Towed gun 2B16 "Nona-K"
The "Nona-K" gun in the museum of Motovilikha Plants
Despite the objective limitations, towed artillery retains its place in the ground forces. One of the latest domestic developments in this area is the 2B16 Nona-K light gun. This product is built according to the "gun-shot" ballistic scheme and has the widest possible capabilities. It is capable of performing the functions of a gun, howitzer and mortar, and is also easy to operate.
From self-propelled to towed
In 1980, after passing all the tests, the 2S9 Nona-S artillery self-propelled gun with a 120-mm rifled 2A51 gun was adopted by the airborne troops of the Soviet army. Soon, serial armored vehicles of a new type came to Afghanistan, where they fully confirmed all their characteristics and capabilities.
Based on the results of the first stage of operation of the SAO 2S9, a proposal appeared to create a towed version of the 2A51 universal gun. Such a product could complement other artillery systems and have a positive effect on the firepower and maneuverability of airborne units and ground forces.
The 2A51 gun for self-propelled guns was developed by the Perm Machine-Building Plant. IN AND. Lenin. He was also instructed to create a towed version of this product. The promising gun received the index 2B16 and the name "Nona-K". In the future, it was planned to organize serial production in Perm.
Ground forces artillery exercise, 2020
The new project provided for a limited reworking of the existing used guns and the introduction of several new units. All this simplified the development to a certain extent, and the design did not take much time. In 1984, the first experimental "Nona-K" went to the test. The entire process of checks was completed in 1986, and according to its results, the gun received a recommendation for adoption.
Gun in series
In 1986-87. the development plant launched mass production of new guns. According to various sources, the production of such weapons continued until the end of the eighties or until the beginning of the nineties. After that, production stopped or slowed down extremely. Over the entire period of production, it was possible to produce no more than 190-200 guns of a new type - many times less than the basic 2A51.
Universal towed guns 2B16 were intended for artillery battalions of airborne assault brigades of the Airborne Forces. As production continued, it became possible to arm the Nonami-K and other types of troops. Such weapons began to enter the ground and coastal forces, where they were used to reinforce motorized rifle formations.
The main part of serial 2B16 guns was transferred to military units on the territory of the RSFSR. A certain amount ended up in formations stationed in the Ukrainian SSR - and then became the property of the newly created Ukrainian army. In 2014, Nona-K got new operators. Several guns of this type, which belonged to Ukraine, became the trophies of the troops of the DPR and LPR, after which they were actively used against the old owners.
Technical features
The towed gun 2B16 "Nona-K" is made on the basis of the product 2A51 for self-propelled guns. The finished artillery unit did not undergo fundamental changes, but received new units. In addition, a new wheeled carriage was developed for 2B16.
"Nona-K" is distinguished by its small size and weight. The length in combat position does not exceed 4,6 m. The height of the gun ready for battle is 1350 mm with a fire height of 660 mm. Product weight - 1200 kg. All this simplifies the transportation of the gun and its rolling across the battlefield. At different times, the GAZ-2 and Ural-16 trucks were regular tractors for 66B4320, but the light UAZ-469/3151 can also cope with this task. In addition, for short distances weapon rolled by its own calculation of five people.
The 2B16 gun was built around a rifled barrel of 120 mm caliber, 24,2 klb long (about 2,9 m). The bore has 40 rifling of constant steepness. The design of the barrel tube is designed to use a wide range of different types of ammunition. The breech of the gun is equipped with a semi-automatic combined shutter. The barrel is locked with a wedge; a plastic gas obturator is provided.
Unlike the basic self-propelled gun, the towed Nona-K is equipped with an active multi-chamber muzzle brake. Due to the large number of transverse partitions of a large area, it compensates for about 30% of the recoil energy. Anti-recoil devices are installed above the barrel. The recoil brake is hydraulic, the knurler is pneumatic.
Especially for Nona-K, a reduced and lightweight carriage on a wheel was developed. It is built according to the traditional scheme with an upper and lower loom. The lower machine is made on the basis of a transverse beam, on which all other units are mounted. Ahead on the beam is a lowered support for stable placement of the implement on the ground. On the sides there is a wheel drive with torsion shock absorption. Sliding beds are placed behind.
Breeding of the beds is carried out automatically with the help of elastic elements. A winch is used to return to the stowed position. There are coulters on the beds. Folding rollers are also provided, simplifying the movement of the gun in a combat position.
