Self-propelled artillery systems hold the leading position on the front lines. The wheeled and tracked versions of the self-propelled guns available on the market are discussed below.

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


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

Of course, there are situations in which standard towed artillery systems are used, like mortars, and rocket systems ground-to-ground class. Towed artillery systems provide a number of significant tactical advantages over heavier self-propelled artillery guns for airborne and naval forces. Towed systems with a conventional barrel caliber of 105-155 mm are quickly carried by helicopter and are currently being successfully used in Afghanistan.

However, self-propelled artillery systems continue to dominate the battlefield, thanks to upgrades in the field of projectiles and loading systems, as well as with the support of a number of different systems currently being produced and developed around the world.

Track systems

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

PLZ 45

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

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

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

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

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

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


PzH 2000

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

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

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

The first AGM consisted of the remaining tracked chassis of the multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) M 270, in the stern of which the turret is located remote control, loaded with the same 155mm / 52 caliber charges as in the PhZ 2000. In front of the vehicle there is a protected cockpit from which the team operates the gun.

The result of further joint development by Krauss Maffei Wegmann and the Spanish company General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas (GDSBS) is the DONAR - 155 mm / 52 calibrated self-propelled artillery system, which was first shown publicly in mid-2008 and is currently being tested.


DONAR

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

The German army has so far removed all 155mm M 109A3G self-propelled artillery pieces from service, some of which have been sent overseas. Privately, Rheinmetall Weapons and Munitions modularized the M 109 with the M-109 L52, which allows for the full range of 155mm / 52 PhZ 2000 ammunition. It was marketed as a modular system that can be tailored to personal user requirements. ...

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

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


Palmaria 155mm

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

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

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


Raad-2

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

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


Type 75 155mm

The South Korean company Samsung Techwin, under license from the current BAE Systems US Combat Systems, has assembled 1,040 pieces of M109A2 155mm self-propelled artillery systems, which are now being operated by South Korea. However, since that time, the South Korean armed forces have been replenished with a 155 mm / 52 K9 caliber system manufactured by Samsung Techwin, which has been in operation for 10 years and is the next modification of the M109A2.


M109A2 155mm

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

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

The K9 is also produced in Turkey using equipment from the Turkish Ground Forces Command. More than 250 units were produced under local name Firtina.

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

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

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


2S19 MSTA-S

The 155 mm / 52 gauge system 2S9M1 was offered as a test for export, but no sales have been made so far.

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


Coalition-SV

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

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


Primus 155mm

The Spanish army, meanwhile, operates a fleet of 155mm M109A5E self-propelled systems, and their local manufacturer, GDSBS in currently is engaged in the modernization of this system, one of the aspects of which is the installation of a digital navigation, aiming and guidance system (DINAPS).


M109A5E

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

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

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


Panzerhaubitze М109

The complete modernization involved the installation of a 155mm / 47 caliber artillery gun, which is accompanied by 40 155mm rounds with an appropriate number of charge modules. The maximum range of a standard projectile is 23 km. The system is equipped with a gun temperature sensor and a semi-automatic charger, which increases the rate of fire to 3 rounds in 15 seconds. Panzerhaubitze 88/95 is also equipped with a navigation and gun guidance system, which continuously provides the commander, gunner and driver necessary information displayed.

Other innovations include an upgraded electrical system, a remote cannon release system and a fire detection and extinguishing system.

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

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

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


AS90

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

The newest version - the M109 A6 Paladin - is equipped with a 155 mm / 39 caliber artillery gun, a new turret and an upgraded chassis.


M109 A6 Paladin

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

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

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

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

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


NLOS-С P1

Earlier this year, the US Department of Defense announced the closure of that part of the Advanced Combat Systems program, which is associated with controlled equipment, including NLOS-C, and at the moment all work has been frozen. The US Army is now studying its future needs for self-propelled artillery.

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

Wheel systems

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

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

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

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


SH 1 (6 x 6)

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

Less powerful NORINCO products include the SH 2 system, based on a new 6x6 all-terrain chassis with front and rear wheel steering. The 122mm cannon, developed from the NORINCO in-house towed D -30 cannon, is mounted on a platform in the center of the chassis.

