Russian artillery. Modern weapons of Russia. Combat artillery. Russian missile and artillery weapons Artillery systems

Do you know which branch of the military is respectfully called the “god of war”? Of course, artillery! Despite developments over the past fifty years, the role of high-precision modern barrel systems is still extremely large.

History of development

The German Schwartz is considered to be the “father” of guns, but many historians agree that his merits in this matter are rather doubtful. Thus, the first mention of the use of cannon artillery on the battlefield dates back to 1354, but there are many papers in the archives that mention the year 1324.

There is no reason to believe that some of them were not used before. By the way, most references to such weapons can be found in ancient English manuscripts, and not at all in German primary sources. So, especially noteworthy in this regard is the fairly famous treatise “On the Duties of Kings,” which was written in honor of Edward III.

The author was the king's teacher, and the book itself was written in 1326 (the time of Edward's assassination). There are no detailed explanations of the engravings in the text, and therefore one has to rely only on the subtext. So, one of the illustrations shows, without a doubt, a real cannon, reminiscent of a large vase. It is shown how a large arrow, shrouded in clouds of smoke, flies out of the neck of this “jug”, and at a distance stands a knight who has just ignited gunpowder with a hot rod.

First appearance

As for China, where gunpowder was most likely invented (and medieval alchemists discovered it no less than three times), there is every reason to assume that the first artillery pieces could have been tested even before the beginning of our era. Simply put, artillery, like all firearms, is probably much older than is commonly believed.

During the era, these guns were already widely used on walls whose walls by that time were no longer such an effective means of defense for the besieged.

Chronic stagnation

So why didn’t the ancient peoples conquer the whole world with the help of the “god of war”? It's simple - guns from the early 14th century. and 18th century differ little from each other. They were clumsy, overly heavy, and provided very poor accuracy. It was not for nothing that the first guns were used to destroy walls (it’s difficult to miss!), as well as to fire at large concentrations of the enemy. In an era when enemy armies marched at each other in colorful columns, this also did not require the high accuracy of cannons.

Let’s not forget about the disgusting quality of gunpowder, as well as its unpredictable properties: during the war with Sweden, Russian gunners sometimes had to triple the weight rate so that the cannonballs would cause at least some damage to enemy fortresses. Of course, this fact had a frankly bad effect on the reliability of the guns. There were many cases when nothing was left of an artillery crew as a result of a cannon explosion.

Other reasons

Finally, metallurgy. As with steam locomotives, only the invention of rolling mills and deep research in metallurgy provided the necessary knowledge to produce truly reliable barrels. The creation of artillery shells for a long time provided the troops with “monarchical” privileges on the battlefield.

Don’t forget about the calibers of artillery guns: in those years they were calculated both based on the diameter of the cannonballs used and taking into account the parameters of the barrel. Incredible confusion reigned, and therefore the armies simply could not adopt something truly unified. All this greatly hampered the development of the industry.

Main types of ancient artillery systems

Now let's look at the main types of artillery pieces, which in many cases actually helped change history, refracting the course of the war in favor of one state. As of 1620, it was customary to distinguish between the following types of tools:

• Guns ranging in caliber from 7 to 12 inches.
• Feathers.
• Falconets and minions (“falcons”).
• Portable guns with breech loading.
• Robinets.
• Mortars and bombards.

This list reflects only “true” guns in a more or less modern sense. But at that time the army had relatively many ancient cast-iron guns. Their most typical representatives include culverins and semi-culverins. By that time, it had already become completely clear that the giant cannons, which were to a large extent widespread in earlier periods, were no good: their accuracy was disgusting, the risk of the barrel exploding was extremely high, and it took a lot of time to reload.

If we turn again to the times of Peter, historians of those years note that for each battery of “unicorns” (a type of culverin) hundreds of liters of vinegar were required. It was used diluted with water to cool barrels that were overheated from shots.

It was rare to find an antique artillery piece with a caliber greater than 12 inches. The most commonly used were culverins, the core of which weighed approximately 16 pounds (about 7.3 kg). In the field, falconets were very common, the core of which weighed only 2.5 pounds (about a kilogram). Now let's look at the types of artillery pieces that were common in the past.

If you looked carefully at this table and saw a musket there, do not be surprised. this was the name not only for those clumsy and heavy guns that we remember from films about musketeers, but also for a full-fledged artillery piece with a long barrel of small caliber. After all, imagining a “bullet” weighing 400 grams is very problematic!

In addition, do not be surprised by the presence of a stone thrower on the list. The fact is that, for example, the Turks, even in the time of Peter, made full use of barrel artillery, firing cannonballs carved from stone. They were much less likely to penetrate enemy ships, but more often they caused serious damage to the latter from the very first salvo.

Finally, all the data given in our table is approximate. Many types of artillery guns will remain forever forgotten, and ancient historians often did not have much understanding of the characteristics and names of those guns that were massively used during the siege of cities and fortresses.

Innovators-inventors

As we have already said, barrel artillery for many centuries was a weapon that seemed to be forever frozen in its development. However, everything quickly changed. As with many innovations in military affairs, the idea belonged to naval officers.

The main problem with cannon artillery on ships was the serious limitation of space and the difficulty of performing any maneuvers. Seeing all this, Mr. Melville and Mr. Gascoigne, who was in charge of the production he owned, managed to create an amazing cannon, which today historians know as the “caronade.” There were no trunnions (mounts for the carriage) on its barrel at all. But it had a small eyelet into which a steel rod could be easily and quickly inserted. He clung firmly to the compact artillery piece.

The gun turned out to be light and short, easy to handle. The approximate effective firing range from it was about 50 meters. In addition, due to some of its design features, it became possible to fire incendiary shells. “Caronade” became so popular that Gascoigne soon moved to Russia, where talented craftsmen of foreign origin were always welcome, and received the rank of general and the position of one of Catherine’s advisers. It was in those years that Russian artillery pieces began to be developed and produced on a previously unseen scale.

Modern artillery systems

As we already noted at the very beginning of our article, in the modern world artillery has had to “make room” somewhat under the influence of rocket weapons. But this does not mean at all that there is no place left for barrel and rocket systems on the battlefield. Not at all! The invention of high-precision projectiles with GPS/GLONASS guidance allows us to confidently assert that “immigrants” from the distant 12-13 centuries will continue to keep the enemy at bay.

Barrel and rocket artillery: who is better?

Unlike traditional barrel systems, multiple rocket launchers provide virtually no noticeable recoil. This is what distinguishes them from any self-propelled or towed gun, which, in the process of being brought into combat position, must be secured as firmly as possible and dug into the ground, since otherwise it may even overturn. Of course, there is no question of any quick change of position here in principle, even if a self-propelled artillery gun is used.

Reactive systems are fast and mobile and can change their combat position in a few minutes. In principle, such vehicles can fire even while moving, but this has a bad effect on the accuracy of the shot. The disadvantage of such installations is their low accuracy. The same “Hurricane” can literally plow up several square kilometers, destroying almost all living things, but this will require a whole battery of installations with rather expensive shells. These artillery pieces, photos of which you will find in the article, are especially loved by domestic developers (“Katyusha”).

A salvo of one howitzer with a “smart” projectile can destroy anyone in one attempt, while a battery of rocket launchers may require more than one salvo. In addition, “Smerch”, “Hurricane”, “Grad” or “Tornado” at the moment of launch will not be able to be detected except by a blind soldier, since a significant cloud of smoke will form in that place. But such installations can contain up to several hundred kilograms of explosive in one projectile.

Barrel artillery, due to its accuracy, can be used to fire at the enemy when he is close to his own positions. In addition, the barreled self-propelled artillery gun is capable of conducting counter-battery fire, doing this for many hours. Multiple launch rocket systems wear out their barrels quite quickly, which is not conducive to their long-term use.

By the way, in the first Chechen campaign, “Grads” were used, which managed to fight in Afghanistan. Their barrels were so worn out that the shells sometimes scattered in unpredictable directions. This often led to the “covering up” of their own soldiers.

