In the 80s, NATO countries began an intensive buildup of their weapons. This was the impetus for the Central Research Institute to create a new concept for the development of military equipment for the airborne troops of the USSR. In order to create an effective weapon capable of withstanding NATO tanks, in the 90s, the Volgograd Tractor Plant joint-stock company developed the 2S25 Sprut-SD self-propelled anti-tank gun specifically for the Russian Airborne Forces.
About the authors of the development
Sprut-SD 2S25 is a Russian airborne self-propelled anti-tank gun. A. V. Shabalin became the chief designer involved in the manufacture of the chassis. The 125 mm 2A75 gun for the Sprut-SD 2S25 was developed by V. I. Nasedkin. Work on the creation of this Russian anti-tank weapons was carried out at the Central Research Instituteprecision engineering.
Beginning of creation
In 1982, on the basis of the BMP-2 combat vehicle, a model of the self-propelled guns 2S25 “Octopus-SD” was created, designed for 125 mm caliber. This was a confirmation that, using the components and assemblies of the landing vehicle, it is quite possible to create a new, very effective weapon. The leadership of the Central Research Institute of Tochmash decided that the Object 934 light tank could be used to design a lighter chassis, which was equipped with a lightweight 100-mm rifled gun with automatic loading, designed for 19 rounds.
One of these tanks became the basis for creating a prototype 125mm gun. The upgraded Sprut-SD tank was now equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun. The classic tower scheme was used in the process. In addition, the designers also considered options with the removal of weapons.
Testing
In 1984, the Sprut-SD 2S25 was transported to the Kubinka training ground for experimental shooting. The results of testing the new self-propelled guns showed that in terms of accuracy of fire it is not inferior to tank guns, and the load acting on the crew and the gun itself does not exceed the permissible limits. On October 20, 1985, the military-industrial commission decided to begin production of a 125-mm gun for the Sprut-SD 2S25.
What difficulties did the developers face when creating landing equipment?
Means P260, providing landing of self-propelled guns, during the test showed a number of shortcomings:
- they were expensive to produce;
- Using P260 funds proved difficult.
As a result, work on parachute-jet systems was stopped, and the place of the P260 was taken by a strapdown landing system, which received the designation P260 M.
What is Sprut-SD 2S25? Construction description
The self-propelled artillery mount is a combat armored tracked amphibious vehicle that uses a powerful artillery and missile system as weapons.
ACS consists of three parts - hulls:
In the front there is a point that provides control of the machine "Octopus-SD" 2S25. The photo below shows the structural features of the self-propelled unit. This corps is designed for three people: a self-propelled gun commander, a gunner and a driver. In the roof of the combat vehicle for the crew there are built-in observation devices with day and night vision
- The installation tower is located in the middle building. This block is combat. The sight, intended for the senior in the crew, is a combined design: the scope of its activity extends to two planes due to the combination with a laser sight. The 125mm projectile is guided by a laser beam.
- The rear is considered the location of the engine compartment.
Arrangement of a workplace for the commander
At the workplace of the main crew, the designers of the artillery installation providedavailability of such devices:
- daytime monocular periscope sight 1A40-M1 with a stabilizing field of view;
- night optical-electronic complex TO1-KO1R;
- laser rangefinder, with which the commander measures the distance to the target and generates a lead angle while firing at a moving target;
- an information channel through which guidance and launch of a guided missile is carried out;
- duplicate ballistic and sighting device used by the gunner;
- a special remote control for autonomous control of automation when loading;
- drives that provide operational communication between the commander and gunner.
What are the tasks of the crew commander?
The head of the group, using night and day vision sights, monitors the area. The commander of this self-propelled artillery mount, regardless of the gunner, can perform aimed fire from both a machine gun and a cannon. This possibility is provided by a computerized fire control system: if the initial data are available, the tank ballistic computer uses drives to automatically enter angles and lead. Due to this function, the commander is not required to retarget using rangefinders and aiming marks. The commander is free to shoot.
How is the crafted weapon classified?
Anti-tank self-propelled artillery mount - this class of guns wasthe combat vehicle "Octopus-SD" 2S25 was included. The purpose and range of tasks performed by her were reduced to the fight against enemy tanks. Previously, this task was performed by such tanks as the PT-76B and the Object 934. They were replaced with the advent of 2S25 Sprut-SD. The fire support combat vehicle, unlike other light tanks, has a higher firepower. The maneuverability and maneuverability of the new self-propelled guns corresponds to the indicators characteristic of light tank combat guns. Sprut-SD is a modern and more advanced version of the PT-76B.
In what conditions is it operated?
“Octopus-SD” is able to overcome distances of at least 500 kilometers without refueling. Transportation of self-propelled guns is carried out by military transport aviation. Landing ships can also be used for this purpose. For the landing of the installation, its developers provide landing and parachute methods. The crew of the combat vehicle is in its cockpit. Having a high specific power, the Sprut-SD is suitable for combat operations both in highlands and in hot tropical climates.
