2B9 Vasilek

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**2B9 Vasilek Automatic Gun-Mortar**
**Technical Summary**
Bore diameter:	82mm (3.22in)
Barrel Length:	Not Known
Weight as fired:	632kg (1393lb)
Elevation:	-1° to +85°
Traverse:	60°
Weight of bomb:	3.23kg (7.12lb)
Maximum Effective Range:	4720m (5162 yards)
Muzzle Velocity:	270m/s (890ft/sec)

The 82mm 2B9 Vasilek or 'Cornflower' automatic gun-mortar is a very complex breech loading or muzzle loading mortar that can function both as a high-angle mortar as well as a flat-trajectory gun.

1 Description
2 History
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Description

The 2B9 Vasilek is a Russian-made automatic gun mortar that is unusual in its ability to load from either a four-round clip in a feed unit behind the breech or in the normal mortar fashion via muzzle loading. It uses a complicated carriage to allow stable high angle fire without the breech striking the ground. It has been seen mounted on some lighter armoured vehicles.

[edit] History

The Vasilek first appeared in the early 1970s and was used extensively in the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. However, it has since been replaced with a conventional 120mm mortar. Only the air assault troops of the Russian Army have retained the weapon, although it appears on mountings on light armoured vehicles.