR between 1979 and 1989
-Georgia - 20 units 2С1, as of 2008
-Egypt - a total of 76 2S1 units delivered
-Zimbabwe - a total of 12 2S1 units delivered
-Iraq - 50 2S1 units were delivered from the USSR between 1979 and 1980, another 100 2S1 units were delivered between 1987 and 1989. Since 2006, withdrawn from service
-Libya - a certain amount of 2S1, as of 2013, a total of 162 2S1 units were delivered
-Slovakia - 1 2S1 self-propelled gun in service and 45 units in storage, as of 2010, a total of 51 2S1 units were delivered
-Slovenia - a total of 8 2S1 units delivered
-Togo - a total of 6 units of 2S1 were delivered
-Germany - 372 units of 2S1 received after unification with the GDR. Of these: 228 units were sold to Sweden for spare parts for MT-LBu, 72 2S1 units were sold to Finland, 50 units were used as targets at training grounds, 11 units were sold to the USA, the rest were possibly in storage or subjected to demilitarization
-Czech Republic - a total of 49 2S1 units delivered
-Czechoslovakia - 150 2S1 units delivered from the USSR or Poland in the period from 1980 to 1987
-Yugoslavia - 100 2S1 units delivered from the USSR in the period from 1982 to 1983, transferred to the states formed after the collapse
-NDR Yemen - 50 2S1 units delivered from the USSR in 1989
Behind self-propelled guns, which were created in the Soviet Union in the early 70s, the flower names were fixed: Carnation, Acacia, Tulip, Hyacinth, Peony. The Gvozdika began to enter service with self-propelled artillery divisions of tank and motorized rifle regiments in 1970.
Work on the second generation self-propelled artillery mount 2S1 "Gvozdika" began at OKB-9 of the Uralmash plant in accordance with Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 609-201 of July 4, 1967. And already in 1969, its prototype entered field testing. In 1971, the 2S1 self-propelled gun was put into service. The speed of development and production of the installation is easy to explain. The designers used the famous MT-LB tractor as a chassis, on which they installed the even more famous D-30 howitzer. The D-30 in the tracked version was subjected to minor design modifications and was given the name D-32 (index 2A31)
The 2S1 entered service with artillery battalions of motorized rifle regiments (tank) regiments equipped with infantry fighting vehicles. The purpose of the "Gvozdika" is the destruction and suppression of manpower and infantry firepower, the destruction of field-type fortifications, making passages in minefields and wire obstacles, fighting enemy artillery, mortars and armored vehicles.
The usual transportable ammunition is 35 high-explosive fragmentation and five cumulative shells. Separately loaded ammunition - a projectile and a cartridge case with a charge. A wide range of projectiles has been developed - lighting, propaganda, electronic countermeasures, chemical, smoke, with special arrow-shaped striking elements, cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation.
In 1967, an attempt was made to create cap-loading howitzers, D-16 and D-16m, on the basis of the D-32 for the Gvozdika. But they didn’t go into series.
The BP-1 cumulative rotating projectile is fired with a special Zh-8 charge weighing 3.1 kg; initial speed 740 m/s; table range is 2000 m. Normal armor penetration is 180 mm; at an angle of 60° - 150 mm, at an angle of 30° - 80 mm; armor penetration does not depend on distance. When firing a high-explosive projectile, the maximum range is 15,300 m. When using an active-reactive projectile, this figure increases to 21,900 m.
The self-propelled gun is floating; movement through the water is carried out by rewinding the tracks.
The layout of the 2S1 Gvozdika is basically similar to the 152 mm self-propelled gun 2S3 Akatsiya. In the front of the hull is the driver's cabin and engine compartment, and at the rear is the fighting compartment. The turret houses three more crew members: a gunner, a loader and a commander. The tower rotates by electric or manual drive 360 degrees. The tracks of the self-propelled guns are rubber-metal, and the road wheels have individual torsion bar suspension. The first and seventh wheels, in addition to torsion bars, also have hydraulic shock absorbers. The housing is sealed. With the help of rewinding tracks, the self-propelled gun floats at a speed of 4.5 km/h and is capable of overcoming water obstacles 300 m wide with a wave height of up to 150 mm and a current speed of no more than 0.6 m/sec. In this case, there should be no more than 30 shots on board the installation. “Gvozdika” is air transportable, that is, it can be transported on An-12, Il-76, An-124 aircraft. To reduce the height of the self-propelled guns, support rollers from the second to the seventh during transportation can be raised and secured using special devices. The self-propelled gun has bulletproof armor that “holds” a 7.62-mm B-32 rifle bullet from a distance of 300 m. Three fuel tanks with a total capacity of 550 liters are located in the walls of both sides of the hull. The engine of the 2S1 is a V-shaped eight-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine YaMZ-238V from the Yaroslavl Motor Plant. The gearbox has 11 forward speeds and two reverse.
