2S3 Akatsiya

Infobox Weapon
name=2S3 "Akatsiya" (Object 303)


caption=2S3 in the Artillery Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, 6 May 2007
origin=flagcountry|Soviet Union
type=Self-propelled howitzer
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=
is_vehicle=yes
is_missile=
is_UK=
service=1971-present
used_by=See Operators and former operators
wars=See Combat history
designer=
design_date=1967 - 1968
manufacturer=Ural Vehicle Engineering Works (UZTM, "Uraltransmash") in Sverdlovsk
unit_cost=
production_date=1970 - 1993

number=
variants=
spec_label=2S3M
weight=27.5 t [http://armoured.vif2.ru/2s3.htm Самоходная артиллерийская установка 2С3 "Акация" ] ]
length=8.4 m with howitzer in forward position (7.765 m hull only) [http://armoured.vif2.ru/2s3.htm Самоходная артиллерийская установка 2С3 "Акация" ] ]
part_length=
width=3.25 m [http://armoured.vif2.ru/2s3.htm Самоходная артиллерийская установка 2С3 "Акация" ] ]
height= 3.05 m (2.615 m without a machine gun) [http://armoured.vif2.ru/2s3.htm Самоходная артиллерийская установка 2С3 "Акация" ] ]
crew=4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
armour=bullet-proof (15 mm hull, 30 mm front of a hull and a turret) [ [http://www.museum-tank.ru/IIIwar/tables3/2c30.html 2С3 Акация ] ]
primary_armament=152 mm L/27 D-22 (2A33M) howitzer (ammunition 46 rounds) [http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml 152-мм самоходная гаубица 2С3 «Акация» (2S3 Akatsiya 152-mm self-propelled artillery system) ] ] [http://www.wartechnic.ru/rus/ground/selfpropelledartillery/2c3/teh.shtml 2С3 Акация - Описание ] ]
secondary_armament=7.62 mm remotely-controlled PKT tank machine gun (ammunition 1,500 rounds) [http://www.wartechnic.ru/rus/ground/selfpropelledartillery/2c3/teh.shtml 2С3 Акация - Описание ] ]
engine=V-59, 12-cylinder 4-stroke V-shaped water-cooled diesel [http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml 152-мм самоходная гаубица 2С3 «Акация» (2S3 Akatsiya 152-mm self-propelled artillery system) ] ]
engine_power=520 hp (382.7 kW) at 2,000 rpm [http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml 152-мм самоходная гаубица 2С3 «Акация» (2S3 Akatsiya 152-mm self-propelled artillery system) ] ]
transmission= mechanical double-flow, planetary gear-gearbox unit
payload_capacity=
fuel_capacity=830 l [http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml 152-мм самоходная гаубица 2С3 «Акация» (2S3 Akatsiya 152-mm self-propelled artillery system) ] ]
pw_ratio=18.9 hp/t (13.92 kW/t)
suspension=independent torsion bars with hydraulic shock absorbers of 1^st and 6^th road wheels
clearance=0.45 m [http://armoured.vif2.ru/2s3.htm Самоходная артиллерийская установка 2С3 "Акация" ] ]
vehicle_range=500 km [http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml 152-мм самоходная гаубица 2С3 «Акация» (2S3 Akatsiya 152-mm self-propelled artillery system) ] ]
speed=63 km/h (road), 45 km/h (off-road) [http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml 152-мм самоходная гаубица 2С3 «Акация» (2S3 Akatsiya 152-mm self-propelled artillery system) ] ]

The 2S3 "Akatsiya" (Russian - 2С3 «Акация», English - 2S3 "Acacia") is a 152 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by the Soviet Union as a response to appearance of American 155 mm M109 howitzer and produced during the Cold War. A project development started in 1967 according to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of USSR from 4 July, 1967. 2S3 is its GRAU index for self-propelled artillery systems. The artillery system was developed in Sverdlovsk (design bureau No. 9 of Engineering Works named for M. I. Kalinin) and the chassis was developed by "Uraltransmash" Ural Vehicle Engineering Works (UZTM).

