2S3 Akatsiya 152 mm self-propelled howitzer technical data

: 22 December 2019

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2S3 Akatsiya 152 mm self-propelled howitzer

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Description

The 2S3 Akatsiya is a Russian-made 152 mm self-propelled howitzer tracked armoured vehicle. The first two prototypes of the 2S3 were completed by late 1968 and testing continued through to 1969 but problems were encountered with contamination in the turret so an additional four improved systems were built. The system was accepted for service with Russian army in December 1971 although production had commenced the previous year. The 152mm 2S3 Akatsiya is designed to engage enemy personnel in the open and under shelter and to wipe out the adversary's weapons, military equipment and other target to the depth of a division limit of advance. The 2S3 is always in service in the Russian armed forces, and is used by several other countries in the world.

Variants

- 2S3M: The 2S3M and 2S3M1 have an ammunition load of 40 projectiles and charges and also a loading carousel which facilitates loading and therefore increases the rate of fire. These versions can be distinguished from the rear as they have two small stowage compartment covers positioned to the right and left of the hull rear as opposed to a larger oval cover in the centre.
- 2S3M1: equipped with a data terminal with automatic displays.
- 2S3M2: new barrel 152mm/39 calibre, increase of firing range to 25 km.
- 2S3M3: new 155mm/39 calibre for NATO types of ammunition. It can also fire the 155 mm Krasnopol-M laser-guided projectile out to 17 km.

Technical Data

Armament

The 2S3 Akatsiya is armed with the 2A33 152mm howitzer, which is a modified variant of the D-20 towed howitzer but with a bore evacuator added behind the muzzle brake. The barrel has a double-baffle muzzle brake, fume extractor and a gun barrel travelling lock. The 2S3 Akatsiya can fire at a rate of 30 rounds in 10 minutes or 75 rounds per hour. The commander has a cupola that can be traversed through a full 360º and a single-piece hatch cover opening to the rear. Mounted on the forward part of the hatch is a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun which can be aimed and fired from inside the turret.

Design and protection

Driver's and engine-transmission compartments are located in a front part of a hull, fighting compartment with rotatory turret – in middle and rear parts of the hull. A single door is mounted to the right side of the turret. The hull bottom carries a turntable mounted on a ball race resting on five rollers. The 152.4 mm L/27 howitzer D-22 (2A33) can be elevated from -4° to +60° with a turret traverse of a full 360°. The all-welded steel hull of the 2S3 provides a protection for the crew against firing of small arms and shell splinters.

Propulsion

The 2S3 Akatsiya uses a modified tracked chassis of the SA-4 Ganef (2K1 Krug-Russian-made surface-to-air missile system mounted on the chassis of a self-propelled artillery system SU-100P. The 2S3 is powered by a V-59 V-12 water-cooled fuel-injected diesel engine developing 520 hp, coupled to a manual transmission with 6 forward and 2 reverse gears. The torsion bar suspension each side consists of six dual rubber-tyred road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and four track-return rollers. The first and last return rollers support the inside of the track only. The first, second and sixth road wheel stations have a hydraulic shock-absorber and there is a distinct gap between the first and second and second and third road wheels.

Accessories

The 2S3 has infra-red night vision equipment and an NBC system. According to Russian sources, the NBC system also keeps the turret clear of fumes when the gun is fired. An infrared search light is mounted to the left of 7.62 mm machine gun. Earth moving equipment is attached to the front part of the hull allows the 2S3 to self-dig hull-down protected position. The 2S3 Akatsiya can cross 0.7 m high vertical obstacles, 3.0 m wide trenches, 1.05 m fording depth and climb 30° gradients. Two vehicles can be transported bt the military transport aircraft Antonov An-22.

Specifications

Armament

One 152mm 2A33 howitzer and one 7.62mm PKT machine gun

Country users

Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Ethiopia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Libya, Russia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

Designer Country

Russia

Accessories

Infrared night vision, NBC protection system.

Crew

Armor

Protection against small arms and shell splinters
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Weight

27,500 kg
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Speed

63 km/h maximum road speed

Range