approximately 50-60 years of the last century, the development of traditional cannon artillery in the USSR almost stopped.Then, in the military doctrine of the prevailing view that the future - for the rockets.In such circumstances, developers of conventional weapons had to work hard to persuade the country's leaders of the need for further development of this branch of military equipment.
last straw was the situation in some "hot spots" at the time when the old Soviet howitzer is much worse than the latest developments of the American gunsmiths.In that period there was a howitzer "Hyacinth".Its creation marked the beginning of a new era in which the value of the classical cannon artillery already was not disputed.At its base it was created self-propelled units with the same name, which to this day are in service around the world.
Basic technical information
So called towed gun Soviet manufacture, the caliber of which is 152 mm.Accordingly, it is classified as heavy artillery.This technique is designed to suppress and complete destruction of enemy infantry, artillery, armor and combat the enemy on the march, as well as to destroy fortified command posts and places of compact concentration of enemy forces.
Like other similar Soviet equipment, howitzer "Hyacinth" can be successfully used in a wide range of weather and climatic conditions.Not to be unfounded, we give a concrete example.For example, in tests it has shown good results when shooting under ambient temperature from -50 ° C to +50 ° C.This weapon is used by the troops of the Russian Federation and other countries formerly part of the Soviet Union.In addition, the howitzer "Hyacinth" is armed with the army in Finland.
Brief History
development of a new type of weapons began in 1968 in Perm.The developers from the beginning was set one task: to make a new gun, the characteristics of which have surpassed existing on the day counterparts.From the outset, it was launched design of two types of installations.first - towed howitzer "Hyacinth 2A36 ', the second - a model 2A37.The last gun was intended for mounting on self-propelled artillery of the same name.
Initially, he was appointed chief designer of the talented engineer YN Kalachnikov.It should be noted that the first samples of firing guns were shown in the years 1971-1972.Soviet Army it began to be delivered by 1976.Why he was chosen for such a small caliber weapon "Jacinth"?Howitzer 240 mm would be more effective in terms of combat power, only to transport such a monster would have to develop special tractors.
reasons for the popularity
Even today, the "obsolete" model 2A36 has excellent characteristics that make a formidable weapon howitzer.It is characterized by a great combat power, high mobility and reliability.It can be transported without special problems for rail, water and air.If the gun "Hyacinth" used an experienced team, it can be successfully used in virtually all conditions of modern warfare.
information on technical unit
gun equipped with a gate-type semi-automatic, hydropneumatic recuperator, which uses the recoil energy of the barrel to return to its original position after making a shot.To facilitate the handling of heavy ammunition, there is a chain feeder of both the shell and expelling powder charge (separate charging shells).
For product volleys straight from March (subject to posted wheel) used pallet with a powerful hydraulic jack.The design of the gun provides a mechanism for two-speed vertical guidance.Directly instrument is 152 mm caliber cannon, model 2A36.At the muzzle brake total length of the barrel is 8197 mm.
Combat deployment
It was released Gun "Hyacinth" in the carriage with three supports to what was very similar to the 122-mm towed howitzer D-30.Two of the three frame being movable such that unwrapping procedure on the battery areas is relatively simple.By the time this operation takes from the calculation prepared by no more than two or three minutes.Since the weight of the gun is relatively small (about ten tons) for transportation you can use standard military trucks.
What technique you can use to tow?
Note that for this purpose can be used automobiles KrAZ-255, KrAZ-260 (6x6) or standard crawler tractor AT-T, ATC, ATS-59 AT-S, MT-T, which are in service with virtually all countries-uchastnits Warsaw Pact.Interestingly, when the carriage with the help of a tractor permitted movement speed to 60 km / h.This "Hyacinth-B" compares favorably with other towed howitzers, standing in service of our country and NATO.
Opposition returns
Placing on the powerful gun carriage was made possible by the fact that the muzzle brake was used special design, which allowed approximately twice lower returns.To facilitate the work of the calculation in the design has a chain feeder shells.At the top there is a light machine guard that protects staff from bullets and shrapnel.As for ballistic performance, they are substantially similar to those of ML-20 howitzers.
should be noted that with the construction of a protective shield designers had a lot of mess in their time.The fact that the original test soldiers celebrated effect is extremely strong muzzle.It not only raised a cloud of dust, completely unmasking the enemy, but could cause serious injury calculation.The study of all this information, designers have managed to create a relatively compact but effective shield, which in some cases it is able to withstand even a machine gun firing artillery positions.
