Already after the Winter War of 1939, it became completely clear that the troops urgently needed powerful self-propelled guns, which could travel on their own over rough terrain to enemy locations and immediately begin to destroy the fortified areas of the latter. The Second World War finally confirmed this conjecture.
However, the situation of various kinds of self-propelled guns after the war was rather precarious: often there were assumptions about the need for the complete elimination of this type of equipment and the re-equipment of troops with new types of heavy tanks.
Fortunately, this did not happen, and therefore, in the late 60s, Soviet military designers urgently began developing completely new self-propelled guns. So a fundamentally different barrel artillery appeared. "Peony" became a clear example of the changing priorities of the Soviet command.
Basic information
This is the name of the Soviet-made self-propelled artillery mount equipped with a 203.2 mm caliber gun (2A44). It was adopted in 1976. Seven years later, in 1983, the machine was modernized. N. S. Popov and G. I. Sergeev were responsible for its development, thanks to the genius of which Peony appeared. Self-propelled guns for a long time struck the imagination of the Western military, protected them from rash steps.
What is it for?
The following tasks are assigned to this installation in the USSR military doctrine:
- Destruction of intercontinental missile mines, suppression of enemy artillery, mortar batteries.
- Elimination of bunkers and other long-term enemy defenses.
- The suppression of enemy controls, including in its rear zone.
- Destruction of large concentrations of manpower.
To date, this self-propelled gun is considered the most powerful in its class. When did Soviet artillery receive it? "Peony" began to develop in 1967.
History of creation
Then the Ministry of Defense Industry issued a new decree, which prescribed the start of work on the development and creation of a completely new artillery system on a tracked chassis. It was assumed that self-propelled guns will be used to destroy the deeply echeloned defense of the enemy and disable the means for launching intercontinental ballistic missiles. The designers were given the terms of reference, which provided that the installation would fire at least 25 kilometers away. Thus, the "Peony" - self-propelled guns of exceptional combat power.
Since everything else was given up to the engineers themselves, several design bureaus immediately offered their options:
- Initially, it was planned to use the S-23 gun (180 mm caliber) in conjunction with the chassis of the T-55 tank. The firing range from it was 30 kilometers, provided that a conventional projectile was used, while the firing range made it possible to fire already at 45 km. This prototype received the designation "Peony-1."
- It was also planned to use the S-72 cannon, but already on a special tracked chassis designed specifically for the new installation. In this case, a conventional projectile could fire 35 kilometers, with a rocket 45 kilometers.
- In addition, some experts proposed the coastal gun MU-1 (caliber 180 mm), for the role of the chassis for which, again, they “wooed” the chassis of the T-55 tank.
- Engineers at the Kirov Plant (Leningrad) believed that it was best to take a 203 mm caliber gun and install it in the wheelhouse on the chassis of the T-64 tank (the latest vehicle at that time). It was supposed to equip the gun with a folding coulter, which would significantly reduce recoil and increase firing accuracy.
Final decision
The debate was long, self-propelled gun mount "Peony" was too unusual and new for domestic industry. Only at the end of 1969, scientists agreed that the caliber of 203 mm best fits the tasks set for the new self-propelled guns. Soon, two options were presented to the court of the state commission: on the T-64 chassis (in the cabin version), as well as on the Object 429 chassis in the open version. The second option proved to be the best, and therefore they gave him a “green light” for further development. It was decided to continue work in the direction of creating a weapon that could open fire with conventional shells for 32 km, and rockets for 42 km.
In 1971, the GRAU introduced updated requirements for the developed self-propelled guns. It was assumed that the installation will use shots from the B-4 howitzer. At that time it was already decided that the maximum range of a conventional projectile was to be about 35 km, and the minimum - 8.5 km. Missile ammunition was supposed to hit the target at a distance of 43 km. The main enterprise responsible for the development was the Kirov Plant in Leningrad.
The development of the artillery unit was assigned to G.I. Sergeev. His company settled on the classic scheme of the gun, but experts suggested making significant changes to its design. The main feature - the barrel has become collapsible, modular design. It consisted of a free pipe, breech, sleeve and sleeve. Such a scheme of guns was proposed by the talented weapons engineer A. A. Kolokoltsev back in the early 70s.
So he solved the global problem of all modern artillery systems, significantly reducing their wear during intensive shooting. If we are talking about classic guns, which are made in a monoblock scheme, then they have to be sent to the manufacturer for repair, and all this time the machine will be idle, which is unacceptable in combat conditions. In the case of using the Kolokoltsev scheme, almost all breakdowns can be fixed right in the frontline.
