Russian mortar system
2S39 "Magnolia" (Russian: 2С39 «Магнолия»; "Magnolia") is a Russian self-propelled 120 mm mortar system developed for the Russian Armed Forces by Burevestnik. TASS first reported on the project in November 2017.[1] Magnolia developed for units deployed in the Far North.[1][2] It is being built on the basis of the DT-30PM articulated tracked vehicle.[3]
Development
Magnolia developed as part of the "Nabrosok" program. In 2021 it was reported that state trials for the system would end in 2022.[3] In August 2022 Uralvagonzavod reported that it started serial production of Magnolia system.[4]
Description
The vehicle is built on the chassis of the DT-30PM tracked vehicle, consisting of two sections connected by a joint. The first section of the vehicle has an armored cabin for the crew and an engine compartment with a YaMZ-847-10 turbocharged diesel engine with a power of 800 hp., connected to a four-speed gearbox with a locking differential. Additionally, the engine system is equipped with a pre-heater, allowing it to be started at temperatures as low as -50°C.[5]
The second section of the vehicle has a turret with a 120 mm mortar, the same as the one used on the 2S9 Nona vehicles. The weapon is actually a hybrid of a howitzer and a mortar being an unconventional design that lacks a direct NATO counterpart. It is compatible with mortar ammunition, both from the Soviet era and later Russian ammunition - including HE and smoke ammunition. For precision attacks against armored targets it uses the Kitolov-2M precision guided munitions. The vehicle carries a maximum of 80 rounds of ammunition, and its effective range depends on the type used and ranges from 7 to 10 km. For self-defense, a 7.62 mm machine gun is additionally mounted on the turret.[5]
References
