Self-propelled artillery mount 2S23 "Nona-SVK"

SAU 2S23 Nona-SVK 120-mm performance characteristics. Armament. Range and accuracy of fire. Dimensions

The 2S23 “Nona-SVK” self-propelled artillery gun was created in 1990 on the basis of the BTR-80. The wheeled chassis is more reliable and mobile. It benefits to a greater extent when transporting troops under its own power over long distances. The car reaches speeds of up to 80 km/h. In addition, it is 1.5-2 times cheaper to produce than installing the same caliber 2S9 on a tracked chassis. For the manufacture of the body, rolled sheets of armor steel are used, which perfectly protect against small arms bullets and fragments of artillery shells and mines.

2S23 "Nona-SVK" was developed in the design bureau of the Perm Lenin Machine-Building Plant under the scientific supervision of the Klimov Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering and the Gorky Central Research Institute "Burevestnik"

based on the chassis
of the BTR-80 floating wheeled armored personnel carrier.
SAO 2S23 "Nona-SVK" is designed to suppress manpower, artillery and mortar batteries, missile launchers, armored targets, fire weapons and control posts. Capable of conducting targeted fire without prior preparation from closed positions and direct fire. It is possible to fire all types of 120-mm artillery mines of Russian and foreign production.

In the 1970s, new self-propelled artillery units entered service with the USSR, thanks to which the gap between Soviet artillery and the artillery of NATO countries was eliminated. At the same time, research showed the need for a radical modernization of the Soviet missile and artillery weapons system, and by the beginning of the 1980s, work began on the creation of self-propelled artillery units of the next generation: 2S17 - for the battalion level, 2S18 - for the regimental level, 2S19 - for the divisional level. All self-propelled guns were traditionally based on tracked chassis of various weight categories, but at the same time, the attention of the USSR Ministry of Defense was drawn to wheeled self-propelled guns. The use of such self-propelled artillery units in areas with a well-developed road network provided significant tactical advantages over tracked self-propelled guns.

In the period from 1983 to 1984, under the leadership of the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik"

(having already gained experience in creating wheeled self-propelled guns as part of the work on the 2S14 “Zhalo-S” wheeled self-propelled anti-tank gun), a number of research works were carried out, as a result of which in 1985 the design of
2S21 “Msta-K”
for divisional and
2S26 "Pat-K"
for regimental units. To assess the possibility of creating a self-propelled artillery gun for battalion artillery, the Otsek research project was started in 1981 at the Burevestnik Central Research Institute. The research was carried out in department No. 2 under the direction of L.P. Duca. By 1983, an experimental self-propelled artillery mount was manufactured and tested on the basis of the BTR-70 armored personnel carrier. The self-propelled gun was a chassis of an armored personnel carrier BTR-70 on the roof of which there was a turret with weapons, borrowed from the Nona-S self-propelled artillery gun.

The test results showed the fundamental possibility of creating a 120-mm wheeled self-propelled artillery gun for battalion artillery. The resulting developments formed the basis of the development work under the name “Nona-SVK”

(GRAU index - 2С23).

The Perm Machine-Building Plant named after V.I. was appointed the lead developer of 2S23. Lenin. The chassis was developed at the design bureau of the Gorky Automobile Plant. By decision of the military-industrial commission of September 1, 1984, work on the SAO 2S23 was officially begun. In the same year, the first prototype was manufactured, which was sent first to factory and then to field tests. On April 26, 1991, by decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the 2S23 “Nona-SVK”

was adopted by the Soviet army.

Serial production of the 2S23 self-propelled guns began in 1990 at the Motovilikha Plants and continues to this day. In the first year of mass production, 30 units of 2S23 were manufactured. As of 2012, the cost of the Nona-SVK

for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was 17 million rubles. SAO 2S23 is also actively offered for export.

Chassis SAO 2S23

retained the geometry and layout solutions of the
BTR-80
.
The body is made of welded armor steel sheets and provides protection against 7.62 mm bullets and artillery ammunition fragments. The frontal plate of the hull can withstand 12.7 mm bullets. In the front part of the hull there is a control compartment with a driver's workplace. To the right of the driver is the place of the commander of the self-propelled artillery unit during the march. The fighting compartment is located in the middle part of the hull; a rotating shoulder strap with a rotating turret is installed on the roof of the hull. The fighting compartment contains stowage containers with shells. At the rear of the body there is a motor-transmission compartment with a power plant. The 2S23 turret
is welded; a gunner's station with sighting devices is installed to the left of the gun. Behind the gunner there is a workstation for the commander of the self-propelled gunnery with a rotating turret. To the right of the gun is the loading station for the self-propelled gun.

The main armament of the SAO 2S23

is a 120-mm rifled gun-howitzer-mortar 2A60, which is a modified version of the 2A51 gun installed in the 2S9 “Nona-S” self-propelled artillery mount. The 2A60 barrel consists of a pipe and a breech. The length of the pipe is 24.2 calibers. There are 40 rifling grooves of constant steepness on the inside of the barrel. The bolt of a copy-type gun with a plastic shutter, combining the functions of a rammer. After the projectile is delivered into the barrel, the shutter is locked with a vertical wedge installed in the breech of the gun, thereby preventing the breakthrough of powder gases when fired into the fighting compartment of the self-propelled gun. To remove powder gases, prevent smoke from the fighting compartment and remove unburnt remains of the powder charge, compressed air is supplied to the barrel bore. Recoil devices consist of a hydraulic recoil brake and a pneumatic knurler.

Additionally, the 2S23 self-propelled gun is armed with a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun.

The machine gun is mounted on the rotating turret of the self-propelled gun commander.
For the crew's personal weapons, there are four mounts for AKS-74U assault rifles, as well as a mount for a signal pistol. To combat air targets, two 9K38 Igla-1 MANPADS
. The transportable ammunition load of additional weapons includes: 500 machine gun rounds, 15 F-1 hand grenades and 20 flare pistol missiles.

The ammunition load of the 2A60 gun is completely unified with the ammunition load of the towed gun 2B16 “Nona-K” and the tracked self-propelled gun 2S9 “Nona-S”. The main ammunition load includes 3OF49 high-explosive fragmentation shells. 3OF49 shells have a steel body and are filled with 4.9 kg of A-IX-2 grade explosive. When the contact fuse is set to fragmentation action during an explosion, the 3OF49 projectile forms about 3500 lethal fragments weighing from 0.5 to 15 g, with an initial speed of about 1800 m/s. The reduced area of ​​destruction of openly located manpower in the “standing” position is 2200 m2, the armor penetration of homogeneous steel armor is 12 mm at a distance of 7 to 10 m from the epicenter of the projectile explosion. When using the AR-5 radio fuse, the effectiveness of defeating openly located manpower increases from 2 to 3 times. When the contact fuse is set to high-explosive action, the 3OF49 projectile is capable of forming craters up to 2 m deep and up to 5 m in diameter.

For shooting at distances up to 12.8 km in ammunition

SAO 2S23 includes 3OF50 active-missile projectiles. For the Nona family of guns, adjustable Kitolov-2 projectiles have been developed, which have the ability to destroy armored vehicles in places where launchers are concentrated, long-term defensive structures, bridges and crossings with a probability of 80 to 90%. To combat enemy armored vehicles, the ammunition load includes 3BK19 cumulative non-rotating projectiles that penetrate up to 600 mm of homogeneous armor steel. In addition to standard shells, the SAO 2S23 can use all types of mines for smooth-bore and rifled mortars, including illumination, smoke and incendiary. When using the APCM active-missile projectile for the French RT-61 rifled mortar, the firing range of the SAO 2S23 can be increased to 17 km.

