Many people interested in the weapons the army made for himself in many ways is a misconception that the cannon artillery in the existing conditions become virtually unclaimed.And in fact: it would seem, for what it is, when the battlefield missiles reigns?Take your time, not so simple.
The fact that cannon artillery are much cheaper to manufacture and operate.In addition, when used with projectiles with fiber-laser-guided ("Kitolov-2"), it can (on a normal distance, of course) does not show less impressive than the rocket, the results on the battlefield.Do not forget about the possibility of using small nuclear warheads.In the context of a major war, it can be extremely useful.
So today we will discuss the ACS "Hyacinth" - one of the most impressive systems of this class.
Background During the Second World War, self-propelled artillery guns have established themselves as powerful and dangerous weapons, whose presence often could decide the outcome of the battle in favor of one or another party to the conflict.Their price was significantly lower than that of the tank, but under certain conditions, cheap and not too well armored vehicles could effectively destroy the enemy heavy armored vehicles.For our country, it was especially important at the initial stage of the war, when military equipment is desperately short, and its production was required to simplify and reduce the cost.
Almost all motorized infantry division of the USSR in the postwar period were equipped with tanks and self-propelled guns on a mixed basis.Each motorized rifle regiment was qualitative artillery weapons, which represents a full battery SU-76.Significantly increased the proportion of other artillery weapons, which was created in the years of war.
All SAU taken into service during this period, were intended solely to support the attacking infantry in combat.However, in the post-war military doctrine are increasingly prescribing the use of self-propelled units with or instead of tanks.
In 50-60 years, the role of ACS constantly falling.Often, the question arose about the complete cessation of production and the replacement of this type of armament.So, by the mid 60-ies it was developed very few new models of self-propelled guns.Almost all of them were based on the old tank chassis during the Second World War, equipping the new armored corps.
decline of industry in the late 50s of the last century, Nikita Khrushchev, a passionate fan of the missile, has authorized almost complete stop of barreled weapons in the Soviet Union.Because of this, we are lagging behind its potential enemies than a dozen years.History has repeatedly punish the Soviet Union for the miscalculation: in the 60s it became clear that the value of cannon artillery remained on the same level.Especially clearly confirmed the incident in China, after which the Secretary General has revised his views on this issue.
then placed the Kuomintang whole battery of long-range American howitzers and began quietly to fire mainland China.Chinese and our military advisers were in a very uncomfortable position.They had guns M-46 caliber 130 mm, but the projectiles did not reach the enemy's batteries even with a tailwind.One of the Soviet advisers proposed an original way: to achieve the goal, it was necessary just as it should warm up the shells!
Both sides were surprised, but the reception was a success.This case helped spur development in 1968. ACS "Hyacinth".Its creation was assigned Permian art.Areas of work
Since the work required to finish as quickly as possible, the development has gone in two directions.Experts have been working in the field of self-propelled and towed guns (codes "C" and "B" respectively).General Directorate of Artillery at once assigned to these machines designation 2A36 and 2A37.An important feature of them was not only unique ballistics, but also special ammunition that were made specifically for ACS "Hyacinth".152 mm - a fairly common size, but few know that in the Soviet Army there were no other similar caliber ammunition that could be used by these self-propelled.
General
Perm created directly artillery unit in Yekaterinburg designed chassis, and the Institute THEM thought the best experts to create the most suitable for such a system of ammunition.Already in 1969, the Commission proposed two variants of the new ACS: in the conning-tower and tower versions.Approved was the second option.In 1970, the government initiated a full-scale work on the ACS "Hyacinth".At the beginning of 1971, "the public" were presented to the first 152 mm caliber gun, but due to unavailability of firing shells moved.
Crew "Hyacinth C" consists of five people.On the highway the car can travel at speeds up to 60 km / h in the range of about 500 kilometers.The housing is made from armor plate (aluminum alloy) with a thickness of 30 mm by welding.This armor is not however provide any adequate protection of the crew, even by heavy machine guns, and because in combat missions must be particularly well to think of the location of the machine on the ground.
In addition, the lack of installation "Hyacinth C" is its relatively low rate - no more than five shots per minute.It should be noted that the supply of ammunition is carried out manually, and therefore in heavy combat payment may simply be tired, which further reduce the effectiveness of the charging.And yet - given the characteristics of Russian winters, it is not surprising cool relations war to open the gun, not covered tower.Even in the face of the Chechen "cold" period, there have been cases of frostbite settlement "Hyacinth".
justification for developers can be except the fact that this was originally planned at the time of ACS "cold" war.Simply put, it was designed specifically for combat operations in Western Europe, where winter temperatures are rarely seen below 7-8 degrees Celsius.It is worth remembering though that the BMP-1, designed for the same conditions, is not the best way proved in Afghanistan (though for different reasons).
powerplant and chassis
Engine-transmission compartment is located in front of the case.The power plant presented V-engine B-59, V-shaped with a capacity of 520 hpThe feature that it is configured in one piece with the two-stream transmission.Compartment gun commander to the right of the engine.Just before the commander's turret is located workstation driver.Directly fighting compartment located in the central part of the body.Shells are in vertical stacking.
used in this machine chassis is actually similar to that which was used to create SAU "Acacia".Since the self-propelled unit is an open type, an instrument installed openly.This feature has enabled it to make the car somewhat shorter.Since Gun Mount "Hyacinth" is relatively small (with respect to the analogs), it is convenient to transport by air.