The best multiple launch rocket systems

Russian artillery pieces "Tornado" inevitably take the lead. They fire 122 mm caliber shells at a distance of up to 100 kilometers. In one salvo, up to 40 charges can be fired, covering an area of ​​up to 84 thousand square meters. The power reserve is no less than 650 kilometers. Coupled with the high reliability of the chassis and speed of up to 60 km/h, this allows you to transfer the Tornado battery to the right place and with minimal time.

The second most effective is the domestic 9K51 Grad MLRS, notorious after the events in the South-East of Ukraine. Caliber - 122 mm, 40 barrels. It shoots at a distance of up to 21 kilometers, and can “process” an area of ​​up to 40 square kilometers in one pass. The power reserve at a maximum speed of 85 km/h is as much as 1.5 thousand kilometers!

The third place is occupied by the HIMARS artillery gun from an American manufacturer. The ammunition has an impressive 227mm caliber, but only six rails detract from the installation somewhat. The firing range is up to 85 kilometers, covering an area of ​​67 square kilometers at a time. Travel speed is up to 85 km/h, power reserve is 600 kilometers. It performed well in the ground campaign in Afghanistan.

In fourth position is the Chinese installation WS-1B. The Chinese did not waste time on trifles: the caliber of this terrifying weapon is 320 mm. In appearance, this MLRS resembles the Russian-made S-300 air defense system and has only four barrels. The range is about 100 kilometers, the affected area is up to 45 square kilometers. At maximum speed, these modern artillery pieces have a range of approximately 600 kilometers.

In last place is the Indian Pinaka MLRS. The design includes 12 guides for 122 mm caliber shells. Firing range - up to 40 km. At a maximum speed of 80 km/h, the car can travel up to 850 kilometers. The affected area is as much as 130 square kilometers. The system was developed with the direct participation of Russian specialists and has proven itself excellently during numerous Indian-Pakistani conflicts.

Cannons

These weapons are far removed from their long-standing predecessors, who ruled the fields of the Middle Ages. The caliber of guns used in modern conditions ranges from 100 (Rapier anti-tank artillery gun) to 155 mm (TR, NATO).

The range of projectiles they use is also unusually wide: from standard high-explosive fragmentation rounds to programmable projectiles that can hit a target at a distance of up to 45 kilometers with an accuracy of tens of centimeters. True, the cost of one such shot can be up to 55 thousand US dollars! In this regard, Soviet artillery pieces are much cheaper.

Mortars

Modern mortar systems trace their origins to ancient bombards and mortars, which could fire a bomb (up to hundreds of kilograms in weight) over a distance of 200-300 meters. Today, both their design and maximum range of use have changed significantly.

In most armed forces of the world, the combat doctrine for mortars considers them as an artillery weapon for mounted fire at a distance of about a kilometer. The effectiveness of the use of these weapons in urban environments and in suppressing scattered, mobile enemy groups is noted. In the Russian army, mortars are standard weapons; they are used in every more or less serious combat operation.

And during the Ukrainian events, both sides of the conflict demonstrated that even outdated 88 mm mortars are an excellent means both for and for countering it.

Modern mortars, like other cannon artillery, are now developing in the direction of increasing the accuracy of each shot. Thus, last summer, the well-known arms corporation BAE Systems for the first time demonstrated to the world community high-precision 81 mm mortar rounds, which were tested at one of the English test sites. It is reported that such ammunition can be used with all possible effectiveness in the temperature range from -46 to +71 ° C. In addition, there is information about the planned production of a wide range of such projectiles.

The military pins particular hopes on the development of high-precision 120 mm mines with increased power. New models developed for the American army (XM395, for example), with a firing range of up to 6.1 km, have a deviation of no more than 10 meters. It is reported that such shots were used by the crews of Stryker armored vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the new ammunition showed its best performance.

But the most promising today are the developments of guided projectiles with active homing. Thus, domestic artillery guns “Nona” can use the “Kitolov-2” projectile, with which you can hit almost any modern tank at a distance of up to nine kilometers. Considering the low cost of the weapon itself, such developments are expected to be of interest to military personnel around the world.

Thus, the artillery gun is still a formidable argument on the battlefield. New models are constantly being developed, and more and more promising projectiles are being produced for existing barrel systems.

The legendary and formidable Russian artillery is recognized by historians as the uncompromising "God of War" on land and is one of the oldest combat units of the regular Russian army. Even today, despite the rapid development of attack aircraft, missile forces, navy, tanks and armored vehicles, it still remains a strategic strike “unit” of the armed forces. Modern Russian artillery troops have a fairly developed organizational structure and are also distinguished by their universality in use: in classification, purpose and types of weapons.

In Rus', the technique of conducting “fire combat” using artillery installations began to be actively mastered in the 14th century. This fact is evidenced by numerous “essays” of chroniclers and various historical documents. It is officially accepted that the history of artillery of Russian troops dates back to 1389. However, the results of scientific research have shown that the first bomb launchers were widely used in military affairs before. In total, the “age” of Russian artillery is more than six centuries, so the artillery troops can safely be called honored veterans of the RF Armed Forces. Today the term “artillery” has 3 key meanings:

• an independent branch of the Russian armed forces;
• the science of design, production and use of artillery systems;
• a type of means and weapons of mass destruction.

The centuries-old “biography” of Russian artillery units is replete with not only “dry facts”, but also impresses with great victories, significant dates, glorious military traditions and incredible inventions. Over the past two centuries, it was artillery that put the final “point” in many battles, thanks to which Russian troops won a landslide victory over their opponents. Properly organized and timely artillery support from ground forces or individual special forces makes it possible to inflict crushing damage on the enemy and minimize losses among enlisted personnel.

The primary task of artillery units is to provide fire cover for ground units of motorized rifle troops at the time of a counteroffensive. During defensive operations, artillery pieces are used to counter an enemy attack - they disable technical equipment and tanks, and also destroy and demoralize enemy personnel. The secondary task is the destruction of utilities, various military infrastructure facilities and ammunition depots. The coordinates of a specific target are provided by mobile military intelligence units.

The power of artillery is expressed not in the caliber of the guns, but in accuracy. For this purpose, the time of fire of an artillery battery must be coordinated with infantry units and tank divisions. Only well-coordinated and well-coordinated work makes it possible to concentrate the main blow of artillery units on precisely identified targets or squares of terrain. The high effectiveness of artillery support is ensured by massive, sudden, accurate and controlled artillery fire. According to the methods of preparation and tactical purpose, artillery fire is classified into three groups: defensive, concentrated and massed.

The Birth of Artillery

Like many other units of the army, artillery went through a rather thorny path, but at the same time it proved itself to be a universal branch of the military, equally formidable and dangerous in attack and defense. The son of Prince Ivan II the Red, Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy, who defeated the Tatar horde during the Battle of Kulikovo, became the first commander in Rus' who fully realized the value of artillery weapons in a military battle. The first “Armatians” were brought to the territory of Russia from Western Europe. Only one thing is surprising - how the Russian soldiers managed to organize the process of transporting bulky guns, because the distance to Moscow was decent, and the roads were broken. But the task was successfully completed, and at the end of the 14th century artillery began to “take root” in Rus'.

The design of the first “models” of artillery guns was not ideal, or rather, it was far from perfect. However, this is not surprising, because at that time fire guns were made mainly in a “handicraft way” - there was no single technology for mass production. Wrought iron was used to cast tools. The finished guns were fixed on mobile wooden frames. Rounded stone blocks and metal balls acted as artillery shells. Around the middle of the 15th century, the production of firearms moved to a qualitatively new level. More durable alloys of bronze and copper began to be used to cast durable artillery pieces. This made it possible to increase accuracy when aiming at a target and firing range.

Artillery actively developed in the period 1462–1505, when Prince Ivan III Vasilyevich came to power, becoming the full sovereign of all Rus' after the unification of “separate” Russian lands around a single administrative center - Moscow. During his reign, dramatic changes occurred in the history of artillery development. In 1479, the Cannon Hut was built for the first time for the mass production of cast cannons. Almost ten years later, during the process of metal casting, there was a strong fire, after which the capital’s “hut” was “restored,” expanded and renamed the Cannon Yard, which became the first gun factory in Europe and the world. To train Russian craftsmen, Ivan III Vasilyevich hired experienced foreign foundry workers. Among them was also the famous Italian Ridolfo Aristotle Fioravanti, who developed a unique project for the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin.