To aim the gun

, carrying out reconnaissance of the area during the day and at night, as well as for firing a machine gun, a TKN-3A combined sight is installed in the commander's cupola. The commander's position on the march is equipped with three TNPO-115 devices for monitoring the terrain. The gunner's position is equipped with a 1P8 artillery panoramic sight for firing from indirect firing positions and a 1P30 direct fire sight for firing at observed targets. The driver's seat is equipped with five prismatic observation devices TNPO-115 with heating. For driving in the dark, the TNPO-115 device installed in front of the driver can be replaced with a TVNE-4B night vision device, which provides a vision range of up to 120 meters. In the upper frontal sheet of the chassis body in front of the driver and the field commander's position, there are electrically heated viewing glasses and protective armor covers.

External radio communication

supported by radio station R-173. The radio station operates in the VHF range and provides stable communication with similar stations at a distance of up to 20 km, depending on the height of the antenna of both radio stations. Negotiations between crew members are carried out through the R-174 intercom equipment.

To feed shots from the ground

SAO 2S23 “Nona-SVK” is equipped with a special feed tray, which is installed on the starboard side in the hatch opening located under the turret. When operating in contaminated areas, the self-propelled guns receive purified air through a filter and ventilation unit. To camouflage and set up smoke screens, 6 grenade launchers of the 902V system are placed on the front turret of the self-propelled gun for firing 81-mm 3D6 smoke grenades.

Installed in SAO 2S23

V-shaped 8-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine KamAZ-7403 liquid-cooled with a power of 260 hp.
The transmission is mechanical with fixed shaft axes. Has five forward and one reverse gears. The maximum speed in fifth forward gear is 80 km/h. The 2S23 chassis is maximally unified with the BTR-80 armored personnel carrier and consists of four axles. All bridges are leading. Each axle is equipped with wheels with split rims and pneumatic tubeless tires KI-80N with a system for pumping and regulating air pressure in the tires. The movement of the self-propelled gun can continue even if one or two tires fail. The first two pairs of wheels are steerable and provide a minimum turning radius of 13.2 m. suspension
is an individual torsion bar. On the first and fourth axles, two telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers are installed on each wheel, and on the second and third axles, there is one hydraulic shock absorber per wheel.

The self-propelled gun is in service:

Russian Ground Forces - at least 30 2S23 units, as of 2016 Russian Marine Corps - at least 12 2S23 units, as of 2016. Venezuela - 13 units of 2S23, as of 2016. Ukraine - 1 unit 2S23, as of 2016.

Self-propelled artillery gun 2S23

goes into service with artillery units of battalions of motorized rifle brigades of the Ground Forces and brigades of the Marine Corps to replace the 120-mm towed mortar systems 2S12 “Sani”. The brigade has one tank and three motorized rifle battalions, each motorized rifle battalion is assigned one 2S23 battery, consisting of 6 guns (a total of 18 guns in the brigade).

With the adoption of the 2S23 Nona-SVK self-propelled gun in 1991, battalions of the USSR motorized rifle troops received at their disposal a universal self-propelled gun, combining the properties of a cannon, howitzer and mortar. In addition, the SAO 2S23 has greater mobility and reliability, as well as 1.5-2 times lower cost compared to its tracked counterpart, the SAO Nona-S.

2S12 Sani
towed mortar systems
2S23 Nona-SVK
self-propelled artillery guns , the fire capabilities of battalion artillery increase by 1.7 times. However, despite this combination of characteristics, the SAO 2S23 could not completely replace the outdated 120-mm mortars in motorized rifle battalions. The reason was the collapse of the USSR, the difficult financial situation of Russia and a reduction in arms purchases, as a result, only a small number of these self-propelled artillery units entered the Russian Armed Forces.

Baptism of fire of JSC "Nona-SVK"

adopted during the First Chechen Campaign, where they were assigned to motorized rifle battalions. Along with regimental and divisional artillery, they were mainly used to suppress and destroy the firing points of Chechen separatists organized in urban areas.

In 2012, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation A.E. Serdyukov said that the Ministry of Defense refused to purchase equipment that did not meet the requirements of the Russian army. Among the list of weapons were the Nona-SVK self-propelled joint stock company.

.
Compared to foreign analogues, the SAO 2S23 has both a number of disadvantages (limited horizontal guidance angles, small transportable ammunition, lack of automation equipment for gun guidance) and a significant advantage, namely its relatively low price. To replace the 2S23 self-propelled artillery mount, a new 120-mm self-propelled gun was developed. The project involved placing the combat compartment of the 2S31 Vena self-
gun on the chassis of the BTR-90 armored personnel carrier. However, this topic did not receive further development.

SAU 2S23 Nona-SVK - video

The main weapon on the Nona-SVK is a 120-mm 2A60 rifled gun, which is a modification of the 2A51 and is equipped with a pneumatic rammer. The ammunition includes 30 rounds, as well as two metal boxes with additional charges. Outside, on the right side of the hull there is an auxiliary device with which artillery rounds can be fired from the ground. The ammunition is the same as for the 2A51 gun. The auxiliary weapon is a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, which is mounted on the roof of the commander's cupola.

Firing is carried out by the commander himself using a remote control system with a TKN-ZA device. On the sides of the tower there are six 902B “Tucha” house grenade launchers with ZD-4 smoke grenades. The self-propelled gun is also equipped with 4 AKS-74 assault rifles, 2 Igla-1 man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems, 15 F-1 hand grenades and 20 30-mm rocket-propelled signal cartridges. The vehicle is equipped with a communication system both internally between crew members and external radio communication; there is a semi-automatic fire extinguishing system, a power plant preheater and a winch for self-pulling. The 2S23 is capable of firing adjustable Kitolov-2 projectiles with a probability of hitting targets of 0.8-0.9.

Self-propelled guns "NONA" and "VENA"

SAU "NONA-S"

In their heyday, the Soviet airborne troops (the last two decades of the USSR's existence) represented an impressive force. The military doctrine adopted at that time provided for the use of airborne forces as a means of preempting enemy actions during strategic offensive operations. Six airborne divisions, more than ten separate airborne brigades and regiments, separate brigades and special-purpose battalions could make a “rustling” in any corner of the globe. An example of this is the lightning-fast capture of Prague in 1968 by the forces of the 7th and 98th Guards Airborne Divisions and the even faster capture of Kabul by the 103rd Guards Airborne Division in 1979. Large-scale combat operations of “winged infantry” on enemy territory - and this is exactly how the Airborne Forces were planned to be used - required significant firepower. Only artillery, operating together with paratroopers, could provide it. The airborne self-propelled artillery units ASU-57 and ASU-85, which were in service with the airborne forces in the 60s, had the main task of fighting tanks. But the landing of the relatively heavy ASU-85 was carried out only by landing a transport aircraft on the runway, which limited the main tactical advantage of the landing - surprise. Therefore, in the mid-60s. In the USSR, the design of a fundamentally new combat vehicle for airborne troops, the BMD-1, began. Based on it, they decided to develop a self-propelled gun, called the 2S2 “Violet”.

But the use of a fairly powerful 122-mm artillery gun, borrowed from the Gvozdika self-propelled gun, led to the fact that the BMD-1 chassis could not withstand overloads when firing. In addition to the Violet, also based on the BMD-1, a self-propelled 120-mm breech-loading mortar 2S8 Lily of the Valley was also developed for the Airborne Forces. But it was not adopted for service either. By the mid-70s, at the Volgograd Tractor and Kurgan Machine-Building Plants, also for the Airborne Forces, two light tanks (“object 934” and “object 685”) were created on a competitive basis, the main weapon of which was a long-barreled 100-mm cannon. However, for a number of reasons they were also not adopted. The task of creating a powerful self-propelled fire weapon to support the actions of paratroopers continued to remain very acute. Around the same time, the BTR-D tracked amphibious armored personnel carrier was also adopted by the Airborne Forces. Its main difference from the BMD-1, on the basis of which it was created, was the absence of a rotating turret and the chassis extended by one roller, which made it possible to increase the load capacity. At the same time, under the leadership of Doctor of Technical Sciences Avenir Novozhilov, designers from the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering in Klimovsk near Moscow, together with specialists from the famous Motovilikha in Perm, created a fundamentally new 120-mm rifled gun 2A51 for direct support of ground forces. This made it possible to develop and in 1981 adopt a universal artillery system for the Airborne Forces, combining the functions of a cannon, howitzer and mortar.

