In the context of the Armata project, the possible use of new weapons is sometimes mentioned. In particular, there was an assumption according to which the new Russian tank should receive a 152 mm gun. Nevertheless, it is already known that the Armata will receive a 125 mm gun. It should be noted that in our country, attempts were really made to create modern tank guns of increased caliber. Over the past several decades, the Soviet and then Russian defense industry has repeatedly made attempts to develop a modern smooth-bore 152 mm tank gun. The creation of such a weapon and the beginning of its operation could have become a real revolution in the field of tank building, but domestic tanks never received it. For a number of reasons, they are still equipped with 125mm cannons.
LP-83
In the mid-eighties, among the military and tank builders, the opinion spread about the need to further increase the firepower of armored vehicles by increasing the caliber of guns. In order to study the possibility of creating a tank with such a weapon, the Object 292 project was launched. The development of this experimental project was undertaken by specialists from the Leningrad Kirovsky plant (LKZ) and VNII Transmash, the project manager was N. S. Popov.
According to initial calculations, the design of the tank, based on the existing components and assemblies of the serial T-80BV, did not allow the use of guns with a caliber of more than 140 mm. With a further increase in caliber, there was a risk of deformation and damage to the structure of the machine. Nevertheless, after a series of calculations and research, it was possible to find opportunities for an additional increase in firepower. As a result, it was determined that the caliber of the gun could be increased to 152.4 mm. After that, a new question arose: the type of barrel. The possibility of using smooth and rifled barrels was considered. Initially, the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" received a task to develop a smooth-bore 152 mm gun, designated LP-83. Later, after many disputes, it was decided to test the rifled gun, but its development did not begin due to financial problems that manifested themselves in the late eighties. According to other sources, the debate about the type of gun ended due to the lack of supporters of the rifled barrel.
In addition to the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik", they worked on a project of a promising tank gun at the Perm Machine-Building Plant. In addition to these organizations, it was planned to involve others in the project. So, the tower for the tank "Object 292" was supposed to be built by the Izhora plant (Leningrad), but its management refused such an order due to the load. After that, the LKZ specialists independently developed the design of the tower and ordered its assembly to the Zhdanovskiy plant of transport engineering (now the city of Mariupol), but this time the tank was almost left without a tower. In the end, a project appeared to modify the turret of the serial T-80BV in order to install a large-sized gun in it. It was such a combat module that was eventually used on the experimental "Object 292".
Due to the high power in the design of the LP-83 gun, some original ideas and solutions had to be used. So, the barrel and the chamber received chrome plating, due to which it was possible to bring the crusher pressure to the level of 7000 kg / sq. cm and above. An early version of the project offered a vertical wedge bolt with semi-automatic cocking when rolling. In addition, a special shutter was to be located on the breech of the gun, which blocked the bore after extraction of the spent cartridge case in order to avoid smoke from the fighting compartment. Some proposals were soon rejected, others were finalized, and still others were used without any changes. So, the LP-83 experimental gun received a piston breech instead of a wedge one, and instead of an ejector, the gun had an air purge system.
The construction of an experimental tank "Object 292" was completed in the fall of 1990. At the beginning of the next 91st, the car was sent to the range for test firing. It is known that the new experimental LP-83 smoothbore gun had significantly higher characteristics in comparison with the serial guns of the 2A46 family. Thus, the 152-mm cannon had approximately one and a half times greater shot impulse than the existing weapon. At the same time, highly effective recoil devices made it possible to talk about the possible use of a new weapon on serial tanks. The rollback of the LP-83 and 2A46 cannons was approximately the same. As a result, the chassis of the T-80BV tank behaved stably, and its design did not experience excessive loads.
According to reports, during the test firing, shots were fired at armored vehicles. So, several shots were fired at the decommissioned T-72 tank. They resulted in several breaches in the tower. In addition, in the fighting compartment of the target tank, various elements of the internal equipment were ripped off. Shooting at the tank clearly demonstrated the combat capabilities of the promising 152-mm LP-83 gun.
Tests of the experimental tank "Object 292" with a 152-mm LP-83 gun showed the prospects for such weapons. It was proved that it was possible to significantly increase the firepower of main tanks by using new guns of increased caliber without any serious problems with the design of the basic armored vehicle. Thus, after a number of additional studies, design work and tests, a project of a promising main tank, armed with a 152 mm caliber gun, could appear.
