2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled gun can hit targets 70km away

Thanks to the application of new technological solutions, the 152mm 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzer can fire 16 rounds/minute - the fastest in the world.

The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzer was started by Russia in 2015 and is still in the testing phase. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that after completing all testing phases and overcoming limitations, the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV will be put into service with the Russian Army from 2020 to replace the 152mm Akatsiya 2S3 self-propelled howitzer; 2S19 “Msta” and 2S5 “Giatsint” self-propelled howitzer.

The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzer has a payload of 48 tons, a crew of 3, uses a 152mm barrel, a firing range of 40km for regular ammunition, a firing range of 70km for extended-range ammunition, 70 rounds of ammunition, a firing rate of 16 rounds/minute, a cruising speed of 65km/h, and a reserve range of 600km.

2F66-1 ammunition vehicle. Photo: Russiadefence.net

Combat ability

The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzer is intended to destroy tactical nuclear weapons, enemy artillery and mortar positions, as well as tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other armored vehicles, or anti-tank vehicles, manpower, air defense and missile defense vehicles, and enemy command posts.

In addition, it is also used to destroy combat positions, prevent the mobility of the 2nd echelon and reserve forces in the depth of the enemy's defense tactics. From the hidden position, this artillery system can shoot and destroy hidden targets, can aim directly, even in combat conditions in mountainous terrain.

Firepower

The main armament of the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV is the 152mm 2A88 gun, the barrel's wheelbase is 52 times the caliber. The tip of the barrel is fitted with a recoil reduction mechanism using a gap. The gun is loaded after each shot, and for cat-tus ammunition, the loading mechanism is modular.

The loading of the bullet into the barrel groove and the delivery of the propellant charge into the chamber is carried out by means of a gas pressure mechanism. The structure of the loading mechanism allows loading of bullets at any turret azimuth and elevation angle. This ensures a maximum rate of fire of 16 rounds per minute. This is a rate of fire that no other self-propelled gun in the world today can achieve.

Accordingly, the selection of the necessary ammunition types and determination of the loading module are performed automatically by the vehicle's electronic computer, based on the calculation of the firing element. The shot is carried out by a microwave system that detonates the propellant charge.

This method ensures that the entire propellant mass ignites simultaneously, which allows the gun to achieve the best propellant burning intensity and quickly increase the propellant gas pressure, thereby increasing the range and destructive power of the warhead.

2F66-1 ammunition vehicle. Photo: Russiadefence.net

The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled gun can fire a variety of ammunition including: fragmentation shells, extended-range rockets, illumination shells, smoke shells, incendiary shells and guided shells. The maximum range of the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV with fragmentation shells is 40km, and for extended-range rockets it is 70km, and can even perform direct aiming with high accuracy at distances under 500m.

On the roof of the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV turret there is also an auxiliary weapon - the 6S21 remotely controlled rotating platform with a 12.7mm 6P49 “Kord” machine gun. This auxiliary turret is used to observe the battlefield, detect targets through the visual channels and thermal sensors of the sight to destroy lightly armored targets, conventional vehicles, manpower, low-flying helicopters and enemy fighters at altitudes below 2,000m.

The combat module of the 6S21 sub-turret includes: 12.7mm 6P49 machine gun; visual sight or remote thermal sensor with laser rangefinder; drive unit for the sub-turret, ammunition supply system. At the operator's working position inside the vehicle body, there is a computerized firing element calculation device, control panel, power block and auxiliary equipment. The machine gun's range angle is from -50 to +750, and the direction angle is 3600. The ammunition of the 12.7mm machine gun is 200 rounds loaded in the magazine, placed in a sealed container.

Reduced exposure and survival

To reduce exposure, the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV is equipped with a cover system, a laser detection system, a control system and a smoke grenade launcher system consisting of 12 gas grenade launchers located on the roof of the vehicle and in front of the turret.

The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzer is also equipped with a protection complex and a rapid fire extinguishing system to ensure the survival of the crew. This system is responsible for cleaning the air, eliminating propellant fumes from entering the control compartment, as well as preventing radiation and toxic gases in case the enemy uses weapons of mass destruction.

2F66-1 ammunition vehicle. Photo: Russiadefence.net

Guaranteed supply of ammunition

The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV reloading process is automated, performed by the 2F66-1 vehicle. This vehicle allows the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV crew to select a variety of ammunition types in no more than 15 minutes.

The 2F66-1 ammunition carrier is a multi-purpose vehicle that can transport artillery shells from 120mm to 155mm. The maximum number of shells that the vehicle can carry is 90. Therefore, the use of the 2F66-1 ammunition carrier as part of a self-propelled artillery system ensures that the system has the ability to operate independently and has high mobility for the artillery unit. In addition, the high level of automation in loading/unloading ammunition creates favorable conditions for reducing the number of crew members participating in ammunition loading, as well as working time.

According to Kienthuc