Mortar M-240 in Ukraine. First and last
M-240 mortar in position, January-February 2023. Photo by Telegram / ChDambiev
Over the past year, Ukrainian artillery has suffered serious losses and is now forced to use any available weapons. In the course are even exhibits of museums and exhibitions. So, last fall it became known that the museum's large-caliber M-240 towed mortar, the only weapon of this type on the territory of Ukraine, was sent to the front. The combat use of this mortar was short-lived. Recently it became known about its destruction.
From the museum to the front
The first reports of the appearance of a 240-mm M-240 mortar in Ukrainian artillery appeared in September last year. This tool was mentioned in the news from the front, as well as photos and videos showing the mortar in position and firing from it. Soon new details related to the origin of the gun and its current operation became known.
According to known data, at the time of the collapse of the USSR on the territory of the Ukrainian SSR, which suddenly gained independence, there were no mortar units with 240-mm guns of special power. However, one M-240 mortar remained in Ukraine. It was part of the exposition of the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Kyiv and, apparently, was unusable.
As is now known, no later than September last year, Ukrainian armed formations took away the museum piece. Probably, this process was carried out and executed “in a simplified manner”, bordering on a banal theft. The mortar was brought to combat readiness and transferred to the disposal of the artillery battalion of the 35th Marine Brigade. Based on it, a separate battery was assembled with just one gun and the necessary auxiliary equipment - a tractor, ammunition transport, etc.
Shot, the mine leaves the barrel. Photo Telegram / ChDambiev
The supply of mortar ammunition raises questions. Probably, 240-mm mines were also present in the old army warehouses that remained on the territory of the former Ukrainian SSR. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that similar products in various quantities came from abroad, for example, from the Czech Republic - it had several Tulip self-propelled mortars with a similar artillery unit.
Since September, photos and videos demonstrating the use of the only Ukrainian M-240 have been freely available several times. The last video of this kind appeared recently, in early February. In this video, the battery calculation even tried to make a joke - characters in camouflage watched the shooting and gave marks, as in sports competitions.
However, after a few days, the Ukrainian mortarmen were no longer in the mood for jokes. On February 14, the Russian division of the BARS "Kaskad" spoke about the destruction of the Ukrainian M-240 and showed this process, filmed from a reconnaissance UAV. First, a firing position with a deployed mortar and prepared ammunition got into the frame. At that moment, the mortar fired on Donetsk.
However, the gun was discovered and Russian artillery covered it. The shells hit the ammunition, and also hit the mortar. On frames with drone one can see a damaged gun with a torn off base plate and a lowered barrel.
Mortar firing position, February 2023. Frame from video from BARS "Kaskad"
Apparently, the only Ukrainian M-240 was fatally damaged and finally disabled. Its restoration by local enterprises is simply not possible due to the lack of necessary competencies, documentation, etc. It should be noted that the destroyed mortar was the most powerful weapon in the Ukrainian formations, and its loss in a certain way reduces their capabilities.
Long story
The M-240 mortar is distinguished not only by high combat characteristics, but also by a long history. The development of this gun began back in the years of World War II and was carried out by the Special Design Bureau for Smoothbore Artillery (SKB GA) in the city of Kolomna - now it is the Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering. The project manager was B.I. Shavyrin.
The first stage of testing an experienced mortar took place already in 1944-45. After finalizing and fine-tuning the design in 1947-49. a new stage of testing took place, and the mortar received a recommendation for adoption. The corresponding decree was issued in 1950. The mortar received the official designations M-240 and 52-M-864.
Mass production of M-240 products was mastered in 1951 by plant No. 75 (Yurga). Soon the first mass-produced mortars arrived in artillery units of special power. Production continued until 1958, by which time 329 mortars had been built. In parallel, several types of 240-mm mines were produced with different functions and characteristics. Mortars and ammunition for them were made only for the Soviet army.
In the late sixties, on the basis of the M-240, an artillery unit 2B8 was created, which was used as part of the self-propelled mortar 2S4 "Tulip". Due to the production of self-propelled guns in the seventies, most of the units were re-equipped. The released towed systems were put into storage, and some of them were transferred to foreign states - Iraq and Syria.
During the first decades of service, M-240 mortars fired only as part of the exercises. Real combat work began only in the mid-eighties in Afghanistan. Guns with different ammunition, incl. managed, showed good results. However, self-propelled Tulips proved to be more convenient, and, if possible, the army tried to use them.
In the 240s, mortars sent to Syria in the past reminded of themselves. M-XNUMXs have been repeatedly used by the Syrian army to destroy enemy fortifications. The nature of the hostilities made it possible to use the potential of such mortars with minimal restrictions.
A few months ago, the product 52-M-864 was delivered from Kyiv to the Donbass and was even used for some time. However, Ukrainian formations are opposed by a full-fledged army with a variety of technical means. As a consequence, the only mortar was found and destroyed.
The tool is bigger. Frame from video from BARS "Kaskad"
Technical features
The M-240 is a 240 mm smoothbore mortar in a towed version. The total length of the product in the stowed position exceeds 6,5 m, weight - 4,23 tons. When transferred to a combat position, aggregates with a total weight of approx. 600 kg. The gun is serviced by a crew of 9 people.
The artillery part of the system is built on the basis of a smooth barrel with a caliber of 240 mm and a length of 20,8 klb. The mortar is breech-loading and is equipped with a piston breech. When loading, the barrel is lowered to a horizontal position, which allows ammunition to be fed into it. The shot is carried out using a trigger placed in the shutter.
The barrel is connected to the base plate through a spring damper. There is a swinging part with aiming mechanisms. The elevation angle varies from 45° to 80°. Horizontal guidance depends on the rise of the barrel; the maximum sector is reached at high elevation angles. Guidance is carried out using a panoramic sight.
The carriage is equipped with a wheel drive with two sprung wheels. For towing by a tractor, a hitch is installed on the trunk. Carriage is allowed at speeds up to 40 km / h on the highway.
The mortar is broken (marked with a circle). Frame from video from BARS "Kaskad"
The M-240 mortar can use several types of shots. The range of ammunition includes high-explosive fragmentation, incendiary, cluster, etc. mines. With a mass of 130 to 230 kg, such products carry 32-46 kg of explosive. A complex of guided weapons with a corrected projectile has been developed. Produced mines with nuclear equipment with a capacity of 2 kt. The firing range of ammunition of the first generations is up to 9,2-9,5 km. Later active-reactive mines fly 19 km.
Predictable outcome
In general, the M-240 / 52-M-864 mortar has high technical and combat characteristics. It is capable of solving particularly complex tasks and hitting both large area targets and fortified objects. A battery of such weapons can inflict the most serious damage on the enemy. However, to use all the available potential, several guns and competent organization of combat work are required.
Until recently, the Ukrainian units had only one M-240 mortar, and it had to be taken from the museum. The only weapon predictably did not realize its potential and did not affect the situation on the fronts. And then he was spotted and destroyed right at the firing position. The special-powered mortar no longer threatens the cities of Donbass, and the Kyiv regime now has nowhere to get such weapons.
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