Along with the Cannon, the Grenade (powder) yard also appeared, where craftsmen made iron balls for cannons. This had a positive effect on the pace of development of artillery. At the end of the 15th century, Moscow became a “haven” for many foundries and cannon makers, since it was here that the main state workshops and private workshops for the production of artillery guns and shells were concentrated. When Ivan the Terrible (aka Tsar of All Rus' Ivan IV Vasilyevich) “took over” power in the country, Russian artillery began to develop by leaps and bounds. For the first time, artillery units operating at that time were separated into an independent branch of the military.

From Ivan IV to Peter I

Under Ivan the Terrible, Russian artillerymen with their powerful guns were able to solve the most complex and important combat missions on the battlefield. Causing crushing damage to the soldiers of the enemy army, the artillery brought panic and chaos into the enemy ranks. Under Ivan IV, the number of military artillery increased to two thousand barrels. The build-up of military power was definitely beneficial - many battles were won without significant losses. Artillery brought invaluable benefits during the capture of Kazan in June-October 1552. Then more than 100 heavy artillery pieces were used, which carried out massive shelling of the walls of the besieged fortress for several months, after which the army of Ivan IV the Terrible entered the city.

The artillery units of the Russian Kingdom played a huge role in the protracted 25-year Livonian War. The artillery especially distinguished itself during the capture of the German fortress of Neuhausen, which was well fortified with powerful walls. After long and targeted attacks by artillery guns, the fortress walls were destroyed, and Russian soldiers, led by governor Pyotr Shuisky, entered the city. During the fighting, the Russian gunners demonstrated confident mastery of artillery installations and showed the enemies the full power of “fiery combat.” Even then, despite frequent mistakes, artillery was rightfully the “God of War” - no walls could withstand the continuous onslaught of iron and stone shells.

In Rus', artillery units of the regular army were called “firearms,” which fully described the essence of this type of troops. The head of Pushkar was appointed to the post of chief of artillery units. The artillerymen themselves in tsarist Russia were called gunners or shooters. As a rule, gunners served large cannons, and riflemen controlled small-caliber guns. No more than 2 experienced gunners were assigned to one gun mount, and the shells were brought to them by “tax-paying warriors.” To keep records of shells and manage the artillery “economy,” the Pushkar Order was established. At the beginning of the 17th century, the first official artillery document appeared - the military “Charter of Cannon and Other Affairs”, which was compiled by the famous Russian engineer Anisim Mikhailov. This significant event took place in 1607 during the reign of Tsar Vasily Shuisky.

In total, 663 decrees were collected in the Military Book, with about 500 decrees directly related to artillery:

• rules of organized military campaign;
• articles on the staffing of artillery units;
• methods of producing gunpowder shells;
• combat tactics during the siege of fortresses and defense;
• rights and responsibilities of command personnel.

A new round in the development of Russian artillery formations occurred in the first half of the 18th century. Thanks to the professionalism and experience of the gunners, as well as competent command, the artillery of the Russian troops took a leading position on the world stage, pushing the Russian Empire into the ranks of the leading military powers in the world. By and large, this breakthrough became possible thanks to the organizational skills of Peter I, who formally came to power back in 1969. Together with his faithful comrades, the sovereign gave Russian artillery a bright future. Peter I Alekseevich carried out full-scale military reforms, creating a standing army and completely changing the organizational structure of the artillery troops.

On the initiative of Peter I, who enlisted the support of the best artillerymen in Moscow, the issue of organizing mass production of guns and shells in Russia was put on the agenda. In particular, the sovereign decided to abolish the variety of caliber guns in the artillery. Guns began to be manufactured according to drawings approved “from above.” The masters were faced with the task of increasing the maneuverability and mobility of artillery guns, and the only possible solution to this issue was to reduce the mass of the guns. After some time, the Russian army began to use howitzers, which were distinguished by excellent combat characteristics and mobility.

In the process of creating a new structure of artillery troops, Peter I set a goal - to make Russian artillery invincible. To do this, it was necessary to ensure the mobility and maneuverability of the guns, since artillery support was required not only by infantrymen, but also by horsemen. Soon, new special artillery units were formed in the regular Russian army, which began to be called horse artillery. It was thanks to mobility and the concentration of large firepower at the right time in the right place that horse artillery “worked miracles,” carrying out rapid combat maneuvers and literally sweeping away everything in its path.

Formidable units of horse artillery took part in the battle with Swedish troops in 1702, and also “gave heat” during the battle of Lesnaya, which took place in 1708. Russian artillery brought invaluable benefits in the Patriotic War during the battle with the “invincible force” of Napoleon Bonaparte. Before the start of the Great War, about 50 horse artillery batteries were formed in the Russian army, armed with almost three hundred guns.

During the battle of the Crimean War, the Russian command saw firsthand the backwardness and imperfection of smooth-bore artillery, which until recently was considered the best. The firing range clearly did not satisfy the “requests” of the new time, and therefore Russian gunners first made screw rifling in the barrels, and later completely copied the “French system”. The guns were made mainly of cast iron or bronze. And only in 1875 the first rifled steel guns appeared.

Russian Tsar Cannon

The famous Russian-made Tsar Cannon is rightfully considered one of the most respected “old-timers” of the Guinness Book of World Records. Today it is the largest artillery gun in terms of size. The diameter of the “vent” is 890 mm, the length of the barrel reaches five meters, and the mass of the entire structure is 40 thousand kilograms. One shell for the Tsar Cannon weighs almost 2 tons (1965 kg). This “weighty hulk” was cast by the famous Russian cannon master Andrei Chokhov in 1586 during the reign of Tsar Fyodor I the Blessed Ioannovich. Bronze was used as the starting material.

The Tsar Cannon was originally created to defend the Kremlin, but Russian soldiers managed to cope with the Tatar invasion without heavy artillery. Then she was transported to Kitay-Gorod to protect the crossing of the Moscow River. But the bombard was again of no use. But transporting the Tsar Cannon is a very labor-intensive and troublesome task. To move the artillery gun, 200 horses were used, and there were even more people from among the “maintenance personnel”.

Many historians and military experts agree that the Tsar Cannon was never fired, and not because there was no obvious need for it. To push a two-ton block of stone out of the “muzzle”, a huge supply of powder charge is needed, so when fired, the gun would simply “crack at the seams” and explode. However, some scientists suggest that the Tsar Cannon was fired once. Only not with stone blocks, but with the ashes of Tsar False Dmitry. Today, the powerful weapon is located in Moscow and is a historical monument to the legendary Russian artillery.

Great battles

Throughout the 16th century, Russian artillery was able to show itself “in all its glory” - the lightweight bombards with which the new Pushkar formations were equipped were widely used to storm enemy fortresses, in field battles, and also during defense. In 1514, thanks to the competent actions of experienced artillerymen, the Russian army defeated the Lithuanian garrison, as a result of which they captured the city of Smolensk. Artillery units also played a decisive role in 1552 during the siege of Kazan. With the help of shock artillery, they later managed to capture the fortresses of Dorpat and Fellin. In 1572, artillery salvoes against the enemy brought Russia victory in the battle of Molodi. And the garrison artillery batteries of Pskov did not allow the army of Stefan Batory to capture the city. This is not a complete list of episodes of the military glory of Russian gunners - in some great battles the Russian army would not have been able to win without artillery fire support.

Battle of Poltava

In 1709, the legendary battle took place near the city of Poltava. During the offensive, Swedish troops did not use artillery bombards, because they expected an easy victory - the numerical advantage was on their side. But the Russian soldiers relied specifically on rifle and cannon fire in order to prevent the enemy from getting within close range. Despite the fact that the Swedes broke through the field fortifications and the line of redoubts, already at this stage they suffered significant losses.

The Russians met them with powerful volleys of artillery. The Swedish soldiers had no choice but to stop the offensive and return to their original positions. The second wave of the attack was also unsuccessful - under massive artillery fire, the enemy’s ranks noticeably thinned out. After a cannonball hit King Charles XII, panic began among the Swedes. Russian soldiers took advantage of the opportunity and launched a counterattack. The enemy army was defeated.

