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2S3 Akatsiya


SO-152, NATO: M1973


Overview

2S3 Akatsiya

2S3 Akatsiya during a parade.
Source: www.kr.blog.yahoo.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Self-propelled howitzer
Entered service
1971
Status
In service
Development
1967 - 1971
Developer
Soviet Union - Petrov design bureau (ordnance)
Soviet Union - UZTM (chassis)
Production
1970 - 1975 (2S3)
1975 - 1987 (2S3M)
1987 - 1993 (2S3M1)
2006 - ? (2S3M2 refit)
Producer
Soviet Union - Uraltransmash
Russia - Uraltransmash
Number produced
About 4.000
Designations
SO-152 (Soviet service)
M1973 (NATO reporting name)
Object 303 (GABTU index)
2S3 (GRAU index)
Akatsiya
Russian for "acacia"

Description

Introduction

The 2S3 is a tracked 152mm self-propelled howitzer of Soviet origin. It was developed from 1967 onward and was accepted for Soviet service in 1971. The Russian nickname is Akatsiya, which is Russian for the acacia flower. The NATO designation is M1973.

Design

The layout of the 2S3 is traditional with the driver and drive train in the front and the turret in the rear. The crew consists of a commander, driver, gunner and loader. Two additional crewmen are carried in the ammunition carrier vehicle as whenever possible shells from an external source are used.

Firepower

The 2S3 is armed with a 28-caliber 152mm howitzer that is derived from the D-20 towed howitzer. The maximum range is 17.4 km with standard ammunition and 20.5 km with rocket assisted projectiles. The maximum rate of fire is four rounds per minute. Sustained fire is one round per minute. A total of 46 rounds are carried in the vehicle. A PKT machine gun is mounted on the turret roof for self-defense.

Protection

The 2S3 is operated under full armor protection. The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters all around. Over the frontal arc the armor provides protection against heavy machine gun fire. An NBC system is present but smoke grenade dischargers are not.

Mobility

The 2S3 has a good cross country mobility due to its tracked chassis, but its speed is rather limited. A 520hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The 2S3 is not amphibious.

Users

The 2S3 was adopted by most Soviet forces and exported to a variety of Soviet allies. It is estimated that about 4.000 units have been produced. The 2S3 remains in use with over a dozen nations. In Russian service the 2S3 is being replaced by the 2S19 Msta.

Variants

2S3 Akatsiya

Forward view of a 2S3 Akatsiya on static display.
Source: One half 3544 - © public domain

2S3
First production model. Low rate production of about 200 vehicles ran from 1970 to 1975. This version has two ammunition drums that assist in loading. In subsequent models this was reduced to one.
2S3M
Main production model. Produced between 1975 and 1987. Estimated production number is over 3.000. Carries 46 shells instead of 40 and an ammunition conveyor was installed at the rear for feeding shells from outside the vehicle.
2S3M1
Final production model. Produced between 1987 and 1993. Features new sights, intercom and radio. Main improvement is the addition of the 1V519 system that receives commands from a battery command center. Reportedly the M1 upgrade was also applied to 2S3M during planned maintenance cycles.
2S3M2
Upgrade package for existing vehicles. Developed in the early 2000's and applied since 2006. Includes the 1V514-1 Mechanizator-M automated fire control system. Self-defense is improved with the addition of Type 902B Tucha smoke grenade dischargers.

Details

Facts 2S3 2S3M 2S3M1
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Self-propelled howitzer
Crew
4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
28 t combat load
Length
6.97 m hull
7.65 m gun forward
Width
3.25 m
Height
3.05 m
Main armament
Type
152mm 2A33 28-caliber howitzer
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
40 shells
Elevation
-6° to +60°, powered
Traverse
360°, powered
Range
17.4 km with standard shells
20.5 km with base bleed
1 to 3 km for HEAT
Rate of fire
4 rpm max
1 rpm sustained
Stabilizer
No
Secondary armament
Type
7.62mm PKT machine gun
Mount
Remote control mount on turret roof
Ammunition
1.500 rounds, 100 or 250 ready to fire
Elevation
-6° to +15°
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels
Layout
Drive sprocket front, idler rear
Track width
0.48 m
Track on ground
4.94 m
Ground pressure
0.59 kg/cm²
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine model
V-59U
Engine type
V12 liquid-cooled supercharged multi-fuel diesel
Power output
520 hp
Transmission
Manual, 6 forward, 2 reverse
Fuel
830 L
Mobility
Speed
60 km/h on road
14 km/h reverse
Range
500 km on road
270 km cross country
Power to weight ratio
18 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.45 m
Wall
0.7 m
Trench
3.0 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
1.0 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel, welded
Armor thickness
30 mm hull front
15 mm hull sides
30 mm turret front
15 mm turret sides
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
No
Equipment
Night vision
Yes, for driver and commander
Radio
R-123

Media

Subcomponents

152mm D-20

The 2S3 Akatsiya self propelled howitzer uses the same type of ordnance as the towed D-20.

Read more about 152mm D-20

7.62mm PKT

A 7.62mm PKT machine gun is mounted on the turret roof for self-defense.

Read more about PKT

Related articles

2S19 Msta

The Soviet 2S19 Msta self-propelled howitzer was developed to supplement and replace the older 2S3 Akatsiya.

Read more about 2S19 Msta

M109A1

The M109A1 is the American / NATO counterpart of the 2S3 Akatsiya.

Read more about M109A1

Type 83

The PLZ83 is a Chinese counterpart of the Soviet 2S3. The PLZ83 is armed with the Type 66 howitzer, the Chinese production model of the D-20.

Read more about PLZ83

Dana

The Czechoslovak Dana also mounts the D-20 howitzer. Being a wheeled vehicle the concept is rather different.

Read more about Dana