The self-propelled artillery gun (SAO) was named 2S9 “NONA-S”. According to one of the legends that always arises when creating a new weapon, "NONA" is not the name of the woman, but an abbreviation for the name - "New Ground Artillery Weapon." Even for today, NONA-S is a unique artillery system that combines the properties of guns of various types and is intended for direct fire support of airborne troops on the battlefield. The capabilities of the self-propelled gun make it possible to use it not only to engage manpower and destroy enemy defenses, but also to fight tanks, for which purpose the ammunition load includes various ammunition. First of all, these are special high-explosive fragmentation artillery shells with ready-made rifling on the leading belt; Such projectiles can be fired at a distance of up to 8.7 km, and their low initial speed (367 m/s) allows firing with a steep trajectory. The fragmentation efficiency of such shells approaches the efficiency of conventional 152-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells of domestic and foreign howitzers. An important characteristic of a weapon for direct support of troops on the battlefield is its shortest firing range: for a projectile it is 1.7 km, and for a mine - 400 m. Therefore, the ammunition load of a self-propelled gun can include ordinary 120-mm mortar mines - high-explosive fragmentation, lighting, smoke and incendiary. The target firing range of a high-explosive fragmentation mine is 7.1 km.

Since when operating behind enemy lines you cannot always count on the timely delivery of ammunition, the self-propelled gun provides the ability to use 120-mm high-explosive fragmentation mines from mortars of the armies of other countries. This allows you to provide support to your troops from firing positions located in infantry combat formations. In addition to shells and mines, the ammunition load of the self-propelled gun includes active rockets. They have a special jet engine, which allows them to increase their firing range to 13 km. Recent developments by domestic designers have made it possible to create guided (homing and trajectory-corrected) artillery shells that are aimed at a target using a laser designator, attack it in the most unprotected place, from above, and hit a tank with a probability of 0.8-0.9. Such shells, called “Kitolov-2”, can also be used in the NONA self-propelled joint stock company.

The Kitolov’s firing range is up to 9 km. To combat armored vehicles, not only high-precision ammunition, but also conventional cumulative projectiles can be used. The relatively high initial speed of such a projectile (560 m/s) provides it with high firing accuracy at armored targets at a distance of up to 1000 m, and the ability to penetrate more than 600 mm of steel armor allows, if necessary, to fight enemy main tanks. Since loading such weapons at high elevation angles, especially typical for mortar-style firing, is a rather labor-intensive task, it was equipped with a special pneumatic loading mechanism. Compressed air is also used to purify the barrel bore after each shot, which significantly reduces gas contamination in the fighting compartment. The need to land self-propelled guns by parachute required making the self-propelled gun light. Therefore, the armored hull of the SAO is made of aluminum alloys, but nevertheless it protects the crew and equipment from rifle and machine-gun fire. Powerful 240 hp diesel engine. With. and hydropneumatic suspension provide the self-propelled gun with greater mobility - a maximum speed on the highway of up to 60 km/h, and afloat up to 9 km/h. The controlled suspension not only ensures a smooth ride, but also makes it possible to change the ground clearance: if necessary, the height of the self-propelled gun can be reduced by 35 cm. Experience in the combat use of this installation, including in Afghanistan, has shown its high reliability: “NONA-S” she rescued our paratroopers more than once with her fire. The barrel, raised almost to the zenith, made it possible to solve problems in the mountains that howitzers and cannons could not cope with. The high effectiveness of the combat use of the new weapon proved the need to have it not only in the airborne forces, but also in the ground forces. Therefore, specifically for equipping motorized rifle battalions of the ground forces, the 2B16 NONA-K towed gun was developed and put into service in 1986.

Self-propelled gun 2S31 "Vena"

2S31 "Vena" is a Russian 120 mm self-propelled artillery gun. The SAO 2S31 was created on the BMP-3 chassis. 2S31 “Vena” was developed in Perm at the Motovilikha plant. The first copy was made in 1996. At the moment (2008) there are only a few copies. First presented at the IDEX-97 exhibition in the United Arab Emirates. The vein is designed to suppress manpower, artillery and mortar batteries, rocket launchers, armored targets, fire weapons and control points at a distance of up to 13 km, while it is capable of automatically adjusting its fire based on the results of detecting explosions, and is capable of independently conducting reconnaissance of targets day and night. Capable of conducting targeted fire from closed positions and direct fire without prior preparation of a firing position.

Performance characteristics of 2S23 Nona-SVK

— Layout scheme: rear-engine — Developer: TsNIITochmash, Central Research Institute “Burevestnik”, SKB-172 — Years of development: from 1981 to 1991 — Years of production: from 1984 — Years of operation: from 1991

Crew: 4 people

Weight 2S23 Nona-SVK

— Combat weight, t: 14.5

Overall dimensions of 2S23 Nona-SVK

— Body length, mm: 7730 — Length with gun forward, mm: 7730 — Width, mm: 2900 — Height, mm: 3075 — Base, mm: 4400 — Track, mm: 2410 — Ground clearance, mm: 475

Booking

— Armor type: rolled steel

Armament 2S23 Nona-SVK

— Caliber and brand of gun: 120 mm 2A60 — Type of gun: rifled semi-automatic gun-howitzer-mortar — Barrel length, calibers: 24.2 — Gun ammunition: 30 — VN angles, degrees: −4…+80° — Angles GN, deg.: −35…+35° — Sights: 1P8, 1P30, TKN-3A

— Machine guns: 1 × 7.62 mm PKT

Firing range of 2S23 Nona-SVK

— Maximum firing range of the OFM, km: 7.2 — Maximum firing range of the OFS, km: 8.8 — Maximum firing range of the ARS, km: 12.8

Accuracy of fire 2S23 Nona-SVK

— Accuracy of fire along the range, Vd/Xmax: 1/352 — Accuracy of fire along the side, m: 8.3

Engine 2S23 Nona-SVK

— Engine type: KamAZ 7403 — Engine power, l. p.: 260

Speed ​​2S23 Nona-SVK

— Highway speed, km/h: 80 — Cross-country speed, km/h: 10 afloat

— Cruising range on the highway, km: 600 — Cruising range over rough terrain, km: 223—480

— Fuel tank capacity, l: 300 — Specific power, l. s./t: 19.1 — Suspension type: individual torsion bar

— Specific pressure on the ground, kg/cm²: 2.3—3.7 — Overcome ascent, degrees: 30° — Overcome wall, m: 0.5 — Overcome ditch, m: 2 — Overcome ford, m: floating

Fraza.ua - the author's view of life

The war in Donbass became a real arena for literally all the weapons that were produced in the Soviet Union in the 1960-1990s. Moreover, even one of which there were literally only a few. In one of the previous articles we talked about the use of a 120-mm self-propelled mortar - the 2S9 Nona-S gun [Ukrainian Arsenal: 120-mm 2S9 Nona-S self-propelled mortar gun], however, other variants of this were also quite actively used in combat operations without a doubt a unique weapon.

The appearance of the light self-propelled gun “Nona-S” in service with the Airborne Forces led to an order for the development of a towed gun and wheeled self-propelled guns for the Ground Forces. As a result, the 120-mm 2B16 “Nona-K” gun and the 2S23 “Nona-SVK” self-propelled gun appeared.

As a matter of fact, the 2B16 “Nona-K” gun is a variant of the 2A51 artillery unit of the 2S9 “Nona-S” self-propelled gun, created by the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering together with the Perm Machine-Building Plant in the 1970s.