Nevertheless, in the late eighties and early nineties, serious changes took place in our country, which seriously affected the army, the defense industry and a lot of promising projects. Perhaps work on the topic of 152-mm smooth-bore tank guns could continue, but reality ordered otherwise. Tank "Object 292" after the end of the tests for some time remained at the test site and was not used in any work. In 2007, the car was sent to Kubinka, where it became an exhibit of the museum.
2A83
Since the late nineties, the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering has been working on a project for a promising main tank "Object 195". According to reports, a few years ago, the development of this project was discontinued, but until now most of the information about it remains secret. Only fragmentary information has become available to the public, and a considerable part of the information about the "Object 195" is estimates, guesses and speculations. Nevertheless, it is known that a promising armored vehicle was supposed to carry a 152 mm gun. In the new project, it was proposed to use a new weapon, created specifically for him, and not borrowed from the "Object 292" project.
The main weapon of the promising tank was to be a 152 mm 2A83 cannon. This artillery system was developed by Plant No. 9 (Yekaterinburg) and was supposed to provide the new armored vehicle with uniquely high combat characteristics.
It is known that the tank "Object 195" was to be equipped with an uninhabited turret with a smooth-bore 152 mm gun. The tower was to be made in the form of a low support platform with a box-shaped casing on the roof. Inside the latter, it was proposed to place gun mounts and recoil devices. The automatic loader was also supposed to be located there. The presence of the latter was mandatory due to the use of an uninhabited tower. Some sources mention that a 30-mm automatic cannon and a 12.7-mm machine gun were also to be mounted on the tower. They were supposed to be used as coaxial and anti-aircraft weapons: according to some sources, it was planned to equip the tank with a coaxial machine gun and an anti-aircraft gun, according to others - a coaxial cannon and an anti-aircraft machine gun.
Due to the lack of accurate official data, there are various versions regarding the design of the automatic loader. According to one version, the ammunition was to be located in a mechanized stowage placed in the aft niche of the tower. In this case, the automation had to independently extract ammunition from the stacking cells and send them to the dispensing line. During all operations, the shells had to remain outside the tank's armored hull, which could have a positive effect on its survivability and reduce the risks associated with the defeat of the ammunition packs. The aft niche of the tower could be made in the form of a detachable module. Thus, it was possible to simplify the loading of ammunition: for this, it was necessary to remove the "spent" turret feed module from the tank and install a new one with shells.
According to other sources, the automatic loader of the Object 195 tank, associated with the 2A83 gun, was supposed to represent a further development of the ideas laid down in the previous systems of this class. Using the increase in free space in the uninhabited fighting compartment, it was possible to place all 152-mm rounds vertically in a mechanized carousel-type stowage. In addition to the latter, the automatics were supposed to include a lift and a chambering mechanism, designed to supply shells to the gun and prepare it for firing. A curious feature of the proposed automatic loader, according to some reports, was the gap between the bottom of the stowage and the bottom of the hull. Thanks to this, in particular, it was possible to operate the automation even with some damage to the hull.
The 2A83 gun was to be equipped with a 55 caliber smooth barrel. It could be used as a launcher, suitable both for firing "traditional" shells and for launching guided missiles. Some sources mention that the ammunition of this gun could include not only anti-tank, but also anti-aircraft missiles of appropriate dimensions. Thus, the tank "Object 195" could fight enemy personnel, armored vehicles, fortifications and even attack helicopters. The dimensions of the existing fighting compartment could accommodate up to 40 rounds for various purposes, including high-explosive and armor-piercing shells of various types, as well as anti-tank and anti-aircraft guided missiles.
Experiments with the LP-83 gun back in the early nineties showed what advantages an increase in caliber gives. According to available data, the 2A83 gun, using a larger propellant charge in comparison with the shots for the standard 2A46, could launch an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile at a speed of 1980-2000 m / s. Thus, a significant superiority was achieved over existing tank guns with any type of ammunition.
It is known that the 2A83 cannon was tested. Several years ago, several photos of this weapon appeared in the public domain. The first picture was taken during the first stages of testing, when the gun was installed on the tracked carriage of the B-4 gun. The details of these tests are unfortunately not known. Having some information about the tests of the LP-83 gun, it can be assumed that the 2A83 showed no less high performance. At the same time, as always happens in such cases, some shortcomings should have appeared, which, if they were, then remain classified.