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


SH 2

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

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

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


CAESAR

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

The French army decided to upgrade part of the GCT (AUF1) 155-mm tracked systems to the AUF2 configuration level, which includes the installation of 155mm / 52 gun calibers.

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

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

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

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

To date, 2 foreign buyers have placed orders for the CAESAR system. The Royal Thai Army has ordered 6 systems (they have been delivered so far) and an unnamed export buyer - identified as the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) - made an order for 100 units. The latter are based on Mercedes-Benz 6x6 truck chassis.

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

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


ATMOS 2000 (Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System)

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

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

The first export buyer of the system was Uganda, which took delivery of the first shipment of 3 units. To meet Romania's needs, the company has developed a 155mm / 52 gauge ATROM in conjunction with the Romanian company Aerostar. It is based on a domestically developed 6x6 ROMAN cargo chassis and an ATMOS 155mm / 52 caliber gun mounted at the rear of the system.

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


Semser D-30

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

The former Yugoslavia has significant experience in the design and manufacture of towed artillery systems, as well as in the modernization of old systems.

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


NORA B-52

155mm / 52 caliber gun mounted on a turntable in the rear of the chassis; while driving, the barrel is fixed in front of the system, and during fire, the gun shoots from the rear. The ammunition load consists of 36 rounds and the corresponding number of charge modules, the maximum range of the ER FB BB projectile is currently 44 km.

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

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

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


Zuzana

In addition to being exploited by the Slovak Army, Zuzana was also sold to Cyprus and later to Georgia.

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

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


self-propelled howitzer-gun G6

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

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

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

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


self-propelled artillery system G6-52


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

Denel Land Systems is also developing the T5 Condor 155mm self-propelled artillery system for export. The first instance was installed on a Tatra truck chassis with a carrying capacity that provides towing of 155mm / 52 calibers of the G5-2000 artillery system. An automatic implement control system is built into the system as standard. The complex can also be installed on another chassis.

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

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


FH-77 BW L52 Archer

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

The ammunition load is 34 rounds and the corresponding number of charges, medium range flight - 40 km for a standard projectile, and 60 km for an extended-range projectile.

In addition to using conventional projectiles, the system can use more advanced technologies such as BONUS top-attack projectiles and Excalibur precision-targeting projectiles.

Development of projectiles

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

The traditional types of ammunition: high-explosive, smoke and light were supplemented with extended-range projectiles with a gas generator or rocket booster, or projectiles that combine these characteristics.

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

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

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

To suppress high-value targets such as tanks and artillery systems, an improved 155mm overhead projectile has been developed and put into production. These include BONUS shells from Nexter Munitions / BAE Systems Global Combat Systems (used by France and Sweden) and German SMArt shells used by Australia, Germany, Greece, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The US Army has introduced artillery guided projectile Copperhead (CLGP) many years ago, and although they are nearly expired, they are still on the registry today.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many countries are turning Special attention on the development of the company ISTAR, helping to facilitate target detection by artillery units. Such developments include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), different kinds radars and other military sensors, such as laser rangefinders / pointers and day / thermal imaging devices, which allow the detection and detection of targets at long distances.

Forward-looking requirements

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

For example, as part of the US Army's FCS (Advanced Combat Systems) program, rocket launcher for firing from a closed position (NLOS - LS), consisting of a launch canister unit (CLU) that can accommodate 15 vertically mounted high-precision ballistic missiles (PAM) or cruise missiles(LAM). At the moment, development is underway on the LAM, in order to increase its flight range to 70 km. Despite the order to stop the entire program, work on NLOS-LS for the US Army is still ongoing.

The United Kingdom is currently implementing the Team Complex Weapons program, under which the development of the Fire Shadow winged munition, the supplier of which is the MBDA company, is in the first place. They strive to provide the command of the ground forces with the ability to quickly capture and hit targets at large distances and with greater accuracy.

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

Traditionally, fire operations are carried out at the battalion, battery or troop level, but many of the recently deployed self-propelled artillery systems are equipped with an onboard computerized fire control system combined with a ground navigation system that would allow fire missions to be carried out autonomously.