The gun was tested at the Rzhev test site in 1984-1986. Based on their results, in 1986 it was adopted by the Soviet Army. The gun turned out to have a low mass (1200 kg), a low height of the firing line (0.66 m) and small dimensions. In view of this, it was originally intended to arm artillery divisions of air assault brigades. Thus, according to the regulations, the 120-mm 2B16 “Nona-K” gun must be towed by a GAZ-66 vehicle, but the UAZ-469 copes with this task perfectly.

The Nona-K gun of one of the Cossack formations during the battles near Debaltsevo

An innovative solution in the form of a hydraulic jack was used in the design of the implement. When transferring the 2B16 “Nona-K” gun from the traveling position to the combat deployment of the frames, it is carried out automatically (reduction is done using a winch). To ensure rigid contact with the ground at the firing position, the gun is supported on a pallet (central support) using a hydraulic jack, and the wheels are suspended. Unlike the self-propelled version, the barrel is equipped with a muzzle brake that absorbs up to 30% of the recoil energy.

An exceptionally wide range of ammunition is used to fire the 2B16 Nona-K gun. Artillery rounds with high-explosive fragmentation and cumulative shells with ready-made rifling on the driving belt have been developed especially for this type of gun. In terms of effectiveness, these shells are close to 152-mm howitzer grenades. An important feature of the gun is that it can also fire 120 mm mortar shells.

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, 188 guns were produced, of which only two remained on Ukrainian territory. They were transferred to educational institutions and were not actually accepted into service. Nevertheless, “Nona-K” managed to fight in the Donbass. Only from the militants.

A typical picture of the summer battles of 2014 in the Donbass: “Nona-K” fires at the Ukrainian army from a position near residential buildings

Despite the fact that there are slightly more of them in service with the Russian army, nevertheless, since the summer of 2014, they began to be massively transferred to illegal armed groups. Apparently, the “omnivorousness” of the “Nona” played a role here - some of the photos from the militants clearly show that 120-mm mortar mines were also actively used. The guns (in total, at least 20 examples were recorded in photos and videos) were used en masse during the battles in the Azov region in the summer of 2014 and outside Debaltsevo in the winter of 2015.

One 2S23 Nona-SVK self-propelled artillery mount also ended up in Ukraine. It is worth saying that the military wanted a self-propelled gun based on a standard armored personnel carrier. Initially, the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering and the Perm Engineering Design Bureau created an experimental wheeled self-propelled gun “Nona-SV” based on the BTR-70 armored personnel carrier. Instead of a standard turret with a heavy machine gun, the armored personnel carrier was equipped with a 120-mm gun with a turret from the 2S9 Nona-S self-propelled artillery mount.

Crew of "Nona-K" militants

The experimental self-propelled gun "Nona-SV" passed factory and field tests, but by that time a more advanced armored personnel carrier was being created for the Soviet Army - the BTR-80. And after finalizing the turret, gun and turret compartment of the Nona-SV installation, it was decided to use the chassis of the BTR-80 armored personnel carrier. In this form, the artillery mount received the designation “Nona-SVK”.

It is designed to suppress artillery and mortar batteries, rocket launchers, armored targets, destroy fire weapons, command posts and enemy personnel, smoke, blind and illuminate the area in the interests of the battalion. The self-propelled gun is capable of following tanks and immediately overcoming trenches, trenches and water obstacles.

As an artillery unit on the 2S23 self-propelled gun, a modernized gun from the 2S9 “Nona-S” self-propelled gun was used, designated 2A60, which is a 120-mm rifled semi-automatic gun with a combined breech and pneumatic rammer.

Additional weapons include a 7.62 mm machine gun located on the roof of the commander's cupola and a smoke screen system.

"Nona-SVK" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during the celebration in Zhitomir of the next anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan

The vehicle has space to accommodate two Igla-1 MANPADS and other weapons. “Nona-SVK” is equipped with a device for supplying ammunition from the ground; in the stowed position it is located on the starboard side near the door.

In 1984, the 2S23 installation was manufactured and its factory and field tests began, then it was tested by the troops. In 1990, the 120-mm self-propelled gun 2S23 “Nona-SVK” was adopted by the Soviet army.

On the territory of Ukraine at the time of the collapse there was only one such installation, which was not accepted for service and was immediately sent for storage to the 9th Arsenal (urban village Orzhev, Rivne region).

In 2016, the self-propelled gun was removed from mothballing and, after repairs, transferred to the training center of the Airborne Assault Forces, where it remains to this day.

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Photo of SAU 2S23 Nona-SVK

Self-propelled gun 2S23 "Nona-SVK" of the Venezuelan army

2S23 “Nona-SVK” of the 3rd motorized rifle division of the Russian Armed Forces

Firing SAU 2S23 Nona-SVK

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TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek) performance characteristics. Damage area

Divisional gun ZIS-3 76 mm. TTX. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight

Howitzer gun D-20 152 mm performance characteristics. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight

Howitzer M-30 model 1938 122-mm performance characteristics. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight

Self-propelled gun 2S5 Giatsint-S 152 mm performance characteristics. Firing range. Armament. Dimensions. Weight

Self-propelled gun Ferdinand (Elephant) performance characteristics. Reservation. Weight. Dimensions

Self-propelled gun SU-100. TTX. Armament. Dimensions. Shells. Weight. Speed

Self-propelled gun Sturmtiger caliber 380 mm. TTX. Armament. Shells. Reservation. Dimensions

203-mm howitzer B-4 model 1931 performance characteristics. Weight. Ammunition. Dimensions

Self-propelled gun SU-152 St. John's wort 152 mm performance characteristics. Shells. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight

Gun M-46 130-mm performance characteristics. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight

Demining installation UR-77 Meteorite TTX. Armament. Dimensions

MLRS 9K51M Tornado-G. Rockets. TTX. Firing range. Dimensions

SAU 2S31 Vienna 120 mm. Firing range. Story. Dimensions. Weight

German self-propelled gun StuG III. Modifications. Dimensions. Armament. Weight

Guided projectile Krasnopol. TTX. Firing range. Dimensions. Price

Mortar Karl 600 mm and 540 mm performance characteristics. Firing range. Weight. Dimensions

Big Bertha 420 mm gun. TTX. Weight. Dimensions. Ammunition

Self-propelled gun SU-76. TTX. Dimensions. Reservation. Weight. Story

SAU 2S23 Nona-SVK 120-mm performance characteristics. Armament. Range and accuracy of fire. Dimensions

SAU 2A3 Condenser-2P caliber 406 mm Firing range. Armament. Dimensions. Weight

Mortar M-160 caliber 160-mm performance characteristics. Firing range. Ammunition. Dimensions

Airborne self-propelled gun ASU-57. Armament. TTX. Dimensions. Weight. Booking

Artillery complex A-222 Bereg 130 mm. TTX. Firing range. Ammunition

Howitzer BR-18 caliber 305 mm TTX. Firing range. Weight

152 mm howitzer D-1. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight. Device

Mortar M-240 caliber 240 mm. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight

Self-propelled gun SU-85. Ammunition. Reservation. Dimensions. Weight. Engine

Counter-battery radar Zoo-1 (1L219M). Range of control of firing positions. Device

SAU 2S25 Sprut-SD. Caliber. Story. Dimensions. Weight. Engine

Self-propelled gun 2S34 Hosta 120 mm. TTX. Dimensions. Firing range. Armament. Weight

Self-propelled gun ASU-85. Armament. Dimensions. Reservation. Weight

280-mm mortar Br-5 model 1939 Dimensions. Weight. Ammunition

Self-propelled gun 2A45M Sprut-B. TTX. Speed. Engine. Weight

Belarusian MLRS BelGrad. TTX. Firing range. Ammunition. Dimensions

S-23 cannon 180 mm caliber. Ammunition. Weight. Dimensions. Firing range

Self-propelled gun SAU SU-122. Dimensions. Armament. Reservation. Weight

Self-propelled gun Jagdpanther. Weight. Reservation. Dimensions. Armament

Multi-barreled self-propelled gun M50 Ontos. TTX. Armament. Dimensions. Booking

D-74 cannon 122 mm caliber. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight

