The 2S19 Msta-S is a Russian self-propelled howitzer which fires 43.5-kg HE shells out to a maximum distance of 29 km. This combat-proven weapon is one of the most lethal self-propelled artillery pieces in the world. It was developed in the Soviet Union during the Cold War years by the State-run firm Uraltransmash, entering service in 1989. Almost 1,200 pieces of the 2S19 Msta-S have been produced so far, with 900 of them in the arsenal of the Russian Ground Forces. It has successfully been used in the Chechen Wars, the Syrian Civil War, and in the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict.
Technical Characteristics
The 2S19 Msta-S is a 152.4-mm-caliber self-propelled howitzer which is based on the 2A65 Msta-B towed field howitzer. It is mounted in a rotating, steel-armored turret built on a tracked chassis, which was specially designed for it. The gun barrel is fitted with a vertical, sliding wedge breech, and muzzle brake at the other end. This self-propelled system is equipped with a semi-automatic loader, which gives the howitzer a 1 round per minute sustained rate of fire, or a burst of 6 rpm. It also features a fire-control system and a laser-guided system for the 30F39 Krasnopol munition.
Specifications
Type: self-propelled howitzer
Caliber: 152.4 mm
Weight: 42 tons
Length: 7.15 m (23ft 5in)
Width: 3.38 m (11ft 1in)
Height: 3 m (9ft 10in)
Elevation: -4° to +68°
Power Plant: 840 HP diesel engine
Speed: 60 km/h
Crew: 5
Variants
2S19 Mtsa-SM1, fitted with improved fire control system; 2S19 Mtsa-SM2, which is equipped with GLONASS (Rusian satellite navigation system) and digital electronic maps; 2S27 Mtsa-K, which is a wheeled version based on a 8x8 truck chassis.
Below, the 2S19 Mtsa-SM1 in Siberia during a military exercise in 2012.
Below, the 2S19 Mtsa-S near Rostov on Dons
In this video, you can see the power of this self-propelled artillery piece.