This feature, in combination with an automatic projectile loading system, allows achieving a high rate of fire and carrying out MRSI firing missions (simultaneous strike of multiple projectiles, “flurry of fire”).

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

If you believe the statement "Artillery is the god of war", then the self-propelled artillery unit 2S7SM that entered the army in the summer is the best candidate for the role of "God's governor"

The 2S7SM represents an updated version of the Malka self-propelled guns, which was created in the mid-80s on the basis of the 2S7 Pion. At the same time, the novelty is distinguished by an increased rate of fire: up to three rounds per minute against two and a half and one and a half for its predecessors, respectively. The accuracy of fire has also improved due to the use of remotely piloted aircraft "Orlan-10". Error-free referencing to the terrain is provided by on-board computers, the use of digital terrain maps and signals from the GLONASS global navigation satellite system. The special mechanisms of the new ACS model give it the ability to accurately change the elevation angle within 60 °. Together with more advanced means of destruction, these and other innovations give reason to attribute the 2S7SM to the next generation of large-caliber self-propelled artillery systems for the Ground Forces.

World War II experience

At the beginning of August, the artillerymen of the Eastern Military District, in the conditions of the Tryokhrechye training ground in the Amur Region, worked out the task of destroying an armored group of a mock enemy, which "broke through the defenses and rushed deep into the battle formations of our troops." ... Note that such use of long-range artillery systems is very rare in real combat (and training) conditions. Usually they fire from deep defenses, being at a respectful distance from the line of fire contact with the enemy - the range of the shot makes it possible not to expose the crews to unnecessary risk of return fire.

At the same time, the chronicle of armed conflicts is replete with examples when the gunners were forced to repulse the enemy in conditions not envisaged by the customer's requirements for the company - the developer of the artillery systems entrusted to them. For example, during the Great Patriotic War a large number of tanks were knocked out of action by anti-aircraft guns.

As a result, on the basis of well-proven air defense guns with excellent ballistic qualities, the industry created tank guns and anti-tank installations. And Soviet gunsmiths installed 122- and 152-mm howitzers on armored self-propelled chassis, as a result of which the Red Army received excellent self-propelled guns, capable of successfully fighting the fascist "Tigers" and "Panthers", earning the unofficial name "St. John's wort". In this regard, the ability of modern 203-mm self-propelled guns to conduct, if necessary, accurate and fast direct fire to kill (in the specific conditions of the test site, the visibility was about two kilometers) is a very valuable quality of the corresponding artillery system.

Check by Syria

It was also possible to meet "atypical" use of powerful self-propelled artillery systems during the anti-terrorist operation in Syria.

Thus, the 2S1 "Carnation" and 2S3 "Akatsia" self-propelled guns, which were in service with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), which were developed for conducting hinged fire, often hit the enemy with direct fire. For example, when it was required to break into the defense line of illegal armed groups in dense urban development during the liberation of urban areas of Aleppo, Damascus and other megacities. For their part, illegal armed groups also actively used non-standard methods of warfare, seeking to surprise actions to cause panic in the ranks of government troops and the people's militia. This required appropriate changes in the organization of the combat work of the Syrian field artillery crews.

The analysis of military operations in the SAR prompts the Russian artillerymen to improve their own skills, to make appropriate adjustments to the combat training programs. Colonel Gennady Vilyamovich Shevchenko, who performed special tasks during his missions in Syria, said that the Russian advisers assigned to the government forces "learned a lot from the Syrian military" who had accumulated "vast experience in real combat work" during the seven years of the civil war.

From "Peony" to "Malka"

Based on the experience of creating art. large caliber systems tsarist period, The Soviet Union continued to develop "eight-inch" in the interests of the Red Army. As a result, the B-4 howitzer of the 1931 model was produced in a large circulation (more than a thousand copies).

Of course, "in terms of technology" these were completely different products, created in accordance with the changed requirements of the main customer as self-propelled guns artillery reserve The Supreme Command... At the same time, in addition to the caliber, there are several more parameters that have remained unchanged. So, limiting angle the elevation remained equal to 60 °: according to the developers of howitzer artillery, this ensures the choice of the optimal trajectory for hitting various targets.

