152mm 2A36 Giatsint-B
Overview
2A36 Giatsint-B
Ukrainian troops loading and firing a 2A36 towed howitzer in 2017.
Source: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
1971 - 1972 (state trails)
Russian for "hyacinth"
M1976 (NATO reporting name)
152 K 89 (Finnish service)
Description
Introduction
The 2A36 is a late Cold War era towed howitzer of USSR origin. It was developed in the early 1970's together with the self-propelled 2S5 to provide long range shelling and counter battery fire. The 2A36 replaced the M-46 in this role and provides a massive increase in performance. The 2A36 has the nickname Giatsint-B and until its designation was known was called the M1976 by NATO. The self-propelled 2S5, described elsewhere, is known as the Giatsint-S.
Layout
The 2A36 uses a split trail carriage with a four wheel chassis. A single jack is used to raise the chassis of the ground in the firing position. A 152mm 49-caliber howitzer with multislotted muzzle brake is fitted. The ordnance is mounted on a cradle that allows for elevation and limited traverse. To assist in loading there is as swiveling loading tray and a hydraulic rammer. A gun shield provides the crew of 8 with some protection over the frontal arc.
Firepower
The 2A36 fires its own range of 152mm ammunition that is not interchangeable with older 152mm ammunition such as used by the D-20. A wide range of ammunition is available and includes HE-Frag, rocket assisted, armor piercing, illumination and smoke. The maximum range is 27 km for standard shells and 40 km for rocket assisted shells. Russian sources indicate a maximum range of only 33 km with rocket assisted shells. The direct fire range is about 2 km. The maximum rate of fire is 5 to 6 rpm.
Mobility
The 2A36 is normally towed by a 6x6 truck such as the KrAZ-260 or the Ural 4320. Its size and weight make it difficult to transport. Nonetheless it may be towed up to 80 km/h on road and 30 km/h off road.
Users
The main user of the 2A36 was the USSR and now Russia. It is also in use with most nations that were part of the USSR. Unlike most Soviet weapon systems the 2A36 was hardly exported, not even to Warsaw Pact nations.
Details
2A36
A 152mm 2A36 howitzer in front of a 203mm B-4 howitzer.
Source: One half 3544 -
© public domain
2A36 Giatsint-B
The 2A36 is a large and heavy towed howitzer with a long 152mm barrel. It has a good range and rate of fire. A slightly modified version of this ordnance, designated 2A37, is used on the self-propelled 2S5 Giatsint-S. There are no real variants of the towed 2A36, although it is reported that some were fitted with a longer L/53.8 barrel opposed to the standard L/49 barrel.
Media
2A36
A 2A36 howitzer showing it long ordnance with multislotted muzzle brake.
Source: George Shuklin
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
2A36 Giatsint-B
A number of 152mm shells and a 2A36 towed howitzer in the Ukraine in 2017.
Source: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
2A36 Giatsint-B
Rear view of a 152mm 2A36 Giatsint-B towed howitzer showing the breech and sighting system.
Source: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
2A36 Giatsint-B
Several 2A36 towed howitzers on parade in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2013.
Source: Urek Meniashvili
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
2A36 Giatsint-B
Side view of 2A36 towed howitzer on parade in Saint Petersburg in 2018.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Related articles
2S5 Giatsint-S
The 2S5 Giatsint-S is a self-propelled howitzer with the same ordnance as the 2A36 towed howitzer.