The onboard ammunition is located as follows: 16 shells in a vertical position along the side walls of the hull and 24 along the side and rear walls of the turret. To facilitate loading the howitzer, an electromechanical type loading mechanism is used. When firing shells stored on the ground, they are fed into the fighting compartment using a transport device through the large rear door. The gun is aimed using the PG-2 sight and the OP5-37 direct-fire optical sight. The howitzer barrel has vertical aiming angles from -3 to +70 degrees. The maximum firing range is 15,200 m, the minimum is 4070 m. The rate of fire of the howitzer is not very high. When firing shells from the “ground” - 4-5 rounds per minute, with onboard ammunition 1 - 2.
The 2S1 “Gvozdika” at one time entered service with all armies of the Warsaw Pact countries (except Romania). After the reunification of Germany, the Bundeswehr received 374 2S1s. The Gvozdika is still in service with the CIS armies today, including the Belarusian army.
TTX 2S1 “Gvozdika”
Combat weight, t 15700
Crew, people 4
Length, mm 7260
Width, mm 2850
Height, mm 2725
Ground clearance, mm 400
(base chassis MT-LB)
Armor, mm: bulletproof
forehead 15 mm
case 15 mm
Maximum speed, km/h: 61.5
Maximum speed afloat, km/h: 4.5
Power reserve, km: 500
Wall height, m 0.7
Ditch width, m 3.0
Ford depth, m floating.
Power point
YaMZ-238 engine
Power, hp 300 hp
diesel, 8-cylinder, V-shaped, liquid cooled
weapons
122 mm howitzer D-32
ammunition
shots - 40
rate of fire 4-5 rds/min
Max. firing range 15200 m
Wed connection r/st. R-123M
Of the world's most powerful self-propelled mortars 2S4 "Tulip" caliber 240 mm. The exercises took place at night. The soldiers, raised by training alert, moved with equipment to the designated area and repelled the attack sabotage group conditional enemy.
“Tulip” is an older weapon, but still retains combat power, allowing this mortar to be used in cases where artillery installations of more modest calibers are powerless. It is indispensable in the destruction of strong fortifications and easily copes with armored vehicles. Due to the high power of the warhead, it is capable of disabling large formations of manpower. For special occasions a nuclear charge with a yield of 2 kilotons is provided. Of course, in the Primorsky Territory such shells were not removed from the warehouse.
“Tulip”, adopted for service in 1972, was developed at the Ural Transport Engineering Plant in Yekaterinburg (then Sverdlovsk). The Ural designers, who succeeded in creating a number of self-propelled artillery units, managed to do what the Japanese and Americans had repeatedly attempted. In 1943, Japanese designers installed a 273 mm caliber mortar on a tracked chassis, calling this structure Type 4 “Ha-To”. The caliber seemed to them too small, and it was increased to 300 mm, making 4 prototypes. The mortar fired at a distance of 3 kilometers, but after 10 shots the chassis fell apart.
In the mid-40s, the Americans began making a 250 mm self-propelled mortar. A mockup was made. However, development stalled and funding was stopped.
In the Urals the matter was brought to a victorious end. As a result, the mortar has an excellent range, reaching 20 kilometers. And a full range of ammunition: high-explosive, incendiary, cluster, nuclear. The maximum mass of the explosive approaches 50 kg. Among them is the Smelchak-M guided mine, which has laser guidance at the target. Crew - 5 people.
The name “Tulip” involuntarily reminds of the slogan Chairman Mao: “Let a hundred flowers bloom.” There are, of course, fewer flowers in the domestic artillery. But it’s quite possible to make an impressive bouquet out of them. Since the designers of Soviet and Russian self-propelled guns, when naming their products, demonstrate an increased interest in color names.
2S1 "Carnation"- a self-propelled howitzer of 122 mm caliber, developed at the Kharkov Tractor Plant named after. S. Ordzhonikidze. Since 1971 it has been in service with the Soviet and now Russian army. The Gvozdika self-propelled gun was the main artillery weapons motorized rifle regiments. More than 10 thousand of these effective and easy-to-use howitzers were produced.