The differences were explained by the fact that the "Pion" and "Malka" were developed for a different application - the destruction of especially important objects and means of nuclear attack, as well as the suppression of rear services. This designation dictated the need to provide an increased firing range with high destructive ammunition. To increase the maximum indicator from 18 kilometers for the B-4 to 25-37 kilometers for the 2S7 while maintaining the mass of the high-explosive projectile at the level of 100-110 kilograms, the barrel length more than doubled - from 25 to 55 calibers.

At the same time, the rate of fire was increased three times, and in the course of the further development of the system - six times in total. In addition to high-explosive and concrete-piercing shells, high-explosive and cluster shells were also developed for the Pion.

A significant difference from the B-4 on a tracked carriage and its post-war version of the B-4M on a wheeled vehicle was the setting of the gun on an armored tracked chassis with a tank engine with a capacity of 780 and then 840 Horse power... As a result, the weight of the installation increased from 18-19 to 45-46.5 tons. In a word, towed eight-inches gave way to self-propelled ones, capable of moving on roads at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour. Among other advantages, this significantly reduced the likelihood of our artillerymen being hit by enemy response fire. If the firing was carried out with single shots at the maximum range, the calculation had time to move its vehicle to the stowed position and change position while the projectile was still on the trajectory.

Malka vs. M110 USA

It is interesting to compare the domestic system with the only foreign analogue - the M110, because, apart from the United States, no one else produced eight-inch machines abroad after World War II. The production of the initial version started in 1962, and in terms of range and rate of fire, it was on par with the B-4M. Eager to ease physical exercise for gunners, American engineers developed a hydraulic charging device. However, its design turned out to be unsuccessful: a well-trained crew manually fired one and a half to two times faster. The only advantage over the B-4M was the use of a self-propelled chassis, which was "bought" by increasing the mass of the installation to 28.5 tons.

Analysis of the experience of the Vietnam War, the feat of the Americans to increase the barrel length from 25 to 39.5 caliber on the A1 and improved A2 (1978) in order to bring the maximum firing range to 24 kilometers. Although the M110A2 indicators turned out to be quite high, it failed to surpass the “Soviet counterparts”. When the Americans began to re-equip the previously released M110 and M107 long-barreled guns, the domestic industry began to release a completely new "Peony". With similar rates of fire, our system fired shells with a greater mass - 100-110 kilograms against 90.7 in the case of a high-explosive fragmentation shot.

The invention of the so-called "active-rocket" projectile (with a powder charge for additional impulse on the trajectory) did not help the United States to gain superiority. Thanks to him, the Americans reached a range of 30 kilometers. The corresponding figure for the domestic system was 25-37 kilometers in the case of conventional shots and 47.5 for the later developed "active-reactive". And in relation to the recently updated "Malka", the maximum firing range is called "up to 50 kilometers."

One and only

Both American and Soviet large-caliber artillery systems were intended to destroy critical enemy targets located at a distance of several tens of kilometers from the front line. During the period cold war they developed shots with chemical and atomic charges. When Washington and Moscow reached an agreement on the reduction of arsenals of weapons of mass destruction and agreed on the maximum amount of nuclear weapons for each side, the first "victims" of the disarmament process were just artillery shells, since they are much less useful than a strategic missile warhead. And if the M-110 was able to survive the "decline in status" from "nuclear" to "conventional" weapons, then the massive transition of Western armies to the "standard" caliber of 155 millimeters finally interrupted her career in the American army.

With the imminent retirement of the only foreign analogue, the domestic eight-inch model becomes the only large-caliber howitzer on its own course, which remains in service with the Ground Forces. The appearance of an updated version of the 2S7SM reinforces its status as the most powerful and perfect system of cannon artillery in the world. You can see the “God's governor” with your own eyes on the static site of the “Patriot” park.

10

The Archer self-propelled gun uses the chassis of a Volvo A30D with a 6x6 wheel arrangement. A diesel engine with a capacity of 340 horsepower is installed on the chassis, which allows you to reach speeds on the highway up to 65 km / h. It should be noted that the wheeled chassis can move on snow up to one meter deep. If the wheels of the installation were damaged, then the ACS can still move for some time.

