The study of captured samples and captured German documentation by Soviet specialists led to the emergence of a number of new projects. Among other things, the military and designers became interested in German self-propelled artillery installations of semi-open architecture. By the beginning of the fifties, three projects of similar equipment were created at once. One of them proposed the construction of a self-propelled gun with a long-barreled 152 mm gun and was called the SU-152P.
Recall that at the final stage of the Great Patriotic War, a large number of the latest armored vehicles of Hitlerite Germany became trophies of the Red Army. A little later, I managed to get access to the technical and design documentation. During the study of trophies, it was found that the semi-open gun mount on a self-propelled chassis, used in several German projects, is of certain interest and can be used to create new equipment. The instructions according to which the development of such projects should be started appeared in the middle of 1946.
The only prototype of the SU-152P in the museum. Photo Wikimedia Commons
The study of the appearance of promising armored vehicles was entrusted to department number 3 of the enterprise "Uralmashzavod" (Sverdlovsk). The work was supervised by L. I. Gorlitsky. Quite quickly, the design team created preliminary versions of the project, after which they continued their development for two years. The results of this work were again approved, after which three new projects were launched. In accordance with the decree of the Council of Ministers of June 22, 1948, OKB-3 was supposed to create three self-propelled guns, built on a unified chassis and having different weapons.
One of the promising self-propelled guns was supposed to carry a powerful long-barreled 152-mm gun M-53, developed by plant # 172 (Perm). This project received the working title "Object 116". Later, the self-propelled gun was designated as SU-152P. It should be noted that, despite a certain similarity in designations, this combat vehicle was not directly related to the previously developed samples.
In accordance with the terms of reference, promising self-propelled guns of three types were to be built on a unified chassis. Within the framework of the new project, it was decided to abandon the direct development of existing self-propelled vehicles and create the required chassis from scratch. For this, a voluminous work was carried out to study the existing ideas and technologies and search for optimal designs. The result of such work was the appearance of an original self-propelled chassis design, which significantly influenced the further development of self-propelled artillery.
Initially, the promising chassis was developed for the SU-100P / Object 105 self-propelled gun, but its design took into account the requirements of the 108 Object / SU-152G project. Such a machine had to be distinguished by increased strength and be able to work with 152-mm guns. As part of the third project "Object 116" / SU-152P, the armored chassis had to be significantly modified. In connection with the use of a larger and heavier gun, it was necessary to lengthen the existing hull and equip it with a modified chassis. Nevertheless, even after such alterations, the tracked vehicle retained the basic features of the basic products.
Reconstruction of the appearance of the car. Figure Dogswar.ru
A promising self-propelled gun was intended to work on the front line, but received only bulletproof booking. Like other vehicles of its family, the self-propelled gun had a body assembled from armor plates no more than 18 mm thick. The most powerful armor was used in the frontal part and on the sides. Other elements of the body were at least 8 mm thick. Most of the connections were made by welding. At the same time, several riveted joints were provided. The layout was consistent with other designs. In the front of the hull there was a transmission, behind which was the engine compartment (right) and the control compartment (left). Other volumes were given to the fighting compartment.
The SU-152P hull differed from the existing unit used in the other two projects only in its length. The contours and layout remained the same. The frontal projection was covered with inclined sheets of the greatest thickness, as well as a roof located at a certain angle to the horizontal. Directly behind the inclined upper frontal part were the driver's hatch and the engine compartment cover. The project provided for the use of vertical sides, the stern of which was supplemented by folding flaps of the fighting compartment. At the rear, the hull was protected by an inclined stern leaf.
The fighting compartment and the breech of the gun were covered with a shield similar to those used in other projects. This unit had an inclined frontal sheet 20 mm thick, triangular cheekbones and vertical sides. On top of the shield, a roof was provided with openings for installing optics. For a number of reasons, the gun shield was assembled with rivets. The shield was mounted on the same installation as the gun and could move with it in the horizontal plane.
