| 2S4 Tyulpan | |
|---|---|
| Type | Self-propelled mortar |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 30 tons |
| Length | 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in) |
| Width | 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) |
| Crew | 9 |
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| Armor | 20mm max. |
| Main armament |
240 mm (9.4 in) mortar |
| Secondary armament |
7.62 mm PKT machine gun |
| Engine | V-59 diesel 520 hp (387.76 kW) |
| Power/weight | 17 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
| Operational range |
420 km (260 mi) on road |
| Speed | 62 km/h (39 mph) |
The 2S4 Tyulpan (often spelled Tulpan, Russian: 2С4 «Тюльпан»; English: tulip) is a Soviet self-propelled mortar. "2S4" 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 2S7 Pion also received the M-1975 designation), whereas its official designation is SM-240(2S4). Its design is based on the GMZ tracked minelaying vehicle carrying an externally mounted M-240 240 mm breech-loading mortar on the hull rear.
The crew consists of four men, but an extra five are required to operate the mortar. This has a range of 9,650 m but an extended range munition exists with a possible range of 20,000 m. Due to the large size of the weapon and the weight of the ammunition (130 kg for a standard projectile) it has a slow rate of fire: one round per minute. In addition to the high explosive bombs, it can fire armour-piercing, chemical and nuclear rounds. It can also fire the "Smel'chak" (daredevil), a laser-guided round.
The Tyulpan is currently the heaviest mortar in deployment among any country.
It saw action during the conflicts in Afghanistan[1] and Chechnya.[2] In both conflicts, the Smel'chak projectile consistently destroyed targets quickly, precisely, and with only a few rounds. The extreme firepower per round compensates for the Tyulpan's slow rate of fire.
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