Today, the Russian army is armed with several unique artillery systems. The most advanced and high-tech of these are self-propelled guns such as Nona and Khosta. More recently, the gun collection of the armed forces of the Russian Federation was replenished with a new gun: the Phlox self-propelled gun exceeded its predecessors both in terms of ammunition power and in range and accuracy.
Who designed the Phlox self-propelled guns?
The self-propelled artillery mount Phlox, combining all the advantages of guns, howitzers and mortars, was developed at the Central Research Institute Burevestnik, which is part of the Uralvagonzavod corporation in the city of Nizhny Novgorod. The designers used the Ural wheeled chassis, an all-wheel drive three-axle vehicle designed to carry ten tons of cargo, to create a new self-propelled gun.
The Phlox self-propelled gun was presented at the Army 2016 forum, which took place in September in the territory of the Patriot Ministry of Defense park near Moscow. The exhibition involved over 50 units of military equipment.
A novelty of the forum was the self-propelled installation “Phlox”. The photo below presents the features of the external design of this artillery gun.
Why was the Phlox gun created?
Designing a new modified self-propelled guns, the developers took the idea of “wheeled tanks”. Russian engineers created the Phlox mobile self-propelled artillery mount, which combines powerful weapons, high-quality armor protection and high mobility. This gun is considered the first Russian self-propelled guns with a caliber of 120 mm, which uses a car chassis (Ural family). The self-propelled installation "Phlox" belongs to a new class of weapons, which, according to experts, will subsequently replace the old towed guns of 120 caliber. The developers believe that this will significantly increase the mobility of the artillery units of the Russian army.
How does the latest Russian self-propelled gun work?
“Phlox” works on the principle of self-propelled guns, which are in service in the military airborne and ground forces.
Unlike its predecessors, Nona and Khosta, the new installation can use both conventional artillery shells and mortar mines. This became possible due to the use of a wide angle of vertical aiming, the range of which is from - 2 to +80 degrees. Thus, the Russian Phlox self-propelled gun operates on the principle of a howitzer, which is characterized by a hinged trajectory. As a result, the new self-propelled guns are capable of vertically throwing shells at enemy trenches at a distance not exceeding 10 km.
In direct fire, the Phlox self-propelled gun also showed good results. Artillery firing from a new gun compares favorably with other self-propelled guns with high range and accuracy.
Design feature of the new self-propelled guns
Like similar self-propelled artillery mounts, the Phlox 120 mm caliber is equipped with a guided autonomous combat module. The new self-propelled gun differs from its predecessors in that this installed module is unified, due to which during artillery firing from the Phlox an increased accuracy of hits is observed and the load on the chassis is significantly reduced. The module is installed together with the 12.7 mm Kord machine gun. The design of the modified self-propelled guns includes:
- trunk;
- combined semi-automatic shutter;
- cradle with a guard;
- special devices that counteract kickbacks;
- lifting sector mechanism.
After the completion of artillery firing from a modified self-propelled gun with the help of a special drive controlled by vertical angles, the aiming restoration is performed.
The Phlox is capable of transporting the ammunition needed to fire 80 rounds. Of these, 28 units are on alert. For their placement, designers have provided special operational styling. Such a design is designed to improve the mobility of self-propelled guns, and to make the preparatory process and the firing itself automatic. All this was not able to provide outdated towed self-propelled artillery. The 120 mm Phlox is a combat vehicle that uses a completely new concept.
The Ural truck for the Phlox artillery mount is a special armored version. In addition, the machine contains a reinforced engine, the power of which exceeds three hundred horsepower.
Why do we need a recoil system in Phlox?
The problem of the unstable position of the gun on a wheeled platform is not new. There are two ways to solve it:
- to strengthen the main platform, increasing its mass, and thus turn the self-propelled guns into an armored personnel carrier;
- use additional supports during firing.
This problem was solved when creating “Phlox”. Russian designers used a modern recoil system with auxiliary hydraulic effect. During firing, mechanical energy is converted into heat, which subsequently absorbs shock and shock. Thus, the entire load on the platform is significantly reduced.
What is 2A80 in the design of “Phlox”?
The abbreviation 2A80 in the modernized self-propelled gun refers to an artillery gun that combines the advantages of howitzer cannons and mortars. The caliber of the gun is 120 mm. For firing from this barrel, 120-mm mines and shells with ready-made rifles are used. An innovation in “Phlox” is an innovative cooling system, which is equipped with 2A80. In this system, using a special indicator, you can monitor the maximum permissible level of barrel heating.
Crew safety
The cabin of the artillery self-propelled installation "Phlox" is a welded structure. In its manufacture, steel sheets with various thicknesses are used. A special armored casing is provided for the engine compartment. These warnings are intended to protect the crew of self-propelled guns from explosive devices, the power of which in TNT equivalent does not exceed two kilograms. To protect the crew from attacks by a sabotage and reconnaissance group, a 12.7 mm Kord machine gun can be used in the design of the Phlox artillery mount. It is installed on the cockpit and is not a regular weapon.
Why do we need a weapon-computing complex for “Phlox”?
The presence of advanced technologies is another feature of the new Russian artillery mount. The weapon-computing complex makes it possible to remotely exchange information between team members located in a combat vehicle and in a control vehicle. With the help of this complex, the preparation of the initial data necessary for artillery shelling for a independently explored target, as well as for the target for which information is given by the battery control point, is carried out. The use of weapon-computing systems positively affects the adjustment of the installation, since it makes it possible to detect the first shot at the target. In the weapon-computer complex, developers have provided various modes. To control the pickup elements there is a memory whose operation is independent of energy. The amount of memory can be information about thirty goals. All data is displayed on the command monitors located in the cockpit of this self-propelled artillery installation. Due to the gun-computer complex in real time, it is possible to monitor the technical condition of the installation, controlling the drives, to perform horizontal or vertical aiming of the barrel.
In Phlox, everything is computerized. The data received from the target designator - rangefinder is also fed to the monitor in the cabin. With the help of a topographic location system, the crew can automatically determine the coordinates of a moving self-propelled gun. Having received all the data necessary for artillery fire, the Phlox self-propelled gun is ready to carry out artillery fire after 20 seconds.