A distinctive feature of the howitzer is that there is no need for additional crew numbers for loading it. The cockpit is armored to protect the crew from small arms fire and ammunition fragments.

9


"Msta-S" is designed to destroy tactical nuclear weapons, artillery and mortar batteries, tanks and other armored equipment, anti-tank weapons, manpower, air defense and missile defense systems, command posts, as well as to destroy field fortifications and hinder the maneuvers of enemy reserves in the depth of his defense. She can fire on observed and unobserved targets from closed positions and direct fire, including work in mountainous conditions. When firing, both shots from the ammunition rack and those supplied from the ground are used, without loss of rate of fire.

The crew members communicate using the 1B116 intercom equipment for seven subscribers. External communication carried out using the VHF radio station R-173 (range up to 20 km).

Additional self-propelled equipment includes: automatic PPO 3-fold action with control equipment 3ETs11-2; two filter ventilation units; self-entrenching system mounted on the lower frontal plate; TDA powered by the main engine; system 902V "Tucha" for firing 81-mm smoke grenades; two tank degassing devices (TDP).

8 AS-90


Self-propelled artillery mount on a tracked chassis with a rotating turret. The hull and turret are made of 17 mm steel armor.

The AS-90 replaced all other types of artillery in the British army, both self-propelled and towed, with the exception of the light towed howitzers L118 and MLRS, and were used by them in combat during the Iraq war.

7 Krab (based on AS-90)


The SPH Krab is a 155mm NATO compatible self-propelled howitzer manufactured in Poland by the Produkcji Wojskowej Huta Stalowa Wola center. The self-propelled gun is a complex symbiosis of the Polish chassis of the RT-90 tank (with the S-12U engine), the artillery unit from the AS-90M Braveheart with a 52 caliber long barrel, and the own (Polish) Topaz fire control system. The 2011 SPH Krab version uses a new gun barrel from Rheinmetall.

SPH Krab was immediately created with the ability to fire in modern modes, that is, for the MRSI mode (multiple shells of simultaneous impact) as well. As a result, SPH Krab, within 1 minute in MRSI mode, fires 5 shells at the enemy (that is, at the target) within 30 seconds, after which it leaves the firing position. Thus, for the enemy, the complete impression is created that 5 self-propelled guns are firing at him, and not one.

6 M109A7 "Paladin"


Self-propelled artillery mount on a tracked chassis with a rotating turret. The hull and turret are made of rolled aluminum armor, which provides protection against fire small arms and fragments of field artillery shells.

In addition to the United States, it became the standard self-propelled gun of NATO countries, was also supplied in significant quantities to a number of other countries and was used in many regional conflicts.

5 PLZ05


The self-propelled gun turret is welded from rolled armor plates. On the frontal part of the tower, two four-barreled smoke grenade launchers are installed to create smoke screens. In the aft part of the hull, a crew hatch is provided, which can be used to replenish ammunition, while supplying ammunition from the ground to the loading system.

The PLZ-05 is equipped with an automatic gun loading system developed on the basis of the Russian Msta-S self-propelled guns. The rate of fire is 8 rounds per minute. The howitzer cannon has a caliber of 155 mm and a barrel length of 54 calibers. The gun ammunition is located in the turret. It consists of 30 155mm rounds and 500 rounds for a 12.7mm machine gun.

4


The 155 mm Type 99 self-propelled howitzer is a Japanese self-propelled howitzer in service with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. It replaced the obsolete Type 75 SPG.

Despite the interests in the self-propelled gun of the armies of several countries of the world, the sale of copies of this howitzer abroad was prohibited by Japanese law.

3


The K9 Thunder ACS was developed in the mid-90s of the last century by Samsung Techwin by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea, in addition to the K55 \ K55A1 self-propelled guns in service with their subsequent replacement.

In 1998, the Korean government signed a contract with Samsung Techwin for the supply of self-propelled guns, and in 1999 the first batch of K9 Thunder was delivered to the customer. In 2004, Turkey bought a production license and also received a batch of K9 Thunder. A total of 350 units have been ordered. The first 8 SPGs were built in Korea. From 2004 to 2009, 150 self-propelled guns were delivered to the Turkish army.

