2C7 "Pion" 203 mm self-propelled artillery installation. It is intended for the destruction of certain particularly important objects and the destruction of fortification structures.
A more detailed description of the self-propelled guns The armored body of the machine has an unusual shape. The crew cabin is moved far forward. In addition to its main purpose, it also serves as a counterweight to the gun installation. The installation commander, gunner and driver mechanic are located in the cabin. A four-stroke V-shaped V-46-1 diesel engine with a gearbox is installed behind the cabin. In the middle part of the machine there is a unit calculation department. The leading wheels are located in the front. The guide wheels are located at the back and are lowered to the ground when firing to provide additional stability of the self-propelled gun. For the same purpose, a coulter is used, which resembles a bulldozer dump in shape. It is located in the stern of the installation and is brought into the working position with the help of hydraulic drives. In addition to the main engine, a diesel unit is installed on the ACS for autonomous power supply of the hydraulic and electrical systems. The main armament of the self-propelled gun is the 203-mm 2A44 gun, which weighs 14.6 tons. It is located in the aft part of the installation in the open. A piston shutter is installed on the tool. Tool guidance drives are electro-hydraulic and mechanical. Both a panoramic sight for firing from closed firing positions and an optical sight for direct firing are used to aim the gun. The ammunition of the installation is 40 shots of separate loading. But only 4 of them (on the 2S7M self-propelled guns) are transported to the installed and make up an inviolable reserve. The rest of the shots are transported by road transport. High-explosive shells weighing 110 kg and 1 meter in length are transported for charging using a rotary lift crane, located on the right on the rear part of the hull. In 1985, the installation was modernized and received the name 2С7М ("Pion-M". During the modernization, the rate of fire was increased from 1.5 to 2.5 rounds per minute, the ammunition was increased 4 to 8 shots, equipment for receiving and displaying data for shooting is installed.
2S7M is currently the most powerful self-propelled artillery installation in the world. Experts see an increase in the capabilities of this combat vehicle in the development of high-precision guided (or self-guided) and cluster shells for it.
