In the late nineties, the Zuzana self-propelled howitzers entered service with the Slovak army. Soon, the development company Konštrukta-Defense, part of the DMD Group, began designing an updated version of this ACS with improved characteristics. An improved sample is now offered on the international market and is known as the Zuzana 2.
The continuity of generations
ACS Zuzana 2 is another representative of the family of Slovak self-propelled guns, whose roots go back to the seventies of the last century. Then the self-propelled gun ShKH vz was created. 77 DANA, distinguished by its unusual architecture and fairly high performance. In the nineties, on the basis of this sample, the 155 mm ShKH Zuzana self-propelled howitzer was developed. Its main difference was the 155-mm gun, which met NATO standards. Later, the development of the basic concept continued, resulting in the Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns.
All three projects are based on the same ideas and design solutions. ACS are built on the basis of a four-axle chassis, the platform of which is given for the installation of the tower. The fighting compartment is made as automated as possible, the crew does not come into contact with ammunition and weapons. Due to such ideas, high mobility on different landscapes and the safety of the crew are ensured.
The differences between the three Slovak self-propelled guns are due to the change in weapons and the gradual renewal of fire control systems. However, the latest project Zuzana 2 provides for significant processing of individual components. Thus, the entire family of ACS demonstrates the benefits of consistent modernization of technology, and the last representative shows the potential of the design.
The first prototype of a new self-propelled gun called Zuzana XA1 was first shown in 2008. Later, this machine repeatedly participated in exhibitions and later was named Zuzana 2. Since the beginning of this decade, Konštrukta-Defense has been looking for potential customers. Not so long ago, her efforts have yielded the desired results.
The main differences
In general, Zuzana 2 is based on the design of the previous ACS, but has significant differences. Both the base chassis and the armament turret were revised. All these measures ensured the growth of all the main tactical and technical characteristics.
The base Tatra 815 8x8 chassis has received an updated front armored cab for the driver with improved armor. Such a cabin is characterized by a smaller width and a different layout, as well as reinforced armor. Frontal projection withstands 14.5mm bullets. The aft compartment of the chassis houses a new Tatra T3B-928.70 diesel engine with a power of 440 hp, coupled with a 10TS180 gearbox. The chassis remains the same. Also retained are hydraulic jacks for hanging before firing.
The architecture of the fighting compartment has not changed. The tower remains in its place, consisting of two separate volumes with a gun mount between them. In the side compartments of such a tower, three crew members and an ammunition load of 40 separate loading rounds are placed. The turret armor has been reinforced to protect against large caliber small arms. Also, the tower is equipped with air conditioning for the habitable compartment and a fire system. The operating principles of the fighting compartment have not changed - loading and guidance is carried out using automatic systems with remote control.
The Zuzana 2 self-propelled gun receives a 155-mm rifled howitzer with a 52-caliber barrel. This product has a length of 8, 2 m and weighs a little less than 1, 9 tons. For comparison, the self-propelled gun of the previous version had a 45-caliber barrel and was more compact and lighter. A standard muzzle brake and reinforced recoil devices are used.
The gun is serviced by an automatic loader that delivers projectiles and propelling charges. The rate of fire is provided up to 6 rds / min. The automatic loader can move the components of shots up to 1 m long. Devices for working with programmable fuses are available. If necessary, the ACS can operate in manual loading mode, but in this case the crew provides no more than 2 rounds per minute.
The Zuzana 2 project provides for a radical update of the fire controls. The self-propelled guns received combined day-night devices for observation and direct fire. The fire control system is coupled with communications and can use digital maps of the area. The calculation of data for shooting is done automatically. A compact radar station is located above the gun barrel to measure the muzzle velocity of the projectile. Navigation is provided by satellite and inertial systems. Depending on their requirements, the customer can choose the optimal means of communication and control.
In different situations, the Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns can fire direct fire or from a closed position. In the latter case, the minimum firing range is 4 km. When using active rockets, the maximum range reaches 41 km. The FCS allows you to shoot in a "flurry of fire" mode, sending several shells along different trajectories to the same target.
Auxiliary weapons remain the same. For self-defense, the self-propelled gun carries a 12, 7-mm machine gun and a set of smoke grenade launchers.
As a result of modifications to the design and armament, the length of the Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns with a cannon in front increased to 14.2 m. The mass increased to 32 tons. The engine with a higher power compensates for the increase in mass and allows maintaining mobility at the same level.
Limited success
Slovak self-propelled guns of the Zuzana line show fairly high performance and are of certain interest to potential buyers. However, the cars of the two models have not yet achieved much success in the market. For example, the ShKH Zuzana self-propelled guns were mass-produced under only two contracts, and less than 30 vehicles were built.
The new Zuzana 2 self-propelled gun has been shown at exhibitions and offered to armies since the beginning of the tenth years, but real successes have appeared only recently. In May 2018, the Slovak Ministry of Defense received government approval for the purchase of new self-propelled guns. In the near future, it was planned to sign a contract for the serial production of such equipment. The army wanted to receive 25 self-propelled guns, spare parts and ammunition for them, as well as services for the training of crews and the subsequent maintenance of equipment. All this was allocated 175 million euros.
At the end of 2018, negotiations were completed, as a result of which real contracts appeared. The main contractor for the contract was Konštrukta-Defense. The production of equipment will be mastered by the ZTS - ŠPECIÁL plant (Dubnica nad Vagom), which is also part of the DMD Group. The construction of 25 self-propelled guns will take several years.
The first batch of four vehicles will enter the army of Slovakia by mid-2020. Another five self-propelled guns will be built by the beginning of 2021. In 2021 and 2022 the contractor will hand over eight pieces of equipment. In parallel, the supply of auxiliary systems and training of personnel will be carried out.
According to the results of the implementation of the current order, the ground forces of Slovakia will have 25 Zuzana 2 self-propelled guns, which will replace the existing ShKH Zuzana. The technique of the basic modification managed to develop its resource, and by the middle of the next decade they are going to replace it with a newer one. It is easy to see that the current plans of the command provide for both quantitative and qualitative growth of self-propelled artillery. However, in this case, the Slovak artillery troops will not be too large and developed.
Further perspectives
In the coming years, the organizations involved in the Zuzana 2 project will be engaged in the production of equipment for the Slovak land forces. They may also have to launch production for third countries, but the likelihood of an export contract is not too high.
The Zuzana 2 self-propelled gun offered on the market has an interesting appearance and rather high tactical and technical characteristics, as a result of which it may be of interest to certain foreign armies. However, the situation on the self-propelled artillery market is such that the Slovak industry can hardly count on large and lucrative contracts. In addition to ShKH Zuzana 2, there are a lot of foreign samples on the market, including those with significant advantages. As a result, potential buyers can pay attention to them, and not to the Slovak development.
An interesting fact is that the modern self-propelled howitzers Zuzana and Zuzana 2, created taking into account NATO standards and with an eye to export, turned out to be less successful than their predecessor DANA, which met the requirements of the ATS. In the past, more than 670 of these machines were built, while the total release of newer samples will not exceed several dozen.
Thus, the modern ACS Zuzana 2 is a curious example of how a promising and promising model that meets current requirements does not meet with much interest from customers. To date, the last representative of the family of Slovak self-propelled guns has become the subject of only one contract - from his own army. The further commercial future of a good self-propelled gun remains vague and does not inspire optimism.