Despite the fact that production of Carnations ceased in 1991, they were not sent into indefinite storage. In 2003, a modernization program was launched, as a result of which the 2S1M1 modification acquired an automated gun control and guidance system. The firing range of conventional shells is 15 km, with active-reactive shells – 22 km. The ammunition also includes “Kitolov” armor-piercing guided projectiles.
2S2 "Violet"- self-propelled airborne howitzer of 122 mm caliber. It was developed at the Volgograd Tractor Plant in the late 60s. However, the project was closed due to the inability to meet the requirements of the technical specifications. And they were extremely tough: in order to land a howitzer from an An-12 aircraft, its weight should not exceed 10 tons. The designers coped with the weight problems. But at the same time, the chassis design turned out to be not very reliable: the recoil of the 122-mm gun was excessive for it.
This problem, but within the framework of another, “non-flower”, R&D was dealt with in Klimovsk near Moscow, where TsNIITochmash is located. The 2S9 “Nona-S” self-propelled gun of 120 mm caliber was developed and adopted by the Airborne Forces in 1980. The howitzer, whose weight does not exceed 8 tons, is perfectly parachuted and has no problems with the reliability of all its systems.
2S3 "Acacia"- divisional self-propelled howitzer of a solid 152 mm caliber. Developed at the Ural Transport Engineering Plant. In operation since 1971. This self-propelled gun became the first domestic self-propelled howitzer of such a large caliber. In subsequent years it was modernized several times. 2S3M2 is already Russian model, produced since 2006. It uses modern system fire control and increased crew protection, as well as new ammunition. The firing range of high-explosive fragmentation shells has been increased to 19.2 km, and active-reactive shells to 25 km. Ammunition increased to 46 rounds. Currently, the next modification of the Akatsiya is being prepared - 2S3M3.
2S5 "Gyacinth-S"— self-propelled gun of 152 mm caliber. Developed at the Ural Transport Engineering Plant. The gun was created at SKB-172 (Motovilikha Plants). In operation since 1976.
Although the caliber is the same as the Akatsiya, it has significant differences predetermined by the difference between the cannon and howitzer. The howitzer fires along a mounted trajectory, hitting hidden targets, while the gun fires along a flat trajectory, and therefore has a significantly lower barrel elevation angle. The muzzle velocity of a cannon projectile is higher due to the longer barrel length and the greater amount of gunpowder used in the shot. Therefore, the gun has a longer firing range. But at the same time, the gun is significantly heavier, since it has not only a longer barrel compared to a howitzer, but also its walls are thicker to withstand greater pressure of powder gases.
The maximum firing range of the Giatsint-S is 37 km. Its ammunition includes adjustable Krasnopol projectiles. And also a lovely wild flower " Chamomile”, which turns out to be a shell with a nuclear charge.
2S7 "Peony"— self-propelled gun of 203 mm caliber. It was created in Leningrad at the Putilov plant in the mid-70s. It is distinguished by increased firepower and serves to suppress rear areas, destroy particularly important objects and nuclear attack weapons in tactical depth at a distance of up to 47 kilometers. The weight of 45 tons testifies to the solidity of this weapon. The crew consists of 7 people. The length of the rifled barrel is 11 meters. The mass of the shells is 110 kilograms. The ammunition load includes high-explosive fragmentation, concrete-piercing, cluster, and active-rocket shells. There are also nuclear ones - “Castor bean”, “Sapling”, “Perforator”. More than 500 “Peonies” were produced, both basic modifications and modified 2S7M self-propelled guns.
2S8 "Astra"- self-propelled experimental battalion mortar of 120 mm caliber. It was created in the late 70s at the Burevestnik Central Research Institute on the chassis of the Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer. The breech-loading mortar was equipped with a device that automated the reloading of the gun. In connection with this, “Astra” had an increased rate of fire. The gun had the usual firing range for mortars - 7.1 km. But active-reactive mines were capable of flying 9 km.
However, the project was closed due to the fact that the idea of creating the most universal self-propelled gun 2S17−2 “Nona-SV”, which is a cannon, howitzer and mortar “in one bottle,” appeared. It did not have any significant advantages in terms of firing range or accuracy, but had greater destructive power due to the use of special projectiles with a hull groove. The projectile scattered into a larger number of fragments, which had a higher speed - 1850 m/s versus 1300 m/s. However, howitzer and cannon (only 12 km) characteristics were extremely unconvincing. Therefore, this project was closed.
