2S1 Gvozdika 122mm

The self-propelled cannon 2S34 "Hosta"

Since the beginning of the seventies by the Soviet and Russian army is self-propelled artillery 2S1 "Carnation". This self-propelled gun with a gun 2A31 122mm is intended for destruction of manpower, equipment and facilities of the enemy, as well as other complements other types of self-propelled guns. For two decades, it was built several thousand combat vehicles, most of which are still in service. However, by the beginning of the two thousandth's military came to the conclusion to replace "Carnations". So there was a project 2S34 "Hosta". The decision to develop a new project was adopted in 2003. The military ordered the creation of a deep modernization of the existing ACS 2S1. Initially, the new project had the designation 2S1M related to its main task - to upgrade the existing self-propelled gun. However, later in the new project was introduced so many innovations that have changed the index to 2S34. Also, the project was designated a cipher "Hosta". The lead developer of the new project was the Perm company "MZ". In addition, the works attracted CRI "Petrel". According to reports, the original terms of reference imply the creation of a new modification of self-propelled 2S1 "Carnation" with new weapons and fire control equipment. For this reason, it was decided to revise only the fighting compartment and the tower machine. Tracked chassis offered remain unchanged, which further affected the fate of the project. Thus, self-propelled guns (CAO) 2S34 "Host" is a new fighting compartment with a cannon mounted on the chassis base machine.

SAO 2S34 chassis to keep the old layout, the traditional home for self-propelled guns of recent decades. In front of the housing, with a shift to the right side, it is the engine-transmission compartment. To his left is the separation of management from the workplace of the driver. The middle and rear of the hull placed under the crew compartment. On the roof of the body has a shoulder strap for the installation of the tower. Housing combat vehicle is welded from rolled armor plates of thickness up to 15 mm, providing protection from the bullets of small arms and shell fragments. The basis of the power plant chassis "Host" is a diesel engine YaMZ-238N 300 hp With the double-flow engine related mechanical transmission with planetary-friction rotation mechanism. There are six forward gears and one rear. As part of the chassis there are seven road wheels with torsion bar suspension on each side. Several rollers are supplied with hydraulic shock absorbers. Because the front-engine driven wheels are in the forward part of the sides, the guides - the feed. Special support rollers are not available, since the upper branch of the tracks lies on road wheels. 2S34 self-propelled body length is 7.57 m, width - 2.85 m. Total height of the tower on the roof - 2,83 m. The combat weight of 16 tons. Specific Power Machines is at 18.75 hp per ton, which allows a speed (on the road) to 60 km / h. On rough terrain the maximum speed is twice lower.

Due to the sealed enclosure CAO "Host" can cross water obstacles swimming. In this case, the movement is carried out by peremetyvaniya caterpillars. Speed ​​by water does not exceed 4-4.5 km / h. When driving on the highway fuel range reaches 500 km. Central and rear of the hull takes self-propelled fighting compartment with a rotating turret. It is armed, ammunition and fire control equipment. In the central part of the front plate of the tower provides a window for the guns and masks. Mechanisms for setting the gun can fire with an elevation angle between -2 ° and + 80 °. Traverse - pie. On the cheeks of the tower are smoke grenade launchers. On the roof of the turret is provided for the machine gun, designed for self-defense. In order to improve the characteristics of the new combat vehicle it was decided to replace the basic instrument. Instead of 122-mm howitzer 2A31 rifled weapon now used 2A80-1 120mm. This instrument combines the basic functions of guns, howitzers and large caliber mortars that, as expected, would lead to a significant increase in combat performance. A characteristic feature of the new instruments is a muzzle brake recognizable form. In addition, the instrument is equipped with special anti-recoil devices can fire a wide range of elevation angles as direct fire, and "in the mortar." Inside the crew compartment is placed 40 shots of ammunition of different types. The gun car "Host" is a modernized version of the 2A80 gun used in the composition of the CAO 2S31 "Vienna". With this two self-propelled may use the same type of ammunition. 2S34 self-propelled gun can fire high-explosive, thermobaric, incendiary, lighting, cassette, etc. shells. At the same time, however, in contrast to the "Vienna", "Host" can not use armor-piercing shaped-charge projectiles 3VBK14.

Cannon 2A80-1 can fire or direct fire from concealed positions. By using different firing modes provides effective engagement of targets at ranges up to 13 kilometers, depending on the type of projectile and some other parameters. Accuracy depends on getting the ammunition. For example, in the range of shots are used by some guided missiles to significantly reduce the consumption of ammunition to defeat this purpose. In addition to new weapons to improve the characteristics of fire use fire control equipment updated. It is known that there are two variants fire control system (FCS). A full version of the so-called automatic system guidance and fire control (AGFCS) and its simplified version. According to reports, a full version of the MSA is intended to command vehicles, which have to handle the available information and provide target designation for other self-propelled battery. The latter case may use a simplified version of the OMS that can execute commands and solve tasks without complex calculations, etc. operations. The operation of the CAO 2S34 "Hosta" carried a crew of four.

The driver is located in front of the hulls to the left of the engine. The commander, gunner and loader are located in the tower. At the disposal of the latter has a complete set of equipment for the control system responsible for firing on selected targets. Development of the project ended in 2S34 by 2008. Shortly thereafter, "MZ", together with some related companies started manufacturing new equipment. After some time, the new combat vehicles came to the test, and then were transferred to the troops for inspection during operation. Troop tests were conducted self-propelled artillery battery of the 1st infantry battalion 21 th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (Orenburg region). In the new self-propelled high expectations. It was expected that the new equipment chassis spent fighting compartment with a universal instrument will significantly improve the combat capability of artillery units. Nevertheless, during military tests revealed some serious drawbacks resulting machine. Chief among these have been linked to the chassis used. In autumn 2012 it became known that on the real characteristics of the CAO "Hosta" said the approach to the design with extensive use of ready-made units.