It was supposed to equip the new car also PKT, but this option was not adopted.Later, it still contributed to the project again.By 1972, were finally ready to both types of projects, "Hyacinth" with an instrument separate-case method of charging.It should be noted that at the same time developed variant kartuznymi charges.However, this option has not gone beyond the sketches.In a series of self-propelled guns, "Hyacinth" went in 1976, and immediately began the saturation forces with new equipment.
Combat "run" the new technology has received in Afghanistan, the military immediately gave this a lot of self-propelled flattering characteristics.They were particularly impressed by the powerful bomb that could be successfully used for the destruction of the powerful fortifications of the Taliban.In some places, self-propelled 152-mm gun, "Hyacinth" received the nickname of "genocide," which alludes to its combat power.
Features gun
2A37 cannon design is pretty standard: the pipe-piece, the breech and the muzzle brake, without which in this impressive caliber do not succeed.Incidentally, it relates to a slit type.Shutter semi, skalochnogo type horizontal skew.The gun is equipped with a brake hydraulic damping type rollback and recuperator (pneumatic), a feature of which is that its cylinders are rolled together with the barrel.The smallest rollback - 730 mm, the largest - 950 mm.
rammer chain type works in two steps: first sends a projectile into the breech, and only after the liner fits all.Simplify the work crew sectoral lifting and turning mechanisms.He turns the gun on a simple machine, a device which eliminates virtually all major breakdown.
Other features
In the horizontal field gun can be induced in the range of 30 °.Features pointing vertically - of -2,5 ° to 58 °.Cannon closes strong shield that protects the crew from bullets of the machine, and fragments of the shock wave that occurs when shooting.The shield is made simply by punching a single piece of steel armor.Again, that "Hyacinth" - ACS.Photos show her nice low security.This feature of the technique is due to the fact that for the direct clashes with the enemy, it is not intended.
Sights represented by simple mechanical sight D726-45, linked with the gun panorama PG-1M.For guidance on the more recent and highly visible target is an optical sight OP4M-91A.Mass gun is 10 to 800 kg.
information about the chassis and ammunition
In order to standardize the chassis SAU 2S5 "Hyacinth" was built on the same basis as that of the automatic control system 2S3 "Acacia".As in the case of "Acacia," entire ammunition is placed within the housing, but the supply of shells to the gun manually.Outside, in the rear of the vehicle, mounted a massive plate stabilizer.It rests on the ground with the shooting, telling install the necessary stability.
is why ACS "Hyacinth" in principle, can not shoot on the move.However, the standard time to bring plants from traveling to combat is only four minutes, so that the practical effectiveness of the automatic control system is very high.This self-propelled gun has excellent maneuverability, allowing rapid movement on the battlefield.Do not forget the built-in equipment for entrenchment.Using it, the crew can bury the car into the ground in just a few minutes.
should know that originally served as a staff ammunition projectile VOF39, who had a total weight of 80.8 kg.For striking effect it responds charge RP-29 (46 kg), which is used by almost five kilograms of high explosives A-IX-2.Blaster - a simple (percussion) B-429.A little later, the developers have created a shot ZVOF86 which when configured with the projectile RP-59, can be used to engage targets at a distance of 30 kilometers.
In conventional ammunition consists of three dozen shots separate-case loading, and among them there are new types of shots with improved aerodynamic shape, as well as missiles with active laser homing.
«Nuclear flower»
In general, in our press is not very publicized.In the west has long slipped reported that ACS "Hyacinth" can be used to power nuclear warheads 0.1-2 kT.It is known that today in our country developed a whole new caliber of 152 mm shells for "Hyacinth".One of the most interesting is the cluster bomb 3-0-13, with plans to create their own suggestive fission for him.It looks very promising shells intended for the production of active interference that seriously impede or make it impossible for the enemy electronics.
tactical
This gun is designed to suppress the existing artillery batteries of the enemy, destroying bunkers and other field fortifications, destroying various enemy command posts (including rear), as well as to combat the heavy armor of the enemy.As we mentioned, sights can fire as a direct fire (optical), and a closed position (mechanical sights).Like other artillery and small arms domestic production, the ACS can be used effectively in any weather and climatic conditions.
Unfortunately, today cannon 2S5 significant date in moral terms.However, this self-propelled guns, and to this day it remains one of the most long-range self-propelled units of domestic production, and in this regard, "hyacinth" second only to "Peonies" with its caliber of 203 mm.
Unlike similar systems of this class, the gun mount "Hyacinth" was not transferred to any country of the Warsaw Pact.Only in 1991, immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Finland has acquired 15 units.It should be noted that at present the data on the development of adequate replacement of the automatic control system for our troops there, while potential opponents of development in this area never stops.Thus, we do not know how many will be alive "Hyacinth".Cannon propelled this model probably will for a long time to stand in service of the army.
