2S7 Pion
| 2S7 Pion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin |  Soviet Union |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 46.5 tons |
| Length | 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 3.38 m (11 ft 1 in) |
| Height | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) |
| Crew | 7 |
| Armor | 10mm max. |
Main armament | 203 mm 2A44 gun |
| Engine | V-46-I V12 turbocharged diesel 840 hp |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | Road: 650 km (400 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
The 2S7 Pion ("peony") or Malka is a Soviet self-propelled gun. "2S7" is its GRAU designation.
It was identified for the first time in 1975 in the Soviet army and so was called M-1975 by NATO (the 2S4 Tyulpan also received the M-1975 designation), whereas its official designation is SO-203(2S7). Its design is based on a T-80 chassis carrying an externally mounted 2A44 203 mm gun on the hull rear.
It takes the crew of 7 men 5–6 minutes to come into action and 3–5 minutes to come out of action. It carries 4 203 mm projectiles for immediate use while the remainder is carried by another vehicle and it is capable of firing nuclear ammunition of the same calliber. The gun has a range of 37,500 m but the range can be extended to 55,500 m by using RAPs (Rocket Assisted Projectiles). The Pion has been the most powerful conventional artillery piece since its introduction and it remains so today.
Variants
- 2S7 Pion
- 2S7M Mialka - An improved variant which entered service in 1983 that improved the gun's fire control systems, increased the rate of fire to 2.5 rounds per minute, and increased the ammunition load to 8 projectiles.[1]
- BTM-4 Trench Digger[2]
Operators
Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that well over 1,000 have been built.[3]
Azerbaijan - 12; (3 acquired in 2008 and 9 acquired in 2009[4])
Belarus - 36
Georgia[5][6]
Russia - 160[7]
Slovakia - unknown number, at least one, used for testing
Ukraine - 99
Uzbekistan - 48
Former operators
Soviet Union - Passed on to successor states.
Czechoslovakia - Withdrawn from service in 1990
Poland - Withdrawn from service in 2006.
Popular Culture
The 2S7 Pion appears in in the video game, World in Conflict, as the Soviet heavy artillery piece.
References
- ^ http://www.enemyforces.net/artillery/pion.htm
- ^ http://www.military-today.com/artillery/2s7_pion.htm
- ^ Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0-7106-1542-6
- ^ What weaponry did Azerbaijan buy from Russia last year?
- ^ http://www.military-today.com/artillery/2s7_pion.htm
- ^ http://www.armyrecognition.com/georgia/georgia_army_georgian_land_ground_forces_military_equipment_armoured_vehicles_pictures_information_d.html
- ^ http://warfare.ru/?lang=&catid=240&linkid=1564&linkname=2s7m-Pion-Self-Propelled-Gun
See also
External links