Sinop battle

In 1853, just 300 km from Sevastopol, in the bay of the Turkish city of Sinop, a great naval confrontation took place, in which Russian sailors and Turkish detachments collided. A squadron of warships of the Black Sea Fleet, led by Vice Admiral Nakhimov, completely destroyed the enemy fleet within a couple of hours, destroying coastal defense structures. The reason for the quick victory was the use of naval artillery. More than 700 cannons fired continuously at the enemy frigates and fired a total of about 18 thousand salvos. For the first time in history, Russian sailors used bomb cannons, which with each hit on the target caused colossal damage to Turkish wooden ships and defensive fortifications located on the shore. In this battle, Russian artillery once again proved its power.

Artillery 1941-45

Before the outbreak of the First World War, light field guns were considered the main type of artillery weapons in all armies of European countries. The Red Army adopted 76 mm caliber guns - the famous “three-inch”. But in World War II, the 45-mm anti-tank guns “Sorokopyatki” and ZIS-2 of 57 mm caliber were most widely used. Despite the fact that the ZIS-2 was capable of penetrating the frontal armor of any light tank, the gun was removed from mass production because it was considered a rather expensive pleasure for the USSR army. Instead, the Soviet leadership placed the main emphasis on the production of more budget models of artillery weapons.

During the period 1941–43. The production level of anti-tank guns and mortars increased fivefold. Defense industry enterprises produced more than 500 thousand pieces of artillery weapons. Four main types of artillery developed by leaps and bounds in the Soviet Union:

• reactive;
• anti-aircraft;
• anti-tank;
• self-propelled

Powerful 100 mm cannons and “killer” 152 mm howitzers appeared in the arsenal of the Soviet troops. However, with the appearance of heavy German tanks on the battlefield, weapons with better armor penetration characteristics were urgently required. And then the USSR again remembered about the ZIS-2.

These guns, at a distance of 200–300 meters, easily penetrated the 80-mm frontal armor of German “tigers,” but Stalin demanded that Soviet engineers create a more universally usable gun, capable of causing damage at long distances. In 1942, German intelligence began to report to Hitler about the appearance of new Russian 76-mm guns, which were superior to the legendary ZIS-2 in many technical parameters. We are talking about the ZIS-3 divisional anti-tank gun. Later, one of Adolf Hitler’s personal consultants on artillery weapons stated that the Soviet ZIS-3 is one of the most ingenious designs in the history of the development of cannon artillery.

Separately, it is necessary to note the barrelless rocket artillery BM-13, which in the USSR was nicknamed “Katyusha”. In terms of its design, it was a fairly simple system, consisting of a guidance device and rail guides. To aim at the target, the Katyushas used a rotary-lifting mechanism and a standard artillery sight. On one vehicle, depending on the load capacity, it was possible to place about 14–48 guides for 310 mm caliber projectiles. The Katyusha's destruction range was about 11–14 km. The Germans did not like this artillery most of all - within ten seconds, the Katyusha fired up to sixteen 92-kilogram shells, which were most dangerous precisely for enemy personnel.

Types of artillery of the 20th–21st centuries.

From the very beginning of their “birth,” artillery pieces have been the basis of the firepower of the Russian army. During offensive operations, 50–60% of the damage to the enemy is caused by artillery. Even the effectiveness of self-propelled artillery units is better compared to tanks, and the survivability is higher since they fire outside the enemy's line of sight. Since the mid-20th century, several types of artillery weapons have been distinguished:

1. Missile systems- appeared in the 1950s–60s. The very first samples were equipped with unguided solid-fuel rockets, which were not very accurate. Therefore, it was decided to use guided missiles, which appeared only in 1976. They were manufactured for the new Tochka complex. 13 years later, the Tochka-U missile launcher was adopted, with a launch range of 120 km.
2. Barrel artillery- has decent firepower and is characterized by good accuracy, and is also versatile in use. During the battles with the Nazi occupiers, towed artillery became most widespread, but since the early 1970s, self-propelled guns have become especially popular in the Russian armed forces.
3. Anti-tank artillery- is a worthy alternative to missile systems, since it is characterized by simplicity of design and an increased level of adaptation to any weather conditions. A striking example is the MT-12 class smoothbore gun, designed for 100 mm caliber shells. It was adopted for service in the 60s of the 20th century. This gun is capable of firing special “Kastet” missiles, which can penetrate up to 600 mm of tank armor without any problems.
4. Multiple launch rocket systems- in the 1950s, the famous Russian “Grad” system of 122 mm caliber was born. This automatic installation became the prototype for the creation of a modern MLRS "Uragan" of 220 mm caliber. But the evolution didn't end there. Since 1987, the Soviet and Russian armies have been armed with the 300 mm Smerch system. In 2016, the Hurricanes and Smerchs were replaced by the modern Tornado MLRS.
5. Flak- characterized by a fairly high initial projectile flight speed and good aiming accuracy. The guns are mounted on a tracked or vehicle chassis. It is used as a “factor of surprise” to repel a counter-offensive of enemy infantry and tank units. The use of radar and automatic aiming devices makes it possible to increase the efficiency of using anti-aircraft artillery installations by 3–4 times.

AU-220M: “tank killer”

Today, the undeservedly forgotten “57 mm caliber” is returning to the ranks of the Russian armed forces. In the context of modern realities and the hidden Cold War, this event is rightfully considered a technical revolution in military affairs. The new domestically produced automatic gun of the AU-220M class, presented by Russian engineers in 2015 at the Russia Arms presentation, created quite a stir and quickly became a world sensation. Initially, this model was developed for patrol boats of the coast guard and light ships of the Navy, but over time, engineers adapted the AU-220M for use in the ground forces.

As they say: “Everything new is well forgotten old.” And the AU-220M automatic cannon was no exception to the rule. In essence, this system is a modernized version of the S-60 anti-aircraft complex. In just one minute, the cannon fires up to 250–300 shots, with a maximum horizontal target range of 12–16 km. The standard ammunition load is designed for 80–100 57x348 mm SR class shells. The AU-220M can equally effectively conduct massive fire against air and ground targets, including lightly armored tanks.

Most likely, 57-mm shells will not penetrate the 100-mm armor of the American Abrams and the German Leopard, but fragments of landmines will easily destroy the external devices of the tanks - optical instruments and radar antennas, as well as damage the track tracks and disable the turning mechanism towers. In other words, if “they don’t destroy them, they will definitely cripple them.” The main feature of the AU-220M is not only its high rate of fire, but also its maneuverability. The gun makes a 180-degree turn in just one second, while the barrel instantly catches the target on the front sight.

Development prospects

In principle, it is clear in which direction scientific and technological progress in the field of military industry is moving today. Slightly outdated over the past 20-30 years, barreled field artillery is trying to keep up with the times and keep up with new digital technologies. In the modern Russian army, artillery installations are equipped with foreign reconnaissance equipment and other useful innovations. This allows you to quickly obtain the coordinates of the location of enemy forces and deliver a neutralizing strike. In the near future, it is planned to create artillery systems with an increased rate of fire and range. Particular attention is paid to self-propelled guns.

Not long ago, a small note appeared in the media about a new development by Russian engineers - the Coalition-SV self-propelled gun, mounted on a tracked platform from the Armata tank. To date, only 12 units have been produced, and there is not much detailed information about the technical characteristics. It can be assumed that the Russians have once again created a military “masterpiece.” It is only known that the Coalition-SV is equipped with a powerful 152-mm howitzer with a modular loading system. The military doesn’t talk much about the cannon’s rate of fire. However, they say that this figure is more than 10–15 rounds per minute.

A detailed analysis of armed confrontations that have taken place over the past decades has shown that today the Russian army, including artillery, will move from “contact” forms of combat operations to non-contact forms - reconnaissance and electronic fire, where the key role is given to deep fire engagement enemy forces. It is quite obvious that in the coming years, the missile and artillery units of the ground forces will remain the basis of the firepower of the Russian army, while barrel artillery and MLRS should dominate.

