The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery system can hit targets up to 70km away.

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

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

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

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

Combat ability

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

Additionally, it was used to destroy combat fortifications, hindering the mobility of the second echelon and reserve forces deep within the enemy's tactical defenses. From concealed positions, this artillery system could fire at hidden targets, aiming directly, even in mountainous and forested terrain.

Firepower

The main armament of the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV is the 152mm 2A88 cannon, with a barrel length 52 times the caliber. The muzzle is fitted with a recoil-reducing mechanism using a gap. The cannon is loaded after each shot, while for catapult rounds, the loading mechanism is modular.

The loading of the projectile into the breech and the propellant charge into the chamber are accomplished by a pneumatic pressure mechanism. The design of the loading mechanism allows for loading at any azimuth angle of the turret and any elevation angle. This ensures a maximum firing rate of 16 rounds per minute. This is a rate of fire unmatched by any other self-propelled artillery system in the world today.

Accordingly, the selection of the necessary ammunition types and the determination of the ammunition loading module are performed automatically by the vehicle's electronic computer, based on calculations of the firing elements. The shot is fired using a microwave detonation system for the propellant charge.

This method ensures that the entire propellant charge ignites simultaneously, allowing the cannon to achieve optimal propellant combustion intensity and rapidly increase propellant gas pressure, thereby increasing the range and destructive power of the projectile.

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

The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery system can fire various types of ammunition, including fragmentation rounds, rocket-propelled rounds, illuminating rounds, smoke rounds, incendiary rounds, and guided rounds. The maximum range of the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV with fragmentation rounds is 40 km, while with rocket-propelled rounds it is 70 km, and it can even perform highly accurate direct targeting at distances under 500 meters.

On top of the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV turret is an auxiliary weapon – the 6S21 remote-controlled rotating mount with a 12.7mm 6P49 “Kord” machine gun. This auxiliary turret is used for battlefield observation, detecting targets through the imaging channels and thermal sensors of the sight to destroy lightly armored targets, conventional vehicles, personnel, low-flying helicopters, and enemy fighter aircraft at altitudes below 2,000m.

The 6S21 turret's combat module includes: a 12.7mm 6P49 machine gun; a visual sight or remote thermal imaging sight with a laser rangefinder; a drive unit for the turret; and an ammunition feeding system. Inside the vehicle's hull, the gunner's position houses a computer-controlled firing element calculation device, a control panel, a power unit, and auxiliary equipment. The machine gun's elevation angle ranges from -50 to +750 degrees, while the traverse angle is 360 degrees. The 12.7mm machine gun has a 200-round ammunition capacity, stored in a sealed magazine.

Ability to reduce exposure and survive

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

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

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

Ensure ammunition supply.

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

The 2F66-1 ammunition transport vehicle is designed for versatility, capable of transporting artillery shells ranging from 120mm to 155mm. The maximum number of rounds it can carry is 90. Therefore, using the 2F66-1 ammunition transport vehicle as part of a self-propelled artillery system ensures the system's independent operation and high mobility for the artillery unit. Furthermore, the high level of automation in loading and unloading ammunition facilitates a reduction in the number of crew members involved in resupply, as well as reducing working time.

According to Kienthuc