The engine compartment of the hull housed a V-105 diesel engine with a power of 400 hp. This engine was a further development of the serial B-2 and was distinguished by some operational advantages. As part of the project of a promising chassis for the engine, an improved cooling system was created, which made it possible to reduce the required dimensions of the engine compartment. The engine was connected to a mechanical transmission based on a dry friction main clutch, a two-way gear and steering mechanism and two single-stage final drives, which provided power to the front drive wheels.
Self-propelled projection. Figure Shushpanzer-ru.livejournal.com
The body of the self-propelled gun "Object 116" was distinguished by its increased length, which required a certain redesign of the chassis. Now, on each side of the hull, seven double rubberized road wheels with individual torsion bar suspension were placed. The front and rear pairs of rollers still had hydropneumatic shock absorbers. An additional pair of support rollers has been added. The location and design of the driving and steering wheels did not change. As in other projects of the family, it was planned to use the first domestic caterpillar with a rubber-metal hinge.
In front of the fighting compartment, a pedestal mount was placed for mounting a weapon of the required type. Sector guidance mechanisms were used. Horizontal guidance was carried out within a sector with a width of 143 ° using manual or electric drives. The vertical guidance angles from -5 ° to + 30 ° were set manually only. Due to the large dimensions and weight of the gun, the installation received a spring-type balancing mechanism. Its columns were located vertically directly behind the shield. Hydropneumatic recoil devices with hydraulic recoil brake and pneumatic recoil device were used. The gun was equipped with telescopic and periscopic sights. There was also a panorama for shooting from closed positions.
The M-53 gun was another version of the development of the pre-war Br-2 cannon, made using new ideas and technologies. Previously, various options for modernizing the basic model were repeatedly proposed, and by the end of the forties, plant No. 172 presented the M-53 project. It was assumed that such a weapon could be used as the main armament of self-propelled guns of the anti-tank and assault class.
The M-53 product received a relatively long 152 mm monoblock rifled barrel. Used a horizontal wedge semiautomatic shutter. Also in the breech there was a spring-type rammer. Due to the high power of the gun and the limited characteristics of the chassis, it was decided to use the original muzzle brake. In the muzzle of the barrel there was a relatively long unit with 12 pairs of side slots for ejection of powder gases. This design of the brake made it possible to compensate for up to 55% of the recoil impulse. The maximum rollback value reached 1.1 m.
Experienced SU-152P on trials. Photo Solyankin A. G., Pavlov M. V., Pavlov I. V., Zheltov I. G. "Domestic armored vehicles. XX century"
The gun used a separate-case loading and could use all existing 152 mm caliber shells. Ammunition in the form of 30 rounds was transported in the aft stowage of the fighting compartment. For greater safety, shells and casings were placed inside an armored box that was opened from the compartment. Two loaders had to work with the ammunition. With the help of a mechanical rammer, they could provide a rate of fire of up to 5 rounds per minute.
The SU-152P self-propelled gun was operated by a crew of five. The driver's compartment was located in the department. He had his own hatch and a pair of viewing instruments for driving in a combat situation. In front of the fighting compartment, under the cover of a shield, were the commander and gunner. Two loaders were working in the stern of the fighting compartment. For obvious reasons, the workplaces of the gunner, commander and loaders were not equipped with hatches. At the same time, for greater convenience of boarding or working, the sides of the compartment could be reclined outward.
The new self-propelled artillery unit turned out to be larger than other models of its "family". The hull length increased to 7.3 m, the width remained at 3.1 m, and the height was less than 2.6 m. The combat weight exceeded 28.5 tons. According to calculations, the ACS should have shown good mobility. When driving on a highway, the maximum speed could reach 55-60 km / h. The power reserve is 300 km. There was an opportunity to overcome various obstacles. Reservoirs up to 1 m deep could be forded.