The modern weapon system of cannon military artillery was developed based on the experience of World War II, the new conditions of a possible nuclear war, the extensive experience of modern local wars and, of course, the capabilities of new technologies.

The Second World War introduced many changes to the artillery weapon system - the role of mortars sharply increased, anti-tank artillery rapidly developed, in which “classical” guns were supplemented with recoilless rifles, self-propelled artillery that accompanied tanks and infantry was rapidly improved, the tasks of divisional and corps artillery became more complex and etc.

How the requirements for support guns increased can be judged by two very successful Soviet “products” of the same caliber and the same purpose (both created under the leadership of F.F. Petrov) - the 122-mm M-30 divisional howitzer of 1938 and the 122-mm mm howitzer (howitzer-gun) D-30 1960. In the D-30, both the barrel length (35 calibers) and the firing range (15.3 kilometers) increased by one and a half times compared to the M-30.

By the way, it was howitzers that over time became the most “working” guns of cannon military artillery, primarily divisional artillery. This, of course, did not cancel other types of guns. Artillery fire missions represent a very extensive list: the destruction of missile systems, artillery and mortar batteries, the destruction of tanks, armored vehicles and enemy personnel by direct or indirect (at long ranges) fire, the destruction of targets on reverse slopes of heights, in shelters, the destruction of control posts, field fortifications, setting up barrage fire, smoke screens, radio interference, remote mining of areas, and so on. Therefore, the artillery is armed with various combat systems. Precisely complexes, since a simple set of guns is not artillery. Each such complex includes a weapon, ammunition, instrumentation and means of transportation.

For range and power

The “power” of a weapon (this term may sound a little strange to a non-military ear) is determined by a combination of properties such as range, accuracy and accuracy battle, rate of fire, the power of the projectile at the target. The requirements for these characteristics of artillery have changed qualitatively several times. In the 1970s, for the main guns of military artillery, which were 105-155 mm howitzers, a firing range of up to 25 kilometers with a conventional projectile and up to 30 kilometers with an active-rocket projectile was considered normal.

The increase in firing range was achieved by combining long-known solutions at a new level - increasing the length of the barrel, increasing the volume of the charging chamber, and improving the aerodynamic shape of the projectile. In addition, to reduce the negative impact of “suction” caused by rarefaction and turbulence of air behind a flying projectile, a bottom recess was used (increasing the range by another 5-8%) or installing a bottom gas generator (increasing up to 15-25%). To further increase the flight range, the projectile can be equipped with a small jet engine - the so-called active-rocket projectile. The firing range can be increased by 30-50%, but the engine requires space in the body, and its operation introduces additional disturbances into the flight of the projectile and increases dispersion, that is, it significantly reduces shooting accuracy. Therefore, active-missile projectiles are used in some very special circumstances. In mortars, active-reactive mines provide a greater increase in range - up to 100%.

In the 1980s, due to the development of reconnaissance, command and control and destruction systems, as well as the increased mobility of troops, the requirements for firing range increased. For example, the adoption within NATO of the concept of “air-ground operation” in the United States and “fighting second echelons” required increasing the depth and effectiveness of defeating the enemy at all levels. The development of foreign military artillery in these years was greatly influenced by the research and development work of the small company Space Research Corporation under the leadership of the famous artillery designer J. Bull. She, in particular, developed long-range ERFB projectiles with a length of about 6 calibers with an initial speed of about 800 m/s, ready-made leading protrusions instead of thickening in the head part, and a reinforced leading belt - this increased the range by 12-15%. To fire such shells, it was necessary to lengthen the barrel to 45 calibers, increase the depth and change the steepness of the rifling. The first guns based on the developments of J. Bull were produced by the Austrian corporation NORICUM (155-mm howitzer CNH-45) and the South African ARMSCOR (towed howitzer G-5, then self-propelled G-6 with a firing range of up to 39 kilometers with a projectile with a gas generator).

1. Barrel
2. Barrel cradle
3. Hydraulic brake
4. Vertical guidance drive
5. Torsion bar suspension
6. 360 degree rotation platform
7. Compressed air cylinder to return the barrel to its original position
8. Compensating cylinders and hydropneumatic knurling

9. Separately loaded ammunition
10. Shutter lever
11. Trigger
12. Shutter
13. Horizontal guidance drive
14. Gunner's position
15. Recoil device

In the early 1990s, within NATO, a decision was made to switch to a new system of ballistic characteristics of field artillery guns. The optimal type was recognized as a 155-mm howitzer with a barrel length of 52 calibers (that is, essentially a howitzer-gun) and a charging chamber volume of 23 liters instead of the previously accepted 39 calibers and 18 liters. By the way, the same G-6 from Denel and Littleton Engineering was upgraded to the G-6-52 level, installing a 52-caliber barrel and automated loading.

The Soviet Union also began work on a new generation of artillery. It was decided to switch from the different calibers previously used - 122, 152, 203 millimeters - to a single caliber of 152 millimeters in all artillery units (divisional, army) with the unification of ammunition. The first success was the Msta howitzer, created by the Titan Central Design Bureau and the Barricades Production Association and put into service in 1989 - with a barrel length of 53 calibers (for comparison, the 152-mm howitzer 2S3 Akatsiya has a barrel length of 32.4 calibers ). The howitzer's ammunition amazes with its “assortment” of modern separate-case-loading rounds. The 3OF45 high-explosive fragmentation projectile (43.56 kilograms) of improved aerodynamic shape with a bottom notch is included in shots with a long-range propellant charge (initial speed 810 m/s, firing range up to 24.7 kilometers), with a full variable charge (up to 19. 4 kilometers), with a reduced variable charge (up to 14.37 kilometers). The 3OF61 projectile weighing 42.86 kilograms with a gas generator gives a maximum firing range of 28.9 kilometers. The 3O23 cluster projectile carries 40 cumulative fragmentation warheads, the 3O13 - eight fragmentation elements. There is a 3RB30 radio jamming projectile in the VHF and HF bands, and a 3VDTs8 special ammunition. On the one hand, the 3OF39 “Krasnopol” guided projectile and the adjustable “Centimeter” projectile can also be used, on the other hand, the previous shots of the D-20 and “Akatsiya” howitzers. The firing range of the Msta in the 2S19M1 modification reached 41 kilometers!

In the USA, when upgrading the old 155-mm M109 howitzer to the level of the M109A6 (Palladin), they limited the barrel length to 39 calibers - like the towed M198 - and increased the firing range to 30 kilometers with a conventional projectile. But the program of the 155-mm self-propelled artillery complex XM 2001/2002 “Crusader” included a barrel length of 56 calibers, a firing range of more than 50 kilometers and separate-case loading with so-called “modular” variable propellant charges. This “modularity” allows you to quickly collect the required charge, changing it over a wide range, and has a laser ignition system - a kind of attempt to bring the capabilities of a weapon based on solid propellant explosives closer to the theoretical capabilities of liquid propellants. A relatively wide range of variable charges, with an increase in the combat rate of fire, speed and aiming accuracy, makes it possible to fire at the same target along several conjugate trajectories - the approach of projectiles to a target from different directions greatly increases the likelihood of hitting it. And although the Crusader program was discontinued, the ammunition developed within its framework can find use in other 155-mm guns.

The possibilities of increasing the power of projectiles at a target within the same calibers are far from exhausted. For example, the American 155-mm M795 projectile is equipped with a casing made of steel with improved crushability, which, when exploded, produces fewer too large fragments with a low expansion speed and useless fine “dust.” In the South African XM9759A1, this is complemented by a specified crushing of the body (half-finished fragments) and a fuse with a programmable burst height.

On the other hand, volumetric explosion and thermobaric warheads are of increasing interest. So far they are used mainly in low-velocity ammunition: this is due both to the sensitivity of combat mixtures to overloads and the need for time to form an aerosol cloud. But improving mixtures (in particular, the transition to powder mixtures) and initiation means can solve these problems.

