«Acacia" - 152-mm self-propelled howitzer (index GABTU - object 303).Designed by a team of designers Ural Plant of Transport Engineering under the direction of FFPetrov and GSEfimova.SAU 2S3 "Acacia" is intended for destruction and suppression of mortar and artillery, enemy's manpower, firepower, tanks, rocket launchers, tactical means of nuclear weapons, control centers and other.
Generational change
Until the mid-sixties of the last century in the Soviet Army troops continued to serve as a self-propelled artillery units (SAU), Second World War, such as the SU-100 ISU-152 and ISU-122.These machines combine quality gun-howitzer complexes with anti-tank capabilities.It is for this versatility they liked military old school with experience of warfare during World War II.However, with the change of generations of officers and generals gradually formed new perspectives on the use of self-propelled artillery tactics in modern warfare.
In particular, the main enemy tanks and other armored vehicles is not an ordinary projectile and anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).Therefore military experts came to the conclusion that on the one hand, self-propelled artillery units do not have to specialize in the destruction of heavy machinery, and on the other hand, the new ACS does not have to "dress up" in the thick armor, because ATGM can penetrate even the strong ones.Furthermore, according to the new requirements, self-propelled artillery should have maximum mobility aviatransportabelnost and increased buoyancy.In order to meet the above technique, it should abandon the heavy armor and prefer bulletproof protection.With regard to the placement of guns, then fire to increase the flexibility it needs to be taken not bronerubke, and freely rotating turret that will lead complex circular firing.In addition, one of the main demands of the military was to create the possibility of using nuclear weapons SAU updated.
Background
start work on the ACS "Acacia" was preceded by a huge search engine research project, in which was made a comparative analysis of artillery systems, created during World War II (like the SU-100, SU-152, etc.), andas the post-war period - both domestic gunsmiths and foreign.So, in research organizations and enterprises of the defense complex of the USSR it proposed a number of different variations of the chassis, which would have housed 152-mm gun.In one of these self-propelled howitzer were worked on the basis of a tank chassis object "118", "123" and "124" engineers Sverdlovsk machine-building plant.This project envisages to place in the tower of the towed artillery gun gun D-20.
In another variation proposed ACS "Acacia" to create on the basis of units and mechanisms of a medium tank T-64 ("Object 432").Engineers proposes to place a 152-mm gun in an armored rotary turret together with the coaxial machine gun.This decision was very popular, as the T-64 was the first post-war tank of the second generation.There were numerous new innovative solutions, it features original chassis and automatic loader.While this machine has been very popular for the design study of promising projects armored vehicles.However, the research experience of the self-propelled artillery, as well as elaborations image setting was preferred the concept of perspective development of ACS.And for further work on the creation of the ACS "Acacia" it was recommended undercarriage Sverdlovsk machine-building plant.
History
Based on all the above technical problems, the joint resolution of the USSR and the CPSU №609-201 from 04.07.1967, the Sverdlovsk Machine Engineering "Uraltransmash" issued a technical specification for the creation of ACS 2S3 "Acacia".Along with the 152-mm plant complex designers developed a number of other self-propelled artillery systems 122 mm howitzer "Carnation" and "Violet" and 240-mm mortar "Tulip".Brand new models of self-propelled guns were intended to eliminate the backlog of the USSR from NATO countries in this aspect."Acacia" was designed to arm the regiments of mechanized infantry and armored divisions.This self-propelled howitzer was intended to destroy shelters and open enemy troops, military equipment and weapons, and other objects to the depth of the division of interests.Artillery is based on the chassis of the experimental self-propelled units "Object 105" and "Object 120", as well as air defense system "Circle".
The first two prototypes were created by the end of 1968, but during tests revealed serious deficiencies, particularly a very strong fumes in the conning tower.Because of this shortage were rejected four of the sample by the summer of next year.After improving the ventilation system, this problem was solved as a result of the first series of the ACS "Acacia" (photo presented in this article demonstrate the machine) was released in 1970.And in 1971 it was put into service.This model was produced without change until 1975, then the troops came an upgraded version of ACS 'Acacia' under the symbol 2S3M.The updated car had updated boeukladku drum twelve charges, thus improving the rate of increase of the complex and transportable ammunition.Two years later another self-propelled undergone modernization (2S3M1).Now 152-mm self-propelled howitzer was equipped with equipment input for receiving, processing, as well as reflections of command data and a new eye SP-538.In addition, it was introduced in the ammunition corrected projectiles 3OF38 "Centimeter" and guided missiles 3OF39 "Krasnopol."Last 2S3M2 modernized version differed from its predecessors in a more powerful gun system.Also this version is equipped with installation hardware priemoindikatornoy "Machine operator M" (1V514-1), allows you to make the exchange of data between the machine and the battery senior officer gun, thereby reducing the time of preparation of the complex to open fire.In general, self-propelled howitzer "Acacia" was produced until 1993.
