Self-propelled antitank gun "Sprut-SD" 2S25: characteristics and photos

In the 1980s, NATO countries began to intensively build up their weapons. This was the impetus for the Central Scientific 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 resisting NATO tanks, in the 1990s, the joint venture Volgograd Tractor Plant developed a self-propelled anti-tank cannon 2S25 "Sprut-SD" specially for the Airborne Forces of Russia.

About authors of development

"Sprut-SD" 2S25 is a Russian airborne self-propelled anti-tank gun. The main designer, engaged in the manufacture of the chassis, was A. V. Shabalin. The 125-mm gun 2A75 to the "Sprut-SD" 2S25 was developed by VI Nasedkin. Work on the creation of this Russian anti-tank weapon was carried out at the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering.

Start of creation

In 1982, based on the BMP-2 combat vehicle, a model SAU 2S25 "Sprut-SD" was developed, designed for a caliber of 125 mm. This was a confirmation that using the units and assemblies of the amphibious vehicle it is quite possible to create a new, very effective weapon. The management of the Central Research Institute Tochmash decided that to design a lighter chassis it is possible to use a lightweight tank "Object 934", which was equipped with a lightweight 100 mm rifled cannon with a charging automaton designed for 19 rounds.

One of these tanks became the basis for creating a prototype of a 125-mm gun. The upgraded "Sprut-SD" tank was now equipped with a smooth-bore 125mm gun. In the process, a classical tower scheme was used. In addition, the designers considered options for the removal of weapons.

Testing

In 1984, for the experienced shooting at the test site in Kubinka was transported "Sprut-SD" 2S25. The results of the testing of the new automatic control system showed that for 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-millimeter cannon for the Sprut-SD 2C25.

With what difficulties did the developers encounter when creating the means of landing?

Means P260, ensuring the landing of the self-propelled unit, during the test showed a number of shortcomings:

• Their production was costly;
• The use of P260 was difficult.

As a result, work on the parachute-jet means was stopped, and the place P260 was occupied by a free-form landing system, which received the designation P260 M.

What is "Sprut-SD" 2S25? Description of construction

The self-propelled artillery system is a combat armored crawler floating machine, using as its armament a powerful artillery and missile system.

ACS consists of three parts - housings:

• In the front there is an item providing control of the Sprut-SD 2C25 machine. The photo below represents the features of the structure of the self-propelled plant. This building is designed for three people: the commander of the self-propelled gunner, gunner and driver-mechanic. In the roof of the combat vehicle for the crew there are built-in observation devices with day and night vision.

• In the middle case there is a tower of the installation. This unit is combat. The sight, intended for the elder in the crew, is a combined design: the scope of its activity extends to two planes due to alignment with the laser sight. The 125-mm projectile is guided by a laser beam.
• The rear part is considered the place of the motor-transmission compartment.

Arrangement of a workplace for the commander

At the workplace of the main crew, the designers of the artillery installation provide for the presence of such devices:

• Day monocular periscope sight 1A40-M1, which has a stabilizing field of view;
• Night optic-electronic complex TO1-KO1R;
• Laser rangefinder, with which the commander measures the distance to the target and produces a pre-emptive angle during firing on a moving target;
• An information channel, through which the guided missile is guided and launched;
• A backup ballistic and sighting device used by the gunner;
• A special panel that performs autonomous control of the automation when charging;
• The drives providing operational communication between the commander and the gunner.

What are the tasks of the commander of the crew?

The main one in the group, using the night and day vision sights, monitors the terrain. The commander of this self-propelled artillery installation, independent of the gunner, can perform aimed shooting both from 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 calculates the angles and anticipations with the help of the drives. Due to this function, the commander does not need to perform retargeting using rangefinders and sight marks. The commander can freely perform shooting.

How is the created weapon classified?

Anti-tank self-propelled artillery installation - to this class of guns was included the combat vehicle "Sprut-SD" 2S25. The purpose and range of her tasks were limited to fighting enemy tanks. Previously, this task was carried out by tanks such as PT-76B and "Object 934". They were replaced with the advent of 2S25 "Sprut-SD". The fire fighting machine, unlike other light tanks, has a higher firepower. Maneuverability and patency of the new ACS corresponds to the characteristics typical for the combat weapons of light tanks. "Sprut-SD" is a modern and more advanced version of the PT-76B.

In what conditions is it operated?

"Sprut-SD" in a condition without refueling to overcome distances not less than 500 kilometers. Transportation ACS is carried out by military transport aviation. Also for this purpose landing ships can be used. To drop the installation its developers provide landing and parachute methods. At the same time, the crew of the combat vehicle is in its cabin. Having high specific power, "Sprut-SD" is suitable for conducting combat operations both in high-mountainous terrain and in hot tropical climate.

