82mm 2B9 Vasilek
China: Type W99
Overview
2B9M Vasilek
Ukrainian forces with a 2B9M Vasilek automatic mortar in firing position during a live fire exercise in 2016.
Source: US Army -
© Public domain
China - Norinco
Hungary - Diósgyőri Gépgyár
Russian for "automatic mortar"
Vasilek
Russian for "cornflower"
2K21 (GRAU index for system)
Type DE 82 (Hungarian copy)
Type W99 (Chinese copy)
Description
Introduction
The 2B9 is a Cold War era automatic 82mm mortar of Soviet origin. It was introduced in 1971 in order to augment the firepower of Soviet front line troops. The full name is AM 2B9 Vasilek (Cornflower) with AM standing for Avotmaticheskiy Minomet, Russian for "automatic mortar". The 2K21 complex comprises of the 2B9 and its 2F54 transport vehicle.
Design
For a mortar the 2B9 has an unusual layout. It is based on a two wheel split trail carriage with a single outrigger at the front. The mortar looks like a cannon, is breech loaded and fires from four round clips.
Firepower
The 2B9 fires standard Russian 82mm mortar rounds. The maximum range is 4.3 km. The cyclic rate of fire is 160 rounds per minute. With reloading the 4-round clips this drops to a practical maximum of 120 rpm. Per Soviet doctrine a total of 224 rounds are carried in the transport vehicle, of which 96 are ready to fire in 4-round clips.
Mobility
The 2B9 can be moved over short distances on its two wheel carriage by infantry. Normally it is towed or carried internally by the 2F54 transport truck, which is based on the GAZ-66 4x4 light truck. It has also been observed mounted on top of the MT-LB tracked armored personnel carrier. During some conflicts in the Middle East and Africa the 2B9 has been mounted on various pick-up trucks and all terrain vehicles.
Users
The 2B9 was used by Russia and many Warsaw Pact nations and remains in limited use. The 2B9 is mostly used in airmobile formations, but also by some infantry units. The Chinese Type W99, which is a direct copy of the 2B9, was used by Iraq and may have been sold to other nations as well.
Variants
2B9 Vasilek
2B9 Vasilek automatic mortar on display in a musuem. Original production model with water cooled barrel.
Source: Deutscher Friedensstifter -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
List of production models
Details
Media
2B9M Vasilek
Russian 82mm 2B9M Vasilek automatic mortar on public display in 2014.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Type W99
Chinese Type 99 mortar fitted onto a EQ2050 4x4 all terrain vehicle. Known as PCP001 in Chinese service.
Source: Chinese internet
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Type W99
Rear view of Chinese Type W99 automtic mortar in firing position.
Source: Chinese internet
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
2B9 Vasilek
Early model 2B9 Vasilek automatic mortar with water cooled barrel in transport configuration on display in a museum.
Source: ShinePhantom
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
2B9M Vasilek
Ukrainian airborne troops setting up a 2B9M Vasilek automatic mortar in 2016.
Source: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Related articles
GAZ-66
The 2K21 mortar complex comprises of the 2B9 mortar and a 2F54 transport truck, which is based on the chassis of the GAZ-66 light truck.
MT-LB
In various conflicts Soviet / Russian forces have mounted the 2B9 Vasilek on top of a MT-LB tracked prime mover to increase its mobility and have ammunition readily available.