- 2S4 Tyulpan
Infobox Weapon
name=2S4 Tyulpan
caption=
origin=USSR
type=Self-propelled artillery
is_vehicle=yes
length=8.5 m
width=3.2 m
height=3.2 m
weight=30 tons
suspension=Torsion bar
speed=62 km/h
vehicle_range=420km (on road)
primary_armament =240 mm mortar
secondary_armament=12.7 mmDShK machine gun
armour=20mm max.
engine=V-59diesel
crew=9
engine_power= 520 hp
pw_ratio= 17 hp/tonneThe 2S4 "Tyulpan" ( _ru. 2С4 «Тюльпан»; _en.tulip ) is aSoviet self-propelled mortar. "2S4" is itsGRAU designation.It was identified for the first time in 1975 in the
Soviet army and so was called M-1975 byNATO (the2S7 Pion also received the M-1975 designation), whereas its official designation is SM-240(2S4). Its design is based on theGMZ tracked minelaying vehicle carrying an externally mounted M-240 240 mm breech-loading mortar on the hull rear.The crew consists of four men, but an extra five are required to operate the mortar. This has a range of 9,650 m but an extended range munition exists with a possible range of 20,000 m. Due to the large size of the weapon and the weight of the ammunition (130 kg for a standard projectile) it has a slow rate of fire: one round per minute. In addition to the high explosive bombs, it can fire armour-piercing, chemical and nuclear rounds. It can also fire the "Smel'chak" (daredevil), a laser-guided round.
Tyulpan is currently the heaviest mortar in deployment among any country.
It saw action during the conflicts in Afghanistan [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/2s4.htm 2S4 M-1975 Tyulpan 240-mm self-propelled mortar] ] and Chechnya [ [http://www.aeronautics.ru/chechnya/021700.htm War in Chechnya] ] .
Operators
*RUS - 430 [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/army-equipment.htm Russian Army Equipment ] ]
Former Operators
*CSK - only 4 vehicles used since 1985 to 1991 [Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0 7106 1542 6]
*IRQ - status unknown
*USSR - Passed on to Russia.References
External links
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_F-W4aBfgw&mode=related&search= Video of a Tyulpan mortar being fired]
* [http://www.artillery-mz.com/en/products/03/240/ 2S4 Tyulpan description at the manufacturer's website]
* [http://www.armscontrol.ru/atmtc/Arms_systems/Land/Artillery/Self_Propelled/2S4_SP_Mortar_Tulpan.htm 2S4 240mm Tulpan at armscontrol.ru]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/2s4-specs.htm www.globalsecurity.org]
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