2S7 Pion

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

2S7 Pion
TypeSelf-propelled artillery
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1976–present
WarsSoviet–Afghan War
First Chechen War
Second Chechen War
Russo-Georgian War
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war
Russo-Ukraine War
Production history
Produced1975–1990
Specifications
MassWhole vehicle: 46,500 kg (102,500 lb)
Cannon: 14,600 kg (32,200 lb)
Length10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
Width3.38 m (11 ft 1 in)
Height3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew14

Shell weight103 kg (227 lb)[1] or 110 kg (240 lb)[2]
Caliber203 mm[1]
Barrels1
Carriage12 m (39 ft)[2]
Elevation0-60 deg[1]
Traverse30 deg[1]
Muzzle velocity960 m/s (3,100 ft/s)[1]
Effective firing range37.5 km (23.3 mi) (unassisted)
Maximum firing range47.5 km (29.5 mi) (assisted)

Armor10 mm (0.39 in)
Main
armament
203 mm 2A44 gun L/56.2
EngineV-46-I V12 turbocharged diesel[3]
630 kW (840 hp)[3]
Suspensiontorsion bar
Operational
range
Road: 650 km (400 mi)
Maximum speed 50 km/h (31 mph)

The 2S7 Pion ("peony") or Malka is a Soviet self-propelled 203 mm cannon. "2S7" is its GRAU designation. More than 250 units were built; some sources say 500,[1] others up to 1,000.[4] They were distributed around the former Soviet states during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Description

The 2S7 Pion was identified for the first time in 1975 in the Soviet Army and was called M-1975 by NATO (the 2S4 Tyulpan also received the M-1975 designation), whereas its official designation is SO-203 (2S7). It used a new-design chassis, partly based on T-72 and T-80 design,[1] carrying an externally mounted 2A44 203 mm gun on the hull rear.[citation needed] The vehicle is self-entrenching and has an overpressure CBRN defense system.[5] It was reported that the 12 m (39 ft) gun weighs 14.6 t (14.4 long tons; 16.1 short tons) and has a service life of 450 rounds.[2]

There are several manufacturers: the chassis was made at the Kirov Factory, St. Petersburg, Russia, while the gun and mount were made at the Titan-Barrikady plant in Volgograd, Russia.[3]

The Malka modernization process in the late 2010s involved substituting several of the Ukrainian-produced components, such as the gearbox and engine, with new components manufactured in Russia at the Uraltransmash plant in Yekaterinburg.[6]

The 2S7 uses a tracked chassis that was designed specifically for this artillery system. It uses a number of automotive components from the T-72 and T-80 main battle tanks. It is powered by a V-46-I turbocharged liquid-cooled V12 diesel engine,[1] developing 560 kW (750 hp) (or 630 kW (840 hp)[3]). It is also fitted with an auxiliary power unit, developing 18 kW (24 hp) and powering all systems when the main engine is shut down.[7]

The 2S7 carries a crew of fourteen and eight rounds of ammunition; seven crewmembers and four rounds are carried by the Pion, with the remaining crew and rounds in an auxiliary vehicle.[7]

It takes the crew about six minutes to set up and five minutes to dismantle. The vehicle carries four 203 mm projectiles for immediate use. The gun is capable of firing nuclear ammunition.[8] The gun has a range of 37.5 km (23.3 mi), but this can be extended to 55.5 km (34.5 mi) by using a rocket-assisted projectile.[7] One interesting feature of the Pion is the firing alarm. Because the blast of the weapon firing is so powerful, it can physically incapacitate an unprepared soldier or crew member near it from the concussive force, the Pion is therefore equipped with an audible firing alarm that emits a series of short warning tones for approximately five seconds prior to the round being fired.[6]

Operational and combat history

Russian army uses 2S7M Malka howitzers during Invasion of Ukraine. February 2024

Variants

The original version is known as the 2S7 Pion.

An updated version called the 2S7M Malka entered service in either 1983 or 1986.[18] The 2S7M Malka uses an improved fire control system that increased the rate of fire from 1.5 to 2.5 rounds per minute, and increased the ammunition load to eight projectiles.[19][20][18]

The BTM-4 Tundra trench digger shares the 2S7 Pion chassis.[7]

Operators

Map with 2S7 Pion operators in blue and former operators in red

Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that well over 1,000 have been built.[4] The Soviet Army had 347 in active service as of 1990.[1]

2S7 Pion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine firing

Former operators

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Soviet 2s7 Pion SPG (1975)". www.tanks-encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices: 1945-1995. Marine Corps Intelligence Activity. 1995.
  3. ^ a b c d "2S7 Pion (M1975) Russian 203mm Self-Propelled Gun (SPG)". army.mil. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0-7106-1542-6
  5. ^ "2S7 203-mm Self-Propelled Gun". FAS Military Analysis Network. 16 October 1999. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
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  8. ^ "203mm shells for 2A44 howitzer". WEAPONSYSTEMS.NET. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Russia's Wars: Listing Equipment Losses During The 2008 Russo-Georgian War". Oryx. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Украина возвращает на вооружение мощнейшие САУ Пион: видео". Liga. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
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  13. ^ "Ağdərə istiqamətində düşmənin artilleriya bölmələrinə zərbələr endirilib" [Enemy artillery units were hit in the direction of Aghdara] (Press release) (in Azerbaijani). Azərbaycan Respublikası Müdafiə Nazirliyi. 28 September 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  14. ^ "New footage shows Russia's 'atomic cannons' within 10 miles of Ukraine sparking nuclear war fears". London Business News. 12 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
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  20. ^ "Russian Military Forces - Aviation - Navy - Infantry firearms - Communications - Ground systems - Weapon photogallery". Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  21. ^ "sipri.org". Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  22. ^ "Today.Az - What weaponry did Azerbaijan buy from Russia last year?". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
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External links