The upper machine includes support devices, shield cover and guidance mechanisms. Horizontal aiming is provided within 30 ° to the right and left of the axis. Elevation angles - from -10° to +80°. Aiming is carried out using manual drives and the 1P9 sight.
The 2B16 gun can use a wide range of ammunition. As part of the "gun-shot" project, several 120-mm shells with high-explosive fragmentation, cumulative and cluster charges were developed. The firing range of such projectiles reaches 8-8,8 km; when using active-reactive ammunition, this parameter increases to 12,5-12,8 km. Due to the special design, high-explosive fragmentation projectiles have a power at the level of 152-mm ammunition.
Compatibility with all types of mortar shots in 120 mm caliber is also ensured. The range of the main ammunition of this kind, depending on the type, reaches 7-7,2 km. Guided mine KM-8 "Fringe" allows you to shoot at 8-9 km with high accuracy.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to reports, the 2B16 towed guns, unlike the 2S9 self-propelled guns, were not used in Afghanistan. Information about the use of such systems in the first war in Chechnya is also missing. The first known episodes of the combat use of "Nona-K" refer to the second Chechen war - in the late nineties and early two thousandths. In 2014, several of these weapons were obtained by the Donbass militias and used against Ukrainian formations.
During numerous exercises and two full-fledged conflicts, the 2B16 Nona-K products fully showed their potential. The declared technical and combat characteristics were repeatedly confirmed. In addition, the flexibility of application and the convenience of the calculation were demonstrated.
Practice has confirmed the correctness of the decisions to reduce the size and weight. A lightweight gun can be towed by almost all army vehicles; it is also possible to roll by calculation forces. This significantly increases mobility in all conditions, improves fighting qualities and reduces risks.
On the battlefield, Nona-K can replace several classes of systems, making it especially useful for airborne units or Donbas-type militias. Thanks to the universal tool, the organization and conduct of operations is simplified. In addition, supply issues are being partially resolved - 2B16 can use some types of captured ammunition.
Ammunition of different types for 2A51 and 2B6 guns
With all this, the Nona-K product demonstrates fairly high combat characteristics and is not inferior to the 2S9 self-propelled gun, various mortars, etc. From this point of view, it is a convenient and effective means of fire support, hitting distant targets, etc.
However, towed guns face objective problems and limitations, and the 2B16 product is no exception. So, the tool cannot move independently, which to some extent complicates its use. Changing positions requires effort of calculation and takes some time. At the same time, gunners have minimal protection, which threatens their safety and the combat capability of the entire system.
For your niche
In general, the 2B16 "Nona-K" gun is one of the most interesting examples of modern towed artillery, both in our country and abroad. Through the use of proven solutions and components in combination with new units, it was possible to obtain a light and fairly easy-to-use system with the widest combat capabilities.
"Nona-K" was repeatedly used in real operations and demonstrated its potential. In addition, this system showed that towed guns are still relevant and can keep their place on the battlefield. However, to obtain high efficiency, new technical solutions and competent calculations are required.
Extremely positive feedback from the troops as a real and effective "infantry artillery"
Especially for this gun, artillery rounds with high-explosive fragmentation and cumulative shells with ready-made rifling on the leading belt were developed. The OF-49 and OF-51 high-explosive fragmentation shells are designed in the same way, only the OF-49 has a steel case and contains 4,9 kg of A-IX-2 explosive, while the OF-51 has a cast-iron case and 3,8 kg of A-IX -2.
In terms of effectiveness, these shells are close to 152-mm howitzer grenades. The speed of expansion of fragments of the OF-49 projectile is 1800 m / s, the number of fragments is more than 3500 pieces. (weighing from 0,5 to 15 g).
For firing from 2B16 Nona-K, an active-rocket projectile (OFARS) OF50 is also used, it has a miniature jet engine that turns on 10-13 seconds after the projectile leaves the barrel. The firing range of an active-rocket projectile is 13 km.
The 2B16 "Nona-K" cannon can fire guided (corrected) projectiles "Kitolov-2", which are aimed at the target using a laser designator.
Initial projectile speed:
- cumulative 560 m/s,
- high-explosive fragmentation 367 m / s,
- mines 109 m / s.
Combat rate of fire 8-10 rounds per minute.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Zonwar.ru
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