2


Developed in the Nizhny Novgorod Central Research Institute "Burevestnik". ACS 2S35 is designed to destroy tactical nuclear weapons, artillery and mortar batteries, tanks and other armored equipment, anti-tank weapons, manpower, air defense and missile defense systems, command posts, as well as to destroy field fortifications and prevent the enemy's reserves from maneuvering in the depths of his defense. ... On May 9, 2015, the new self-propelled howitzer 2S35 "Coalition-SV" was officially presented for the first time at the Parade in honor of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, in terms of the complex of characteristics, the ACS 2S35 exceeds similar systems by 1.5-2 times. Compared to the M777 towed howitzer and the M109 self-propelled howitzer in service with the US Army, the Coalition-SV self-propelled howitzer has a higher degree of automation, an increased rate of fire and a firing range that meets modern requirements for combined arms combat.

1


Self-propelled artillery mount on a tracked chassis with a rotating turret. The hull and turret are made of steel armor that provides protection against bullets up to 14.5 mm and fragments of 152 mm shells. The possibility of using dynamic protection is provided.

The PzH 2000 is capable of firing three rounds in nine seconds or ten in 56 seconds at a range of up to 30 km. Howitzer holds a world record - at the training ground in South Africa she fired 56 km with a V-LAP (Advanced Aerodynamic Active Rocket) projectile.

In terms of the aggregate performance, the PzH 2000 is considered the most advanced serial ACS in the world. ACS has earned extremely high marks from independent experts; for example, the Russian specialist O. Zheltonozhko defined it as a reference system for the present time, which all manufacturers of self-propelled artillery installations are guided by.

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

Summary

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

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

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

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

The history of development

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

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

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

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

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

Engineers in England and America focused their forces mainly on production self-propelled howitzers... This is how the Sexton, Bishop, M12, and M7 Priest models appeared.

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

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

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

Assault guns

They are armored vehicles for fire support of tanks and infantry. ACS of this type are armed with large-caliber (105-203 mm) short-barreled or long-barreled guns, which easily hit the fortified infantry positions. In addition, assault guns could be effectively used against tanks. This type of ACS, like the previous one, was actively developed during the Second World War. The StuG III, StuG H42 and Brummbar are notable examples of German self-propelled assault guns. Among Soviet vehicles, the Su-122 and Su-152 distinguished themselves. After the war, the development of main battle tanks led to the fact that they began to be armed with large-caliber guns, capable of hitting enemy fortifications and unarmored targets without problems. Thus, the need for the use of assault weapons disappeared.

Self-propelled howitzers

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

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

Anti-tank

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

Anti-aircraft installations

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

Surrogate

They are improvised combat vehicles designed on the basis of commercial or tractors. As a rule, there were no reservations for surrogate SPGs. Among domestic installations of this class, the 57-mm anti-tank self-propelled fighting machine ZiS-30, built on the basis of the Komsomolets tracked artillery tractor. The most widely used surrogate vehicles were Nazi Germany and Nazi Italy due to the lack of other armored vehicles.

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

Use tactics

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

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

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

In recent years, self-propelled artillery began to be used to destroy snipers who are hiding in places that are inconvenient for attack with other fire weapons.

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

Layout

The most common self-propelled vehicles today are usually built on the basis of a tank chassis or lightly armored tracked vehicles. In both cases, the layout of components and assemblies is similar. Unlike tanks, the turret installation of the self-propelled guns is located in the rear. armored corps rather than average. This makes the process of supplying ammunition from the ground much easier. The power transmission group, respectively, is located in the front and middle of the body. Because the transmission is located in the bow, it is advisable that the front wheels are driven. However, in modern ACS, there is a tendency to use rear-wheel drive.

The department of management, it is also the workplace of the driver, is located near the gearbox in the center of the car or closer to its left side. The motor is located between the driver's seat and the fighting compartment. The fighting compartment includes ammunition and gun aiming devices.

In addition to the described variant of the placement of components and assemblies, the ZSU can be assembled according to the tank model. Sometimes they even represent a tank, the standard turret of which has been replaced with a special turret with a rapid-fire weapon and guidance equipment. Here we are with you and learned what an ACS is.