Description

Designated "M1973" by the US Army, the "Akatsiya" is armed with a 152 mm howitzer based on the Soviet D-20 howitzer and is sometimes confused with the M109 self-propelled howitzer. The official Soviet designation was SO-152, but it is more known as the 2S3 "Akatsiya". The factory designation of the gun is D-22 and is also known as the 2A33 (GRAU designation).

Driver's and engine-transmission compartments are located in a front part of a hull, fighting compartment with rotatory turret - in middle and rear parts of the hull. The armour is welded rolled steel. Howitzer is equipped with R-123 radio set, R-124 intercom, automatic NBC system with filtration unit and fire-fighting equipment. The V-59 12-cylinder four stroke water-cooled diesel engine connects with a mechanical twin gear transmission, a gear box is in one block with a planetary steering gear. 2S3 has self-entrenching equipment which allows to prepare a trench within 20-40 min.

The crew consists of 4-6 men: a driver, a gunner, a loader, a commander, and two ammunition bearers, which are positioned to the rear of the vehicle feeding rounds through two hatches in the hull rear when in masked firing position.

Armament

The 152.4 mm L/27 howitzer D-22 (2A33) can be elevated from -4° to +60° with a turret traverse of a full 360°. Rate of fire is 2.6 - 3.5 rounds/min depending on fire conditions. Howitzer is equipped with a double-baffle muzzle brake, a semi-automatic vertical wedge breechblock and an ejector. 2S3 has periscopic sight and telescopic sight of direct pointing. Howitzer has separate type of loading with ammunition (40 rounds) arranged in two mechanized stowages (in the turret and in the rear of the hull). The 2S3 "Akatsiya" can fire OF-540 and OF-25 HE-Frag 43.56-kg projectiles (also all types of rounds developed for 152 mm towed howitzer-guns ML-20 and D-20, and for towed howitzer D-1) at a maximum range of 18.5 km depending of used charge or rocket-assisted projectiles to a maximum of 24 km. Other projectiles available to the "Akatsiya" include BP-540 HEAT-FS (sight distance is 3 km, 250 mm armor penetration), Br-540B and Br-540 AP-T (115-120 mm armor penetration at a 1000 m), OF-38 "Krasnopol" laser-guided rocket-assisted projectiles, S1 illuminating, ZH3 smoke, nuclear projectiles (with explosive capacity of 2 kt). Secondary armament represents remotely-controlled 7.62 mm PKT tank machine gun on commander's cupola for anti-aircraft defence and self-defence in close combat.

Maneuverability

The "Akatsiya" chassis is based on that of the Ob'yekt 123 tracked chassis [http://www.jedsite.info/misc/oscar/obyekt_series/obyekt-series.html Ob'yekt series of experimental armoured vehicles] , Mike Grif] of the 2K11 "Krug" surface-to-air missile system; it includes six (rather than seven as in the 2K11 "Krug") twin rubber-tired road wheels, four rubber-tired return rollers (two single and two twin), front drive sprocket with detachable sprocket rings (lantern-wheel gear) and idler wheel per side. The track is 14.375 m long, 482 mm wide and has 115 links. 2S3 "Akatsiya" can cross 0.7 m high vertical obstacles, 3.0 m wide trenches, 1.05 m fording depth and climb 30° gradients. [http://armoured.vif2.ru/2s3.htm Самоходная артиллерийская установка 2С3 "Акация" ] ] [http://legion.wplus.net/guide/army/ar/2s3.shtml 152-мм самоходная гаубица 2С3 "Акация" (2S3 Akatsiya 152-mm self-propelled artillery system) ] ] It can be transported by transport plane An-22 (carries two self-propelled howitzers of this type).

eries production

Two prototypes of 2S3 were built in the end of 1968. Factory tests were finished in October 1969 and they discovered strong gas contamination of fighting compartment during intensive gunnery, especially with the use of small charges. So army inspectors did not accept four 2S3 built in summer 1969 for ground tests. But the problem of gas contamination was solved finally and 2S3 entered service of the Soviet Army in 1971. The first three serial 2S3 were built by UZTM in the end of 1970, in 1971 - nine were produced and the works received the order for 70 2S3 in 1973. The massproduction was finished in 1993.

