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)
12,000 m (13,000 yd) (HE)

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

Development

edit

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)

edit

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. Changing gun position from travelling to firing takes 90 seconds; the reverse takes two minutes. Such guns are known in Russian as "self-moving" (самодвижущиеся) in contrast to self-propelled (самоходные), and outside of battle it is towed by an MT-LB.

The gun has a crew of seven. An OP4M-48A direct fire sight is used in daylight, and a 1PN53-1 night-vision sight is used at night. For indirect fire, 2Ts33 iron sights are used, 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

edit

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

edit
  • 2A45 Sprut-A

Stationary towed gun variant.

  • 2A45M Sprut-B

Self-propelled towed gun variant that can move under its own power with the addition of wheels and a power unit.

Operators

edit
 
Map of Sprut operators in blue and former operators in red

Current operators

edit

Former operators

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  • 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.
edit