Artillery tractor YA-12. Dimensions. Weight. Load capacity. Engine

Artillery tractor T-20 Komsomolets. Armament. Reservation. Dimensions. Weight

SAU ISU-122. Armament. Dimensions. Weight. Booking

RPU-14 (8U38) - rocket launcher

MLRS BM-24 (T) 240 mm. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight. Engine

2K32 Deva - 82-mm self-propelled mortar system

Artillery tractor Comintern. Load capacity. Dimensions. Weight. Engine

Self-propelled gun SU-122-54. Reservation. Dimensions. Weight. Firing range

MLRS BM-14-16. Armament. Dimensions. Weight. Firing range

Self-propelled gun Nashorn (Rhinoceros). Armament. Dimensions. Weight. Booking

BR-2 gun caliber 152 mm. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight

Self-propelled howitzer self-propelled gun PzH 2000. Firing range. Dimensions. Weight

BR-17 cannon 210 mm caliber. Weight. Firing range. Rate of fire

Self-propelled gun Vespe 105 mm. Armament. Dimensions. Reservation. Weight

Wheeled self-propelled gun GAZ-68 (KSP-76). Armament. Dimensions. Weight. Engine

Self-propelled gun Brummbar 150 mm. Armament. Dimensions. Weight. Booking

Heavy self-propelled gun SU-14. Reservation. Dimensions. Weight. Engine

Self-propelled gun SU-5. Armament. Reservation. Dimensions. Weight

Self-propelled gun AT-1. Reservation. Dimensions. Weight. Engine

Self-propelled gun SU-12. Armament. Reservation. Dimensions. Weight

2S9 "NONA-S"

2S9 "NONA-S"

With the adoption of the BMD-1 airborne combat vehicle and the BTR-D armored personnel carrier, paratroopers reached the level of motorized riflemen in maneuverability on the battlefield. There was one unresolved issue - artillery support. But in the 1960-1970s, the Airborne Forces were armed with almost only towed artillery: 122-mm D-30 howitzers, 85-mm D-44 divisional guns and D-48 anti-tank guns, 120-mm and 82-mm mortars. The ASU-57 self-propelled guns were already completely outdated and were gradually being written off, while the more modern and powerful SU-85 (ASU-85) were initially developed as tank destroyers and could not solve all combat missions.

Therefore, based on the BMD-1, they decided to develop a self-propelled howitzer, called the 2S2 “Violet”. But the use of a fairly powerful 122-mm artillery gun, borrowed from the Gvozdika self-propelled gun, led to the fact that the BMD-1 chassis could not withstand overloads when firing. In addition to the Violet, the 2S8 Lily of the Valley self-propelled 120-mm breech-loading mortar was also developed for the Airborne Forces on the basis of the BMD-1. But it was not adopted for service either.

It was necessary to create a universal system capable of replacing all airborne artillery, moreover, in mobility not inferior to airborne combat vehicles and having the ability to land using standard parachute systems. The customer, GRAU, opened the “Nona” topic, on which, in addition to self-propelled guns for the Airborne Forces, self-propelled and towed guns were to be developed for the ground forces and marines. The self-propelled artillery gun (SAO) for paratroopers in the GRAU received the index 2S9 “Nona-S”. The Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (TsNIItochmash), located in Klimovsk near Moscow, was appointed the lead developer of the new artillery system. The 2A51 artillery gun was developed by the Perm Engineering Design Bureau), ammunition by the Basalt State Research and Production Association, and the chassis by the Volgograd Tractor Plant. According to one of the legends that always arises when creating a new weapon, “IONA” is not a female name, but an abbreviation for the name - “New Ground Artillery Weapon.”

Self-propelled artillery gun "Nona-S" in the stowed position with maximum ground clearance

When choosing the caliber of the gun, we were guided by the following: the SAO ammunition should not be inferior in power to the shells of the 122-mm D-30 howitzer. And since the new artillery system was supposed to replace mortars, the choice was simple - 120 mm. In this case, it was possible to use all types of mines of this caliber, produced by domestic industry and available in warehouses. Taking into account the specific nature of landing operations, the new gun had to be capable of firing ammunition from a potential enemy. Initially, the 2A51 was designed to use French 120-mm mines, but later mines of Israeli, Chinese, German and Spanish production were also tested for suitability.

The shells had to be created anew, since the GRAU nomenclature previously did not have such a caliber. SNPO "Basalt" created the ZVOF54 rounds with the ZOF49 high-explosive fragmentation projectile, ZVOF49 with the ZOF51 high-explosive fragmentation projectile, ZVOF55 with the ZOF50 active-reactive high-explosive fragmentation projectile, and the ZVBK14 cumulative round with the ZBK19 active-reactive projectile.

2S9

SAO "Nona-S" in stowed position with minimal ground clearance

SAO in combat position with minimum ground clearance and maximum gun elevation angle (80°)

All projectiles have ready-made rifling on the leading belt, which is determined by the unique “gun-shot” design and ballistic scheme, first used on the Nona-S. Structurally, the shot consists of a charge in the form of a cap placed on a tube, which at the rear end has a diaphragm, which rests on the conical part of the barrel before the shot, and at the front - elements of the locking device and a projectile with a fuse. Before firing, the charge and projectile are combined into a unitary shot using a locking device, convenient for loading. The main ZOF49 projectile with a steel body has a powerful fragmentation and high-explosive effect. When 4.9 kg of explosive A-IX-2 breaks, it produces up to 3,500 fragments weighing from 0.5 to 15 g. Penetration of steel armor with a thickness of 8 mm is ensured at a distance from the point of rupture of 15 - 20 m and a thickness of 12 - 14 mm - at a distance from the breaking point of 7 - 10 m. The thickness of pierced armor made of light alloys is 2.5 - 3 times higher. When the fuse is set to high-explosive action, a crater 2 m deep and 5 m in diameter is formed in medium-density soil. Firing is carried out only from a place, both from closed positions and direct fire - without preliminary preparation of firing positions. The horizontal guidance angle is 70° (35° per side) and is limited by bonnets welded to the outside of the turret. Vertical guidance is possible within the range from -4° to +80°. Maximum rate of fire - 10 rounds/min. When firing direct fire at armored and other targets, the 2S9 uses a ZBK19 cumulative projectile with a stabilizing tail weighing 13.17 kg, capable of penetrating armor approximately 600 mm thick at a direct shot distance (about 500 meters).

Combat compartment:

1 — stopper handle: 2 — TNPO-170A observation device; 3 - pin; 4 - stopper; 5 — sight 1P8; 6 - sector; 7 — rotary mechanism? low; 8 - pointer; 9 — gun; 10 - stopper; 11 — protective glass SET1; 12 — observation device MK-4; 13 — shoulder straps; 14 - polyc; 15 — panorama cover; 16 — pneumatic equipment; 17 — loader hatch cover; 18 — gunner's hatch cover

For the first time at the parade in Moscow, the Nona-S self-propelled joint stock company was shown on May 9, 1985

Weapon installation:

1 - barrel: 2 - casing: 3 - cradle: 4 - re-cocking handle: 5 - guard: 6 - release handle: 7 - lifting mechanism; 8 - mask

Top view of the Nona-S self-propelled joint stock company. Moscow, May 9, 1985. Noteworthy is the massive pipe for the engine air supply system, installed on the right side of the MTO roof

For the “Nona” guns, based on the 122-mm adjustable projectile “Kitolov”, a similar 120 mm caliber ammunition, “Kitolov-2”, was created. The high-explosive fragmentation projectile with a firing range of up to 14 km has a laser homing system.