Another flower tried to bloom in the domestic defense industry - tank guided missile "Lotos". Its development in the 60s was carried out by the Tula Instrument Engineering Design Bureau (KB-14). The projectile was aimed at the target using a laser beam. The complex was supposed to be installed on a new heavy tank, which was being developed at ChTZ. However, the creation of the tank was curtailed. Nevertheless, the Lotos complex was tested at the Gorokhovetsky training ground in 1964, making a favorable impression on the commission. But the project was soon closed.
On July 4, 1967, Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 609-201 set the start of the development of the 122-mm self-propelled howitzer 2S1 “Gvozdika”. The Kharkov Tractor Plant named after S. Ordzhonikidze was appointed the head enterprise. The same plant had previously developed the MT-LB artillery tractor, which was used as a base. However, due to insufficient stability, as well as increased loads, an additional support roller was added to the chassis chassis.
From 1967 to 1972, OKB-9 produced and tested two experimental howitzers D-11 and D-12 of 122 mm caliber. Based on the test results, the D-12 option was chosen, which, after modifications, was assigned the in-plant index D-32 (GRAU Index - 2A31).
Since August 1967, an experimental batch of four 2S1 self-propelled howitzers entered field testing. At the stage State tests A serious defect was revealed: when firing, there was severe gas contamination in the fighting compartment. In order to eliminate the comment, about 10 possible options solutions to this problem.
On December 11, 1967, by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense Industry, development of modified howitzers for 2S1 and 2S3 began to reduce gas pollution. On the basis of the D-32 howitzer, the D-16 howitzer was developed with a semi-automatic bolt with a plate shutter. However, due to the low effectiveness of this solution, work on the D-16 project was stopped in 1972. The problem was solved by using a more powerful ejector and sleeves with improved sealing.
After completing all types of tests and eliminating the comments, on September 14, 1970, by Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 770-249, the 2S1 self-propelled howitzer was put into service.
The SAU 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer was intended to replace the D-30 towed howitzer in artillery battalions of motorized rifle regiments. Being the lightest model of all, it was supposed to have mobility comparable to tanks and infantry fighting vehicles and provide constant fire support for advancing motorized rifle and tank units. The 122-mm self-propelled artillery howitzer is designed to destroy and suppress manpower and infantry firepower, destroy field fortifications, make passages in minefields and barbed wire obstacles, as well as to combat enemy artillery, mortars and armored vehicles.
The main armament of the self-propelled artillery unit is the 122-mm howitzer D-32 (2A31), installed in the rear of the vehicle. The howitzer barrel consists of a monoblock pipe, a breech, a coupling, an ejection device and a two-chamber muzzle brake. Semi-automatic vertical wedge shutter. Sector lifting mechanism with manual drive. Guidance of the gun in the vertical plane is carried out in the angle range from -3° to +70°. The recoil brake is hydraulic spindle type, the knurl is pneumatic. The recoil and retractor brake cylinders are fixed in the breech and roll back along with the barrel. The barrel is balanced by a push-type pneumatic balancing mechanism. The ramming mechanism is of an electromechanical type, designed for separate loading of a projectile and a loaded cartridge case into the barrel chamber after placing them on the rammer tray.
The 2S1 “Gvozdika” is equipped with a PG-2 periscope sight, which allows firing from both closed positions and direct fire. PG-2 consists of a panorama, a mechanical sight with a matching unit, an OP5-37 direct-fire optical sight, a parallelogram drive and an electrical unit.
The transportable ammunition of the 2S1 self-propelled gun is 35 high-explosive fragmentation shells and 5 cumulative shells. Separately loaded ammunition - a projectile and a cartridge case with a charge. Lighting, propaganda, electronic countermeasures, chemical, smoke, and projectiles with special arrow-shaped striking elements can also be used.
A high-explosive fragmentation projectile can be fired at a maximum range of up to 15,300 m. When using an active-rocket projectile, the range increases to 21,900 m. To fire a cumulative rotating projectile BP-1, a special Zh-8 charge weighing 3.1 kg is used, which gives the projectile an initial speed 740 m/s. Firing range - up to 2000 m. Armor penetration at a right angle is 180 mm, at an angle of 60° - 150 mm, at an angle of 30° - 80 mm. Armor penetration parameters do not depend on distance.
