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2S9 Nona-S 120mm self-propelled mortar carrier vehicle
 
 
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Description
The 2S9 also named Nona-S (Russian name SO-120) is a 120mm self-propelled mortar carrier designed and manufactured in Russia. The first was unveiled for the first time to the public during a military parade in May 1985. The vehicle was used mainly by airborne troops to replace conventional artillery systems and to provide also a light anti-tank vehicle. The 2S9 Nona-S enters in service with the Russian army in 1981. The vehicle was also deployed during the Russian war in Afghanistan. The 2S9 was also used during the war in Chechnya. This mobile artillery mortar system was mounted on the chassis of the BTR-D a longer variant chassis of the BMD-1 infantry airborne armored vehicle. This solution was prompted by the need to drop artillery systems together with the BMD-1. The 2S9 can be dropped via jet parachute systems, with the crew inside. The SO-120 (2S9) takes 30 seconds to come into action and a similar time to come out of action. The 2S9 can be also air transported by military transport aircraft.
 
Variants
- No variant.
 
Technical Data
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Armament
The 2S9 Nona-S is equipped with a two-man turret. The turret roof has two hatches, one for the gunner and the other for the loader. Turret traverse is limited to 30º on either side with an elevation for the mortar from -4° to +80°. The main armament of the 2S9 consists of a 120 mm breech-loaded gun 2A51 with a barrel approximately 1.8 m long. The gun is provided with a breechblock with a plastic obturator that rams the round into the cannon barrel, which is locked by the wedge at the firing moment. The 120 mm mortar has a rate of fire of 6 to 8 rds/min. Muzzle velocity is 560 m/s for the HEAT round and 367 m/s for the artillery rounds. The direct fire HEAT projectile is estimated to defeat up to 650 mm of conventional steel armor. In the indirect fire role the mortar fires high-explosive, white phosphorus and smoke rounds. The standard HE mortar bomb has a maximum range of 8,855 m while the 120 mm rocket-assisted mortar bomb has a maximum range of 13,000 m. The fighting compartment has stowage for 40 rounds of ammunition.
Design and protection
The 2S9 Nona-S uses the same chassis as the BTR-D, which is a longer chassis of the BMD-1 airborne infantry fighting vehicle with 6 roadwheels rather than five roadwheels. The hull and the turret of the 2S9 is welded aluminum. It has a crew of four, with the driver in the front center of the hull, the commander at the left front of the hull and two soldiers in the turret with the gunner at the left side and the loader on the right side.
Propulsion
The 2S9 Nona-S is motorized with a 5D20 diesel engine developing 240 hp. coupled to a manual transmission with 5 forward and 1 reverse gears. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 60 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km. The hydropneumatic suspension on each side consists of six roadwheels each side, five track-return rollers with the idler at the front and the drive sprocket at the rear. The ground clearance of the suspension can be adjusted between 100 and 450 mm by the driver from inside the vehicle.
Accessories
The SO-120 (2S9) is fully amphibious and is powered in the water by two water-jets at the rear. Standard equipment includes an NBC system, night vision equipment, and an electric bilge pump.
 
Specifications
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Armament
One 120mm 2A60 gun
Country users
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Designer Country
Russia
Accessories
Infrared night vision, NBC protection system.
Crew
4
Armor
Protection against small arms and shell splinters.
Weight vehicle
8,700 kg
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Speed vehicle
60 km/h maximum road speed
Range
500 km
Dimensions
Length: 6.02 m; Width: 2.63 m; Height: 2.3 m
 
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Pictures - Video
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