Sprut anti-tank gun

2A45 and 2A45M are the respective GRAU designations of the Sprut-A and Sprut-B (Russian for octopus or kraken[1]) Soviet smoothbore 125 mm anti-tank guns.

2A45 Sprut-A
Sprut anti-tank gun
TypeAnti-tank gun
Place of originSoviet Union/Russia
Service history
In service1989–present
Used bySee operators
Production history
DesignerPetrov Design Bureau
Designedlate 1980s
ManufacturerArtillery Plant Number 9
Produced1989–present
VariantsSee models
Specifications
MassTransport: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb)
Self-propelled: 6,800 kg (15,000 lb)
Firing: 6,575 kg (14,495 lb)
LengthTransport: 7.12 m (23 ft 4 in)
Self-propelled: 6.79 m (22 ft 3 in)
Barrel lengthBore: 51 calibres
Bore axis: 0.925 m (3 ft 0.4 in)
Width2.66 m (8 ft 9 in)
HeightTransport: 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in)
Self-propelled: 2.35 m (7 ft 9 in)
Crew7

Caliber125 mm (4.9 in)
RecoilHydro-pneumatic
Carriagetripod
Elevation-6° to 25°
Traverse360°
Rate of fire6-8 rpm
Effective firing range2,000 m (2,200 yd) (APFSDS)
5,000 m (5,500 yd) (9M119 Svir ATGM)
12,200 m (13,300 yd) (HE)

Operational
range
50 km (55,000 yd) (in APU mode)
Maximum speed 14 km/h (8.7 mph) (in APU mode)

Development

The 2A45M was created in the late 1980s by the Petrov Design Bureau at Artillery Plant Number 9 (OKB-9), which was also responsible for the 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30).

Description (Sprut-B)

A feature of the Sprut-B is its integrated engine, which can propel the gun on relatively flat surfaces (up to 15 degrees of slope) and at 14 km/h on roads. This gives the gun a measure of mobility on the battlefield. It takes two minutes to go from firing position to travelling position and 90 seconds to go from travelling position to firing position. Such guns are known in Russian as "self-moving" (самодвижущиеся) as opposed to self-propelled (самоходные), and outside of battle it is towed by an MT-LB.

The gun features a crew of seven. An OP4M-48A direct fire sight is used in daylight, while a 1PN53-1 night-vision sight is used at night. For indirect fire, 2Ts33 iron sights are used, along with a PG-1m panoramic sight. The gun can reliably engage targets two metres high at a distance of 2,000 metres.[2]

The barrel features a thermal sleeve to prevent temperature changes affecting the accuracy. The gun uses the same semi-fixed ammunition as the T-64, T-72, T-80 and T-90 tanks.

With the addition of the 9S53 laser fire-control system, the gun can fire laser guided projectiles such as the 9M119 Svir or 9K120 Refleks.

Ammunition

The gun uses the same ammunition as the D-81 series of guns used on the T-64, T-72, T-80 and T-90 tanks.

Models

  • 2A45 Sprut-A purely towed gun
  • 2A45M Sprut-B self-propelled towed gun

Operators

Map of Sprut operators in blue with former operators in red

Current operators

Former operators

See also

References

  • Hull, A.W., Markov, D.R., Zaloga, S.J. (1999). Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present. Darlington Productions. ISBN 1-892848-01-5.
  • Military Parade
  • Enemy Forces
  • 2A45M on manufacturer site
  • Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002-2003
  1. "СПРУТ". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  2. "Sprut". Retrieved 13 November 2014.

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