Underride mechanism
As we have already said, the design tools used muzzle brake plane type.But it is not enough to level the strongest recoil when firing 152-millimeter shell.To completely eliminate the injury calculation and improve the accuracy, the designers have provided a hydraulic brake and a pneumatic recuperator.
Unlike other domestic howitzers, the latter is filled with nitrogen.This inert gas makes it more efficient to extinguish the impact of powerful shells.
Features shells
should be noted that especially for "Hyacinth-B" at the time the shots were designed for special separate-case loading.It was connected with the fact that before the designers staged a fairly complex task and tough conditions.They had to create a weapon, having sufficient mobility and mobility with high combat power.In addition, the gun had to serve on more than three or four people.
So let's list all major types of shells that can use the "Hyacinth".Howitzer, which has a picture in the paper shoots following types of ammunition:
- Model VOF39.Standard shot, the design includes a high-explosive charge of RP-29.The total weight is 46 kilograms, of which 6.73 kg were particularly powerful explosive brand A-IX-2.
- type ZVOF86.An interesting fact that the design has a rocket-assisted projectile model RP-59, with which it is safe to hit the target at distances of up to 33.5 kilometers.
- has also developed a special low power nuclear bomb (0.1-2 kg).It should be noted that at the moment these munitions banned by a number of conventions.However, you still need to keep in mind that the howitzer "Hyacinth" whose characteristics are shown in our paper, can fire these munitions.This makes it an extremely dangerous weapon among the variety of conventional artillery.
- Shot cassette type 3O-13.It may be fitted with fragmentation submunitions, at the moment there are cluster bombs, which use their own thought-purpose submunitions.High combat characteristics are achieved through the use of advanced sensor target.More recently developed missiles that can be used to create active interference hindering restore the target enemy artillery.
- There is also a cumulative anti-tank shot (shooting only direct fire) and smoke bombs.
Combat application
practical operation under Afghanistan showed that one minute prepared and trained calculation can produce about five or six shots.In general, the military reviews about this weapon is very flattering: a great power and is a proven ballistics missiles to destroy almost any enemy fortifications.
note that in those circumstances the gunners had to work very hard, as visual inspection goals almost never was, and changeable mountain weather greatly complicates even direct fire.Then "Hyacinths" military deserve our recognition, due to its high reliability: even after several dozen shots fired at the same time, the guns were ready for further combat.
Note that the 152 mm howitzer "Hyacinth" quite actively used by our troops in both Chechen campaigns.The combat power of the gun repeatedly rendered a good service, since it can be had without much difficulty to destroy the militants' positions, even if they were fixed in massive concrete buildings.Several volleys of direct fire - and from bunkers remained only mountain building rubble.
Dimensions guns
Cannon has very impressive dimensions: its length of almost 13 meters in the stowed position, in combat, this figure is slightly smaller - about 12.5 m. The height of the trunk in the stowed position is 2760 millimeters.Clearance biaxial chassis - 475 millimeters.The width of the stroke - 2340 millimeters.The diameter of each of the four wheels is 1080 millimeters, width of the tires - 300 millimeters.
operating tire pressure should be maintained at 4.8 kgf / cm², the course of spring is approximately 150 mm.Weighs howitzer "Hyacinth-B" about 9800 kilograms.Maximum range of fire high-explosive shells is 28.5 kilometers.At what distance can still shoot "Hyacinth"?Howitzers, firing range which normally reaches 25-28 thousand meters, in the case of the use of modern rockets can fire at a distance of 41 kilometers.
All this suggests that an instrument that began to develop in the 60-ies of the last century, is still characterized by an impressive performance on the battlefield.
Some modifications
high combat power and efficiency (self-propelled howitzer "Hyacinth" was nicknamed "Genocide") contributed to the fact that many enterprises in the Soviet Union began to offer their own versions of such a useful weapon modifications.One of the options was the index of BC.The letter "K" stands for kartuzny type loader.In principle, such an approach was to be expected: the presence in the construction of a 152-millimeter shell brass shells substantially increases its cost.
In addition, it produced a number of 155-millimeter "Hyacinth", intended for export to countries that used artillery shells NATO standard.