Variants

*2S3 - basic variant. Produced in 1970-1975.
**Ob'yekt 303 armed with a 152 mm D-11 howitzer (bag loading). Experimental prototype built in the end of 1960s.
***Ob'yekt 303 armed with a 152 mm D-11M howitzer (bag loading). Experimental prototype built in the end of 1960s.
**2S3M equipped with a one mechanized drum-type stowage for 12 rounds, the amount of hatches in rear armored plates of the hull and the turret was reduced, the configuration of those hatches was changed, antenna of R-123 radio set was transferred on a turret top. Ammunition was increased from 40 to 46 rounds (usually consists of 42 OF-540 and OF-25 HE-Frag projectiles, and of 4 BP-540 HEAT-FS projectiles). Much more powerful OF-29 HE-Frag projectiles and OF-38 "Krasnopol" laser-guided rocket-assisted projectiles were developed for 2S3M. The modernized howitzer has a designator 2A33M. Produced in 1975-1987.
***2S3M1 equipped with a command data acquisition and display equipment, and with a new SP-538 sight. OF-38 "Krasnopol" laser-guided rocket-assisted projectiles were added to standard ammunition. Produced in 1987-1993. All "Akatsiya" SPGs of previous variants were modernized to 2S3M1 level.
****2S3M2 armed with a new 155 mm M-385 howitzer. Modernized variant equipped with an automatic fire control system and a satellite navigational system. Developed in 2000.

ervice and combat history

Former USSR

2S3 "Akatsiya" was intended for inventory of artillery regiments of Soviet tank and motor rifle divisions. At first only one gun battalion of each artillery regiment was equipped with 2S3 "Akatsiya" (18 self-propelled howitzers).

In the end of 1980s self-propelled artillery regiments of Soviet first echelon tank and motor rifle divisions (for example, belonged to Group of Soviet Forces in Germany) each had 36 or 54 self-propelled howitzers of this type (2 or 3 gun battalions). Thus, 96^th self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Borna) of 9^th tank division had 54 2S3, 744^th Guards Ternopol self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Altengrabow) of 10^th Guards tank division had 36 2S3, 841^st Guards Red Banner Chernovtsy self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Chemnitz) of 11^th tank division had 36 2S3, 117^th self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Mahlwinkel) of 12^th Guards tank division had 34 2S3, 724^th Guards Warsaw self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Neustrelitz) of 16^th Guards tank division had 54 2S3, 99^th Guards Red Banner Pomerania self-propelled regiment (stationed in Magdeburg) of 47^th Guards tank division had 36 2S3, 172^nd Guards Red Banner Berlin self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Rudolstadt) of 79^th Guards tank division had 36 2S3, 400^th Red Banner Transylvania self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Bernau bei Berlin) of 90^th Guards tank division had 54 2S3, 944^th Guards Red Banner Chernovtsy-Gniezno self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Leisnig) of 20^th Guards motor rifle division had 54 2S3, 1054^th Red Banner self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Rathenow) of 21^st motor rifle division had 53 2S3, 54^th Guards Red Banner Poznan self-propelled regiment (stationed in Halle) of 27^th Guards motor rifle division had 54 2S3, 283^rd Red Banner Warsaw self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Olympisches Dorf) of 35^th motor rifle division had 54 2S3, 87^th Guards Red Banner Poznan self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Gotha) of 39^th Guards motor rifle division had 52 2S3, 199^th Guards Red Banner Brandenburg self-propelled regiment (stationed in Wismar) of 94^th Guards motor rifle division had 54 2S3, 693^rd Red Banner self-propelled artillery regiment (stationed in Stendal) of 207^th motor rifle division had 54 2S3. Also 286^th Guards Red Banner Prague howitzer artillery brigade stationed in Potsdam was equipped with 72 2S3 [ [http://www.vif2ne.ru/nvk/forum/arhprint/213214 ЗГВ по справочнику Ленского ] ]

