Old design and new solutions: modernization of self-propelled guns 2S18 "Pat-S"
Experienced self-propelled guns 2S18 "Pat-S" during testing
It became known about the resumption of the development of the self-propelled artillery installation 2S18 "Pat-S". The original version of this project was created back in the eighties, but then it was abandoned. Now it was decided to restart the development work and modernize the previously created self-propelled guns. It is assumed that "Pat-S" in a new guise will be able to find a place in the current structure of the army.
New modernization
The new plans of the Russian defense industry in the field of ground artillery on May 20 were reported by the RIA agency News. The source of information was an unnamed representative of the Kurganmashzavod enterprise (part of the High-Precision Complexes holding of the Rostec state corporation), which is engaged in the construction of armored vehicles and artillery systems.
The source said that the company is now engaged in the modernization of previously created self-propelled guns based on the modified chassis of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. We are talking about self-propelled guns of two types with guns of 120 and 152 mm caliber. According to the source, equipment of this kind will be able to positively affect the combat effectiveness of motorized rifle units.
RIA Novosti reveals the types of equipment undergoing modernization. The 120-mm artillery system is the 2S31 Vena self-propelled gun, and the 152-mm gun carries the 2S18 Pat-S product.
In fact, so far only the very fact of the existence of two projects has been reported. The set technical tasks and ways to solve them are not named. Also, the timing of the work and the possible entry of updated self-propelled guns into service are not announced. Apparently, such data will appear later - if the projects get full development and go through all the required stages.
Old sample
In the news about the modernization of old self-propelled guns, the mention of the 2S18 Pat-S product is of particular interest. The fact is that this self-propelled gun was developed several decades ago, and then it did not reach adoption and mass production. Now, it seems, they decided to return to this sample, but at a new technical level.
"Pat-S" at the Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineering and Signal Corps, 2017
Recall that at the turn of the seventies and eighties, it was decided to create new artillery systems in caliber 152 mm for use at the level of the regiment and brigade. With their help, it was planned to increase the firepower of ground formations, as well as respond to the latest foreign developments.
Sverdlovsk OKB-9 was entrusted with the development of two new guns - the towed 2A61 with the code "Pat-B" and the unified howitzer 2A63 for use on a self-propelled base. Such an ACS was designed by the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant; the project received the GRAU 2S18 index and the name "Pat-S".
Over the next few years, Kurganmashzavod and OKB-9 completed new projects and produced prototypes. So, according to the Pat-S project, one complete prototype was built. This machine has passed at least part of the tests. However, at this stage, the customer decided to abandon the continuation of development. The exact reasons for this are still unknown, although there are versions and assumptions of varying degrees of reliability and plausibility.
An unnecessary prototype 2S18 remained at the Rzhev test site for a long time. A few years ago, it was transferred to the Military History Museum of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps (St. Petersburg).
The Pat-B towed gun project turned out to be a little more successful. In 1991, this howitzer was officially put into service, but only 6 items were made. A full-fledged launch of production and rearmament of ground artillery did not take place.
However, the developments on the topic "Pat" have not disappeared. Chassis for self-propelled guns 2S18, built on the basis of the BMP-3, was used to create a new self-propelled gun 2S31 "Vena" with a smaller caliber gun. This combat vehicle in the mid-nineties reached the production of a small series and ended up in the troops.
Construction from the past
From the design point of view, the 2S18 self-propelled guns was a tracked armored combat vehicle with a full-revolving turret carrying weapons. Such a product had a length (along the hull) of less than 6,9 m and a combat weight of 18,7 tons. The crew included four people.
"Pat-S" was built on a modified BMP-3 chassis. The finished case was slightly shortened; protection remains the same. The layout has changed according to the role of the machine. The volume of the combat and troop compartments was used to accommodate a new larger tower. At the same time, according to some reports, the available volumes were not enough to obtain all the desired opportunities.
The power unit of the chassis during the restructuring has not changed. The design of the chassis as a whole remained the same. To properly distribute the loads, some torsion bars were moved, which changed the distance between the individual rollers. Engine UTD-29 with a power of 450 hp still allowed to get speeds up to 70 km / h on the highway. In addition, the possibility of navigation and the corresponding propulsion system have been preserved.