The rate of fire when firing airborne ammunition shells is 1-2 rounds per minute. “From the ground” - 4-5, while they are supplied inside the fighting compartment using a transport device through a door in the rear of the self-propelled gun hull.
The undercarriage of each side consists of seven road wheels, a driving front wheel and a guide rear wheel. The caterpillar does not have supporting rollers. The track tensioning mechanism is located inside the housing. Track tension is also adjusted from inside the machine. The tracks with rubber-metal hinges are 400 mm wide and can be replaced with wider ones (670 mm) to improve cross-country ability in snow and wetlands. A mechanical transmission is interlocked with the engine. The track rollers are made of aluminum alloy. Between the hub and the outer ring with the rubber band of each roller, two disks are welded, forming an internal air chamber that increases the buoyancy of the machine. The drive wheels, located at the front of the housing, have removable ring gears, making them easy to replace if excessive wear occurs.
The power plant is a YaMZ-238 diesel engine with a power of 300 hp, allowing the vehicle to reach a maximum speed on the highway of 60 km/h. 2S1 "Carnation" - floating. The afloat speed is 4.5 km/h. With a wave height of up to 150 mm and a current speed of no more than 0.6 m/sec, the machine is capable of overcoming water obstacles 300 m wide. Movement through water is carried out by rewinding the tracks.
The machine body is welded from steel plates, the maximum thickness of which reaches 20 mm. Such armor provides protection from light small arms fire and fragments of small-caliber shells and mines. The control compartment and engine-transmission compartment are located in the front part of the hull, and the fighting compartment is located in the middle and aft parts of the hull, as well as in the turret. The turret accommodates three crew members: in front on the left is the gunner, behind him is the installation commander and to the right of the gun is the loader. Ammunition is stored in the rear part of the self-propelled gun body. The armor of the self-propelled gun is bulletproof and provides protection against damage by armor-piercing bullets of 7.62 mm caliber at a distance of 300 m.
Crew - 4 people.
The 122-mm self-propelled howitzer 2S1 "Gvozdika" is in service with the ground forces of the CIS countries and the former Warsaw Pact, Algeria, Angola, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Ethiopia. After the reunification of Germany, 374 installations were transferred to the Bundeswehr. In addition to the USSR, the howitzer was produced under license in Bulgaria and Poland.
In 2001, a deep modernization of the 2S1 “Gvozdika” was carried out, receiving the index “M”. The 2AZ1 gun was replaced by a semi-automatic 122-mm 2A80 gun, which has a barrel cooling system. The use of unitary shots and automatic recovery of vodka increased the target rate of fire to 7-9 rounds/min, and the introduction of more powerful ammunition into the ammunition from new gun increased the effectiveness of hitting targets. IN Lately In order to improve the installation, a laser-guided projectile, “Kitolov-2,” was developed for it. This projectile can hit stationary and moving targets with a high degree of probability. According to leading specialists of Motovilikha Plants OJSC, after modernization the effectiveness of combat use Self-propelled gun 2S1M "Gvozdika" increases by at least 3 times.
Self-propelled artillery unit (SAU) or spoken language It’s just that the self-propelled gun appeared along with the first tanks. By modern classification the first French tanks “Schneider” and “Saint-Chamon” are not tanks. These are ordinary field guns mounted on self-propelled chassis and protected by thin armor. The difference between a tank and a self-propelled gun is that the tank is equipped with its own weapon, developed specifically for this tank. In addition, self-propelled guns, as a rule, have additional weapons (machine guns, mortars, anti-aircraft installations etc.) is not equipped.
The first self-propelled guns appeared before the First World War, but did not receive full-scale distribution. The real heyday of self-propelled guns came during World War II. But we will talk about the Gvozdika self-propelled gun, which was put into service in 1970 and has not yet been removed from combat duty.
History of creation
Assault and anti-tank self-propelled guns appeared in service with the USSR army in the 1940s. It cannot be said that they made a decisive contribution to the victory (the championship still belongs to tanks), but they were very effective in supporting infantry and advancing tanks. With the beginning Cold War The potential enemy now had sophisticated 105 mm artillery systems, which in many respects were superior to Soviet self-propelled guns.