The SAU is able to withstand the enemy's highly armored equipment, its fortified strong points and manpower. Overcoming of water obstacles is possible provided that the excitement does not exceed 3 points. Work on water artillery installation can be at the expense of water - jet engines equipped on the chassis . The buoyancy of the installation is provided by means of water cushions with a diameter of 34 cm working wheels and supporting rollers. The design of the automatic control system has closed air chambers. When water enters the housing, pumping is carried out using powerful water pumps. Being afloat, the "Sprut-SD" can fire.

After fulfilling its combat mission, the ACS is adapted to perform an independent loading from the water surface into the landing ship.

Snowmobile caterpillars and asphalt shoes are used especially for work in snow-covered terrain. "Sprut-SD" is suitable for the area that received radiation, chemical and biological contamination. The crew's safety provides protection against weapons of mass destruction.

The artillery machine can be masked by means of a smoke screen. For this purpose, the designers mounted brackets (2 pieces) on the aft leaf of the SAU tower, in which there are six 902B grenade launchers using 81 mm grenade smoke grenades.

For what purpose was the combat vehicle created?

Initially, the SAU was designed to withstand tanks, various armored vehicles and manpower. 2С25 "Sprut-SD" - combat vehicle of fire support - was intended only for the airborne forces. The task of the self-propelled artillery unit was to combat armored vehicles in the rear of the enemy. Over time, it became part of the Marine Corps and special forces. Experience with the use of 2S25 showed that, by interacting with a BMD-4 combat vehicle equipped with a 100-mm gun and self-propelled Cornet ATGM, the Sprut-SD can be very effective not only in the rear of the enemy, but also in a direct battle clash that Conduct the ground forces of the Armed Forces of Russia.

In the interval from 2001 to 2006, after additional tests, the Russian Federation troops received a "Sprut-SD" 2S25 combat vehicle in their location.

Main characteristics

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 two-caterpillar tracks that use rubber-metal hinges, and asphalt shoes. The length of the automatic control system with the gun is 9.77 meters.

The fighting vehicle is equipped with a six-cylinder four-stroke opposed diesel engine with supercharging and direct injection of fuel, for which liquid cooling is provided. 2В-06-2С - the brand of the engine installed in "Sprut-SD" 2S25. Technical characteristics of the engine allow the automatic control system to develop a speed from 45 (average) to 70 km / h.

The automatic control system is equipped with bulletproof armor. The frontal part is able to withstand direct hits of 23 mm shells from a distance of half a kilometer. In the process of manufacturing armor for a combat vehicle, aluminum alloys were used (for the body of the automatic control system and its towers). The frontal part was made using steel linings. For combat vehicles are provided radio stations R-173 and intercoms P-174.

Airborne landing of the combat vehicle is carried out from IL-76 (models M and MD), AN-124. The use of an external suspension for the MI-26 helicopter also allows the successful landing of the self-propelled unit "Sprut-SD" 2S25.

Armament of the Russian Army was enriched by a self-propelled gun, equipped with one smooth-bore cannon 2A75 and a PKT machine gun paired with it. The combat set of the main gun 2A75 is designed for 40 shots. Mechanized laying contains 22 ammunition. Additional - 18. The caliber of the machine gun: 7.62 mm. One machine gun belt contains 2,000 rounds.

What shells are used?

Ammunition of the combat vehicle contains shells, which make it possible to shoot four types:

• High explosive fragmentation (20 rounds).
• Armor piercing (14 pieces). By firing armor-piercing and sub-caliber projectiles from a two-kilometer distance, it is possible to pierce a homogeneous armored steel, the thickness of which does not exceed 23 cm.
• Cumulative projectiles (6 pieces). Punch homogeneous steel armor thickness of up to 30 cm.
• Equipped with anti-tank guided missiles. Break through the armor, the thickness of which exceeds 35 cm.

Basic equipment installation

Using the 2A46 tank gun and its modifications, the 2S25 designers created an advanced 125mm smooth-bore gun 2A75. In order to reduce the resistance to kickbacks during shooting, it was planned to have a special muzzle brake in the installation. But as a result of these works there were problems with the return of the gun, which were solved by increasing the retraction length to 74 cm. In addition, a hydropneumatic suspension of the chassis was developed, the mechanism of which absorbed the residuals from the recoil momentum.

The 2A75 cannon is equipped with a charging automatics, which has a positive effect on the rate of fire of the gun: in one minute, 7 shots can be fired. This automation consists of:

• A conveyor mechanism equipped with 22 cassettes;
• Chain mechanism that lifts the cassettes;
• Chain senders;
• Mechanism, which removes from the warhead of the set of fired shells.

Conclusion

The firepower of the combat vehicle "Sprut-SD" is not inferior to such tanks as the T-80 and T-90. High mobility both on land and on water allowed the SAU 2S25 to reach the level of the BMD-3 combat vehicle. Due to the design features - the ability of the turret in the automatic control system to perform circular rotation and stabilize the weapon in two planes - "Sprut-SD" can be effectively used as a lightweight floating tank, which today has not created any analogues.

The self-propelled artillery unit, developed by Russian designers, aroused interest among representatives of the armed forces of Korea and India.