Soviet M1973 (2S3) 152mm Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer

Soviet M1973 (2S3) 152mm Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer. . The M1973 entered Soviet Army service in the early 1970's. It replaced the main large-caliber, towed artillery piece of Soviet artillery brigades and divisions, the M-46 130mm Field Gun. M1973 was the NATO designation assigned when this self-propelled gun/howitzer was identified. Shortly thereafter, the Soviet designation 2S3 was published. The main armament was a modification of the dependable Soviet D-20, 152mm Field Gun/Howitzer with an added fume extractor behind the double baffle muzzle brake. Ammunition includes standard High Explosive (HE), HE-Anti-Tank (HEAT), HE-Extended Range, HE-Rocket Assisted Projectile, Illuminating, Smoke, Incendiary, Flechette, Scatterable Mines (Anti-Tank and Anti-Personnel), Laser-guided and Nuclear. The M1973 could also operate in a nuclear/biological/chemical environment and carried infra-red night vision equipment. It was similar in appearance and layout to the US M109, 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer that entered service in 1962. The M1973 was deployed in batteries of six weapons, regiments of three batteries (18 weapons total) and brigades of four regiments (72 weapons total). It is conservatively estimated that well over 10,000 of these weapons have been built and have been in service in over 14 countries. Beginning in 1989, the much heavier 2S19 152mm Self-Propelled Artillery System began to replace the M1973., Caliber - 5.98 in. - 152 mm , Weight - 60,626 lbs. - 27,500 kg , Range (Standard) - 20,232 yds. - 18,500 m , (Rocket-Assisted) - 26,246 yds. - 24,000 m , Shell Weight - 95.9 lbs. - 43.5 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 2,148 ft/sec. - 655 m/sec. , Elevation (-4 to +60 degrees) - (-71 to +1,067 mils) , Traverse - 360 degrees - 6,400 mils , Rate of Fire - 4 rpm - Crew 4 , Maximum Speed - 37 mph - 60 kph , Cruising Range- 310 miles - 500 km , Engine - V-59, V-12 water-cooled, diesel fuel-injected, 500 hp , CCN# 364967