The ammunition load of the self-propelled gun consists of 25 rounds: five cumulative shells, 20 mines or shells in any combination. In addition to shells and mines, the ammunition kit includes 13 cases with two full charges on chargers in each and two boxes with 20 packages of gunpowder bundles for completing variable charges. For long-term shooting, there is a special tray for feeding ammunition from the ground.

The 2A51 gun, developed under the leadership of Yu.N. Kalachnikov at the Perm Engineering Plant design bureau under the scientific supervision of A.G. Novozhilov from TsNIItochmash, is rifled, breech-loading and has an unusual design due to the use of caseless loading ammunition. The 2A51 combined semi-automatic bolt is equipped with a plastic shutter for powder gases - it also serves as a rammer for the shot into the barrel. The breech of the barrel has a special profile for loading both shells and mines. By the way, this is “know-how”, so in the technical description of the gun there are no sections of the barrel and breech. The shot is fired not by a mechanical rammer, as in conventional guns and howitzers, but by compressed air. In addition, the barrel is purged with compressed air to remove residual powder gases when the bolt is opened after firing. For this, two cylinders installed on the front wall of the tower are used. The capacity of the cylinders is enough to send a shot into the chamber, tilt the frame to the rearmost position and purge the barrel bore. The cylinders are automatically charged from the standard air compressor of the landing gear engine starting system.

Since the CAO was created primarily for the Airborne Forces, the BTR-D armored personnel carrier was chosen as the base. The 2S9 can be transported by main BTA aircraft and dropped using multi-dome parachute systems and the PRSM-925 parachute-jet system. The use of the BTR-D chassis made it possible to alleviate the problem of crew training, as well as maintenance and repair of equipment.

View of the SAO 2S9 tower. The panorama dome and the embrasure of the 1P8 sight are clearly visible

Self-propelled guns 2S9 in a column of Soviet troops leaving Afghanistan. Termez, February 7, 1989

The body of the self-propelled gun is all-welded, made of aluminum armor alloy with a maximum thickness of 15 mm. In the bow of the hull there is a control compartment with workplaces for the driver and commander. In front of the driver's hatch there are three TNPO-170A surveillance devices, of which the central one, if necessary, can be replaced with an unilluminated night vision device TVNE-4B or a TNP-350B device. Two TNPO-170A devices and a TPK-2 tank periscope are installed in front of the commander’s hatch. The fighting compartment is located in the middle part of the hull. The tower is welded, conical, its frontal sheet is flat. The turret is equipped with a 2A51 gun, a 1P8 sight, two TNPO-170A observation devices and one MK-4, electrical and pneumatic equipment. In the stern there is a power compartment, which contains the 5D20-240 engine, transmission, water jets, fuel tanks and other equipment. The speed of the self-propelled gun on the highway is 60 km/h, afloat - 9 km/h.

The technical solutions used in the creation of the 2S9 turned out to be so successful that they made it possible to create a whole range of mortar guns under the Nona program. The 2S9-1 “Waxwing” gun was created especially for the ground forces and marines. It was distinguished by the absence of mooring points and increased ammunition capacity to 40 rounds. In 1986, the 2B16 “Nona-K” towed gun was adopted, and in 1990, the 2S23 “Nona-SVK” wheeled self-propelled gun was adopted specifically for the ground forces. In the mid-1990s, the 2B18 Nona-M semi-automatic breech-loading mortar was created. All these systems are unified with each other, since they use the same ammunition and have rifled barrels with the same threading profile.

By all indicators that determine the combat effectiveness of the system: minimum and maximum firing range, stable and high accuracy of combat, targeted rate of fire and firing mode, powerful fragmentation and high-explosive action of ammunition, the ability to widely maneuver trajectories - the Nona gun has no equal in the world .

The experience of combat use of this installation, including in Afghanistan and Chechnya, has shown its high reliability. “Nona-S” rescued our paratroopers more than once with its fire. The barrel, raised almost to the zenith, made it possible to solve problems in the mountains that howitzers and cannons could not cope with.

The 2S9 has been serially produced at the Perm Machine-Building Plant since 1981. According to various estimates, about 1,000 pieces were produced in total. In November 1990, there were 452 2S9 guns in the European part of the USSR (10 districts).

Artillery control vehicle 1B119 "Rheostat"

Self-propelled gun 2S9-1 "Waxwing" of one of the Marine Corps units leaves the landing ship on an air cushion

2S23

Armored hull and turret

2С23 in Patriot Park.
The SAO 2S23 chassis retained the geometry and layout solutions of the BTR-80 armored personnel carrier. The body is made of welded armor steel sheets and provides protection against 7.62 mm bullets and artillery ammunition fragments. The frontal plate of the hull can withstand 12.7 mm bullets. In the front part of the hull there is a control compartment with a driver's workplace. To the right of the driver is the place of the commander of the self-propelled artillery unit during the march. The fighting compartment is located in the middle part of the hull; a rotating shoulder strap with a rotating turret is installed on the roof of the hull. The fighting compartment contains stowage containers with shells. At the rear of the body there is a motor-transmission compartment with a power plant. The 2S23 turret is welded; a gunner's station with sighting devices is installed to the left of the gun. Behind the gunner is the workstation of the SAO commander with a rotating turret. To the right of the gun is the loading station for the self-propelled gun [4][7][8].

Armament

The main armament of the SAO 2S23 is the 120-mm rifled gun-howitzer-mortar 2A60, which is a modified version of the 2A51 gun installed in the 2S9 Nona-S self-propelled artillery mount. The 2A60 barrel consists of a pipe and a breech. The length of the pipe is 24.2 calibers. There are 40 rifling grooves of constant steepness on the inside of the barrel. The bolt of a copy-type gun with a plastic shutter, combining the functions of a rammer. After the projectile is delivered into the barrel, the shutter is locked with a vertical wedge installed in the breech of the gun, thereby preventing the breakthrough of powder gases when fired into the fighting compartment of the self-propelled gun. To remove powder gases, prevent smoke from the fighting compartment and remove unburnt remnants of the powder charge, compressed air is supplied to the barrel bore. Recoil devices consist of a hydraulic recoil brake and a pneumatic knurler[4][8].

Additionally, the 2S23 self-propelled gun is equipped with a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun. The machine gun is mounted on the rotating turret of the self-propelled gun commander. For the crew's personal weapons, there are four mounts for AKS-74U assault rifles, as well as a mount for a signal pistol. To combat air targets, two 9K38 Igla-1 MANPADS are placed in the body of the 2S23 self-propelled gun. The transportable ammunition load of additional weapons includes: 500 rounds of machine gun ammunition, 15 F-1 hand grenades and 20 flare pistol missiles[4].

Ammunition used

The ammunition load of the 2A60 gun is completely unified with the ammunition load of the towed gun 2B16 “Nona-K” and the tracked self-propelled gun 2S9 “Nona-S”. The main ammunition load includes 3OF49 high-explosive fragmentation shells. 3OF49 shells have a steel body and are filled with 4.9 kg of A-IX-2 grade explosive. When the contact fuse is set to fragmentation action during an explosion, the 3OF49 projectile forms about 3500 lethal fragments weighing from 0.5 to 15 g, with an initial speed of about 1800 m/s. The reduced area of ​​destruction of openly located manpower in the “standing” position is 2200 m², the armor penetration of homogeneous steel armor is 12 mm at a distance of 7 to 10 m from the epicenter of the projectile explosion. When using the AR-5 radio fuse, the effectiveness of defeating openly located manpower increases from 2 to 3 times. When the contact fuse is set to high-explosive action, the 3OF49 projectile is capable of forming craters up to 2 m deep and up to 5 m in diameter. For firing at distances of up to 12.8 km, the ammunition load of the SAO 2S23 includes 3OF50 active-missile projectiles. For the Nona family of guns, adjustable Kitolov-2 projectiles have been developed, which have the ability to destroy armored vehicles in places where launchers are concentrated, long-term defensive structures, bridges and crossings with a probability of 80 to 90%. To combat enemy armored vehicles, the ammunition load includes 3BK19 cumulative non-rotating projectiles that penetrate up to 600 mm of homogeneous armor steel. In addition to standard shells, the SAO 2S23 can use all types of mines for smooth-bore and rifled mortars, including illumination, smoke and incendiary. When using the APCM active-missile projectile for the French RT-61 rifled mortar, the firing range of the SAO 2S23 can be increased to 17 km[4][5][9].

