2B9 Vasilek
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The 82 mm 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.
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[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 120 mm mortar. Only the air assault troops of the Russian Army have retained the weapon, although it appears on mountings on light armoured vehicles.
[edit] Variants
Vasilek on MT-LB - During the fighting in Afghanistan a number of MT-LB multipurpose tracked armoured vehicles were observed fitted with the 82 mm Vasilyek mortar with the wheels removed on their rear decking. This was probably a battlefield expedient and reappeared during the fighting in Chechnya.
Vasilek on ACRV - For trials purposes, Hungary has mounted the 82 mm Vasilyek automatic mortar system on a modified ACRV chassis.
Vasilek on BMP-1 - Hungary has built the prototype of a self-propelled version of the Vasilyek mounted on a modified BMP-1 infantry combat vehicle chassis.
Chinese Vasilek - NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) have developed a similar system called the Type 99 (W99) 82mm automatic mortar.
[edit] See also
- General Articles
- Similar weapons:
- Listings:
[edit] References
- Hogg, Ian (2000). Twentieth-Century Artillery. Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. ISBN 1-58663-299-X
