Self-propelled gun mount "Krab" is a licensed version of the British self-propelled gun mount "AS-90" on the chassis of a modified T72, which belongs to the class of howitzers. The basic version "AS-90" was created in the early 1980s by the company "Vickers". Purpose - replacement of self-propelled gun mounts such as M109 and "Abbot" for the armament of the British army. The number of AS-90s produced is about 180 units.
After several years of improvements, production stoppages due to financial problems in September of this year, the serial ACS "Krab" began to enter service with Polish units. Serial production of new ACS in Poland is carried out by HSW, a member of the Bumar group. The first battery of "Crabs" of 155mm caliber, consisting of 8 self-propelled howitzers, was put into operation by the 11th Mazurian artillery regiment. The regiment is currently stationed on the border with the Russian Federation (Kaliningrad region) in Vengorzhevo. Before the arrival of the new howitzers, it included 2 divisions: the 152mm Dana self-propelled guns division and the 122mm Grad rocket launcher. In addition to the howitzers themselves, technical support was also received: 3 armored KShM "WD / WDSz", a "WA" vehicle based on the "Jelcz P882.53" for the supply of ammunition, a "WRUiE" vehicle based on the "Jelcz P662D.35" to ensure the repair of weapons …
On October 2, 2012, the artillery regiment conducted field exercises, in which new self-propelled guns were involved. By 1.12.2012, the manufacturer promises to fully equip the 11th artillery regiment of the Army of Poland with the necessary equipment.
The contract for the supply of "Crabs" was signed in 2008 and 2011. According to the contact, the serial ACS "Crab" under the name DMO - divisional firing module "Regina" should be delivered by 1.10.2015. This is the name of the automated fire control system. The plans of the military command of the Polish army are to purchase 2 sets of DMO Regina.
The composition of one DMO Regina:
- 3 batteries from 24 self-propelled guns "Krab";
- 11 armored command and control squads: 6 for commanding platoons, 3 for battalions, 2 for divisional control;
- 6 vehicles for the supply of ammunition;
- 1 weapon repair vehicle.
The crab is built on the basis of the main tank "PT-91 Twardy", which is a modified variant of the Soviet T-72, on which a modernized turret from the British AS-90 howitzer is installed. 155mm cannons are the standard armament for almost all armies today. Work on the creation of the ACS "Crab" begins in 2000. The contract for the creation of an ACS for the Polish Army is won by BAE Systems. The estimated need is 80 new howitzers. The design of a new ACS for the Polish army was carried out by the "HSW" company. The very development of new military equipment was quite heavy and expensive. The tower was modernized and supplied by BAE Systems. Tests of the new howitzer were requested in 2011.
The driver is located in the front left part of the hull, the turret part is shifted to the stern of the tank and has a flat roof with rounded hatches. It houses the rest of the vehicle's crew - the commander, gunner and two loaders. The main gun is compatible with all NATO 155mm ammunition. Equipment - Polish automated control system "Regina" with radio and intercom systems. Armor protection - anti-splinter anti-bullet. A complex of protection against weapons of mass destruction and an automatic fire extinguishing system have been installed.
Main characteristics:
- length - 11.7 meters;
- width - 3.4 meters;
- height - 3.4 meters;
- caliber - 155mm;
- rate of fire - 6 high / min;
- barrel - 52 caliber;
- range - 40 kilometers;
- vertical angles - from 70 to -5 degrees;
- ammunition - 60 shots;
- crew - 5 people;
- ACS weight - 49.6 tons;
- clearance - 44 centimeters;
- speed up to 60 km / h;
- cruising range up to 650 kilometers;
- obstacles to be overcome: water up to 1 meter, slope up to 40 degrees, vertical obstacle up to 0.8 meters, ditch up to 2.8 meters;
- engine - diesel S-12U with a capacity of 838 (850) hp;
- additional armament - 12.7mm machine gun.
