Self-propelled mortar "Tulip": characteristics

The Tulip mortar, like many other heavy artillery pieces, has recently attracted increased attention to itself. In the light of recent events, any weapon started to interest even those who in the past associated the words "tulip", "peony" and "hyacinth" exclusively with flower beds. Today, these terms are for the most part attributed to the fact that it sows around itself death and destruction. "Bouquet-weather" names, so beloved by the domestic military industry, today cause real horror, especially among those who try to survive in the very center of the war. And human fears and fears are not in vain - to weapons of mass destruction the self-propelled mortar "Tulip", of course, does not apply. However, the consequences of a single blow from it are very devastating.

Appointment of the automated control system "Tulip" and its use in combat operations

Self-propelled mortar 2S4 "Tulip" can use various, including nuclear munitions. He is a powerful tool with a tremendous destructive force. The 2C4 "Tulip" mortar is primarily designed to destroy enemy fortifications , field engineering structures, fortified buildings, shelters with manpower and equipment, checkpoints and command posts, art batteries. This weapon is intended for conducting military operations outside populated areas. For laying artillery fire, too, can be used mortar "Tulip", the characteristics of which allow you to hit targets that are several kilometers from the starting positions.

History of creation

About this, too, should say a few words. The 240-mm Tulip mortar was to replace the towed 240 mm mortar M-240, released in 1950. The ballistic characteristics of these guns are approximately the same. However, the 2C4 is superior to the M-240 for combat survivability and the effectiveness of firing due to improved maneuverability and patency. In addition, it takes much less time than the predecessor to open fire and leave the firing positions.

The prototype of the new 240-mm mortar was developed in the SLE in 1944-1945. B. Shavyrin was in charge of the project. Tests of the new gun began two years after the Victory and lasted until 1949. In 1950, the mortar was put into service by the army. In those days, it was called the 240-mm mortar M-240. Its maximum aiming range was declared a distance of 8 thousand meters.

In 1953 a special charge was designed for the M-240 mortar, which allowed to increase the firing range to 9700 m. The serial M-240 launch began in 1951 in the city of Yurga. A total of 329 units of this brand were produced. The 240 mm mortar M-240 is a rigid system with no chilling devices, charging with a breech-charging method, having a wheel carriage and shooting with minefields.

Imaginary uselessness

The first difficulties in the development and production of a new self-propelled mortar began not because of any of its shortcomings, difficulties with financing, or lack of specialists. In fact, the main test was Khrushchev's unshakable conviction that artillery shelling is a relic of the past. The attempts of the environment to influence the opinion of the First Secretary of the Central Committee were unsuccessful. The development of all large-caliber guns firing charges was suspended. Moreover, the materials for modernization were simply abandoned and lost. The release and further improvement of the M-240 stopped in 1958.

New Hope

The new leadership of the country, which came to replace Khrushchev, fortunately, managed to assess the situation more adequately. That weapons, which did not have time to throw and finally destroy, to put it mildly, depressed. Samples of technology during the war, not only that they came to physical inadequacy, but also morally obsolete so that they could not stand any comparisons with analogues of foreign production. And competitiveness in those days played a significant role. In Vietnam, hostilities began, the Americans increased their power, investing huge amounts of money and forces in military development. Not far off was the "cold war" ...

All this led to a resolution of the Central Committee on the development and creation of completely new self-propelled artillery systems. A deadly "bouquet" was collected thanks to several military factories. Kharkiv Tractor-Tank launched production of 2C2 "Cloves" (caliber 122 mm), in Volgograd launched the production of 122-mm "Violets", the Urals plants began immediately for two ACS - 152-mm howitzer "Acacia" and 240-mm mortar 2S4 "Tulip ".

Routine work and first test

At the head of the development stood Yury Tomashov. Even at the first stages of the work, the collective led by him understood with how many difficulties to face. However, this did not frighten the team of military engineers, and the most eloquent evidence of this is the huge number of copyright patents received during the development.

The professionalism of the employees, the full return of the masters of all levels have allowed to avoid many problems. However, difficulties arose when working on the project "Mortar Tulip", which primarily concerned the undercarriage, it was originally planned to equip the mortar with a caterpillar system, but its carrying capacity was too low, the weight it was supposed to carry was 27 tons, And its capacity was sufficient only for 21. Subsequently, together with specialists from the national defense complex, it was decided to equip the self-propelled mortar "Tulip" with a 520 hp engine (instead of 400). Botan on the basis of the prime mover of the launcher RK "Krug." The team of Y. Tomashov had to significantly refine and modernize the system, but on the whole the cooperation turned out to be fruitful.

Another difficulty arose during the first field trials. The system simply could not stand its own impact. The blow was so strong that I had to give up the idea that the frame would receive the kickback. It could only be done by the earth. Therefore, engineers had to immediately take up the design of a special unit, leading the trunk into a combat position.

After modernization, the Tulip mortar was tested again. He completely smashed the reinforced concrete pillbox, proving its effectiveness. In 1969 SAU "Tulip" was put into production, and in 1971 it was officially put into service.

"Smelchak" and his "brethren"

What does the Tulip mortar fire? Characteristics of the system allow the use of several types of projectiles. High explosive mines 53-F-864 are located in the front and rear parts of the drum, and active-rocket projectiles APM-0-ZVF2 are installed along the entire length. Ammunition can be used with a missile accelerator, their range is 20 km. It is noteworthy that for a long time even the appearance of such a mine, dubbed the "Smelchak", was classified. Self-propelled mortar 2S4 "Tulip" has in the arsenal of armor-piercing, nuclear and laser-guided projectiles. For shooting from the "Tulip" are also suitable cassette "Nerpa" and incendiary "Sidy".

Analogues and alternatives

As for analogues, it is first of all worth noting that the heaviest artillery adopted in service in most countries of the world reaches a caliber of 150 mm. The "Tulip" mortar is one of the heaviest today. Therefore, when it comes to an alternative to this destructive weapon, it is more appropriate to say not so much about barrel artillery as about salvo fire systems and even assault aviation. "Tulip" is inferior to various MLRS except in the range of fire, while significantly overtaking them in terms of rate of fire and shunting characteristics. In addition, "Hurricanes" and "Grads", as they say, are blind, while shells fired from the "Tulip" can be controlled remotely.

Participation in World Wars

The first serious test was the military actions in Afghanistan. 240-mm self-propelled mortar "Tulip" proved to be "excellent" in the mountainous terrain. In the Afghan war, 120 ACUs took part, mainly using high explosive-fragmentation mines and guided missiles "Smelchak".

Used "Tulip" and in both Chechen wars. After the first shot, Dudayev accused the Russian side of dropping a nuclear bomb. In fact, the destruction was made by a single mine.

Today, the mortar "Tulip" was not only seen in the Donbass. According to field commanders, the VSN forces have at their disposal 2 mortars "Tulip", both of them got into fights.

Today, the Tulip mortar has been removed from production, but it has not been disarmed.