Russia

Russian units, stationed in the European part of Russian Federation, operated around 1000 2S3 "Akatsiya" SPGs in 1995. [World Defence Almanac] In 2007 the Russian Army had 1,002 2S3 in active service and more than 1,000 in storage and the Russian Navy (marines) had 400 2S3 in active service and more than 600 in storage. [http://warfare.ru/?lang=&catid=240&linkid=1566 Akatsia Self-Propelled Howitzer | Russian Arms, Military Technology, Analysis of Russia's Military Forces ] ] As of now 2S3 "Akatsiya" are used by the following units of the Russian Army or are stationed in following bases (incomplete list): 200^th separate motor rifle brigade from Pechenga which is a part of the Leningrad Military District (36 2S3), 138^th separate motor rifle brigade from Kamenka (near Vyborg) which is a part of the Leningrad Military District (36 2S3), 2^nd Guards Taman motor rifle division from Alabino (near Moscow) which is a part of the Moscow Military District (96 2S3 in 3 motor rifle regiments and 1 tank regiment), 3^rd Sormovo motor rifle division from Mulino (near Nizhny Novgorod) which is a part of the Moscow Military District (96 2S3 in 2 motor rifle regiments and 2 tank regiments), 4^th Guards Kantemirovka tank division from Naro-Fominsk which is a part of the Moscow Military District (95 2S3 in 3 tank regiments and 1 motor rifle regiment), 10^th Guards Ural-Lvov tank division from Boguchar (Voronezh Oblast) which is a part of the Moscow Military District (75 2S3 in 2 tank regiments and 1 motor rifle regiment), 81^st separate motor rifle regiment from Samara which is a part of the Volga-Ural Military District (25 2S3), 27^th Guards motor rifle division from Totskoye which is a part of the Volga-Ural Military District (73 2S3 in 2 motor rifle regiments and 1 tank regiment), 19^th Red Banner Voronezh-Shumlin motor rifle division from Vladikavkaz which is a part of the North Caucasus Military District (16 2S3 in 3 motor rifle regiments), 205^th separate motor rifle cossack brigade from Budyonnovsk which is a part of the North Caucasus Military District (12 2S3), 136^th Guards Uman-Berlin separate motor rifle brigade from Buynaksk (Dagestan) which is a part of the North Caucasus Military District, 131^st separate motor rifle brigade from Maykop (Adygea) which is a part of the North Caucasus Military District (24 2S3), 33^rd separate motor rifle regiment from Prudboy which is a part of the North Caucasus Military District (12 2S3), two arsenals of Central Command in Perm (91 2S3).

As of now 2S3 "Akatsiya" are used by the following units of the Russian Navy or are stationed in following bases (incomplete list): 385^th storage in Lugovoe (near Kaliningrad) which belonged to the Baltic Fleet (24 2S3), storage in Gusev which belonged to the Baltic Fleet (31 2S3), 55^th marine division from Vladivostok which belonged to the Pacific Fleet.

8^th motor rifle brigade from Tiraspol (Russian operative group in Transnistria) has 36 2S3. All equipment [ [http://www.mil.ru/848/1045/1272/1365/1366/skvo/19274/index.shtml?id=26199 Новости СКВО, News of The Russian Federation Ministry of Defence ] ] of 817^th self-propelled artillery regiment of 62^nd Russian military base of the North Caucasus Military District was withdrawn from Akhalkalaki, Georgia in 2006 according to the Russian-Georgian Sochi agreement, the regiment has 30 2S3 and it is planned to relocate some of its SPGs to 102^nd Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia.

