Mighty Ukrainian Artillery Action During Heavy Live Fire Training: 2S7 Pion, Msta-B, D-20

Video footage shows mighty Ukrainian artillery action during heavy live fire training exercises including the 2S7 Pion, Msta-B and D-20 heavy artillery systems.

It is always refreshing to see what a how monstrous the gaint 2S7 Pion artillery is.

The 2S7 Pion 203 mm self-propelled gun entered service with the Soviet Army in late 1970s. Currently it is in service with Russia, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine. It is the most powerful conventional artillery system in the world. It was designed to engage remote and important enemy targets, such as command posts.

The 2S7 Pion is armed with a powerful 203 mm gun, fitted with a load assisting system. It fires ordinary and rocket-assisted HE-FRAG projectiles, chemical and nuclear projectiles. A standard HE-FRAG projectile weights 110 kg and contains 17.8 kg of explosives. It has a maximum range of 37.5 km. The rocket-assisted projectile weights 103 kg and contains 13.8 kg of explosives. It has a maximum range of 47.5 kg. Ammunition load of the 2S7 Pion consists of only 8 rounds. Only 4 rounds are carried by this artillery system, remaining 4 rounds are carried by escorting vehicle. Maximum rate of fire is 1.5 rounds per minute.

Brief out-of-action time allows Pion to fire 1 or 2 rounds and leave firing position before the first round hits target located up to 47 km away. This shoot-and-scoot capability allows to avoid counter-battery fire.

The only defensive armament carried by Pion, besides crew individual weapons, is a portable air-defense missile launcher.

The 2S7 Pion has a crew of 14, however 7 men are seated inside the vehicle and remaining are carried by escorting truck or armored personnel carrier.

The 2S7 uses specially for this vehicle developed tracked chassis, with a number of automotive components of the T-72 and T-80 main battle tanks. It is powered by a V-46-1 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 750 horsepower. Vehicle is also fitted with auxiliary power unit, developing 24 hp and powering all systems when the main engine is shut down.

The 2A65 "Msta-B" is a Soviet towed 152.4 mm howitzer. The "B" in the designation is an abbreviation for Buksiruyemaya, which means towed. This weapon has been fielded in Soviet and Russian forces since at least 1987 and is currently in service with Russian front and army level artillery units. The 2A65 howitzer, like many pieces of Soviet artillery, is capable of firing nuclear artillery shells.

The 152 mm gun-howitzer M1955, also known as the D-20, (Russian: 152-мм пушка-гаубица Д-20 обр. 1955 г.) is a manually loaded, towed 152 mm artillery piece, manufactured in the Soviet Union during the 1950s. It was first observed by the west in 1955, at which time it was designated the M1955.

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Credits: Ukrainian Ministry of Defence

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