In 1975, the self-propelled gun "Peony" successfully passed all state tests, after which its mass production was immediately launched. Final assembly (and production of the chassis itself) was carried out at the facilities of the Kirov Plant. In the late 1970s, a new Peony was developed. Self-propelled artillery mount with a 203-mm gun 2A44 received the letter "M" to the name. True, this was no longer a land development: a new gun was planned to be installed on warships.
The project completely failed at the State Acceptance, as the fleet management was not satisfied with some design features.
Design Features
The body of the machine has a rather unusual shape, somewhat reminiscent of that of the skidder of the forest. This feeling is largely due to the fact that the crew cabin is far ahead. In addition to its direct function, it plays the role of a heavy counterweight, which helps to cope with the monstrous recoil force when fired. It houses the places of the gunner, commander and driver. In domestic practice, for the first time, two-layer armor was used for the manufacture of self-propelled guns, which provided adequate protection for the crew from the fire of personal small arms and even machine guns.
The engine (V-shaped B-46-1) is located immediately behind the cab. Behind it is a place for the maintenance calculation of the installation. Driving wheels are located in front. The steering wheels, in addition to their main function, also perform the work of the counterweight, dropping to the ground before a shot. In addition, to reduce the effect of powerful recoil, the gun itself is equipped with openers. For quick "grounding" of the machine on the ground there is a digging mechanism. It works due to autonomous hydraulic drives.
The coulter for digging is designed like a dozer blade. It can dig into the ground for 70 centimeters. Stability is also increased not only due to the guide wheels, but also with the help of hydraulic shock absorbers of the track rollers of the tracked chassis. When shooting with a reduced charge, as well as when shooting direct fire, the coulter is not necessary to lower. However, the 203 mm “Peony” produces such a powerful shot that this should be done only in case of a sudden meeting with the enemy.
The exterior of the hull resembles a “box” divided by partitions into four main zones: a place for the power plant and a control compartment, aft and a room for calculation. In the engine compartment is located not only the main engine, but also a backup power plant. In the aft compartment, spare batteries, canisters with a reserve fuel reserve, as well as ammunition for personal self-defense of the crew are stored. This is an approximate scheme of "Peony".
Chassis
It consists of front wheels (leading), road wheels in the amount of seven pairs, as well as six pairs of road wheels. For directional stability are also responsible for the rear steering wheels. Caterpillars are assembled using rubber mounts. The independent suspension is equipped with powerful hydraulic shock absorbers. Characteristically, most of the chassis was borrowed from the T-80 tank, the latest at that time. However, a mechanical transmission was taken from the Nizhny Tagil T-72.
Gun characteristics
As we already said, it is mounted directly on the case, there is no tower. The 2A44 gun itself is mounted on a massive swivel. The mass of the gun’s body is 14.6 tons. It consists of a bolt (piston type, opens up), a barrel, a cradle and a loading device, a mechanism that extinguishes a recoil. Rotation and lifting devices are responsible for the tip-off, two pneumatic balancing-type mechanisms extinguish the return. The barrel of the gun is closed by a heat-dissipating casing.
But the main feature of the gun is not this. Despite the crushing power of the shot, domestic experts chose to abandon the use of the muzzle brake, solving the problem of strong recoil in other ways. Thanks to this, it became possible to abandon heavy and bulky devices to protect the crew from the
shock wave of a shot, since such a gun has a minimum. By the way, this is the only installation of this kind that the
artillery of Russia has. "Peony" in this regard is unique and globally.
Armament calculation
For possible self-defense, the crew is armed with such a set: MANPADS (Igla or Verba in the modern version), RPG-7 (or RPG-29), several F-1 defensive grenades, four AKMS-74s and a signal pistol. In a combat situation, the calculation may be armed beyond the norm. Thus, the “Peony” (203 mm) is a self-propelled gun that can stand up for itself in any conditions.
Shutter mechanism
Shutter firing mechanism - shock type. The mechanical drive allows you to fully automate the processes of opening and closing the shutter (moreover, if necessary, the calculation can be performed manually). Since many details of this device are very heavy, specialists have included an effective balancing device in the design of the gun. The firing mechanism is equipped with a special store in which capsule charges for shots are located.
The shot can be carried out both by means of an electric descent (normal operation) and an extension cord (emergency situation), which also equips the "Peony". A self-propelled artillery installation, however, has such a shot energy that it is not recommended to use a cord to play it.
Loading and Shot Order
The gun is equipped with a semi-automatic loading system, working with hydraulic drives. The latter allows charging at almost any position of the barrel, which is extremely important for the mechanism of such dimensions and caliber. The whole process is controlled from a separate remote control. The loading process is as follows:
- First, a shell is placed in the charging chamber.
