152 mm howitzer 2A65

Infobox Weapon
name=152 mm howitzer 2A65


caption=152-mm howitzer 2A65 «Msta-B» in the Saint-Petersburg Artillery museum.
origin=USSR
type=howitzer
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=
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weight=combat: 6,800 kg
length=
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height
crew=6
cartridge=OF45 (High explosive)
caliber=152.4 mm
action=
rate=8 (burst)
velocity=810 m/s
range=
max_range=24.7 km
feed=
sights=
breech=
recoil=
carriage=
elevation=-3.5 to 70 degrees
traverse=28 degrees
blade_type=
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diameter=152 mm
filling=A-IX-2
filling_weight=7.65 kg
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The 152 mm howitzer 2A65 Msta-B is a Soviet towed 152 mm howitzer. The "B" in the designation is an abbreviation for "Buksiruemyi", or towed. This weapon has been fielded in 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 modern artillery, is capable of firing nuclear artillery shells.

For conventional missions, the 2A65 fires a 43.6 kg high explosive OF45 projectile. The howitzer can also fire the OF61 HE projectile with a range of 29 kilometers, the 42.8 kg OF23 improved conventional munition projectile with a range of 26.5 kilometers, the 9K25 cannon launched guided projectile with a range of 20 kilometers, as well as the D-540 smoke shell with a range of 17.4 kilometers. The OF23 is a cargo projectile that scatters 42 HEAT bomblets capable of penetrating 100 mm of steel armor.

The howitzer is towed by either the KrAZ-260 6x6 truck or the Ural 4320 6x6 truck.

The 2A65 is deployed with the 9th Artillery Brigade in Luga, the 288th Artillery Brigade in Inzhenernyy, and the 291st Artillery Brigade in Maikop, as well as being stored in Perm and near Novgorod. [ [http://www.warfare.ru/?lang=&linkid=1585&catid=240 Warfare.ru website on 2A65.] ] The total number of active 2A65 howitzers in Russian service is estimated at 370. Other users of the 2A65 include Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and the Ukraine.

A self-propelled version, the 2S19 Msta-S, is produced.

ee also

* [http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jaa/jaa_0525.html Jane's extract on the 2A65]

Citations