But the USSR doctrine was aimed at the use of missiles and self-propelled guns were not developed. After Khrushchev left office, a doctrine emerged among sober minds that a global nuclear war was impossible. The possibility of destroying not only the enemy, but also oneself is too great. But the use of destructive weapons for tactical purposes is quite likely. In this sense, the use of self-propelled guns was one of the most the best ways deliver a tactical nuclear charge to the desired location.
Based on this statement, the development of a new self-propelled gun, called the 2S1 “Gvozdika” self-propelled gun, began, taking into account the possibility of using such charges.
By the decision of the Communist Party and the decree of the Union government, the development of a 122 mm caliber artillery system began in 1967.
This decision was based on the research base of VNII-100. It was these studies that determined the basic characteristics of the future self-propelled howitzer.
Research institute proposed three chassis options: BMP-1, MT-LB tractor and Object-124. They chose a tractor, on the basis of which the Gvozdika self-propelled gun was designed. The tractor plant in Kharkov was assigned to develop new system.
1969 began testing four prototypes of 122 mm Gvozdika and 152 mm 2S3. The choice was made on the Gvozdika. In 1970, the USSR government, after a year of testing and necessary modifications, adopted the Gvozdika self-propelled gun.
The new self-propelled gun began to arrive in military units, and the crews gradually mastered this system. Serial production was finally mastered in 1971. It was produced in Poland (since 1971) and Bulgaria (since 1979). In 1991, the self-propelled gun was no longer produced. In total, about ten thousand cars have been produced since 1970.
Design
The layout of the body of this artillery system was made according to the turret design. Everything is welded from rolled steel sheets. The body itself is absolutely sealed, and the thickness of the armor plates is 20 mm. This is fairly reliable protection against shrapnel and bullets, but not against shells. The engine compartment is located on the right side, where the driver-mechanic seat is also located.
The fighting compartment is located in the middle and stern. There is a turret on the hull, and a gun in it. There are charges and loader in the turret on the right side. On the left is the gunner and sight for precise aiming. The commander's place is behind the gunner. The commander has his own rotating turret with a hatch for visual control. In the niche of the tower itself, cumulative shells and charges for them are placed. The remaining ammunition is located at the stern.
The 2S1 self-propelled gun has a special hatch through which it is possible to receive shells directly from the ground.
Chassis. It is based on a modified MT-LB chassis. It was well redesigned, installing a couple of additional road wheels. But the number of rubberized skating rinks has increased to seven pairs. There are guide wheels at the rear and driving wheels at the front. The caterpillar is assembled from links (tracks). The links are quite small (350*111), connected by metal fingers.
With a track width of 350 mm and a weight of 15.7 tons, the machine feels confident on any ground. The Gvozdika artillery system has an individual torsion bar suspension. Hydraulic shock absorbers are installed on the seventh and first road wheels.
Engine and transmission. The vehicle is equipped with a YaMZ-238N engine with a power of 300 hp. Runs on diesel fuel. The engine is V-shaped, 8-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled. Gas turbine supercharging. As for the transmission, it is dual-flow and mechanical. There are two rotation mechanisms and they are planetary-friction. There are six forward gears and one reverse gear.
Armament. The 122 mm rifled howitzer is the basis of the installation's firepower.
The muzzle brake, ejector, breech and pipe are connected into a barrel more than 4 meters long. There are 34 grooves inside the barrel. This weapon uses a vertical wedge bolt. There is a semi-automatic re-cocking mechanism.
To prevent the projectile from falling out in cases where the barrel is at high elevation angles, a special tray with a retention device is installed.
The recoil device has a special hydraulic brake, of the spindle type. There is also a pneumatic knurling device with air or nitrogen filling. A compensator is installed on the rollback brake.
Surveillance and communication equipment. TKN-3B, a sight that is located on the commander's seat. The OU-3GA2 sight is installed to carry out night surveillance of the area. TNPO-170A, a periscope, prismatic type sight, and 1OP40 panoramic type, both are located at the gunner's position. OP5-37, for firing from cover. The MK-4 rotating type is located on the right side of the turret. The mechanic has a TNPO-170A device for observation during the day and a TVN-2B for night observation.
At the driver-mechanic's place there is a glass with an armored cover for direct observation of the terrain. R-123M radio station with the help of which external communication is carried out. It operates on VHF waves, with a range of up to 28 km. For communication between the crew, the R-124 device is installed in the self-propelled gun.