Machine description
Artillery unit is made according to the classic scheme with the tower cabin.The complex has an armored welded housing, which is divided into three sections: administration, military and power (motor and transmission).The first part is located between the motor bulkhead and to port in the nose of the body.Here is the workplace of the driver.Power department is located right in front of.There has transmission, engine and propulsion system.In the rear part of the body is fighting compartment.At the bottom of the body is placed a rotating platform, which is mounted on a ball chasing, it relies on five skates.Workplace gunner is located to the left of the gun, and charging - to the right.Armchair commander is behind the gunner.
Implementation of self-propelled chassis differs from its predecessors using melkozvenchatye caterpillars with rubber mount and front-top rollers.
«Acacia", 152-mm self-propelled howitzer: artillery unit
Cannon (2A33) for this self-propelled developed by OKB-9.It was based towed gun-howitzer D-20.Build a prototype was produced at the Perm engineering plant №172, and serial production - for software "Barricades".Artillery gun with vertical wedges, and triple ejector muzzle brake is placed in a closed armored rotary turret mounted on ball bearing reinforced.In order to facilitate the loading howitzer is equipped with an electromechanical device chambering shells and liners of the original design, as well as pan-catcher bagged shells.On the roof of the conning tower SAU (cited above photo) to the left is a commander's cupola, where the machine gun mounted with remote control, on the starboard hatch is charging.Fire can be carried out from a place in normal conditions and in the contaminated areas.Boeukladki self-propelled artillery (non-upgraded model) placed in two motorized belts.During firing, they can also be fed through a special hatch in the body from the ground.
Propulsion and auxiliary equipment
On self-propelled howitzer "Acacia" developers have established twelve-V-shaped four-stroke turbocharged engine with liquid cooling (B-59).Together with him using double-flow mechanical transmission with planetary rotating mechanisms.The artillery unit has individual torsion bar suspension with hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers.In ACS engineers installed special equipment entrenching allowing twenty minutes to dig a trench in the ground for shelter.For the purpose of heating the crew installed the self-propelled heating system (OS-65G), the performance of which is 6500kKal / h.This self-propelled artillery system has a collective defense, and equipped with a fire suppression system PAZ, from weapons of mass destruction.2S3 is equipped with an automatic fire system, a filtering unit, a system of sealing compartments that will protect the crew from the effects of bacteriological, nuclear and chemical weapons.Sealed self-propelled howitzer is preserved in the process of firing, and during movement.
ammunition for firing of self-propelled howitzer "Acacia" used shells from guns D-20 and ML-20, as well as the howitzer D-1.For these systems THEM developed a whole line of 152 mm ammunition.For example: high-explosive shells 3VOF33 fully variable and reduced variable charge, with long-range charge 3VOF33 shot 3VOF96, 3VOF97, 3VOF98 and 3V013 and 3V014 with high-cassette shell complete and reduced variable charge.Reduced charges allow to send projectiles at a small distance at a steeper trajectory.This allows you to hit targets that are hidden behind various obstacles, such as houses, hills and stuff.
to destroy heavy armored vehicles used cumulative ammunition BP-540.These projectiles with an initial velocity of 676 m / s Effective range are up to five kilometers.Normal they penetrate tank armor thickness up to 250 mm at an angle of 60 degrees to 220 mm, and an angle of 30 degrees - 120 mm.In addition to these weapons in self-propelled ammunition include special munitions, serve to disorganize enemy control systems at the tactical level by jamming VHF and shortwave radio.For example, and 3VRB37 3VBR36 full and reduced variable charge.Currently, self-propelled howitzers "Acacia" is used developed STC "Automation and mechanization technologies" correctable missiles type "Centimeter" and the control type "Krasnopol."For example, complex "centimeter" is used to defeat armored vehicles in places of concentration of artillery systems and launchers in firing positions, long-term defense systems, communications and control points, bridges and ferries."Krasnopol" is used for the destruction of small ground targets in a firing indirect fire with the purpose of highlighting the laser beam designator-rangefinder.