• Shells for self-propelled gun 2S23 "Nona-SVK"
• Shots for the French RT-61 rifled mortar
• Two 3OF74 thermobaric shells and a case with two 4-z-9 charges in a box.
• UAS "Gran"
• OFS 3OF49 (left) and OFM 3OF36 (right)
• 3VO32 cassette shot (right)
• OFM 53-OF-843B (right)

Surveillance and communications equipment

To aim the gun, carry out reconnaissance of the area during the day and at night, as well as for firing a machine gun, a TKN-3A combined sight is installed in the commander's cupola. The commander's position on the march is equipped with three TNPO-115 devices for monitoring the terrain. The gunner's position is equipped with a 1P8 artillery panoramic sight for firing from indirect firing positions and a 1P30 direct fire sight for firing at observed targets. The driver's seat is equipped with five heated prismatic observation devices TNPO-115. For driving in the dark, the TNPO-115 device installed in front of the driver can be replaced with a TVNE-4B night vision device, which provides a vision range of up to 120 meters. In the upper frontal sheet of the chassis body in front of the driver and the field commander's position, there are sight glasses with electrical heating and protective armor covers [4] [18].

External radio communication is supported by the radio station R-173[4]. The radio station operates in the VHF range and provides stable communication with similar stations at a distance of up to 20 km, depending on the height of the antenna of both radio stations[18]. Negotiations between crew members are carried out through the R-174 intercom equipment[4].

Special equipment

2С23 in Patriot Park.
To feed shots from the ground, the SAO 2S23 “Nona-SVK” is equipped with a special feed tray, which is installed on the starboard side in the hatch opening located under the turret. When operating in contaminated areas, the self-propelled guns receive purified air through a filter and ventilation unit. To camouflage and set up smoke screens, 6 grenade launchers of the 902V system are placed on the front turret of the self-propelled gun for firing 81-mm 3D6 smoke grenades[4].

Engine and transmission

The SAO 2S23 is equipped with a V-shaped 8-cylinder four-stroke liquid-cooled KamAZ-7403 diesel engine with a power of 260 hp[4]. The transmission is mechanical with fixed shaft axes. Has five forward and one reverse gears. The maximum speed in fifth forward gear is 80 km/h[19].

Chassis

The 2S23 chassis is maximally unified with the BTR-80 armored personnel carrier and consists of four axles. All bridges are leading. Each axle is equipped with wheels with split rims and pneumatic tubeless tires KI-80N with a system for pumping and regulating air pressure in the tires. The movement of the self-propelled gun can continue even if one or two tires fail. The first two pairs of wheels are steerable and provide a minimum turning radius of 13.2 m. The 2C23 suspension is an individual torsion bar. On the first and fourth axles, two telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers are installed on each wheel, and on the second and third axles, there is one hydraulic shock absorber per wheel[8][20].

From "Nona" to "Lotus"

The vehicle ensuring the combat readiness of the Airborne Forces remains in service

Lightweight, mobile and extremely useful. The favorite 120-mm self-propelled artillery gun of the Airborne Forces 2S9 “Nona-S”, or in common parlance Nyurka, celebrates 40 years since its birth. Not a single airborne operation of the Airborne Forces is complete without a combat partner, which even today remains the main means of fire suppression of the enemy by winged infantry. And its technical potential is so high that “Nona” has become a reference model for the creation of new airborne combat vehicles.

At the tempo of a waltz

The creation of a new self-propelled artillery gun (SAO) began with three documents: Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated December 16, 1976 No. 1043–361, decision of the Military-Industrial Commission of the USSR Council of Ministers dated May 19, 1976 No. 127 and Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense Industry dated June 10, 1976 No. 250.

The developer of the SAO was identified as the Special Design Bureau of the Perm Machine-Building Plant named after. IN AND. Lenin (today Motovilikha Plants), and scientific and technical management was entrusted to the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (TSNIITOCHMASH, both enterprises are part of the Rostec state corporation). The chief designer of the product was Perm resident Yuri Kalachnikov, and the scientific director of the project was Klimov resident Avenir Novozhilov.

In July 1981, the 120-mm SAO 2S9 was put into service. And mass production began even earlier - in 1979. In 1980, the first SAO battery (six units) was sent to the Limited Contingent of Soviet Forces in Afghanistan.

So the experimental military operation of the new model was truly combat-ready. According to experts, the adoption of the 2S9 self-propelled gun has increased the combat effectiveness of airborne artillery units by 2–4 times.

In the first half of 1975, an experimental model was manufactured on the chassis of the Fialka self-propelled howitzer, which received the code “Nona-D” (“nona” is the ninth musical interval; D is airborne), with the D-64M artillery unit, developed by OKB-9 according to the technical task of TsNIITOCHMASH. By the way, about the name. It came into conflict with existing practice. Before this, literally all “self-propelled guns” were given flower names: “Carnation”, “Peony”, “Aster”. The Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, which was engaged in selecting options for the “name,” offered the commander of the Airborne Forces, as the main customer, several options. But Army General Vasily Margelov rejected the “flowery” delights and chose a female name. And in the army, with a light hand, the commander of the Special Operations Command was generally nicknamed Nyurka.

In the first half of 1975, four variants of self-propelled gun configurations were completed in tower and deckhouse versions. As a result, the choice was made on a turret-based design and layout based on an armored personnel carrier (BTR-D).

In July 1975, at the testing ground of the Research Institute "Geodesy" in Krasnoarmeysk near Moscow, a demonstration with live firing of experimental samples of the Nona-D self-propelled gun and the Nona-B combined gun took place to the commander of the Airborne Forces, Army General Vasily Margelov. Two days before the show, an unexpected incident occurred with the self-propelled gun. When firing one of the variants of a cumulative projectile, its jet engine exploded in the barrel. The rifling and the inner surface of the barrel were damaged, which called into question the conduct of demonstration shooting. Over the course of an afternoon, a hand-held device (“cone cutter”) was designed to restore the rifling. In the pilot production of TsNIITOCHMASH it was manufactured overnight and, on the eve of the show, together with a large team of testers, it was delivered to the test site. The device made it possible to straighten the barrel, but for safety reasons it was decided to abandon firing with rifled shells and fire only with feathered mines from the Nona-D.

By 11 o'clock in the afternoon, the commander of the Airborne Forces, General of the Army Vasily Margelov, the head of the GRAU, Marshal of Artillery Pavel Kuleshov, Marshal of the Armored Forces Amazasp Babajanyan, deputy relevant ministers, director of TsNIITOCHMASH Viktor Sabelnikov, scientific supervisor of the work Avenir Novozhilov, and directors of other enterprises gathered at the observation post.

The Nona-D gun fired first. The mine explosions were very dense, which everyone liked. During comparative mortar firing, the first burst deviated slightly from the group of bursts from the previous shooting. The gunner decided to bring them together and began to correct the aiming on the side. Visually, the spread of explosions turned out to be worse than that of Nona-D. As a result, at a meeting held immediately after the show, it was decided to begin work on the creation of a 120-mm self-propelled airborne gun.

