Self-propelled gun 2S31 "Vena" in Special Operations: for the first time in combat
JSC "Vena" in the area of Artemovsk
As part of the current Special Operation to protect Donbass, a variety of domestically developed artillery systems, including the most interesting samples, are being tested in practice. Thus, the other day it became known that the 2S31 Vena self-propelled artillery gun is now participating in battles. The appearance of such equipment at the front is a good sign and indicates the continued development of artillery - and the growth of its fire capabilities.
For the first time on the screen
The appearance of “Vena” in the combat zone was first reported by the Rossiya 1 TV channel. On September 14, the evening edition of Vesti published a report dedicated to this self-propelled gun and its combat use. It showed at least one of the combat vehicles involved in the Special Operation, and also talked about the specifics of its use. The movement of the self-propelled gun along a dirt road was demonstrated. Unfortunately, the shooting was not shown.
Reportedly, several 2S31 products some time ago entered one of the combat units of the airborne troops participating in the operation. A unit using such equipment operates in the area of Artemovsk (DPR) and strikes the enemy. The details of this application, for obvious reasons, are not specified.
The high efficiency of modern self-propelled guns and its advantages over similar equipment of the previous generation are noted. Thus, the “Vena” compares favorably with the older “Nona” with an improved gun, an improved fire control system and an increased ammunition load. All this gives a significant increase in combat qualities.
To date, paratroopers-artillerymen have accumulated some experience in the use of self-propelled guns 2S31. Now they expect that the number of such equipment in the troops will increase. Along with it, the efficiency of the relevant units and artillery as a whole will increase.
Way to the troops
In the early eighties, the newest 120-mm SAO 2S9 “Nona-S” entered service with the Soviet Airborne Forces. Soon such equipment was used in battles in Afghanistan, during which it confirmed the calculated characteristics and showed high efficiency. Based on the results of this, the USSR Ministry of Defense ordered the development of a similar combat vehicle for the ground forces.
Work on the new theme “Vienna” began in the second half of the eighties. The Perm Machine-Building Plant (now Motovilikha Plants) and the Central Research Institute Tochmash were responsible for the development of the project as a whole. The new line of ammunition was designed by the State Research and Production Enterprise Basalt.
The design of Vienna continued until the mid-nineties. In 1995, two prototypes were built according to the project, which were then put to testing. At the beginning of 1997, at the IDEX exhibition in the UAE, the self-propelled gun was first shown to the public. During the 2007s, the self-propelled guns underwent the necessary set of tests and fine-tuning. State tests were completed only in XNUMX.
According to known data, "Vienna" received a recommendation for adoption. An experimental batch of such equipment was manufactured, and in 2010 it was handed over to the troops. However, full-fledged mass production was not launched. During that period, the Ministry of Defense was finalizing and improving the artillery weapons system of the ground forces, and also worked out plans for the future. For one reason or another, there was no place for the self-propelled gun 2S31, and the purchase of serial equipment did not begin.
However, “Vienna” attracted the interest of a foreign customer. At that time, Azerbaijan was actively ordering various Russian-made military equipment and, together with other models, decided to purchase the SAO 2S31. He was supplied with 18 production cars.
As it now turns out, by now the Russian army has changed its attitude towards “Vienna”. This combat vehicle was considered suitable, at a minimum, for testing in real combat conditions. Several of these self-propelled guns are involved in the Special Operations and further production and re-equipment of artillery units is possible.
Unification and universality
The 2S31 "Vena" product is a tracked combat vehicle with a fully rotatable turret, equipped with a 120 mm rifled gun and other systems. The self-propelled gun is built using a number of off-the-shelf components. Other products were made by upgrading existing ones, and a number of systems were developed specifically for Vienna.
The self-propelled gun is built on a modified tracked chassis of the self-propelled gun 2S18 "Pat" - a modification of the BMP-3 chassis. In the version for Vienna, such a chassis has a welded armored hull with bulletproof and anti-fragmentation protection from all angles. The layout of the hull has not changed fundamentally in comparison with previous models: the control compartment is located in the bow, the fighting compartment is located behind it, and the engine and transmission compartment remains in the stern.
2S31 is equipped with a UTD-29 diesel engine with a power of 450 hp. The mechanical transmission transmits torque to the stern drive wheels. The chassis has six road wheels per side with torsion bar suspension. The maximum speed on the highway is more than 70 km/h. To move through the water, there is a pair of water cannons in the rear of the hull.
The Vienna uses a 120mm rifled “universal” 2A80 gun. Due to the use of different ammunition, it is capable of performing the functions of a cannon, howitzer or mortar. The design of the tower provides circular guidance horizontally and vertically from -4° to +80°. Depending on the type of ammunition, a firing range of 12-14 km is achieved.
The 2A80 gun uses a wide range of ammunition for various purposes. A line of 120 mm shells was developed for it for firing in cannon or howitzer mode. It is also possible to use existing mortar shells of this caliber. It is noteworthy that the Vienna can fire both domestic and similar foreign ammunition. Ammunition stowage - 70 shells. In addition, there is a hatch on the side of the fighting compartment for firing shots from the ground.
SAO "Vena" differs from products of the "Nona" family by improved fire control means. The fire control system includes sights of various types for shooting in daylight and dark, both direct fire and from closed positions. The standard laser rangefinder can be used to guide guided projectiles. The control system has a ballistic computer, the memory of which stores data on a wide range of projectiles. Inertial and satellite navigation tools are integrated. It is possible to enter the coordinates of up to 30 targets for subsequent calculation of data for shooting.
Addition and replacement
Thus, the Russian army began to use another modern piece of equipment in the Special Operation - the 2S31 Vena self-propelled artillery gun. A certain number of combat vehicles of this type complement other barrel systems of different calibers and participate in solving common problems. This reportedly achieves high performance and efficiency.
"Vienna" and deputy commander of the self-propelled artillery division in which she serves
The advantages of the Vienna, as well as the older universal 120 mm systems, are well known. Self-propelled guns of this family have high mobility and are able to quickly enter or leave a firing position. At the same time, a special weapon allows you to fire in different modes, performing the functions of a system of three different classes at once. In essence, the 2S31 product is an addition or replacement for 120 mm self-propelled mortars and 122 mm howitzers. At the same time, it is inferior to systems of larger caliber in terms of firing range and projectile power.
The modern "Vienna" also has obvious advantages over the old "Nona-S". First of all, they are associated with the use of a modern fire control system, which has all the necessary functions and increases the efficiency of fire. In addition, a modified BMP-3 chassis is used, thereby achieving a greater degree of unification with the existing ground forces fleet.
However, there are still problems with realizing the full technical potential of the SAO 2S31. The number of such equipment, as far as is known, remains small. To re-equip artillery units and correspondingly increase the potential of artillery, full-fledged mass production is required. Perhaps it has already started and/or is gaining momentum, and all its results will appear in the foreseeable future.
New experience
The special operation shows that artillery maintains its position and remains the most important component of the ground forces. The army needs systems of different classes and calibers with various capabilities. In particular, universal systems like the modern “Vena” or the older “Nona-S” have high potential.
After many years of uncertainty, the self-propelled gun 2S31 "Vena" finally ends up in combat units and is used in real combat conditions. The combat vehicle shows high performance and confirms the correctness of the chosen technical solutions. It should be expected that the new operating and application experience gained during the Special Operation will have a positive impact on the future fate of the Vienna and will help it take its place in the troops.
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