Country of origin |
Russia |
Entered service |
? |
Crew |
3 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
~ 18 t |
Length (gun forward) |
~ 7.8 m |
Hull length |
7.2
m |
Width |
3.23
m |
Height |
~ 2.4 m |
Armament |
Main gun |
1 x 57 mm |
Machine guns |
1 x 7.62 mm |
Maximum altitude |
4.5 km |
Maximum firing range |
6 km |
Rate of fire |
120 rpm |
Elevation range |
- 5 to + 75 degrees |
Traverse range |
360 degrees |
Ammunition load |
Main gun |
148 rounds |
Machine guns |
? |
Mobility |
Engine |
UTD-29 diesel |
Engine power |
500 hp |
Maximum road speed |
70 km/h |
Amphibious speed on water |
10 km/h |
Range |
600 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
30% |
Vertical step |
0.8 m |
Trench |
2.5 m |
Fording |
Amphibious |
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The 2S38
Derivaciya PVO is a new Russian Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG). It was designed as a concept or
technology demonstrator. It could be a possible replacement for a
2S6 Tunguska air defense gun/missile system, that was adopted
back in the early 1980s. By 2020 a couple of units of the new system
were completed.
This
new mobile
air defense system was designed to engage low-flying aircraft,
helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, air-to-ground missiles. It can
even engage single large-caliber artillery rockets. The 2S38 combat vehicle was
designed to operate as a part of a larger system, that includes
various support vehicles.
The 2S38
combat vehicle is based on a
BMP-3
infantry fighting vehicle chassis. It is fitted with a
remotely-controlled weapon station, armed with a single 57 mm
cannon. Such arrangement is rather unusual for a vehicle of this
class.
The 2S38 can
engage targets traveling at a maximum speed of 1 800 km/h. It is
also effective against ground targets, vehicles, and infantry
holed-up in buildings and field fortifications. Its 57 mm ammunition
is much more lethal than that 30 mm rounds of the 2S6 Tunguska or 23
mm rounds of the ageing
ZSU-23-4 Shilka. This 57 mm cannon
will easily defeat most modern armored personnel carriers, infantry
fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery systems and other
armored vehicles. However its ammunition load is rather limited, as
only 148 rounds are carried.
There is
also a 7.62 mm machine gun. This weapon is mounted externally.
This air
defense system has passive detection and tracking systems. It uses
its thermal sight rather than radar to detect and track air targets.
It can detect A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft at ranges
of up to 6 400-12 300 m depending on detection mode. Small UAVs,
such as IAI Bird Eye 400 are detected at ranges of 700-4 900 m.
Hull and turret of this air defense vehicle are made of welded
aluminum alloy armor. The front arc is made of composite armor and
provides protection against 30 mm armor-piercing rounds. All-round
protection is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. Protection can
be enhanced with add-on explosive reactive armor kit. This armored
vehicle is also fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire
suppression systems. The 2S38 is also fitted with smoke grenade
dischargers. Furthermore it can generate smoke screens by injecting
fuel into exhaust.
This air
defense vehicle is operated by a crew of 3, including commander,
gunner and driver. It seems that this vehicle also has a capability
to carry dismounts, as there are entry and exit doors at the rear
with hatches. Though accommodation for dismounts inside the original
BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle was rather cramped due to a
rear-mounted engine.
The 2S38 is
powered by an UTD-29 V-10 diesel engine, developing 500 hp. The
engine is mounted at the rear for better weight distribution and
improved amphibious capabilities, as the original BMP-3 actually
started life as a light tank, but was later repurposed as an
infantry fighting vehicle.
There is a manual transmission with 4
forward and 2 reverse gears. This armored vehicle has
a hydropneumatic suspension, which can be adjusted to suit the type
of ground being crossed. The 2S38 is fully amphibious. On water it
is propelled by 2 waterjets.
This armored
vehicle is fitted with a front-mounted self-entrenching blade and
can dig itself a defensive position.
The 2S38 has
an associated 9T260 ammunition resupply vehicle. It is based on an
Ural-4320 or
Ural-63704-0010 military truck with 6x6 configuration. It carries 57
mm rounds for the main gun, as well as cooling liquid for the
cannon. It takes 20 minutes to reload the SPAAG. The 9T260 can
reload two 2S38 SPAAGs simultaneously.
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