On your own

The scope and high maneuverability of combat operations for which the armies were preparing - moreover, in conditions of the expected use of mass destruction - spurred the development of self-propelled artillery. In the 60-70s of the 20th century, a new generation of it entered service with the armies, samples of which, having undergone a number of modernizations, remain in service to this day (the Soviet 122-mm self-propelled howitzer 2S1 “Gvozdika” and 152-mm 2S3 “Akatsiya”, 152 mm 2S5 "Hyacinth" cannon, American 155 mm M109 howitzer, French 155 mm F.1 cannon).

At one time it seemed that almost all military artillery would be self-propelled, and towed guns would go into the . But each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of self-propelled artillery guns (SAO) are obvious - this is, in particular, better mobility and cross-country ability, better protection of the crew from bullets and shrapnel and weapons of mass destruction. Most modern self-propelled howitzers have a turret installation, allowing for the fastest fire maneuver (trajectories). Open installations are usually either air transportable (and at the same time as light as possible, of course) or powerful long-range self-propelled guns, while their armored hull can still provide protection to the crew on the march or in position.

The bulk of modern self-propelled guns have a tracked chassis, of course. Since the 1960s, it has been widely practiced to develop special chassis for the SAO, often using components from serial armored personnel carriers. But tank chassis have not been abandoned either - an example of this is the French 155 mm F.1 and the Russian 152 mm 2S19 Msta-S. This provides equal mobility and protection for units, the ability to bring the self-propelled artillery unit closer to the front line to increase the depth of destruction of the enemy, and the unification of equipment in the formation.

But faster, more economical and less bulky all-wheel drive wheeled chassis are also found - for example, the South African 155 mm G-6, the Czech 152 mm "Dana" (the only wheeled self-propelled howitzer in the former Warsaw Pact) and its 155 mm successor " Zusanna”, as well as a 155-mm self-propelled howitzer (52 caliber) “Caesar” from the French company GIAT on the Unimog 2450 (6x6) chassis. Automation of the processes of transferring from a traveling position to a combat position and back, preparing data for firing, pointing, loading allows, allegedly, to deploy a gun to a position from a march, fire six shots and leave the position within about a minute! With a firing range of up to 42 kilometers, ample opportunities are created for “maneuvering fire and wheels.” A similar story is with the Archer 08 of the Swedish Bofors Defense on a Volvo chassis (6x6) with a long-barreled 155 mm howitzer. Here the automatic loader generally allows you to fire five shots in three seconds. Although the accuracy of the last shots is questionable, it is unlikely that it will be possible to restore the position of the barrel in such a short time. Some self-propelled guns are simply made in the form of open installations, such as a self-propelled version of the South African towed G-5 - T-5-2000 "Condor" on the Tatra chassis (8x8) or the Dutch "Mobat" - 105-mm howitzer on the DAF YA4400 chassis (4x4) .

Self-propelled guns can carry a very limited amount of ammunition - the smaller the heavier the gun, so many of them, in addition to an automated or automatic feeding mechanism, are equipped with a special system for feeding shots from the ground (as in the Pion or Mste-S) or from another vehicle . A self-propelled gun and an armored transport-loading vehicle with a conveyor feed placed side by side is a picture of the possible operation of, say, the American M109A6 Palladin self-propelled howitzer. In Israel, a towed trailer for 34 rounds was created for the M109.

For all its advantages, the SAO has disadvantages. They are large, inconvenient to transport by air, more difficult to camouflage in position, and if the chassis is damaged, the entire gun is actually disabled. In the mountains, say, “self-propelled guns” are generally not applicable. In addition, the self-propelled gun is more expensive than a towed gun, even taking into account the cost of the tractor. Therefore, conventional, non-self-propelled guns still remain in service. It is no coincidence that in our country, since the 1960s (when, after the decline of “rocket mania,” “classical” artillery regained its rights), the majority of artillery systems have been developed in both self-propelled and towed versions. For example, the same 2S19 Msta-B has a towed analogue 2A65 Msta-B. Light towed howitzers are still in demand by rapid reaction forces, airborne troops, and mountain infantry troops. The traditional caliber for them abroad is 105 millimeters. Such weapons are quite diverse. Thus, the LG MkII howitzer of the French GIAT has a barrel length of 30 calibers and a firing range of 18.5 kilometers, the light gun of the British Royal Ordnance has 37 calibers and 21 kilometers, respectively, and the Leo of the South African Denel has 57 calibers and 30 kilometers.

However, customers are showing increasing interest in towed guns of 152-155 mm caliber. An example of this is the experimental American light 155-mm howitzer LW-155 or the Russian 152-mm 2A61 “Pat-B” with all-round fire, created by OKB-9 for 152-mm rounds of separately cartridge loading of all types.

In general, they try not to reduce the range and power requirements for towed field artillery guns. The need to quickly change firing positions during a battle and at the same time the complexity of such movement led to the emergence of self-propelled guns (SPG). To do this, a small engine is installed on the gun carriage with drive to the carriage wheels, steering and a simple instrument panel, and the carriage itself, when folded, takes the form of a cart. Do not confuse such a weapon with a “self-propelled gun” - while on the march it will be towed by a tractor, and it will travel a short distance on its own, but at low speed.

At first they tried to make the front line guns self-propelled, which was natural. The first SDOs were created in the USSR after the Great Patriotic War - the 57-mm SD-57 gun or the 85-mm SD-44. With the development of weapons of destruction, on the one hand, and the capabilities of light power plants, on the other, heavier and longer-range guns began to be made self-propelled. And among modern SDOs we will see long-barreled 155-mm howitzers - the British-German-Italian FH-70, the South African G-5, the Swedish FH-77A, the Singaporean FH-88, the French TR, the Chinese WA021. To increase the survivability of the gun, measures are being taken to increase the speed of self-propulsion - for example, the 4-wheeled carriage of the experimental 155-mm howitzer LWSPH "Singapore Technologies" allows movement of 500 meters at speeds of up to 80 km/h!

Neither recoilless rifles nor anti-tank missile systems, which turned out to be much more effective, could replace classic anti-tank guns. Of course, there are compelling advantages to using shaped charge warheads from recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades or anti-tank guided missiles. But, on the other hand, the development of armor protection for tanks was aimed precisely against them. Therefore, it would be a good idea to supplement the means mentioned above with an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile from a conventional cannon - that very “crowbar” against which, as we know, there is “no trick.” It is he who could ensure reliable defeat of modern tanks.

Typical in this regard are the Soviet 100-mm smoothbore guns T-12 (2A19) and MT-12 (2A29), and with the latter, in addition to sub-caliber, cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation shells, the Kastet guided weapon system can be used. The return to smooth-bore guns is not at all an anachronism and not a desire to “cheap” the system too much. A smooth barrel is more durable, allows you to fire non-rotating feathered cumulative projectiles, with reliable obturation (preventing the breakthrough of powder gases) to achieve high initial velocities due to the higher gas pressure and less resistance to movement, to shoot guided projectiles.

However, with modern means of reconnaissance of ground targets and fire control, an anti-tank weapon that reveals itself will very soon be subjected not only to return fire from tank guns and small arms, but also to artillery and air strikes. In addition, the crew of such a gun is not covered in any way and will most likely be “covered” by enemy fire. A self-propelled gun, of course, has a greater chance of survival than one that stands stationary, but at a speed of 5-10 km/h such an increase is not so significant. This limits the possibilities of using such weapons.

But fully armored self-propelled anti-tank guns with a turret-mounted gun are still of great interest. These are, for example, the Swedish 90-mm Ikv91 and 105-mm Ikv91-105, and the Russian amphibious airborne SPTP 2S25 "Sprut-SD" 2005, built on the basis of the 125-mm 2A75 tank smoothbore gun. Its ammunition includes rounds with armor-piercing sabot shells with a detachable tray and 9M119 ATGMs fired through the gun barrel. However, here self-propelled artillery is already joining forces with light tanks.

Computerization of processes

Modern “instrumental weapons” transform individual artillery systems and units into independent reconnaissance and strike complexes. For example, in the USA, when upgrading the 155-mm M109 A2/A3 to the M109A6 level (in addition to the barrel extended to 47 calibers with modified rifling, a new set of charges and an improved chassis), a new fire control system based on an on-board computer, an autonomous navigation and topographical system were installed , a new radio station.

