Sprut anti-tank gun

2A45 "Sprut-A", 2A45M "Sprut-B" and 2S25 "Sprut-SD" (NATO classification - "Squid") are the designations of the Soviet Smoothbore 125 mm anti-tank gun.

Development

The 2A45M was created in the late 1980s at the Petrov Design Bureau at Artillery Plant Number 9 also responsible for the 2A18 / D-30 howitzer.

Description (Sprut-B)

The most distinctive feature of the Sprut-B is its APU, which can propel the gun on relatively flat surfaces (up to 15 degrees slope) and at 14km/h on roads. This gives the gun a measure of mobility on the battle field - although it takes 2 minutes to go from firing position to travelling position and 1.5 minutes to go from travelling position to firing position.

The gun features a crew of seven. During the day the OP4M-48A direct fire sight is used, at night the 1PN53-1 night vision sight is used. For indirect fire the 2Ts33 iron sights are used, along with the PG-1m panoramic sight. The gun can reliably engage targets 2m high at a distance of 2000m [http://www.enemyforces.com/artillery/sprut.htm] .

The barrel features a thermal sleeve to prevent temperature changes affecting the accuracy. The gun uses the same split ammunition as the T-64, T-72,T-80 and T-90 tanks.

With an additional piece of equipment of the 9S53, laser guided projectiles like the Svir or 9K120 "Reflecks" can be fired.

General characteristics (Sprut-B)

* Calibre: 125 mm, 51 calibre
* Muzzle brake: double `T' type
* Breech mechanism: semi-automatic, vertical wedge
* Shield: yes
* Weight:
**(towing) 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs)
**(self-propelled) 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs)
**(firing) 6,575 kg (14,495 lbs)
* Length:
**(towing) 7.120 m (23.35 ft)
**(self-propelled) 6.790 m (22.27 ft)
* Height:
**(towing) 2.09 m (6.85 ft)
**(self-propelled) 2.35 m (7.70 ft)
* Width:
**(towing) 2.66 m (8.72 ft)
**(self-propelled) 2.66 m (8.72 ft)
* Axis of bore: 0.925 m (3 ft)
* Track: 2.20 m (7.21 ft)
* Ground clearance: 0.36 m (1.18 ft)
* Elevation/depression: +25/-6º
* Traverse: 360º
* Range:
**(APFSDS) 2,000 m (2,187 yds)
**(missile) 5,000 m (5,468 yds)
**(HE) 12,200 m (13,342 yds)
* Traverse: 360º
* Rate of fire: 6-8 rds/min
* Fording: 0.9 m (2.95 ft)
* Speed:
**(in APU mode) 14 km/h (8.69 mph)
* Range:
**(in APU mode) 50 km (31 mi)
* Crew: 7
* Towing vehicle: Ural-4320 (6 × 6) truck, MT-LB multipurpose tracked vehicle
* Towing speed: 80 km/h (49.7 mph)

Ammunition

The gun uses the same ammunition as the D-81 series of guns used on the T-64, T-72, T-80 and T-90 tanks.

See 125mm Smoothbore Rounds for details.

Models

* Sprut-A 2A45 Pure towed gun.
* Sprut-B 2A45M Self propelled towed gun.
* Sprut-SD 2S25 A self propelled gun mounted on the BMD-3 chassis with a turret mounting the stabilised 2A75 125mm smoothbore gun [http://warfare.ru/?catid=240&linkid=1579] .

Users

* Russia
* Hungary
* Yugoslavia

References

* Hull, A.W. , Markov, D.R. , Zaloga, S.J. (1999). "Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present". Darlington Productions. ISBN 1-892848-01-5.
* [http://www.milparade.com/catalog/pdf/99.pdf Military Parade]
* [http://www.enemyforces.com/artillery/sprut.htm Enemy Forces]
* Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002-2003