2S38 Derivaciya PVO

   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.