By the way, the combination of ballistic solutions with modern reconnaissance systems (including unmanned aerial vehicles) and control allows artillery systems and units to ensure the destruction of targets at ranges of up to 50 kilometers. And this is greatly facilitated by the widespread introduction of information technology. They became the basis for the creation of a unified reconnaissance and fire system at the beginning of the 21st century. Now this is one of the main directions of artillery development.

Its most important condition is an effective automated control system (ACS), covering all processes - target reconnaissance, data processing and transfer of information to fire control centers, continuous collection of data on the position and condition of fire weapons, task setting, calling, adjustment and ceasefire, assessment results. The terminal devices of such a system are installed on command vehicles of divisions and batteries, reconnaissance vehicles, mobile control posts, command and observation and command headquarters posts (united by the concept of “control vehicles”), individual guns, as well as on air vehicles - for example, an airplane or an unmanned aerial vehicle. aircraft - and are connected by radio and cable communication lines. Computers process information about targets, weather conditions, the position and condition of batteries and individual fire weapons, the state of support, as well as the results of firing, generate data taking into account the ballistic characteristics of guns and launchers, and manage the exchange of encoded information. Even without changes to the firing range and accuracy of the guns themselves, the ACS can increase the fire efficiency of divisions and batteries by 2-5 times.

According to Russian experts, the lack of modern automated control systems and sufficient reconnaissance and communications means does not allow artillery to realize more than 50% of its potential capabilities. In a rapidly changing operational-combat situation, a manual control system, with all the efforts and qualifications of its participants, promptly processes and takes into account no more than 20% of the available information. That is, gun crews simply will not have time to react to most of the identified targets.

The necessary systems and means have been created and are ready for widespread implementation, at least at the level of, if not a single reconnaissance and fire system, then reconnaissance and fire complexes. Thus, the combat operation of the Msta-S and Msta-B howitzers as part of the reconnaissance and fire complex is ensured by the Zoo-1 self-propelled reconnaissance complex, command posts and control vehicles on self-propelled armored chassis. The Zoo-1 radar reconnaissance complex is used to determine the coordinates of enemy artillery firing positions and allows you to simultaneously detect up to 12 firing systems at a distance of up to 40 kilometers. The “Zoo-1” and “Credo-1E” systems are technically and informationally (i.e., hardware and software) interfaced with the combat control systems of the barreled and rocket artillery “Machine-M2”, “Kapustnik-BM”.

The fire control system of the Kapustnik-BM division will allow you to open fire on an unplanned target 40-50 seconds after its detection and will be able to simultaneously process information about 50 targets at once, while working with its own and assigned ground and air reconnaissance assets, as well as information from a superior. Topographical reference is carried out immediately after stopping to take positions (here the use of a satellite navigation system such as GLONASS is of particular importance). Through the ACS terminals on the fire weapons, crews receive target designation and data for firing, and through them, information about the state of the fire weapons themselves, ammunition, etc. is transmitted to the control vehicles. The relatively autonomous ACS of the division with its own means can detect targets at a distance of up to 10 kilometers during the day and up to 3 kilometers at night (this is quite enough in conditions of local conflicts) and produce laser illumination of targets from a distance of 7 kilometers. And together with external reconnaissance means and battalions of cannon and rocket artillery, such an automated control system in one or another combination will turn into a reconnaissance and fire complex with a much greater depth of both reconnaissance and destruction.

These are fired by 152-mm howitzers: 3OF61 high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a bottom gas generator, 3OF25 projectile, 3-O-23 cluster projectile with cumulative fragmentation warheads, 3RB30 projectile for radio interference

About shells

Another side of the “intellectualization” of artillery is the introduction of high-precision artillery ammunition with targeting at the final part of the trajectory. Despite qualitative improvements in artillery over the last quarter century, the consumption of conventional shells for solving typical problems remains too high. Meanwhile, the use of guided and adjustable projectiles in 155-mm or 152-mm howitzers can reduce ammunition consumption by 40-50 times, and the time to hit targets by 3-5 times. Of the control systems, two main directions stood out - projectiles with semi-active guidance by a reflected laser beam and projectiles with automatic guidance (self-aiming). The projectile will “steer” along the final section of its trajectory using folding aerodynamic rudders or a pulsed rocket engine. Of course, such a projectile should not differ in size and configuration from a “regular” one - after all, it will be fired from a conventional gun.

Reflected laser beam guidance is implemented in the American 155 mm Copperhead projectile, the Russian 152 mm Krasnopol, 122 mm Kitolov-2M and 120 mm Kitolov-2. This guidance method allows the use of ammunition against different types of targets (combat vehicle, command or observation post, fire weapon, building). The Krasnopol-M1 projectile with an inertial control system in the middle section and guidance by a reflected laser beam in the final section, with a firing range of up to 22-25 kilometers, has a probability of hitting a target of up to 0.8-0.9, including moving targets. But in this case, there should be an observer-gunner with a laser illumination device not far from the target. This makes the gunner vulnerable, especially if the enemy has laser irradiation sensors. The Copperhead projectile, for example, requires target illumination for 15 seconds, Copperhead-2 with a combined (laser and thermal imaging) homing head (GOS) - for 7 seconds. Another limitation is that in low clouds, for example, the projectile may simply not have time to aim at the reflected beam.

Apparently, this is why the NATO countries preferred to work on self-aiming ammunition, primarily anti-tank ammunition. Guided anti-tank and cluster shells with self-aiming combat elements are becoming a mandatory and very essential part of the ammunition load.

An example is a SADARM-type cluster munition with self-aiming elements that hit the target from above. The projectile flies towards the area of ​​the reconnoitered target along a normal ballistic trajectory. On its descending branch at a given height, combat elements are alternately thrown out. Each element throws out a parachute or opens wings, which slow down its descent and put it into autorotation mode at an angle to the vertical. At an altitude of 100-150 meters, the sensors of the combat element begin scanning the area in a converging spiral. When the sensor detects and identifies a target, an "impact shaped charge" is fired in its direction. For example, the American 155-mm cluster projectile SADARM and the German SMArt-155 each carry two combat elements with combined sensors (infrared dual-band and radar channels); they can be fired at ranges of up to 22 and 24 kilometers, respectively. The Swedish 155-mm BONUS projectile is equipped with two elements with infrared (IR) sensors, and due to the bottom generator it flies up to 26 kilometers. The Russian self-aiming Motiv-3M is equipped with dual-spectrum IR and radar sensors that allow it to detect a camouflaged target in jamming conditions. Its “cumulative core” penetrates armor up to 100 millimeters, that is, “Motive” is designed to defeat promising tanks with enhanced roof protection.

The main disadvantage of self-aiming ammunition is its narrow specialization. They are designed to destroy only tanks and combat vehicles, while the ability to “cut off” false targets is still insufficient. For modern local conflicts, when targets important for destruction can be very diverse, this is not yet a “flexible” system. Let us note that foreign guided projectiles mainly have a cumulative warhead, while Soviet (Russian) ones have a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. In the context of local “counterguerrilla” actions, this turned out to be very useful.

As part of the 155-mm Crusader complex program, which was mentioned above, the XM982 Excalibur guided projectile was developed. It is equipped with an inertial guidance system in the middle part of the trajectory and a correction system using the NAVSTAR satellite navigation network in the final part. The warhead of the Excalibur is modular: it can include, depending on the circumstances, 64 fragmentation combat elements, two self-aiming combat elements, and a concrete-piercing element. Since this “smart” projectile can glide, the firing range increases to 57 kilometers (from the Crusader) or 40 kilometers (from the M109A6 Palladin), and the use of the existing navigation network makes it seem unnecessary to have a gunner with an illumination device in the target area.