Three in one

“Customers represented by representatives of the Ministry of Defense, especially the commander of the Airborne Forces, liked the uniqueness of the new SAO. “Nona” replaced three artillery systems at once: the 120-mm PM-38 mortar, the 85-mm SD44 self-propelled anti-tank gun and the 122-mm D-30 howitzer. What this means for the military, which always demands the unification of weapons, need not be said. In addition, the new gun provided the required range and high accuracy of fire,” recalls Veniamin Schastlivtsev, one of the creators of “Nona” and advisor to the head of the research department of weapons and artillery control equipment of the Ground Forces and Airborne Forces of TsNIITOCHMASH JSC. The development of a landing system for the new self-propelled gun was also fundamental, which was one of the most important customer requirements.

At the beginning of 1976, the design bureau of the Volgograd Tractor Plant (VgTZ) began work on designing the chassis of the JSC Nona-S. The task was not easy - to install powerful weapons on the lightweight system of just an eight-ton vehicle and ensure the range and accuracy of fire. By mid-1977, the first experimental model of the self-propelled gun was manufactured, and already from August of that year at the Luga artillery range, at the Geodesy Research Institute, a set of tests was carried out to check the characteristics of the new self-propelled gun.

By mid-1978, two new prototypes of self-propelled guns were assembled, and at the beginning of 1980, the first pilot batch of six self-propelled guns was released for military testing. Almost simultaneously, mass production began, and the first Nona-S battery went to Afghanistan. It was first demonstrated at a parade on Red Square in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War.

Quite soon, in 1986, the first modernization of the SAO was carried out. Due to the installation of additional stowage, the transportable ammunition was increased to 40 rounds. The gun received the code 2S9-1. And in 2006, a second modernization took place. “Nonu-S” was equipped with a weapon computer complex (OVC) and an inertial orientation system (ISO), which provide automation of control processes, calculation of installations and, accordingly, a reduction in the time for solving fire missions. The new sample became known as “Nona-SM” (SAO 2S9-1M). Since 2008, serial production of the modernized SAO 2S9-1M began and their delivery to the troops.

Down and Out trouble started

The development of Nona-S was the first serious independent task of the artillery armament department of the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering. The new unit, created in 1963, was entrusted with the issues of systematizing the tactical and technical characteristics of artillery weapons of the Soviet Army, analyzing the level of foreign artillery weapons, developing proposals for conducting research and development work on promising artillery weapons and monitoring their implementation, and providing assistance to the industry design bureau.

On April 4, 1968, “in order to dramatically improve work in the field of artillery weapons,” artillery direction No. 2 (since the 1990s, research department No. 2) was organized as a new branch division of the institute with the entrustment of work in the field of artillery systems and installations. .

For the first time, years after the formation of the direction, work is being carried out to analyze the level of domestic and foreign artillery weapons, evaluate and clarify the instrumentation of the complex of command fire control vehicles, consider and provide conclusions on preliminary and technical designs. Experimental studies are being carried out on shock and vibration loads experienced by components and crew members during combat work, and factors influencing the rate of fire of guns are being studied with visits to military units. A search is underway for new design schemes for artillery guns, their components and assemblies, which will make it possible to reduce the mass of artillery guns and increase their mobility. Original devices are being developed to facilitate and speed up the process of sending and loading shots.

Since the formation of the new department No. 25, work began on 120-mm rifled artillery guns and ammunition for it. This topic has become the main one in all the activities of the department and continues to this day. It began with the discovery in 1970 of the exploratory research project “Study of the technical, economic and combat characteristics of a 120-mm rifled mortar and rounds for it, ensuring firing of a standard mine at low elevation angles.” In the process of its implementation under the leadership of A.G. Novozhilov created the first prototypes of ammunition with ready-made rifling, ballistic installations for a rifled mortar and a recoilless rifle. These samples became the basis for all further developments of the Nona family of guns.

“Nona contains a fundamentally new design and ballistic solution for guns and ammunition: special ammunition with ready-made rifling was developed. These ready-made rifling (protrusions on the projectile body) are the new ballistic solution, which provided the required firing range: 8.8 km - the maximum range for conventional ammunition and 13 km - for an active-rocket projectile. The gun and high-explosive fragmentation ammunition were put into service in 1981.

Then, based on the experience of combat operations in Afghanistan, the development of ammunition with an active-rocket projectile was completed, which provided a greater range. An anti-tank round with cumulative ammunition was also developed.

Work on the 120 mm caliber was carried out intensively and widely. Ballistic installations were developed to test new technical solutions, and prototypes of light 120-mm rifled guns and ammunition were created.

One of the main issues when developing new 120-mm guns was the search for a ballistic solution. Its appearance was formed gradually, since it was necessary to link the high power of the projectile and the strength of its relatively thin-walled body with a long (up to 9.0 km) firing range and low weight of the gun. As a result of ballistic design, carried out on the basis of theoretical developments by V.A. Karakov and V.P. Schastlivtsev, the following decision was justified: projectile mass 16.0...17.0 kg, maximum pressure in the barrel bore 1000...1100 kgf/cm2, barrel length 2.8...3.0 m. With a barrel length of 2.8 m in the future Mortar guns were developed, and recoil guns with a length of 3.0 m were developed.

During the practical implementation of the developments, prototypes of the SAO 2S9 (R&D “Nona-S”), prototypes of a 120-mm towed rifled breech-loading and 82-mm lightweight mortars, and ballistic installations using liquid propellants were created and tested. Experimental firing is being carried out to assess the effectiveness of new projectiles, a new promising ballistic solution for a 120-mm rifled gun is being created and tested, subsequently used in new models of self-propelled guns.

Department 29 studies the dynamics of powerful artillery systems on light carriers, the dynamics and ways to improve the accuracy and accuracy of fire of combat vehicles with small-caliber automatic guns. Research is being carried out on the creation of electronic fire control devices: the analog ballistic computer "RISK" and the digital topogeodetic computer "Moda", the definition, justification and development of the hardware composition of the fire control machine complex for airborne self-propelled artillery 1V119 "Rheostat". A distinctive feature of the Rheostat complex was that all vehicles had a common base with the SAO 2S9 Nona-S, had the same equipment and were interchangeable.

Fulcrum

In the early 2000s, a gradual increase in the volume of development and expansion of the thematic focus of work began. The work on the "Vena" design and development work continues (the shock-absorbing device for the gyro-curve guidance system, software for the computer complex, and a barometric altimeter are being developed; it is taking part in tests), the "Nona-M1" design and development work is being opened and carried out to create a breech-loading rifled mortar 2B23, a gun computer complex is being developed and debugged for the modernization of the first brainchild of the SAO 2S9 “Nona-S” department.

In 2010, for a set of works to increase the combat effectiveness of artillery weapons of the Airborne Forces, including work on the 2S25 Sprut-SD SPTP, the 2B-23 Nona-M1 mortar, the modernized 2S9-1M Nona SM self-propelled gun, 120- mm shot 3VOF119, the development team, which included leading design engineer Alexander Artyushkin, deputy head of NIO-2 Sergei Demushkin, head of department Valery Malinkin, head of sector Galina Mets, deputy chief engineer, head of department Veniamin Schastlivtsev, was awarded the Government Prize in the field science and technology.

“The promising 120-mm self-propelled artillery gun of the Airborne Forces, currently being developed at TsNIITOCHMASH within the framework of the Lotos design and development work, continues the line of the Nona’s constructive ballistic solution. The Lotus has a longer firing range and better characteristics, but the foundation was laid precisely in the 2S9 model. The Nona in service today is far from the same vehicle that was put into service in 1981. Modernizations, based on the experience of the Afghan war and military operation, changed many of the characteristics of the CAO. But the principle of the gun, laid down during its development, remains unchanged: it is the main firepower of the Airborne Forces. The “Lotos” being developed should replace the “Nona” in the troops and, like it, become the only artillery system of the winged guard,” says the chief designer of the “Lotus” and one of the creators of the “Nona,” Veniamin Schastlivtsev.

Vitaly Mikhailov

Vitaly Gennadievich Mikhailov is a military expert.