2S34 Hosta / Chosta

120 mm tracked self-propelled mortar carrier armored vehicle - Russia

2S34 Khosta 120mm tracked self propelled mortar carrier Russia 925 001

Description

The 2S34 "Chosta" or "Hosta" is a 120mm self-propelled mortar carrier designed and manufactured in Russia. The 2S34 was first revealed at the TVM-2014 Moscow Defense exhibition, in August 2014. The vehicle is an evolution of the Soviet-made 2S1 "Gvozdika", a 122mm self-propelled howitzer. While the chassis stays the same as the 2S1, the main evolution is the replacement of the 122mm 2A31 series main gun by an upgrade of 120mm 2A80 mortar gun, the 2A80-1. The 2S34 is produced by the Motovilikha Plants Corporation of Perm, in Russia, which also produces, or has produced, the 2S9 and the 2S31. In February 2014, approximately 30 2S34 are in service with the Russian army and could be in service with the 21st Mechanized Brigade, in Totskoye (according to Wikipedia). According to a video published by the Russian Ministry of Defense on February 16, 2023, the 2S34 is now deployed in Ukraine by the Russian army to perform combat operations. 

2S34 Hosta variants:

No variants at this time.


Technical Data

Armament
The 2S34 "Chosta" or "Hosta" is equipped with the 120mm 2A80-1 mortar gun. This weapon is an evolution of the 120mm 2A80 that equipped the 2S31 "Vena" which is also an evolution of the 2S9 "Nona-S". The new version of the mortar is recognizable thanks to its new muzzle brake. The mortar is coupled to an automatic loading system that allows the crew to rapidly load and fire 120mm mortar rounds. The system includes an ammunition magazine located at the rear of the vehicle, which holds up to 40 rounds of mortar ammunition. The 2A80-1 is equipped with a new fire control system that improved accuracy, rate-of-fire and allows the gun to shoot all types of 120mm shells from a distance of 500 m to 14 km. The 2A80-1 can also fire-guided munitions like the laser-guided 3VOF112 "Kitolov-2" shell. Even some 120mm NATO shells can be used with the 2A80-1. The fighting compartment has stowage for 40 rounds of ammunition. The turret traverse is a full 360º with a mortar elevation from -2 to +80º. A 7.62mm PKTM machine gun is mounted on the turret roof and two banks of three 81 mm electrically operated 81 mm smoke grenade dischargers are mounted to each side, front of the turret.
Design and protection
The 2S34 "Chosta" or "Hosta" maintains the same low-profile and dimensions as the 2S1 including its running gear. The all-welded steel armor fully enclosed turret, which does not overhang the sides of the hull, has a well-sloped front and sides with the commander seated on the left, the gunner in front of and below the commander, and the loader on the right. The commander has a cupola that can be traversed through a full 360º and a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the front. At the rear of the hull, there is one single door with one firing port in the center. An ammunition resupply hatch is provided in the right side of the turret.
Mobility
The 2S34 "Chosta" or "Hosta" is motorized with YaMZ-238N, V-8 water-cooled 4-stroke diesel developing 300 hp coupled to a manual transmission with 5 forward and 1 reverse gears. The engine is fitted to the front-right of the hull with the driver at the front left. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 60 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km. The suspension system is similar to the 2S1 self-propelled howitzer and either side consists of seven road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, and no track-return rollers.
Equipment
Standard equipment includes infrared night vision lights (mounted at the commander's hatch) and an NRBC system. 2S34, like 2S1, is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by its tracks. Before entering the water the bilge pump is switched on, the trim vane is erected at the front of the hull, shrouds are fitted to the hull above the drive sprocket and front road wheels and water deflectors on the rear track covers are lowered. Any water that enters the hull during amphibious operations is removed via the exhaust outlet using the bilge pump. Russian sources state that the 2S1, so probably also the 2S34, takes 20 minutes to be prepared for amphibious operations.

Specifications

Armament Armor
120mm 2A80-1 mortar gun, 7,62mm PKTM machine gun, 3x2 81mm smoke grenade dischargers Protection against small arms and shell splinters
Country users Weight
Russia 16,000 kg
Designer Country Speed
Russia 60 km/h maximum road speed
Equipment Range
Fire Control System, NRBC protection system, night vision lights, amphibious capacity 500 km
Crew Dimensions
4 Length: 7,57m; Width: 2,85m; Height: 2,83m

Details View

 
2S34 Chosta Self-propelled 120 mm mortar carrier armoured vehicle technical data sheet specifications information description pictures photos images video intelligence identification Russia Russian Military army defence industry military technology equipment 2S34 Chosta Self-propelled 120 mm mortar carrier armoured vehicle technical data sheet specifications information description pictures photos images video intelligence identification Russia Russian Military army defence industry military technology equipment
   
2S34 Chosta Self-propelled 120 mm mortar carrier armoured vehicle technical data sheet specifications information description pictures photos images video intelligence identification Russia Russian Military army defence industry military technology equipment 2S34 Chosta Self-propelled 120 mm mortar carrier armoured vehicle technical data sheet specifications information description pictures photos images video intelligence identification Russia Russian Military army defence industry military technology equipment

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