The 2A63 howitzer was a 152-mm rifled gun with a medium-length barrel and a semi-automatic breech. The gun received a large two-chamber active-reactive type muzzle brake and hydropneumatic recoil devices. The supply of ammunition was carried out manually, but there was a sending mechanism.
Two guns of the "Pat" family could use a wide range of 152-mm rounds of Soviet-designed separate-sleeve loading. It was allowed to use shots for howitzers ML-20, D-1 and D-20. Thus, the self-propelled guns could use high-explosive fragmentation, concrete-piercing, cluster, etc. shells. According to some reports, the possibility of integrating a guided weapons complex with the Krasnopol projectile was not ruled out.
2S18 could fire direct fire and overhead trajectories. Depending on the type of projectile and the charge used, as well as other factors, the maximum firing range reached 15-15,2 km. Ammunition - 35 shots.
New life
It seems that the 2S18 Pat-S project, after a break of three decades, again interested the industry and, possibly, the army. The reasons for this interest are not difficult to understand. In a project from the mid-eighties, promising ideas were implemented that have recently become relevant again. Despite its significant age, the proposed appearance of the self-propelled guns can still have a future - of course, with its proper implementation.
Self-propelled guns "Pat-S" was created to strengthen the regimental artillery. In fact, it was supposed to replace the older 2S1 Gvozdika product with a 122-mm howitzer. Having close characteristics of the range and accuracy of fire, the 2S18 self-propelled gun was distinguished by a large caliber and a corresponding increase in power. In addition, the transition to "Pat-S" would make it possible to unify regimental artillery with the equipment of motorized rifle troops and get a certain benefit.
It is curious that over the past decades the situation has not fundamentally changed. The basis of the regimental artillery of the ground forces is still made up of "Carnations", although they are equipped with new means of communication and fire control. Larger caliber guns are used at other levels.
The current Special Operation has once again shown that the caliber is of great importance, and in order to effectively solve a combat mission, the heaviest shells and in the maximum quantity should be sent to the enemy. In this context, the Pat-S type of self-propelled guns could be a profitable replacement for the current 2S1. In this case, we are talking not only about combat qualities, but also about operational issues. "Carnations" are of considerable age and gradually consume the remaining resource.
Towed howitzer 2A61 "Pat-B"
However, the launch of the production of the 2S18 product in the configuration of the mid-eighties does not make sense, and its modernization is necessary. So, the chassis can remain the same, but you need to use a modern configuration and equipment. In particular, topical protective equipment is required.
The 2A63 gun unit as a whole looks modern and successful. In the past, it showed sufficient fire performance and had the great advantage of being compatible with different types of projectiles. To improve the overall performance of howitzers and self-propelled guns as a whole, modern fire control tools are needed. It is also necessary to ensure compatibility with military automated control systems. Then the self-propelled gun will be able to work in network-centric circuits and more effectively provide fire support at the regimental level.
It should be noted that the creation of such an ACS is unlikely to be an easy task. It is necessary to establish the production of a new artillery unit from scratch and, possibly, update it in accordance with the current capabilities of the industry. At the same time, "Pat-S" uses a serial chassis with a modified chassis. New control systems, in turn, can be borrowed from existing designs. In addition, earlier the industry offered unified sets of ground artillery controls.
Possible sequel
Thus, the Russian defense industry, incl. "Kurganmashzavod" is making efforts to further develop the artillery of the ground forces. Completely new models are being developed, and existing ones are undergoing the necessary modernization. At the same time, the experience of real combat operations accumulated in recent years is actively used.
The latest news about the resumption of the 2S18 Pat-S project is of particular interest. They show that even old projects that have been abandoned for a long time can retain significant potential, and they should be developed using modern technologies and best practices. How the current work on the modernization of the old self-propelled guns will end and whether the army will be interested in it, time will tell. It cannot be ruled out that the result of such work will meet all expectations.
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