Howitzer "Tulip". "Tulip" - 240 mm self-propelled mortar unit

Russia is a big country, it is in contact with the whole world. As a result, practically every moment of time, military operations are taking place, in which the Russian military, or at least Russian weapons and armored vehicles, participate. Having visited the Victory parade in different cities, you can see how technologically diverse it is: artillery, tank, missile troops, trucks and cars for a variety of purposes.

The inventors give their names to the unusual ones: the Strizh and Mig, the Grad, Smerch, Peony and a deadly bouquet of howitzers, Acacia, Hyacinth and Tulip. Howitzer "Tulip" - one of the beautiful flowers of artillery, let's consider it in more detail.

History of creation

At the time of Khrushchev, artillery troops were in principle declared inconsistent with the requirements of the times. The development of missiles was required. At that time, in the experimental testing phase, there were several promising designs that penetrated the armor of any tank. But the order is accepted, and the equipment was dismantled.

Something has been preserved somewhere, someone's hand has not risen to dismantle its creation, and thanks to this, the anti-tank gun SU-100P "Taran" now stands in the well-known museum of armored vehicles in Kubinka.

The war in Vietnam clearly showed the lag of our artillery from the American. The United States used the M109, which hit the target at a distance of up to 14 km. The old achievements were urgently recalled, the West was catching up with the development of artillery. Then the creation of an armor-piercing bouquet was started in the Urals - Acacia, Hyacinth and Tulip - a howitzer, the photo of which is presented below. Terms were given concise, and already in 1971, the machines were field tested and put into service. Since then, they remain there, naturally, with some modifications and modifications.

The purpose of the installation "Tulip"

The 240 mm self-propelled mortar unit is designed to destroy buildings and fortifications that the enemy uses as a cover for their manpower, equipment, command and communication points, artillery, etc., inaccessible to artillery fire. There are no analogues in the world, howitzers and mortars of other countries have a smaller caliber and completely different characteristics.

In addition to conventional shells, the howl "Tulip" can shoot nuclear charges, itself remaining at a safe distance from the explosion. Before the "Tulip" was a towed 240-mm mortar M-240, used since 1950. In 1971 they had similar characteristics in shooting and punching ability, but the mortar M-240 is less mobile, less maneuverable, it needs more Time for bringing to the state of combat readiness, aiming and leaving the firing position.

The construction of a combat vehicle

"Tulip" - 240-mm self-propelled mortar unit. The design of the installation is original. The entire artillery unit is on the roof of the hull, the crew, ammunition and equipment are located in the chassis. On the left is the commander's turret.

The ammunition includes 10 active-reactive and 20 high-explosive fragmentation mines. A hydraulic system is provided for all mortar processes produced for firing. At his ancestor M-240 all was done manually. Boeuvering is mechanized, drum, loading is made from the breech side of the trunk. There is a manual loading option with the help of a crane.

The standard high-explosive mine F-864 has a mass of 130.7 kg, in it there are five explosive charges, which impart a speed to the mine. In the Western press, it was reported that M-240 developed and launched active-reactive mines with nuclear charges.

The diesel engine of the "Tulip" B-59 allows to develop the speed up to 60 km / h on asphalt and up to 30 km / h on the primer.

In accordance with the requirements of modern warfare howitzer "Tulip" is equipped with a protection system and can overcome the infected area and operate on it. The system of loading and dimensions of the machine does not require special preparation of the position for shooting.

The chassis for the mortar was used from object 305, which is very similar to the chassis of the anti-aircraft complex "Krug". Armor plates "Tulip" withstand bullets of 7-62 caliber type B-32 from a distance of 300 m. The 2B8 mortar without a chassis can not be used, so the howitzer "Tulip" is arranged.

Characteristics

Diesel engine B-59 has a capacity of 520 horses and allows you to develop a maximum speed of up to 62.8 km / h. Overcomes the vertical wall of 700 mm and has a power reserve of 500 km. Also, a trench 3 m wide and a water obstacle with a depth of 1 m will not stop the "Tulip".

Serves such a technique crew of 5 people. The self-propelled howitzer "Tulip" weighs 27,500 kg, the length is about 6,5 m, the width is 3 meters and a quarter, and the height is 3,2 m. In addition to the main gun of 240 mm, there are still auxiliary weapons with a caliber of 7.62.

The installation can do up to 1 shot per minute, and at an angle of guidance and elevation of 80-82 degrees, a declination angle of 50 degrees mortar can destroy enemy objects that have hidden behind obstacles, while remaining out of reach. Whatever critics say , this is an effective weapon - howitzer "Tulip". The range of the main gun is 19 km.

Testing

All combat equipment before the arming is a series of tests. This artillery bouquet did not pass this fate. One of the main designers told the case about the trial of "Acacia".

During the control check, there was an unexpected launch of the missile in the launcher, when it was in the starting position. Fortunately, there was no warhead in the rocket. Due to the start-up charge, she dragged the whole installation, until she hit the wall, then broke away and began to wag through the landfill, without any sacrifices. Also, the "Acacia" had a problem with the removal of powder gases, they accumulated in the crew compartment. It was necessary to create a pressure difference, so that the gases flew out after the projectile through the gun.

The howitzer "Tulip" showed itself from the best side. As a target, concrete fortifications were used, they were fired for many years, but thanks to their strength, they demolished everything. After the volley "Tulip" from them there was only a funnel depth of 10 meters and as much as wide.

New shells for howitzer

The mortars were modified, improved, and new shells were produced for them. It is worth mentioning one such mine, 1K113 "Smelchak". Developed it in the late 80's. Unlike a conventional mine, it has a limited opening time for the optics window for homing and turning on the laser for target designation.

Not far from the target, at a distance of 200 to 5000 m, a spotter with a designator is placed. It highlights the target only when the mine is at a distance of 400-800 m. The opponent even has no time for response, even if there is a fact of target designation.

A shot with such a shell hits a target with a radius of 2-3 m with a probability of 80-90%.

Tulip in Afghanistan

After the field tests it was necessary to check the artillery in the conditions of combat operations. Afghanistan was the first such point. "Tulip" was indispensable with its ability to hit the enemy in shelter and on another hillside, fill the caves with one shell and drop morale with spectacular destruction. Especially the advantages of the "Tulip" were noticeable during the storming of fortresses, 122-mm shells were stuck in the clay wall, while 240 mm destroyed everything. Thanks to the angle of shooting, you can put the installation 20 meters from the wall of the house, give the maximum angle and hit the enemy, who hid from the other side of the building, in order to know what the "Tulip" is. Mortar, howitzer or just a cannon - the technical term does not matter when shells whistle overhead.

When using the "Smelchak" mines, the accuracy increased, they were beaten directly into the cave entrances, where the enemy was hiding.

Artillery is the god of war

In their memories, the military often regrets that they had little artillery, because it never happens a lot. The heavy hooting of cannons inspires confidence in their own and pushes the enemy, literally and figuratively, into the ground.

Installation "Tulip" is still in service. No country has a mortar of this caliber. In Europe and the United States, the caliber does not exceed 120 mm.