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152mm 2A65 Msta-B



Overview


152mm 2A65 Msta-B

Russian 152mm 2A65 towed howitzer firing a shell during an exercise.
Source: www.mil.ru - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Towed howitzer
Entered service
1987
Status
In service
Development
1976 - 1986
Developer
Soviet Union - OKB-221 / Titan central design bureau
Production
1987 - present
Producer
Soviet Union - Motovilikha plant
Russia - Motovilikha plant
Number produced
Over 1.200
Designations
2A65 (GRAU index)
M1987 (NATO reporting name)
Msta
River in Russia
Msta-B / Buksiruyemaya
Russian for "towed"
Notable users
Russia
Belarus
Ukraine

Description


Introduction

The 2A65 is a late Cold War era howitzer of Soviet origin. The 2A65 was developed from 1976 onward as a replacement for the 152mm D-20, but also for the older D-1 and ML-20 which remained in second-line service. With NATO the 2A65 was known as the M1987 until its proper designation was known. The 2A65 is also called the Msta-B, being the towed variant of the ordnance used on the 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzer.

Design

The 2A65 is based on a two wheel split trail carriage. The ordnance is a 152mm 47-caliber howitzer with double baffle muzzle brake and sliding breech block. This is a variant of the howitzer used in the 2S19. A crew of 8 operates the weapon. The crew is partially protected by a gun shield.

Firepower

The 2A65 has a maximum range of 24.7 km with standard ammunition and 28.5 km with base bleed shells. Maximum rate of fire is 7 rpm. The ammunition range includes the new shells developed for used with the 2S19, as wel as the older range of shells used in the D-20 and ML-20.

Mobility

The 2A65 is a heavy weapon that is normally towed by a 6x6 5-ton truck. In Soviet service the Ural-4320 was used. Nowadays the KamAZ-6530 8x8 truck is used as well. Maximum towed speed is 80 km/h on good roads and 20 km/h off road. The 2A65 is too heavy to be moved over distance by the crew.

Users

The 2A65 was produced in large numbers. However, after the fall of the Soviet union many towed howitzer ended up in storage. The 2A65 was adopted by the Soviet Union and ended up with many of the successor states. The 2A65 was not exported beyond the former Soviet Union.

Details


Facts 2A65
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Towed howitzer
Crew
8
Dimensions
Weight
7.0 t
Length
12.7 m(travel configuration)
Width
2.5 m (travel configuration)
Height
2.95 m (travel configuration)
Ordnance
Type
152mm 47-caliber howitzer
Ammunition
152mm Soviet
Barrel length
7.2 m barrel
6.184 m rifled bore
8.13 m including muzzle brake
Muzzle brake
Yes, double baffle
Muzzle velocity
810 m/s
Elevation
-3° to +70°
Traverse
27° left to 28° right
Fire control
Sights
PG-1M
OP4M-97K
Firepower
Rate of fire
7 rpm max
Range
24.7 km
28.5 km with base bleed
6.5 km minimum range
Carriage
Type
Two wheel split trial carriage
Limber
No
Gun shield
Yes
Tread
2.15 m
Ground clearance
0.40 m
Mobility
Towing vehicle
6x6 truck
Towed speed
60 to 80 km/h on road
20 km/h off road
Autonomous mobility
Too heavy to be manhandled
APU
No

Media


Related articles


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The 2A65 was developed as a replacement for the D-20 and older 152mm towed howitzers.

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The Yugoslav M84 is an upgrade of the D-20 with longer barrel. It provides improved range over the D-20, but not as much as the 2A65.

152mm 2A36 Giatsint-B

The 2A65 has a long effective range, but not as much as the 2A36 Giatsint-B.