- After it, a kick charge is placed.
- A capsule is taken from the above-mentioned capsule magazine and manually inserted into the charge.
- The shutter closes.
- After the shot, the used capsule tube is ejected automatically.
To facilitate ammunition from the ground, a special hand cart for shells is used. It consists of a power frame and a removable stretcher. The latter are removed from the frame to facilitate the supply of shells to the charging chamber. In urgent cases, it is possible to carry them manually to reduce loading time. Note that when supplying shells from the ground, at least six people are required at the rate of the Peony machine (203 mm). The 2C7 self-propelled gun needs very massive shells, which are extremely difficult to work with.
The sighting system is represented by a mechanical version of the D726-45 model, the PG-1M gun panorama, as well as the optical sighting device OP4M-99A. For better aiming, the K-1 artillery collimator is used, as well as the milestone Sat 13-11 and the Luch-S71M terrain lighting device (it is often used by domestic artillery). "Peony" with equal success can be used both from closed positions and through direct aiming at enemy positions. However, given the low security of the installation, they are not advised to do this.
Ammunition and firing modes
As we said, the Peony self-propelled gun uses separate loading shells for firing. The expelling charges are packed in linen containers and stored in sealed containers. Of course, their storage should be given special attention (which is not surprising). Standard ammunition consists of 40 rounds, with only 4-6 of them being transported in the combat compartment of a self-propelled gun.
They are an “untouchable reserve” and should only be used as a last resort. The remaining shots are transported by a transport machine, which each Peony (203 mm) is "equipped with". The 2C7 self-propelled gun is already too massive and heavy, so such a distinction is vital.
Rate of fire is 1.5 rounds per minute (maximum). The manufacturer provides several possible shooting modes:
- Within five minutes, about eight shots can be fired.
- In ten minutes - 15 shots.
- Within 20 minutes - 24 volleys.
- For half an hour - 30 shots (almost impossible in combat, requires the highest skill calculation).
- In one hour - 40 volleys.
To carry out hostilities at night, the 2S7 Peony self-propelled gun is equipped with two night vision devices of the TVNE-4B model. The radio station R-123 is responsible for communication, a station of the brand 1B116 is used for internal negotiations. To increase the survivability of self-propelled guns on the battlefield, the design includes: an automatic fire extinguishing installation, devices for filtering and air ventilation, a decontamination system, which at that time began to be used in all the latest Soviet tanks. Some crew comfort in winter conditions is created using a heating system.
In total, the crew of this self-propelled guns includes 14 people at once. Moreover, only half of them is a direct calculation of the installation. The remaining people are part of the support team, and on the march they are located in the back of a truck or an armored personnel carrier that carries ammunition, and they are used by Peony. Self-propelled artillery installation does not accidentally need a separate vehicle for ammunition.
About ammunition
The mass of each shell is 110 kilograms. Length - exactly one meter. Charging is carried out using a special charging mechanism, which in the working position is located on the right side of the gun’s charging chamber. The specialist who deals with the projectile, performs this operation using the control panel.
It is known that this artillery ("Peonies") can use three types of shells at once: conventional (high-explosive), reactive and nuclear. The power of the latter can exceed 2 kT (no exact data). Nuclear shells, by the way, are the “calling card” that distinguishes domestic artillery. "Peony" is armed with special shots to destroy concrete fortifications and chemical charges.
Between a high-explosive fragmentation shell and a missile shell, the choice is made immediately before combat use, according to the situation. Given the enormous power of the gun, both main types of shots can be used to destroy powerful fortifications, so special charges for eliminating bunkers often remain unclaimed.
However, they definitely should not be "written off". Just imagine a shell that crashes into a target at a speed of more than 2 Machs! It easily breaks through even the very thick walls of any fortifications, as well as the walls of missile silos with intercontinental ballistic missiles that conventional artillery does not take. Peonies are thus an extremely powerful and versatile type of weapon.
Some important notes
Nuclear weapons can only be used (!) With the permission of the High Command. They are delivered to the battery location on special trucks, and the vehicle is guarded by an escort throughout the journey. Military doctrine involves the use of such shells for the complete elimination of particularly large concentrations of the enemy and the destruction of its industrial centers.
As for chemical shots, they are currently completely banned by the relevant UN decree. It is safe to say that today shooting with such ammunition is almost impossible, since their stocks were completely disposed of.
At the moment, the Russian army is armed with two versions of this machine. These are the following models: self-propelled guns 2S7 "Peony", 2S7M "Malka". The 203 mm self-propelled gun in both varieties is an extremely formidable weapon that can cause many problems to a potential enemy.