2S3 Akatsiya

2S3 Akatsiya
Country	Soviet Union
Role	Self-propelled gun
In service	1971–present
Built	Unknow

SO-152 (СО-152) is a Soviet 152.4 mm self-propelled gun developed in 1968. It was a response to the American 155 mm M109. The development started in 1967 according to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union from July 4, 1967. In 1968 the SO-152 was completed and in 1971 entered service. Its GRAU designation is 2S3 (2С3). The fighting vehicle also received the additional designation Akatsiya (Акация), which is Russian for acacia.

Source: 2S3 Akatsiya on Wikipedia

2S3 Akatsiya Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	100

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General Characteristics and Role

The 2S3 Akatsiya (Russian for “Acacia”) is a Soviet-era 152 mm self-propelled howitzer developed in the late 1960s as a direct response to the American 155 mm M109 SPG. It was designed to suppress and destroy enemy personnel, artillery, command posts, and field fortifications, providing division-level indirect fire support. The vehicle uses a tracked chassis derived from the 2K11 Krug (SA-4 Ganef) surface-to-air missile system. It was accepted into Soviet service in 1971 and received the NATO designation M1973. It is known for its ruggedness and capability to fire a wide variety of Soviet 152 mm ammunition.

Property	Typical Value
Role	Self-Propelled Howitzer
National Origin	Soviet Union (USSR)
Manufacturer	Uraltransmash / OKB-9
Service Entry	1971
Crew	4 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, Loader)
Combat Weight	27.5 tonnes (27,500 kg)
Length (Gun Forward)	8.4 m (27 ft 7 in)
Width	3.25 m (10 ft 8 in)
Height	3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)

Powerplant and Mobility

Engine: V-59 V-12 liquid-cooled diesel engine.
Power Output: 387 kW (520 hp).
Transmission: Manual, with 6 forward and 2 reverse gears.
Suspension: Independent torsion bars with hydraulic shock absorbers.
Maximum Speed (Road): 60–63 km/h (37–39 mph).
Operational Range (Road): Approx. 500 km (310 mi).
Protection: All-welded steel armor, providing protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters (up to 30 mm thickness on the turret and hull front).
NBC Protection: Equipped with a collective Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) defense system.

Armament and Performance

Main Armament: 152.4 mm (6-inch) 2A33 howitzer (28 caliber length).
- Elevation/Traverse: -4° to +60° elevation; 360° turret traverse.
- Ammunition Load: 40 to 46 rounds (depending on variant and internal stowage).
Maximum Range (Standard HE): Approx. 17.4 km (10.8 mi) with conventional High Explosive (HE) rounds.
Maximum Range (RAP): Approx. 20.5–24 km (12.7–15 mi) with Rocket Assisted Projectiles (RAP).
Rate of Fire: Maximum of 4 rounds per minute (rpm); sustained rate of 1–3 rpm.
Ammunition Types: Fires a wide range of separate-loading 152 mm ammunition, including HE-FRAG, HEAT, smoke, illumination, and later, laser-guided munitions like the **Krasnopol** projectile.
Secondary Armament: 1 x 7.62 mm PKT machine gun mounted on the commander’s cupola for anti-aircraft and self-defense.