The 155-mm TCM projectile from the Swedish Bofors Defense uses correction at the final trajectory, also using satellite navigation and pulse steering motors. But the enemy's targeting of the radio navigation system can significantly reduce the accuracy of the attack, and forward gunners may still be needed. The Russian 152-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectile "Centimeter" and the 240-mm mine "Smelchak" are also corrected with pulse (missile) correction at the final part of the trajectory, but they are guided by a reflected laser beam. Guided munitions are cheaper than guided munitions, and in addition, they can be used in the worst atmospheric conditions. They fly along a ballistic trajectory and, in the event of a correction system failure, will fall closer to the target than a guided projectile that has left the trajectory. Disadvantages - shorter firing range, since at a long range the correction system may no longer cope with the accumulated deviation from the target.

The vulnerability of the gunner can be reduced by equipping a laser rangefinder with a stabilization system and installing it on an armored personnel carrier, helicopter or UAV, increasing the angle of capture of the seeker beam of a projectile or mine - then the illumination can be done while moving. It is almost impossible to hide from such artillery fire.

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10

The Archer self-propelled gun uses a Volvo A30D chassis with a 6x6 wheel arrangement. The chassis is equipped with a 340 horsepower diesel engine, which allows it to reach highway speeds of up to 65 km/h. It is worth noting that the wheeled chassis can move through snow up to one meter deep. If the wheels of the installation are damaged, the self-propelled gun can still move for some time.

A distinctive feature of the howitzer is that there is no need for additional crew numbers to load 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 vehicles, anti-tank weapons, manpower, air defense and missile defense systems, control posts, as well as to destroy field fortifications and impede the maneuvers of enemy reserves in the depth of his defense. It can fire at 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 fired from the ground are used, without loss in rate of fire.

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

Additional equipment of the self-propelled gun includes: automatic 3-fold action PPO with control equipment 3ETs11-2; two filter ventilation units; self-entrenchment system mounted on the lower frontal sheet; 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 unit 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 L118 light towed howitzers and MLRS and were used in combat during the Iraq War.

7 Krab (based on AS-90)

The SPH Krab is a 155 mm 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 RT-90 tank chassis (with an S-12U engine), an artillery unit from the AS-90M Braveheart with a 52-caliber barrel, and its own (Polish) Topaz fire control system. The 2011 version of the SPH Krab uses a new gun barrel from Rheinmetall.

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

6 M109A7 "Paladin"

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

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.

5PLZ05

The self-propelled gun turret is welded from rolled armor plates. Two four-barreled smoke grenade launcher units are installed on the front of the turret to create smoke screens. In the rear part of the hull there is a hatch for the crew, which can be used to replenish ammunition while feeding ammunition from the ground into 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 gun. The rate of fire is 8 rounds per minute. The howitzer gun has a caliber of 155 mm and a barrel length of 54 calibers. The gun's ammunition is located in the turret. It consists of 30 rounds of 155 mm caliber and 500 rounds of ammunition for a 12.7 mm machine gun.

4

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

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

3

The K9 Thunder self-propelled gun was developed in the mid-90s of the last century by the Samsung Techwin corporation 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 entered into a contract with the Samsung Techwin corporation for the supply of self-propelled guns, and in 1999 the first batch of K9 Thunder was delivered to the customer. In 2004, Türkiye bought a production license and also received a batch of K9 Thunder. A total of 350 units have been ordered. The first 8 self-propelled guns were built in Korea. From 2004 to 2009, 150 self-propelled guns were delivered to the Turkish army.

2

Developed at the Nizhny Novgorod Central Research Institute "Burevestnik". The 2S35 self-propelled gun is designed to destroy tactical nuclear weapons, artillery and mortar batteries, tanks and other armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, manpower, air defense and missile defense systems, command posts, as well as to destroy field fortifications and impede the maneuvers of enemy reserves in the depths of their 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 estimates by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the 2S35 self-propelled gun is 1.5-2 times superior to similar systems in terms of its range of characteristics. Compared to the M777 towed howitzers and M109 self-propelled howitzers in service with the US Army, the Coalition-SV self-propelled howitzer has a higher degree of automation, increased rate of fire and firing range, meeting modern requirements for combined arms combat.

1

Self-propelled artillery unit on a tracked chassis with a rotating turret. The hull and turret are made of steel armor, providing protection against bullets of up to 14.5 mm caliber and fragments of 152 mm shells. It is possible to use dynamic protection.

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. The howitzer holds a world record - at a training ground in South Africa, it fired a V-LAP projectile (active-propelled projectile with improved aerodynamics) at a distance of 56 km.

Based on all the indicators, the PzH 2000 is considered the most advanced serial self-propelled gun in the world. The self-propelled guns have earned extremely high marks from independent experts; Thus, the Russian specialist O. Zheltonozhko defined it as a reference system for the present time, which all manufacturers of self-propelled artillery systems are guided by.

The main ground strike force of any army has always been considered artillery, for the modernization of which both Russia and the United States have allocated increasingly significant funds in recent years.

The latest American creation in this area is the M109A7 self-propelled artillery mount of 155 mm caliber, which is already replacing the M109A6 “Paladin” system, which has long formed the basis of US self-propelled artillery.

In Russia, in turn, the ground forces are still armed with the rather outdated 152-mm self-propelled howitzer 2S3, which is being pushed aside by the more modern 2S19 systems and its modernized variants 2S19M1, 2S19M2 and 2S33. In addition, the Russians, unlike the United States, have a significant number of light and medium self-propelled guns, for example, 122 mm 2S1 and 120 mm 2S34.

How are all these systems different? And whose artillery - Russian or American - is better, and in what way?

As already mentioned, the M109A6 Paladin forms the backbone of American self-propelled artillery. The M109 self-propelled gun has many variants, but almost all of them are basically a manually loaded weapon with a trigger cord. This factor directly affects the rate of fire of the M109A6, which during prolonged firing is only one shot every three minutes. The newer M109A6 model, compared to previous models, has an important trump card, namely networking on the battlefield and the ability to quickly make decisions on firing after stopping, in order to immediately leave the position after firing shots to avoid being hit by enemy fire. It must be admitted that this is a very reliable and accurate system, but in terms of firepower it is superior to Russian, European, and Asian artillery installations.

America's latest development, the M109A7, is designed to correct this state of affairs. As you can easily guess from the name, this is another variant of the M109 self-propelled guns, but it uses a completely new chassis and turret. In addition, the self-propelled guns have a long-awaited automatic loader, which makes it possible to increase the combat rate of fire during long-term firing to one shot per minute, and the maximum rate of fire to four shots per minute. In addition, the M109A7 has higher survivability on the battlefield, which was achieved thanks to modular armor with additional underbody protection, which does not make it such an easy prey in guerrilla warfare, as was the case with previous models.

In Russia, the oldest howitzer still in service in the Russian army is the 2S3 and its modernized versions. Compared to recent developments, these are rather primitive 152-mm hand-loading guns. However, after modernization, the 2S3 received new fire control computers and navigation equipment, although the gun itself did not undergo any major changes. When loaded manually, the rate of fire of the installation is 2-3 rounds per minute, which is higher than that of the American Paladin, but inferior to another Russian artillery system - 2S19 Msta.

Currently, the 2S19 Msta is the main self-propelled howitzer in the Russian ground forces. It was adopted by the Soviet Union back in 1988, but still remains a very modern development. The gun was created in conjunction with the chassis, and the Msta's transportable ammunition capacity is 50 rounds, which is much more than that of the US M109.

The Msta's ammunition is located in the rear of the high self-propelled gun turret, and with the help of an automatic loader it is quickly fed into the gun in a given sequence. Having an automatic loader, the 2S19 received a rate of fire of 7-8 rounds per minute. In the 2S19M2 version, the rate of fire is already 10 rounds per minute, and this installation was developed and began to enter service around 2012. The 2S19M2 also has GLONASS for improved shooting accuracy and speed, and the latest version, the 2S33, has even more impressive features.

When comparing modern self-propelled guns in Russia and the United States, it should be noted that the main differences between the systems are the rate of fire and a comprehensive control system on the battlefield. The US ground forces have a much higher second indicator, but the American guns fire more slowly. The Russians prefer the firepower and rate of fire of howitzers, as well as the complex interaction of artillery. Each of the above concepts, of course, has its own merits, but leading military experts say that in the 21st century, electronics will be the determining factor in the development of artillery systems, since updating the “brains” of a combat unit is much easier than creating a fundamentally new weapon.