Artillery "Peony". SAU 2S7 "Peony" 203 mm - self-propelled gun

Already after the Winter War of 1939 it was finally clear that the troops were in dire need of powerful self-propelled units, which could by their own way make their way along the rugged terrain to the points of enemy deployment and immediately proceed to destroy the fortified areas of the latter. The second world conjecture finally confirmed this.

However, the situation of various ACS after the war was rather shaky: it was often suggested that it was necessary to completely eliminate this type of equipment and re-equip troops with new types of heavy tanks.

Fortunately, this did not happen, and that is why in the late 1960s Soviet military designers urgently began developing completely new automatic control systems. So there was a fundamentally different barrel artillery. "Peony" was a clear example of the changed priorities of the Soviet command.

Basic information

The so-called self-propelled artillery installation of Soviet production, equipped with a cannon of caliber 203.2 mm (2A44). It was adopted in 1976. Seven years later, in 1983, the machine was modernized. For its development, NS Popov and GI Sergeev answered, thanks to the genius of which the "Peony" also appeared. The ACU for a long time impressed the imagination of the Western military, saved them from ill-considered steps.

What is it for?

In the military doctrine of the USSR, the following tasks are fixed for this installation:

• Destruction of mines of intercontinental missiles, suppression of enemy artillery, mortar batteries.
• Elimination of DOTs and other long-term defensive structures of the enemy.
• Suppression of enemy control, including in its rear zone.
• Destruction of large clusters of manpower.

To date, this ACS is considered the most powerful in its class. When did Soviet artillery receive it? "Peony" began to develop in 1967.

History of creation

Then the Ministry of Defense Industry issued a new decree, which prescribed the beginning of work on the development and creation of a completely new artillery system on the caterpillar chassis. It was assumed that the ACS would be used to destroy the enemy's deep-seated defense and disable the means for launching intercontinental ballistic missiles. The designers were given a technical assignment that stipulated that the installation would fire at least 25 kilometers. Thus, the "Peony" - ACS of exceptional combat power.

Since everything else was handed over to the engineers themselves, several design bureaus immediately offered their options:

• Initially, it was intended to use a C-23 gun (180 mm caliber) in conjunction with the chassis of the T-55 tank. The firing range from it was 30 kilometers, provided the conventional projectile was used, while the reactive missile allowed fire for 45 kilometers. This prototype has received the designation "Peony-1".
• It was also planned to use the C-72 gun, but already on a special crawler chassis designed specifically for the new plant. In this case, an ordinary projectile could be fired at 35 kilometers, reactive - at 45 kilometers.
• In addition, some specialists suggested the MU-1 cannon (180 mm caliber), for which the chassis of the T-55 tank was again "matched".
• Engineers of the Kirov plant (Leningrad) believed that it is best to take a 203mm gun and install it in the wheelhouse on the chassis of the T-64 tank (the newest machine at that time). It was supposed to equip the cannon with a folding opener, which would significantly reduce the recoil and increase the accuracy of the shooting.

The final decision

Disputes were long, self-propelled artillery "Peony" was too unusual and new for the domestic industry. Only at the end of 1969, scientists agreed that the caliber of 203 mm best corresponds to the tasks assigned to the new ACS. Soon, the court of the state commission presented two options: on the chassis T-64 (in the wheel version), as well as on the chassis of the "Object 429" in an open version. The second option proved to be the best, and therefore they gave him a "green light" for further development. It was decided to conduct further work in the direction of creating an instrument that could open fire with conventional shells at 32 km, and reactive - at 42 km.

In 1971, GRAU introduced updated requirements for the developed automatic control system. It was assumed that the installation would use shots from the B-4 howitzer. At that time it was already decided that the maximum firing range of an ordinary projectile should be about 35 km, and the minimum - 8.5 km. The reactive ammunition should hit the target at a distance of 43 km. The main enterprise responsible for the development was the Kirov plant in Leningrad.

The development of the artillery unit was assigned to GI Sergeev. His enterprise stopped on the classical scheme of the gun, but experts suggested making important changes in its design. The main feature - the barrel has become demountable, modular design. It consisted of a free pipe, breech block, bushing and coupling. Such a scheme of tools offered a talented engineer-gunsmith AA Kolokoltsev back in the early 70's.

So he solved the global problem of all modern artillery systems, significantly reducing their wear and tear with intense shooting. If we are talking about classic guns, which are made in a monoblock scheme, then for repair they have to be sent to the manufacturer, and all this time the machine will stand idle, which in combat conditions is unacceptable. In the case of using the Kolokoltsev scheme, almost all the breakdowns can be rectified right in the front line.