There was also an experimental tank with an original uninhabited turret. The existence of this prototype is confirmed not only by various references in different sources, but also by photographs. A new combat module with a 152-mm cannon was installed on the chassis of the serial T-72 tank. The appearance of the units captured in the photo can serve as confirmation of the version about the use of ammunition stowage in the form of a removable module. So, the prototype gun is fixed in a relatively small wheelhouse, which lacks a stern sheet. It is quite possible that a box with ammunition and mechanized stowage should have been attached to this aft "window".
In the middle of the 2000s, it was reported that the Object 195 tank was being tested, after which it could be adopted by the Russian army. In 2010, news appeared several times about a possible demonstration of a promising machine to the general public. In addition, rumors continued to circulate about the imminent acceptance of the new tank into service. However, all this information has not been confirmed. Finally, it became known that work on the "Object 195" project was stopped due to the need to develop a new universal armored platform "Armata". The management of Uralvagonzavod announced its intention to continue work on its own initiative and without the participation of the Ministry of Defense, but since then no new messages about the project have appeared.
Advantages and disadvantages
For two decades, Russian gunsmiths have created two projects of promising 152 mm cannons. As far as we know, both of these developments remained at the stage of design and test work, failing to interest a potential customer in the person of the armed forces. Until now, disputes about the appropriateness of such weapons for tanks, as well as about its prospects, advantages and disadvantages, do not subside. Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of 152mm cannons.
The main advantage of 152 mm smooth-bore tank guns is their uniquely high power. So, the LP-83 gun was about one and a half times more powerful than the serial 2A46, which should accordingly have an effect on the combat effectiveness. In addition, it became possible to use existing 152-mm shells of various types used by artillery, which could also, to a certain extent, improve the potential of the tank. The increased caliber also made it possible to create new ammunition, including high-power armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles and guided missiles, both anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.
The cons of 152mm tank guns are as obvious as the pros. First of all, these are large dimensions in comparison with the existing 125-mm artillery systems. The dimensions of the gun impose specific requirements on the design of the tank. Relatively large ammunition also affects the design of the armored vehicle or its individual units. They require either increasing the stowage for the ammunition load, or reducing it, fitting it into the available volumes. In addition, there may be a need to create a new automatic loader, as demonstrated by the Object 195 project. An equally important problem that needs to be addressed is the extremely high recoil impulse, which requires new recoil devices to damp it. The use of units, borrowed from the existing 125-mm guns without changes, threatens to damage both the recoil devices and the structure of the tank itself.
The experience of two domestic projects shows that the current level of technology development allows the development and construction of promising main tanks with smooth-bore 152 mm guns. This requires some relatively new technologies, but there are no fundamental problems. However, such promising projects face more than technical problems. New projects may be economically and logistically impractical.
The development and serial production of new 152-mm guns and tanks, on which they will be used, are associated with quite high costs. In addition, it will be quite expensive and difficult to master the production of new ammunition for such equipment and their distribution between tank units. From the point of view of economics and logistics, in the current situation, 152-mm cannons have no advantages over 125-mm ones. The warehouses have a colossal amount of various 125 mm ammunition, which is why the parallel operation of tanks with two-caliber cannons, not to mention the complete transfer of ground forces to new tanks with larger caliber weapons, does not seem entirely advisable.
Another specific feature of the 152mm guns is the lack of decent targets. According to reports, modern domestic tanks, using the available ammunition, are capable of fighting various enemy armored vehicles. In this case, the power of the 152-mm gun may be excessive for the fight against tanks, which casts doubt on the very idea of using such weapons.
Thus, the combat advantages of tanks with 152 mm guns are faced with ambiguous logistic and economic peculiarities, as well as with the inexpediency of using such a powerful weapon against existing and promising targets. As a result, the military is not yet showing interest in 152mm tank guns. The LP-83 project was closed after all tests were carried out, and the 2A83 gun, as follows from the available data, does not yet have real prospects. As far as we know, the new Armata tank will be equipped with a 125 mm cannon. This means that the gun revolution in tank building is again postponed indefinitely.
