In the mid-seventies, the 152-mm towed gun 2A36 "Hyacinth-B" and the self-propelled artillery installation 2S5 "Hyacinth-S" with a similar gun were adopted by the Soviet army. Both models still remain in the artillery forces of our army and are actively used. Despite their advanced age, the two versions of the Hyacinth remain successful and effective weapons capable of performing a variety of firing tasks.
A new generation of artillery Since the mid-sixties, the USSR defense industry has been working on a new generation of artillery systems for the ground forces. In particular, in 1968, the development of a new 152-mm cannon was launched, which in the future was to replace the existing M-46 product. It was assumed that the new gun would be produced in towed and self-propelled versions. The development of the 152-mm cannon was entrusted to the Perm Machine-Building Plant named after V.I. Lenin (now Motovilikhinsky Plants). Yu.N. Kalachnikov was appointed chief designer. The design bureau had to create the 2A36 cannon in the towed version, as well as its modification 2A37 for self-propelled guns. Both versions of the cannon received a common code "Hyacinth". Other organizations were involved in the development of Hyacinths. The Moscow Scientific Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering was responsible for creating a new line of artillery rounds with improved characteristics. The Ural Plant of Transport Engineering (Sverdlovsk) was developing a chassis for the Hyacinth-S 2C5 self-propelled gun.
In 1971, two prototypes of a new 152-mm cannon were manufactured in Perm, and in the fall they were sent for field testing. Over the next few months, the guns confirmed their design characteristics, but showed the need to refine the design. By the end of the spring of 1972, improved 2A36/37 products were sent for testing. In 1972-73, full-fledged prototypes of the towed and self-propelled Hyacinth version were manufactured and sent for testing. All the necessary tests were completed in 1974, and two new products were recommended for use. In 1975-76, the industry mastered the production of guns and self-propelled guns, and at the same time, deliveries of serial systems to the troops began. Serial production of Hyacinths continued until the early nineties. According to various sources, at least 2 thousand guns were built over two decades. Some sources claim that this number applies only to 2C5 self-propelled guns, and the production volumes of 2A36 products were even higher. Technical features The 2A36 and 2A37 guns have a similar design. These are 152-mm rifled guns with barrels 47 mm long. The barrel is equipped with a developed muzzle brake, and a semi-automatic horizontal wedge bolt is mounted in the breech. The gun is mounted on the carriage through hydropneumatic recoil protection devices. Aiming is carried out using a panoramic sight PG-1M and optical OP4M-90A.
The 2A36/37 guns use a wide range of separate-sleeve loading shots. There are several types of high-explosive fragmentation and guided projectiles in service. Also, in theory, Hyacinth can use special munitions. Depending on the powder charge and the type of projectile, the firing range reaches 31-33 km. The Hyacinth-B cannon is based on a traditional gun carriage. The carriage consists of a lower machine with two sliding frames and a wheel, as well as an upper one on which the barrel is mounted. In the transport position, the length of such a gun exceeds 12 m. The weight is 9.7 tons. Due to the high weight, the wheel arrangement is biaxial. Towing requires a tractor with the appropriate characteristics. The 2C5 self-propelled gun was developed on a chassis borrowed from the 2C3 Acacia self-propelled gun. It has an armored hull with bulletproof and anti-shatter protection. The 520 hp diesel engine allows you to reach speeds of more than 60 km/ h and overcome various obstacles. A gun mount is openly located in the aft part of the chassis. It provides horizontal aiming at 15° to the right and left. Vertical — from -2° to +57°. The installation is equipped with automatic loading and carries 30 rounds. Practical application During the first few years of service, until the early eighties, the 2A36 Hyacinth-B cannon and the 2C5 Hyacinth-C ACS were used only as part of various exercises. They fired in landfill conditions and generally confirmed the calculated level of characteristics.
The full-fledged combat use of Hyacinths began later, during the war in Afghanistan. The guns were used to destroy enemy manpower and buildings in various conditions. The use of such weapons for counter-battery warfare was also practiced. After the collapse of the USSR, towed and self-propelled Hyacinths went to several independent countries. Some of these weapons were later used in local conflicts. It is known about their combat work during the two wars in Chechnya. In addition, since 2014, they have been used to a limited extent in the war in Donbass. Modern and relevant A number of Russian artillery units armed with 2C5 self-propelled guns and 2A36 towed guns are currently participating in a special operation to demilitarize Ukraine. The current combat use of Hyacinth is of particular interest. So, practice shows that guns and self-propelled guns have not used up their potential and still remain quite modern weapons. The Russian Ministry of Defense, as well as Russian media and blogs regularly cover the actions of the Hyacinths. It demonstrates combat work in different conditions, shooting at various targets and solving various combat tasks. The published materials show how quite old systems can be used in modern conflict and get the best results. The 2C5 and 2A36 products have a high firing range, and therefore they are used mainly for firing from closed positions – as a complement to other howitzer artillery. Direct fire, for a number of reasons, is practically not used.
Hyacinths, like other artillery systems, operate in pre-prepared and camouflaged positions. Various methods of camouflage are used to protect against aerial surveillance. Intelligence is also being fought with active means — with the help of portable electronic warfare systems, anti-drone guns, etc. 152-mm guns strike enemy targets. These may be concentrations of manpower and equipment, important military infrastructure facilities, etc. They are also used in the framework of counter-battery warfare. In both cases, the increased firing range is of great importance. In this respect, Hyacinths surpass almost all other 152-mm and 155-mm systems available in the theater. The increased firing range is achieved due to several factors. First of all, this is the long barrel of the gun itself — 47 klb. In addition, a new line of 152-mm separate-sleeve loading rounds was developed for Hyacinth. This line includes projectiles of increased mass with a heavier charge. Like their counterparts with other systems, Hyacinth calculations use all modern intelligence and control tools. For example, unmanned aerial vehicles have long been the main means of detecting, targeting and correcting fire. They are used to search for targets on enemy territory, after which the gun can open fire. The use of UAVs makes it possible to reduce the time from detecting a target to hitting it. The process of adjusting the fire is also simplified. It is important to note that the 2A36 and 2C5 have been in service for a long time and are well mastered in terms of operation and application. The processes of maintenance and repair, as well as the supply of ammunition, have been established. All this significantly affects the results of combat work.
In its place Currently, Russian artillery units are armed with a whole system of weapons, including guns of different classes, types and calibers with different technical and combat characteristics. Towed gun 2A36 "Hyacinth-B" and self-propelled gun 2C5 "Hyacinth-C" occupy a special place in this system. The two Hyacinth variants are the longest-range guns of the Russian land artillery. According to such characteristics, they are second only to the promising "Coalition", which, however, has not yet been adopted. The increased range of fire allows you to solve a wider range of tasks and show a different level of efficiency. In recent years, the existing guns have been supplemented with a number of additional tools, such as new intelligence and control systems. With their help, it was possible to increase the overall effectiveness of artillery, but at the same time to do without redesigning guns and self-propelled guns. This approach has yielded the desired results at limited cost, and has also shown that the potential of Hyacinths in both versions has not yet been fully utilized.
https://topwar.ru/257855-potencial-i-vozmozhnosti-orudij-giacint-s-i-giacint-b.html
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