In 1975, the self-propelled gun "Pion" successfully passed all the State tests, after which it was immediately launched its serial production. The final assembly (and production of the chassis itself) was carried out at the facilities of the Kirov plant. In the late 1970s a new "Peony" was developed. Self-propelled artillery installation with a 203-millimeter gun 2A44 received the letter "M" to the name. True, this was no longer a land development: a new weapon was planned to be installed on warships.

The project completely failed at the State Acceptance, as the fleet management did not arrange some constructive features.

Design features

The case of the car has a rather unusual shape, something that reminds one of a forestry skidder. This feeling is largely created due to the fact that the cabin for the crew was taken far ahead. In addition to its direct function, it plays the role of a heavyweight counterweight, which helps to cope with the monstrous force of recoil when shot. It contains the places of a gunner, commander and driver-mechanic. In domestic practice, the two-layer armor was used for the production of the automatic hull for the first time, which provided adequate protection for the crew from the fire of personal small arms and even machine guns.

The engine (V-shaped V-46-1) is located just behind the cab. Behind him is the place for the maintenance calculation of the installation. The driving wheels are located in front. The steering wheels, in addition to their main function, also carry out the work of the counterweight, sinking to the ground before the shot. In addition, to reduce the impact of powerful recoil, the gun itself is equipped with openers. To quickly "ground" the machine on the ground, there is a digging mechanism. It works due to autonomous hydraulic drives.

The opener for digging is designed like a bulldozer dump. He can be buried in the ground at 70 centimeters. Stability is also enhanced not only by the guide wheels, but also by hydraulic shock absorbers of the track rollers of the tracked chassis. For shots with a reduced charge, as well as for direct-fire shooting, the opener need not be lowered. However, 203 mm "Peony" produces so powerful a shot that it should be done only in case of a sudden encounter with the enemy.

The exterior of the case resembles a "box", divided by partitions into four main zones: a place for the power plant and a control compartment, a stern and a room for calculation. In the engine compartment there is not only the main engine, but also a reserve power plant. In the stern compartment are stored spare batteries, canisters with a reserve fuel reserve, as well as ammunition for personal self-defense crew. This is the approximate scheme of the Peony.

Chassis

It consists of front wheels (driving), support rollers in the number of seven pairs, as well as six pairs of rollers supporting. For the course stability are also responsible for the rear guiding wheels. Caterpillars are assembled using rubber-metal hinges. On the independent suspension there are powerful hydraulic shock absorbers. It is characteristic that most of the running gear was borrowed from the newest T-80 tank at the time. However, a mechanical transmission was taken from the Nizhny Tagil T-72.

Characteristics of the tool

As we already said, it is mounted directly on the case, there is no tower. The gun itself 2A44 is mounted on a massive swivel. The weight of the gun's body is 14.6 tons. It consists of a bolt (piston type, opens upwards), a barrel, a cradle and a loading device, a mechanism that suppresses the rollback. For guidance, turn and lifting devices are responsible, two pneumatic mechanisms of counterbalancing type are extinguished. The barrel of the gun is covered with a heat dissipating jacket.

But the main feature of the gun is not that. Despite the overwhelming power of the shot, domestic specialists preferred to abandon the use of the muzzle brake, solving the problem of the strongest return in other ways. Thanks to this, it became possible to abandon the heavy and bulky devices to protect the crew from the shock wave of the shot, since such an instrument is minimal. By the way, this is the only installation of this kind that Russian artillery has . "Peony" in this regard is unique in the global plan.

Arming Calculation

With a view to possible self-defense, the crew is armed with such a set: MANPADS ("Needle" or "Verba" in the modern version), RPG-7 (or RPG-29), several defensive grenades F-1, four AKMS-74 and a signal pistol. In a combat situation, the calculation can be armed beyond the norm. Thus, "Peony" (203 mm) is a self-propelled gun that can stand up for itself in any conditions.

Shutter mechanism

The shooting mechanism of the shutter is shock type. The mechanical drive makes it possible to fully automate the processes of opening and closing the shutter (and, if necessary, the calculation can be performed manually). Since many details of this device are very difficult, experts have included in the design of the gun an effective balancing device. The shooting mechanism is equipped with a special magazine, in which the capsule charges to the shots are located.

The shot can be made both by means of an electric descent (regular mode) and an exhaust cord (supernumerary position), which also includes a "Peony". Self-propelled artillery installation, however, has such a shot energy that it is not recommended to use the cord for its reproduction.

The order of loading and shot

The gun is equipped with a semi-automatic loading system, working with hydraulic drives. The latter allow you to charge almost at any position of the barrel, which is extremely important for the mechanism of such dimensions and caliber. The whole process is controlled from a separate remote control. The charging process is as follows:

• First, a shell is placed in the charging chamber.
• After it put a knock-out charge.
• From the above-mentioned capsule shop, a primer is taken and manually inserted into the charge.
• The shutter closes.
• After the shot, the used capsule tube is thrown out automatically.