SPG is capable of resisting the enemy's highly armored vehicles, their fortified strongholds and manpower. Overcoming water obstacles is possible provided that the excitement does not exceed 3 points. An artillery mount can operate on water due to jet engines equipped on the chassis. The buoyancy of the installation is ensured by water cannons with a diameter of impellers of 34 cm and road wheels. The design of the ACS has closed air chambers. When water enters the bodypumping out is carried out using powerful water pumps. While afloat, the Sprut-SD can fire.
After completing its combat mission, the self-propelled guns are adapted to carry out self-loading into a landing ship from the water surface.
Snowmobile tracks and asph alt shoes are used especially for snowy terrain. "Octopus-SD" is suitable for areas that have received radiation, chemical and biological contamination. The safety of the crew is ensured by protection against weapons of mass destruction.
A combat artillery vehicle can be camouflaged with a smoke screen. For this purpose, the designers mounted brackets (2 pieces) on the aft sheet of the SPG turret, in which six 902V grenade launchers using 81 mm caliber smoke grenades are located.
For what purpose was the combat vehicle created?
Initially, the self-propelled guns were designed to withstand tanks, various armored vehicles and manpower. 2S25 "Octopus-SD" - a fire support combat vehicle - was intended only for the Airborne Forces. The task of the airborne self-propelled artillery installation was to fight armored vehicles behind enemy lines. Over time, she became part of the Marine Corps and special forces. The experience of using the 2S25 has shown that, interacting with the BMD-4 combat vehicle equipped with a 100-mm gun and self-propelled ATGM "Kornet", "Octopus-SD" can be very effective not only behind enemy lines, but also in a direct combat collision, which carried out by the Ground Forces of the Armed ForcesRussia.
In the period from 2001 to 2006, after additional tests, the troops of the Russian Federation received the Sprut-SD 2S25 combat vehicle.
Key Features
The weight of the combat vehicle is 18 tons. The crew consists of three people. The power reserve is 500 km. The undercarriage consists of seven rubberized track rollers, six single rubberized rollers, a driving and steering wheel, steel double-ridge tracks that use rubber-metal joints, and asph alt shoes. The length of the self-propelled gun with a gun is 9.77 meters.
The combat vehicle is equipped with a six-cylinder four-stroke boxer diesel engine with supercharging and direct fuel injection, for which liquid cooling is provided. 2V-06-2S - the brand of the engine installed in the Sprut-SD 2S25. The technical characteristics of the engine allow the ACS to reach speeds from 45 (average) to 70 km/h.
SPG is equipped with bulletproof armor. The frontal part is able to withstand direct hits of 23-mm projectiles from a distance of half a kilometer. In the process of manufacturing armor for the combat vehicle, aluminum alloys were used (for the body of the self-propelled guns and its turret). The device of the frontal part was made using steel plates. For military vehicles, R-173 radio stations and R-174 intercoms are provided.
Aerial landing of a combat vehicle is carried out from IL-76 aircraft (models M and MD), AN-124. Using an external sling for a helicopterMI-26 also makes it possible to successfully land the Sprut-SD 2S25 self-propelled gun.
The armament of the Russian army has been enriched with self-propelled guns equipped with one 2A75 smoothbore gun and a coaxial PKT machine gun. Combat set of the main gun 2A75 is designed for 40 shots. Mechanized stacking contains 22 ammunition. Additional - 18. Machine gun caliber: 7, 62 mm. One machine gun belt contains 2000 rounds.
What projectiles are used?
The combat vehicle's ammunition load contains four types of projectiles:
- High explosive (20 rounds).
- Armor-piercing (14 pieces). By firing armor-piercing projectiles from a distance of two kilometers, it is possible to penetrate homogeneous armored steel, the thickness of which does not exceed 23 cm.
- HEAT shells (6 pieces). Penetrates homogeneous steel armor up to 30 cm thick.
- Equipped with anti-tank guided missiles. Penetrates armor over 35 cm thick.
Device of the main equipment of the plant
Using the 2A46 tank gun and its modifications, the 2S25 designers created an improved 125mm 2A75 smoothbore gun. In order to reduce the force of resistance to rollbacks during firing, it was planned to have a special muzzle brake in the installation. But as a result of these works, problems with the recoil of the gun appeared, which were solved by increasing the recoil length to 74 cm. Additionally, a hydropneumatic suspension was developedchassis, the mechanism of which absorbed the remnants of the recoil momentum.
The 2A75 gun is equipped with automatic loading equipment, which has a positive effect on the rate of fire of the gun: 7 shots can be fired in one minute. This automation consists of:
- conveyor mechanism equipped with 22 cassettes;
- chain mechanism that lifts the cassettes;
- chain rammer;
- mechanism that removes spent cartridges from the warhead.
Conclusion
The firepower of the Sprut-SD combat vehicle is not inferior to such tanks as the T-80 and T-90. High mobility both on land and on water allowed the 2S25 self-propelled guns to reach the level of the BMD-3 combat vehicle. Due to the design features - the ability of the turret in the self-propelled guns to perform circular rotations and stabilize weapons in two planes - the Sprut-SD can be effectively used as a light amphibious tank, which has no analogues today.
The self-propelled artillery mount developed by Russian designers aroused interest among representatives of the armed forces of Korea and India.