Performance characteristics of "Gvozdika" and foreign analogues
Performance characteristics installations are most valued in comparison with other self-propelled guns of a similar type.
| TTX | Self-propelled gun 2S1 “Gvozdika” | M-108 (USA) | Type-86 (Japan) | AMX-105V (France) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year of issue | 1970 | 1962 | 1974 | 1960 |
| Weight, t | 15,7 | 21 | 16,5 | 17 |
| Crew, people | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Caliber, mm | 122 | 105 | 122 | 105 |
| Ammunition, height Firing range, km | 40 | 86 | 40 | 37 |
| Firing range, km | 15 | 11,5 | 15 | 15 |
| Speed, km/h | 60 | 56 | 60 | 60 |
As can be seen from the performance characteristics of the Gvozdika, it was in no way inferior to its foreign counterparts. As can be seen from the table, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces had a similar vehicle only 4 years later.
Modifications of "Gvozdika" and vehicles based on
The following options have been created based on the machine:
- 2S15 “Norov”, with a 100 mm gun, was intended to fight tanks, but when a prototype was created in 1983, and the need for this type of self-propelled guns disappeared;
- 2S17 “Nona-SV”, a self-propelled gun with a 120 mm gun, did not reach mass production;
- 2S8 “Astra” is a self-propelled mortar, its development was carried out in the 1970s, but all work on this mortar was closed in 1977, as they switched to the creation of the 2S17 “Nona-SV” artillery system
Of the modifications of this system, the following installations are best known:
- Raad-1, self-propelled gun, developed in Iran, this version uses an infantry fighting vehicle chassis, gun caliber 122 mm;
- 2S34 “Khosta” was created in 2003 in Russia, it was equipped with a 2A80-1 howitzer and a PKT machine gun in the commander’s cupola, and was adopted by the Russian Armed Forces in 2008;
- 2S31 “Vena”, 120-mm self-propelled artillery gun, sea trials in 2007, adopted by the Russian Armed Forces;
- Rak-120, a 2009 Polish self-propelled gun variant that uses a 120mm mortar instead of a howitzer;
- Model 89, this is the Romanian version of the Carnation;
- The 2C1T Goździk, a Polish reworking of the classic Soviet self-propelled gun, uses an automatic fire control system.
In 2015, Ukraine planned to improve the Gvozdika by installing a Volvo engine on it, as well as more perfect systems management and communications.
Combat use
The self-propelled gun went through several local conflicts, the first of which was Afghanistan. In this war, as a rule, self-propelled guns were used to suppress enemy fire with direct fire, this significantly reduced troop losses. The most successful operations using the installation were carried out during the capture of Shingara, Khaki-Safed, and also in 1986, during the offensive on Kandahar.
In Chechnya, both military companies used the Gvozdika actively during combat operations and successfully coped with the assigned tasks.
The self-propelled gun was used in the Transnistrian conflict, in Yugoslavia, in southeastern Ukraine, by both warring parties. During the Iran-Iraq War, 2S1 and 2S3 were used by the Iraqi army.
During the civil war in Libya in 2010–2011, government forces actively used the device against the rebels.
The war in Syria has revealed the use of this installation by almost all warring parties, both government forces and various terrorist groups, including ISIS. The installation is used by the Houthis in Yemen in the fight against the invaders who have invaded the country.
For all its weight and size, the self-propelled gun is capable of swimming, but the developers guarantee that it can overcome a water obstacle 300 m wide with a wave of no more than 15 cm, while the vehicle reaches a speed of up to 4.5 km/h. All this is thanks to the hermetic body and tracks, which in this version of movement act as blades.
The firing howitzer uses a wide variety of projectiles, in addition to cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation, smoke, chemical, electronic countermeasures and projectiles with a swept-shaped striking element can also be used. And even lighting and propaganda.
The relatively light weight allows the self-propelled gun to be transported on Il-74 and An-12 aircraft.
And also on landing sea ships. “Gvozdika” was in service with all the armies of the countries that were part of the Warsaw Pact. In many of them it is still in service.
For this artillery system, a special laser-guided projectile “Kitolov-2” was developed, which is capable of hitting the target with high accuracy using a homing head. The projectile is highly accurate, but the target must be illuminated by a laser beam from the gun mount itself or by a fire spotter.
The Croats developed a “super charge” charge, thanks to which Gvozdika shells flew 17.1 km.
In 1997, a high-explosive fragmentation rocket was developed and tested for the Gvozdika. The firing range increased to almost 22 km.
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