Potential and prospects of self-propelled guns 2S35 "Coalition-SV"
The promising artillery system 2S35 “Coalition-SV” is approaching adoption and the start of full operation. The industry has already put the new self-propelled gun through all stages of testing and has prepared production. In the near future, the remaining activities will be carried out and the necessary documents will be prepared. After this, artillery formations will officially receive promising equipment, and with it a number of new capabilities.
During testing
According to known data, the first prototypes of the 152-mm self-propelled howitzer "Coalition-SV" were manufactured by the Ural Transport Engineering Plant no later than 2012-13. and then they went out for testing. Then the company built the first pilot batch of a dozen self-propelled guns. On May 9, 2015, this technique was officially shown to the public for the first time at a parade in Moscow.
Subsequently, representatives of industry and the defense department, as well as anonymous press sources, repeatedly reported on the construction of new 2S35 self-propelled guns. Various activities were also carried out as part of an extensive testing program. At the same time, the exact number of manufactured “Coalitions” still remains unknown.
During the first few years, the Coalition-SV self-propelled guns operated and demonstrated their capabilities only at training grounds. Last year the situation could have changed. Unconfirmed information has repeatedly appeared about the appearance of 2S35 complexes in the area of the Special Operation to protect Donbass. The equipment could undergo military or other tests.
In August 2023, the management of the Rostec state corporation, which includes the development organizations and manufacturers of the new self-propelled guns, announced the launch of mass production of self-propelled guns and transport-loading vehicles for them. In order to save time, the industry did not wait for the completion of tests and the official adoption of the “Coalition” into service and prepared assembly lines in advance.
On October 20, Rostec announced the completion of state tests of a new self-propelled howitzer. Experienced equipment confirmed the calculated characteristics and showed all the provided capabilities and functions. As the management of the state corporation noted, the completion of the last stage of testing makes it possible to begin mass production.
Entering the troops
Since 2013-14 industry, represented by Uraltransmash, has built a number of self-propelled guns "Coalition-SV" - at least 10-12 units. and perhaps up to several dozen. This equipment will probably be transferred to training or combat units for mastering and gaining experience before launching full operation.
Now the Ministry of Defense must carry out the remaining measures and procedures, as well as officially accept the 2S35 product into service. Thanks to previously taken measures and the launch of production, Rostec will be able to start a series and transfer new batches of self-propelled guns to the army in the shortest possible time.
We can expect that the first units equipped with the Coalitions will take part in the current Special Operation. It will have to complement other units and subunits of self-propelled artillery and help them in solving combat missions. At the same time, a new type of self-propelled guns, due to a number of important innovations, will be able to significantly increase the firepower and efficiency of both their units and the ground forces as a whole.
Technical potential
Like other domestic self-propelled guns of the latest models, the Coalition-SV is an armored combat vehicle on a tracked chassis with a fully rotating turret carrying an artillery system. At the same time, the 2S35 design uses modern components and solutions, incl. fundamentally new. With their help, the growth of all main characteristics is ensured and an increase in overall efficiency is achieved.
In its current form, "Coalition-SV" is built on the chassis tank T-90. In the future, they plan to transfer the turret with the gun to the new Armata chassis. In both cases, a single habitable compartment with crew workplaces is organized inside the hull.
An original uninhabited fighting compartment was developed for the 2S35. All processes in the turret, from receiving ammunition to firing, are carried out automatically according to crew commands. The fighting compartment is built around a 152-mm 2A88 rifled howitzer, which has a 52-klb barrel with a developed muzzle brake and ejector. The gun is placed on a remotely controlled installation with the ability to rise to large elevation angles.
"Coalition-SV" uses domestic 152-mm shells, incl. managed. The development of new ammunition was also reported. The projectiles use a modular type propellant charge. It consists of separate cartridge modules in the form of a combustible shell with gunpowder inside. Ignition is carried out using a special microwave system. Ammunition - 70 shells and modular charges in mechanized stowage.
A new fire control system has been developed for the 2S35 complex. It includes a set of sights, navigation aids, various sensors, etc. Information from all sources is processed by a central computer, and based on them, firing data is calculated. The high degree of automation of the self-propelled guns and the fighting compartment made it possible to reduce the crew to 3 people.
Clear benefits
The unusual design and equipment of the 2S35 self-propelled guns provide an increase in all the main tactical and technical characteristics, and also provide new combat capabilities. In terms of the totality of parameters and potential, the Coalition-SV should surpass all previous domestic self-propelled guns and a number of foreign models.
The key parameter of any self-propelled gun is mobility and agility. The use of the T-90 or Armata chassis provides high performance characteristics. In addition, in the body of a modern MBT it was possible to organize a three-seat crew compartment and ensure its maximum protection.
The crew's workplaces were removed from the fighting compartment, which reduced risks and also made it possible to optimize the layout of internal volumes. In particular, the transportable ammunition has been increased and, accordingly, the possible duration of firing without reloading has been increased. With all this, a new TZM with improved characteristics is used, which allows you to quickly replenish ammunition and continue firing.
The 2A88 gun has a long 52-caliber barrel, which has a positive effect on the firing range characteristics, regardless of the type of projectile used. During testing, this parameter was increased to 80 km. To fully utilize the gun's potential, an active-reactive guided projectile and a maximum charge were used. There is a fundamental possibility of creating longer-range ammunition.
"Coalition-SV" uses an original modular propellant charge, which provides several advantages. Thus, the use of small modules allows you to more flexibly change the shot weight and adjust the starting parameters of the projectile. In addition, the modules have an unusual ignition system in which microwaves simultaneously ignite the entire charge, which improves combustion stability and overall internal ballistics.
Of interest is the automatic loading system that supplies shells and cartridge modules. According to various estimates, it provides a rate of fire of at least 10-12 rounds/min. With short-term shooting, a record rate of up to 15-16 rounds per minute is possible. Due to this, the self-propelled gun has the opportunity to send a large number of shells to the target in a minimum time and leave the position.
The positive consequences of using a modern OMS with all the necessary components are obvious. It is capable of receiving target designation and adjustment data from various sources, quickly calculating data for firing and delivering a strike. There are different modes of operation, including a "fire attack" where several projectiles are sent along different trajectories to simultaneously fall on the target. The fire control system is compatible with modern guided missiles, and future ones will be developed taking into account its capabilities.
Thanks to its improved tactical and technical characteristics, the new 2S35 “Coalition-SV” product will be able to effectively solve all the main combat missions of self-propelled artillery. It will be a convenient means for carrying out attacks on various types of enemy targets, and will be able to attack more distant targets. The increased range and rate of fire also increase its potential in counter-battery warfare and other situations.
The future of artillery
Thus, as part of the Coalition-SV development work, a new ground artillery system was successfully developed, which has improved characteristics and clear advantages over other equipment in its class. During lengthy and extensive tests, he confirmed his capabilities and parameters, which opens the way for him to join the troops.
As recently reported, Uraltransmash and related enterprises are already ready for mass production of new 2S35 self-propelled guns. The exact timing of the release of the first production batches remains unknown, but the situation as a whole is conducive to optimism. The beginning of the rearmament of artillery units of the ground forces is now only a matter of time.
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