ACS "Acacia": characteristics
combat weight of 27.5 tons of installation (relatively small weight "Acacia" allows its transportation transport aircraft), the length of the instrument with forward - 7765 mm, height - 3050 mm, width -3250 mm.Clearance ACS - 450 mm, the average ground pressure - 0.6 kg / cm2.Engine output is 520 hp, the number of revolutions - 2000 rev / min.Characteristics of the chassis: individual suspension, tracked type of propulsion, the 1st and 6th rollers are equipped with hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers, the width of the rubber tracks - 485 mm, the number of trucks - 115 Fuel capacity is 850 liters.Maximum speed - 63 km / h.Cruising - 500 km.The machine is able to overcome the obstacles: the rise - 30 degrees, roll - 25 degrees, the ditch - 3 meters, the wall - 0.7 meters, ford - 1 meter.The frontal armor of the body and the tower is 30 mm.Self-propelled howitzer crew consists of four people.
Armament: characteristics
As mentioned earlier, developers are howitzer 2A33 DB-9 and KB2 Perm engineering plant, and produced it to PO "Barricades".On "Uraltransmash" final assembly of ACS.Features of this tool has the following: caliber - 152.4 mm, the length of the barrel recoil - 510-750 mm, pointing angles - vertical from -4 to +60 degrees horizontal - 360 degrees, the weight of the swinging - 2450 kg, the rate of - 1,9-3,5 rounds per minute.The gate part is a semi-upright V-follower type.Brake rollback - hydraulic spindle.Type of recuperator - pneumatic.The loading - separate-case.Range: the type of ammunition 3OF25 to 17.3 km, 20.5 km to 3OF22 "Krasnopol" - up to 20 km.
as additional weapons used heavy machine-gun-type PKT of 7.62 mm ammunition of 250 rounds of ammunition.
Military Company
propelled howitzers 2S3 "Acacia" is being used successfully in many military conflicts that occurred in different parts of the world over the past four decades.The presence of these units in service with the Soviet Army Western intelligence discovered only in 1973, so it has received the code name "Model 1973".Officially, the government of the USSR "light up" ACS "Acacia" Only in 1977, the teachings of "Carpathians".In the same year, these machines for the first time took part in the parade on Red Square.In 1979, nearly a hundred self-propelled howitzers 2S3 were delivered to East Germany, the next country to get these combat vehicles, was Iraq.During the Iraq of "Acacia" took part in all military operations, however, the military were unhappy with the lack, in their opinion, a firing range.
From the beginning of military operations in Afghanistan, these artillery pieces were involved in artpodrazdelenih limited contingent of Soviet troops.Military experts said the high reliability of the system, but without the disadvantages are also not done.The main disadvantage of ACS recognized the lack of range and rate of fire.An interesting fact is that in Afghanistan, the war machines used mainly for direct fire, which had a big demoralizing effect on the Mujahideen.The same technique is now used against the Syrian military and Islamist militants.
ACS "Acacia" and has participated in all armed conflicts in the former USSR.For example, companies in the North Caucasus, as well as in the period of so-called "War 888".
Today, these combat artillery used in the conflict in Ukraine, both by regular troops and militia.
Conclusion
Currently in service of our army are as modern self-propelled artillery, and the production of the Soviet era.Howitzer "Acacia", despite his advanced age, continues to regularly carry on combat duty in the army, not only Russia, but also abroad.These artillery pieces were delivered to Europe, the Warsaw Pact;on the African continent: Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Syria.In addition, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, these machines were in all the former Soviet republics.The demand for this kind of weapons continues unabated and today receives orders as artillery Soviet times, and the new ACS Russia.Indeed, in modern warfare such complexes in conjunction with precision-guided munitions can play a key role.The action of "Acacia" showed his best side, military experts say the simplicity and reliability of this artillery system.After its participation in the Afghan company, it has become quite popular.Perhaps that is why it remains in service not only in our country but also in many other countries.