To facilitate the feeding from the ground, a special hand cart for shells is used. It consists of a power frame and a removable stretcher. The latter are removed from the frame to facilitate the supply of shells to the charging chamber. In emergency cases, it is possible to manually carry them to reduce the charging time. Note that when submitting projectiles from the ground, at least six people are required from the calculation of the Peony machine (203 mm). Self-propelled gun 2S7 requires very massive projectiles, work with which is extremely difficult.

The sighting system is represented by a mechanical variant of model D726-45, gun panorama PG-1M, and also optical sighting device OP4M-99A. For better guidance, an artillery collimator K-1 is used, as well as a milestone Sat 13-11 and a device for lighting the area "Luch-S71M" (it is often used by Russian artillery). "Peony" with equal success can be used both from closed positions, and through direct guidance to the enemy's places. However, given the low security of the installation, do not advise it.

Ammunition and shooting modes

As we said, for shooting self-propelled gun "Peony" uses shells of separate loading. The knock-out charges are packed in linen containers and stored in a sealed package. Of course, that their storage should be given special attention (which is not surprising). Standard ammunition consists of 40 rounds, with only 4-6 of them being transported in the combat compartment of the self-propelled unit.

They are an "untouchable stock", and they should be used only as a last resort. The remaining shots are transported on a transport vehicle, which is "equipped" with each "Peony" (203 mm). Self-propelled gun 2S7 is already too massive and heavy, so this distinction is vital.

The rate of fire is 1.5 rounds per minute (maximum). The manufacturer provides several possible shooting modes:

• Within five minutes, about eight shots can be fired.
• In ten minutes - 15 shots.
• Within 20 minutes - 24 volleys.
• For half an hour - 30 shots (almost unachievable in combat conditions, requires the highest training in calculating).
• In one hour - 40 volleys.

To carry out combat operations at night, the self-propelled gun 2S7 "Peony" is equipped with two night vision devices of the TVNE-4B model. The radio station R-123 is responsible for the communication, the station of mark 1В116 is used for internal negotiations. To increase the survivability of the self-propelled gun on the battlefield, the design includes: an automatic fire extinguishing device, air filtration and ventilation devices, a decontamination system, which at that time was used in all the latest Soviet tanks. Some comfort of the crew in winter conditions is created with the help of a heating system.

In total, the crew of this automatic control system includes just 14 people. And only half of them are direct calculation of the installation. The rest of the people are on the security team, and on the march they are in the back of a truck or armored personnel carrier carrying ammunition, and they are being used by Peony. A self-propelled artillery installation does not accidentally need a separate transport for ammunition.

About ammunition

The weight of each projectile is 110 kilograms. The length is exactly one meter. Charging is carried out using a special charging mechanism, which in the working position is located on the right side of the charging chamber of the gun. The specialist who is engaged in the delivery of the projectile, performs this operation with the help of the control panel.

It is known that this artillery ("Peonies") can use at once three types of projectiles: conventional (high-explosive fragmentation), reactive and nuclear. The power of the latter can exceed 2 kT (there is no exact data). Nuclear shells, by the way, are a "visiting card", which is distinguished by domestic artillery. "Peony" has in service special shots for destroying concrete fortifications and chemical charges.

Between high-explosive and high-explosive projectile, the choice is made immediately before the combat use, according to the situation. Given the colossal power of the cannon, both main types of shots can be used to destroy powerful fortifications, so that special charges for eliminating bunkers are often left unclaimed.

However, they definitely should not be "written off". Just imagine a projectile that crashes into the target at a speed of more than 2 Mach! It easily penetrates even the very thick walls of any fortification structures, as well as the walls of rocket mines with intercontinental ballistic missiles, which conventional artillery does not take. "Peonies" are thus an extremely powerful and universal type of weapon.

Some important remarks

Nuclear weapons can only be used (!) With the permission of the High Command. They are delivered to the location of the battery on special trucks, and all along the way the vehicle is guarded by a convoy. The military doctrine presupposes the use of such shells for the complete elimination of particularly large enemy concentrations and the destruction of its industrial centers.

As for chemical shots, they are now completely prohibited by the relevant UN decree. It is safe to say that today, shooting such ammunition is almost impossible, since their stocks were completely disposed of.

At the moment, the Russian army has two versions of this machine. These are the following models: SAU 2С7 "Peony", 2С7М "Malka". The 203 mm self-propelled gun in both versions is an extremely formidable weapon that can deliver a potential enemy many problems.