2S12 Sani
2S12 Sani ( Russian 2С12 Сани ) is the name of a weapon system, the main component of which is a 120-mm grenade launcher . The system, developed from 1979 and manufactured in the Soviet Union from 1981 , replaced the various 120 mm grenade launchers in the armament of the Soviet Army and other armies. With the 2S11 Tundscha system ( Russian 2С11 Тунджа ), a variant on a self-propelled gun is also available.
The GRAU index of the weapon system is 2S12, the development name Sani .
construction
The weapon system consists of
120 mm grenade launcher 2B11
The 120 mm grenade launcher 2B11 consists of
- the pipe with base piece and load securing device
- the bipod
- the base plate
- the straightening attachment MPM-44M1
- the collimator K-1
- the Lutsch PM2M lighting set
- the chassis 2L81 ( Russian 2Л81 )
- the accessories
The grenade launcher has a smooth barrel and fires wing-stabilized grenades . The launcher is loaded from the front via the tube. At the front of the tube there is a load lock that prevents reloading if the turret is not unloaded. Well-rehearsed controls are able to reload the launcher very quickly. In combat conditions, however, it is not always possible to determine with absolute certainty whether the loaded grenade was actually fired. Reloading while the launcher is still loaded leads to the ammunition exploding when the detonator of the grenade in the barrel responds. The introduction of the load securing system therefore represents a significant increase in the combat value of the weapon. The base piece closes the tube at the rear and transfers the recoil forces into the base plate. The base plate and bipod serve to direct the thrower and absorb the recoil forces. The launcher is directed both to the side and in height using simple spindles.
The MPM-44M alignment attachment together with the K-1 collimator is used as a sight. The alignment attachment MPM-44M magnifies 2.5 times with a field of view of 9 °. It can be equipped with Lutsch PM2M night lighting .
The 2L81 chassis is a single-axle, spring-loaded chassis. It was a welded construction made of tubular steel. With the aid of the chassis, the turret can be pulled as a trailer load from the transport vehicle or moved over short distances in the team platoon.
Transport vehicle 2F510
The transport vehicle is used to transport the launcher, the operation, the ammunition as well as spare parts, tools and accessories. For transport over longer distances, the turret is loaded onto the loading area of the vehicle. The combat set of a total of 48 thrown grenades is also carried in 24 ammunition boxes on the loading area. An all-terrain GAZ-66 truck serves as the basis of the transport vehicle .
ammunition
The ammunition developed for 120 mm grenade launchers continued to be used. Wing-stabilized throwing grenades with fragmentation warheads were used. With a total weight of the projectile of 15.9 kg, the explosive charge accounted for 1.59 kg. Fog grenades are also available. Guided throwing grenades such as the KM-8 Gran ( Russian КМ-8 Грань ) can also be fired with the launcher.
Versions
The launcher was manufactured under license in the People's Republic of Bulgaria under the same name .
- 2B11M : The 2B11M version is suitable for firing KM-8 Gran laser-guided grenades .
- 2S12A : In version 2S12A ( Russian 2С12А ) a transport vehicle mounted on the Ural-4320 truck is used.
- 2S11 Tundscha : In the 2S11 Tundscha version, the turret is equipped with a self-propelled gun based on the MT-LB . The transport vehicle is not required.
- SMM 74 B1.10 Tundscha-Sani : The SMM 74 B1.10 is the Bulgarian version of the 2S11 Tundscha .
- SM120 : The SM120 is the Belarusian version of the 2S11 Tundscha . However, an MT-LBu is used here as the base vehicle .
- Aybat : The Aybat is the Kazakh version of the 2S11 Tundscha . Here, too, an MT-LBu serves as the base vehicle.
Technical specifications
120 mm grenade launcher 2B11 | |
General properties | |
classification | Grenade launcher |
Chief designer | ZNII Burewestnik ( Russian ЦНИИ Буревестник ) |
Name of the manufacturer | |
Manufacturer | Motowilichinskije sawody, Perm ( Russian Мотовилихинские заводы ) |
Length with limber | |
width | |
height | |
Weight in firing position | 210 kg |
Weight in marching position | 297 kg |
team | 1/4 |
Years of construction | 1981 - |
number of pieces | more than 1,400 |
pipe | |
caliber | 120 mm |
Pipe length | |
Height of the line of fire | |
Fire dates | |
Elevation range | + 45 ° to + 80 ° |
Side straightening area | ± 5 ° |
Range, maximum | 7,100 m |
Range, minimal | 460 m |
Muzzle velocity | 325 m / s |
fire rate | 12 rounds / min |
commitment
Soviet Union
The system replaced the existing 120 mm grenade launchers in the Soviet Army. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the weapons were transferred to the successor states, where they are still partly available today in the armament of the respective armed forces.
NVA
The NVA purchased the 2B11 launcher from 1985. It was intended to replace the existing 120 mm M1943 grenade launchers , but also the numerous 82 mm model 37/41 grenade launchers in the grenade launcher batteries of the motorized rifle regiments , which were still used as replacement armament . This process could not be completed until the dissolution of the NVA. A total of only 75 launchers were procured.
The NVA decided not to purchase the 2F510 transport vehicle. Instead, LO 2002 A trucks were used as the traction device .
User states
Current users
- Estonia - As of January 2018, there are 14 2B11 in service.
- Georgia - As of January 2018, there are 14 2S12 (2B11) in service.
- Kazakhstan - As of January 2018, an unknown number of 2B11 are on duty.
- Kyrgyzstan - As of January 2018, there are 6 2S12 (2B11) on duty.
- Lithuania - As of January 2018, there are 5 2B11 in service.
- Russia - As of January 2018, 700 2S12 (2B11) are in service with the Army .
- Ukraine - As of January 2018, there are 214 2S12 (2B11) in service.
- Uzbekistan - As of January 2018, there are 24 2B11 in service.
- Venezuela - As of January 2018, there are 48 2S12 (2B11) in service.
- Belarus - As of January 2018, there are 14 2S12 (2B11) in service.
literature
- Wilfried Copenhagen : The land forces of the NVA. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2003, ISBN 3-613-02297-4 .
References and comments
- ↑ The weapon was called a grenade launcher in the East German NVA . This designation differs from the designation scheme used today in the German Armed Forces, where such weapons are called mortars , or from the designation of mine throwers in the Swiss Army.
- ↑ a b c d e f g Missile and Weapons Technical Service in Kdo. MB III, technical catalog, 120 mm grenade launcher 2B11
- ↑ Missile and Weapons Technical Service in Kdo. MB III, technical catalog, collimator K-1
- ↑ Missile and Weapons Technical Service in Kdo. MB III, technical catalog, alignment attachment MPM-44 / MPM-44M
- ↑ Missile and Weapons Service in Kdo. MB III, ammunition for 120 mm grenade launchers
- ↑ a b c d e f g Wilfried Copenhagen: The land forces of the NVA. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2003, ISBN 3-613-02297-4 , pp. 51-52.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): The Military Balance 2018 . 1st edition. Routledge, London 2018, ISBN 978-1-85743-955-7 (English, January 2018).