Sprut anti-tank gun

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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.

Contents

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 [1].

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.

[edit] 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
    • (self-propelled) 6,800 kg
    • (firing) 6,575 kg
  • Length:
    • (towing) 7.120 m
    • (self-propelled) 6.790 m
  • Height:
    • (towing) 2.09 m
    • (self-propelled) 2.35 m
  • Width:
    • (towing) 2.66 m
    • (self-propelled) 2.66 m
  • Axis of bore: 0.925 m
  • Track: 2.20 m
  • Ground clearance: 0.36 m
  • Elevation/depression: +25/-6º
  • Traverse: 360º
  • Range:
    • (APFSDS) 2,000 m
    • (missile) 5,000 m
    • (HE) 12,200 m
  • Traverse: 360º
  • Rate of fire: 6-8 rds/min
  • Fording: 0.9 m
  • Speed:
    • (in APU mode) 14 km/h
  • Range:
    • (in APU mode) 50 km
  • Crew: 7
  • Towing vehicle: Ural-4320 (6 × 6) truck, MT-LB multipurpose tracked vehicle
  • Towing speed: 80 km/h

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 [2].

[edit] Users

[edit] 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.
  • Military Parade
  • Enemy Forces
  • Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002-2003