At the moment 2S3 "Akatsiya" SPG is considered as outdated because of insufficient range of fire in comparison with modern SPGs. Modernized variant 2S3M2 armed with a new 155 mm M-385 howitzer was developed in 2000 and 2 gun battalions of the Russian Army (including one of the 2^nd Taman motor rifle division) have been reequipped with 2S3M2 in 2006. [ [http://www.militaryparitet.com/nomen/russia/arty/sarty/data/ic_nomenrussiaartysarty/19/ Самоходная артиллерия - Военный паритет: мобильная МБР Тополь, основной боевой танк Т-90, истребитель МиГ-29, ракета Булава, ракеты средней дальности ] ]

Combat history

2S3 "Akatsiya" became a well-known SPG after combat operations in Afghanistan where it proved to be an effective and reliable artillery system. 2S3 SPGs were used quite successfully during two Chechen wars and military conflicts on the territory of former USSR.

*1979 - 1989 Soviet War in Afghanistan
*1992 - 1997 Civil War in Tajikistan
*1994 - 1996 First Chechen War
*1999 - Second Chechen War
*2008 South Ossetia War

Operators and former operators

2S3 "Akatsiya" SPGs were exported to foreign countries but in a relatively small amount.

* - 30 in 1995, originally 40 were purchased
* - 48
* - 30, 28 in active service in 2006
* - 168
* - 5, stored
* - 95
* - 10 were bought in Russia in 1999
* - 13 in 2006 (12 were purchased in Ukraine in 2004-2005) [http://www.deagel.com/Self-Propelled-Howitzers/2S3_a000722001.aspx 2S3 ] ] [ [http://www.armscontrol.ru/pubs/eta-georgia-061020.pdf ПРОЦЕСС КОНТРОЛЯ НАД ВООРУЖЕНИЕМ ГРУЗИИ ] ] , 1 in 2003.
* - 5 in 1995, originally 18 were bought
* - 35
* - 150
* - 55 in 1995, according to another sources - 36
* Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh - in use in the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army
* Republic of South Ossetia - 42 2S1 and 2S3 in 2007
* / RUS - 1,402 in active service, more than 1,600 in storage in 2007 [http://warfare.ru/?lang=&catid=240&linkid=1566 Akatsia Self-Propelled Howitzer | Russian Arms, Military Technology, Analysis of Russia's Military Forces ] ]
*
* - 50 in 1995 and in 2006
* - 16
* - 501
* - 4 were transferred from Germany in 1993, 3 were transferred from Ukraine in 2000 [http://www.deagel.com/Self-Propelled-Howitzers/2S3_a000722001.aspx 2S3 ] ]
* - 17
* - 30

References

ee also

*M109 howitzer - comparable US self-propelled howitzer

External links

* [http://www.motovilikha.perm.ru/oboronnaya/samohod/ 2S3 "Akatsiya" description at the website of its manufacturer]
* [http://www.armyrecognition.com/Russe/vehicule_artillerie/2S3/2S3_Russie_description.htm 2S3 from Army Recognition.com]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/2s3.htm Federation of American Scientists page]
* [http://www.armscontrol.ru/atmtc/Arms_systems/Land/Artillery/Self_Propelled/2S3_Akatsia_SP_Howitzer.htm Russian Arms Catalogue]
* [http://www.wartechnic.ru/rus/ground/selfpropelledartillery/2c3/photolist_1.shtml Photos]
* [http://warfare.ru/?lang=&catid=240&linkid=1566 List of Russian units which use 2S3 "Akatsiya" at the moment]
* [http://hobby.nikolaev.com.ua/modules.php?name=Articles&file=view&articles_id=221 In Russian. Information and drawings]