The development of three semi-open self-propelled guns was carried out simultaneously and was completed in early 1949. At the same time, Uralmashzavod started assembling three prototypes. In March 1949, the Object 116 / SU-152P prototype entered the testing range for factory tests. Within a few weeks, the armored vehicle covered more than 2,900 km and fired 40 shots. It was found that the existing unified chassis is not without its drawbacks. The reliability of the individual elements of the undercarriage left much to be desired, and the large combat weight and powerful recoil momentum accelerated the wear of the units. In addition, certain problems were identified with the artillery unit. In its current form, the ACS was not suitable for operation and therefore needed serious revision.
Left view. The muzzle brake is covered with a cover. Photo Solyankin A. G., Pavlov M. V., Pavlov I. V., Zheltov I. G. "Domestic armored vehicles. XX century"
In order to speed up the work and save money, it was decided to improve the chassis of the three self-propelled guns in the course of further development of the project alone. It was planned to improve and develop the basic model only within the framework of the SU-100P project. If the desired results were obtained, the updated chassis could be transferred to two other projects. As for the gun mounts, they were improved separately, each within the framework of its own project.
Refinement of the basic six-wheel chassis continued until January 1950 and managed to face certain problems. In parallel with this, in accordance with the customer's recommendations, OKB-3 was looking for ways to reduce the combat mass of the SU-152P. To obtain the desired characteristics, this machine had to weigh about 26 tons. Through a noticeable alteration of certain parts, this problem was solved, but only partially. The mass of the modified self-propelled gun was reduced, but still exceeded the recommended level.
At the beginning of 1950, three SPGs of different types entered state tests at once, among which was the Object 116 on an updated chassis and with a converted artillery unit. The modified and reinforced undercarriage of the three self-propelled guns received a good rating. The customer also approved the existing power plant and transmission. At the same time, the SU-152P retained some of the negative features of the weapons complex. As a result, it was decided that all three submitted samples did not cope with the state tests and needed further refinement.
The machines were returned to the manufacturer again for the next alteration. As before, the main ideas and solutions regarding the improvement of technology were tested and worked out on the experienced SU-100P, while the SU-152G and SU-152P were waiting for the completion of such work, along the way receiving improved weapons systems. This update of promising machines continued until the mid-fifties.
Stern view. You can consider a gun mount. Photo Solyankin A. G., Pavlov M. V., Pavlov I. V., Zheltov I. G. "Domestic armored vehicles. XX century"
By this time, the military and political leadership of the country had changed their minds about the ways of developing armored combat vehicles and weapons for the army. Seeing the significant advances in rocketry, the country's leaders and military leaders began to consider barrel artillery obsolete. A direct consequence of this was the decision to close a number of promising projects of guns and self-propelled units. Along with other developments, the Object 116 ACS was also reduced. The work was stopped, and the only built prototype was later transferred to the museum in Kubinka, where it remains to this day. In the museum hall, you can estimate the length of the M-53 gun barrel: even without a muzzle brake, it not only hangs over the aisle between two rows of vehicles, but almost reaches the exhibit opposite.
A little later, the designers managed to convince the potential customer of the need for further development of the existing technology. Nevertheless, the new project meant improving the SU-100P self-propelled gun, while the other two projects remained out of work. By the early sixties, an improved SU-100PM self-propelled gun was created on the basis of this machine, which later became the basis for a new multi-purpose chassis. The latter was suitable for use in new projects of military and special equipment. The elongated unified chassis was also developed and was used in several new projects of equipment for various purposes.
Project "Object 116" / SU-152P was supposed to lead to the emergence of a promising self-propelled artillery unit with powerful enough weapons, capable of fighting targets both at the front line and from closed positions. Nevertheless, the presence of a mass of original ideas and solutions led to certain difficulties, because of which the development of the entire family of projects was noticeably delayed. In the future, the leadership and command changed their views on the modernization of the ground forces, as a result of which the project was closed. They returned to the topic of self-propelled guns with 152 mm guns only in the mid-sixties, but later combat vehicles were based on different ideas and therefore had minimal resemblance to the experimental SU-152P.