According to the national press, the new self-propelled gun during the tests showed a lack of stability and rate of fire. Thus, due to the use of the old chassis, designed without considering the peculiarities of the new instruments, the CAO "Hosta" while firing at high angles of elevation wobble, which affected the accuracy of shooting. Similar problems were observed mainly when shooting in the "mortar" because the returns in this case above and has its own specific distribution of units of the machine. Insufficient stability of the chassis also affected the rate of fire. Because of the need to introduce new amendments and the difficulties with loading the gun in the car rocking during the test managed to fire a rate no more than 3-4 rounds per minute. In comparison, the 120-mm towed mortar 2S12 "Sani" by a proper distribution of the recoil momentum, capable of producing up to 10-12 rounds per minute. Also in November 2012, domestic media reported that by the time the news about problems CAO "Host" enterprise "MZ" has not received any official documents about any failures during testing. At the same time, however, representatives of the plant noted that the self-propelled gun was developed in strict accordance with the requirements of the customer.

It was reported that due to the problems identified Defense Ministry has no plans to purchase new 2S34 self-propelled guns. As a solution to the current problem is called to develop a new version of the machine on the basis of a chassis, providing the required stability while shooting. However, as far as is known, version of "hosts" on the new chassis has not yet been established. To date, according to various sources, it was built at least 50 self-propelled artillery 2S34 "Hosta". This technique has been handed over to the various units of ground forces, which operated up to the present time. At times like fighting vehicles are taking part in various exercises. For example, in March this year in the Southern Military District conducted the camp to collect artillery. The event at the military range shooting Prudboy conducted using various weapons, including the CAO "Hosta". At the moment, the troops there are several dozens of new self-propelled type 2S34 "Hosta". For information about further purchases of such equipment is not available. Thus, the gradual replacement of existing ACS "Carnation", planned in the first half of the last decade, has been postponed indefinitely. However, in this situation, ground forces were able to obtain new vehicles with sufficient high performance, although not fully arranging military. Perhaps in the near future the problem with insufficient stability of the chassis will be resolved, which will start construction and delivery of high-grade self-propelled guns, fully meet the requirements.

miketheterrible wrote:Is there any plan for a modernization or replacement of the 2S1 Gvozdika?  It has really proven itself to be very effective and useful in various ops from Georgian war, Syrian conflict, Chechnya and even the Ukrainian crisis.  It is a fantastic system and I think a modernization or even a new one may be ideal.  No?

Sprut wont get a 2S# designation because it is not an artillery vehicle... it is a light tank. It should get a T-## designation.

GarryB wrote:120mm weapon can fire mortar bombs of both Russian and NATO design in the 120mm calibre, plus laser guided 120mm mortar rounds (GRAN) plus also the laser guided 122mm rounds (Kitolov family) and also 120mm shells including HEAT and HE.

The difference in range between the 2S1 and the 2S34 is bigger. The maximum range for the 122mm 2S1 is 21.9 Km while the maximum range for the 120mm 2S34 is 17.5 Km.

I do not expect the transition from 2S1 to 2S34 to be completed. The rythm is so low, it would take more than 100 years at the current rythm.

I see more likely that the weapons in worst condition of the 2S1 be repaired with the weapons of the D-30 in best condition (not necessarily meaning a reduction in the number of D-30) in order to keep the 2S1 with the weapons of 122mm in best condition. It means the life of the 2S1 can be very long still.

120mm gun firing 122mm rounds?

franco wrote:MOSCOW, Nov. 17 - RIA Novosti. The Russian Defense Ministry will maintain 122-mm self-propelled howitzers 2C1 "Gvozdika" and modernize them, equipping an automated management system, the Izvestia newspaper reported on Friday.

"The military department is discussing the modernization of the" Gvozdik "with the representatives of industry.The decision to modernize is taken in light of the successful use of self-propelled howitzers in almost all armed conflicts of recent times, including in Syria." Carnations "kept mobility in a highly rugged terrain, where heavier self-propelled guns could not pass, "the article says.

It notes that after a thorough modernization the crew will only have to press the button, so that the system itself made the calculations, put the gun on the target at the given coordinates and determined the necessary number and type of ammunition. Howitzers will also receive shells of increased power and accuracy.

"The military department in the near future must finally decide on the tactical and technical task for the modernization of self-propelled howitzers, the number of artillery installations to be converted and, consequently, the price of the issue." It is expected that one of the enterprises of NPK Uralvagonzavod, - the report says.

According to the publication, "the highlight of the updated self-propelled artillery systems (SAU) will be an automated guidance and fire control system that will minimize crew participation and increase fire efficiency." The self-propelled guns should receive a more advanced ballistic calculator of the sighting complex, new sights and, possibly, a new chassis domestic production. "

GarryB wrote:The real question however is can the 120mm gun/mortar do a good enough job in the place of the 122mm gun?

If it can then you could eliminate an entire calibre from the inventory without losing a capability/resource.

the 120mm gun/mortar can fire Russian and western 120mm mortar rounds and also 120mm shells with variable bagged charges and of course the 120mm gran guided missile and the 122mm Kitilov guided missile too.

As a single mobile vehicle able to at the press of a button engage targets within its range automatically with the press of a button, then it becomes a rather interesting vehicle... with good communications they could scatter and attack point targets from different positions and then move rapidly to another fire position....

   Unfortunately didn't work out well. Too much problem with the recoil amongst other things. Three battalions of 18 per operational.