2S7 Pion

Infobox Weapon
name=2S7 Pion


caption=
origin=USSR
type=Self-propelled artillery
is_vehicle=yes
crew=7
length=10.5 m
width=3.38 m
height=3.0 m
weight=46.5 tons
suspension=torsion bar
speed=50 km/h
vehicle_range=650km (on road)
primary_armament =203 mm 2A44 gun
secondary_armament=
armour=10mm max.
engine=V-46-I V12 turbocharged diesel
engine_power= 840 hp
pw_ratio= The 2S7 "Pion" 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-64 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 203mm projectiles for immediate use while the remainder is carried by another vehicle. The gun has a range of 37,500 m but the range can be extended to 55,500 by using RAP (Rocket Assisted Projectiles). Pion has been the most powerful conventional artillery piece since its introduction and it remains so today.__NOTOC__

Operators

Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that well over 1000 have been built. [Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0 7106 1542 6]
* - 48
* - 12 (acquired from Ukraine in 2005)
* - 800
* - 99

Former operators

*USSR - Passed on to successor states.
* - Withdrawn from service in 1990.
*POL - Withdrawn from service in 2006.

References

External links

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/2s7.htm globalsecurity.org]