The 2S1 Gvozdika (translating to "Carnation") was a standard Red Army self-propelled howitzer platform. The type was recognized in the West in 1974 and given the appropriate designation of "M1974". Production of the type was undertaken at state factories in the Soviet Union, Bulgaria and Poland to which several thousand of these capable systems were delivered. Operators beyond the Red Army included various satellite nations, communist allies and Soviet-friendly nations the world over. The initial 2S1 prototype was completed in 1969 and the type entered service with the Red Army sometime in the early 1970s. Once in operational service, the 2S1 was available in large numbers.
The Soviet Army gained much valuable experience in their dealings with the capable German Army in World War 2. In the decades following, a commitment to ever-improving army support was key to the might of the Soviet land army. Such systems in development became large caliber mortars, field guns, main battle tanks and self-propelled artillery. The advent of the missile age also helped to expand the lethal reach of Soviet military hardware and its weapons were shipped off to any pro-Soviet regime. The 2S1 self-propelled howitzer was one such implement that utilized proven mechanical components with a powerful main gun. Its howitzer nature ensured that it would have been used in support of Soviet troop and armor actions should the Cold War in Europe had ever turned "hot".
The 2S1 borrows much of its design from the MT-LB multi-role tracked vehicle. The hull is rather long and featureless, making room for the flat, all-welded turret emplacement to which a 122mm, double-baffled main gun is fitted. This provides the 2S1 with a low profile and squat appearance, making her easy to conceal and more difficult to identify. The glacis plate is well sloped towards the turret roof for optimal ballistics protection. The multi-faceted turret is fully powered and holds three of the four crew - the commander, loader and gunner while the driver mains a forward left-hull position. The turret can traverse a full 360 degrees and provides for an elevation range of +70 to -3 degrees. A fume extractor is clearly identified along the gun barrel. The engine is fitted to the front of the hull. The running tack systems are fitted to each hull side and sport seven road wheels and feature and adjustable suspension system. The drive sprocket is at the front with the track idler at the rear. No track return rollers are present. Beyond the main gun fitting, there are no other secondary weapon systems available to the crew. Armor protection is 20mm at its thickest.
Due to its Cold War origins, the 2S1's fighting compartment is fully protected from Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) weapons. Infra-red night vision is standard for the driver and commander positions. Optional track widths allow the 2S1 to traverse various soft-ground terrains as needed.
The engine is fitted to a separated compartment at the front right of the hull and consists of a YaMZ-238N diesel-fueled engine delivering approximately 300 horsepower. This supplies the 2S1 with a top road speed of 37 miles per hour and an operational range nearing 310 miles.
A trained crew can fire off up to a maximum of five projectiles per minute while two projectiles per minute is the standard sustained rate. The 122mm gun of the 2S1 can reach targets out to 15 kilometers on standard projectiles and up to 22 kilometers when utilizing special rocket-assisted munitions. The main gun is cleared to fire a variety of conventional munitions including High-Explosive (HE), Armor-Piercing High-Explosive (APHE) and flechette (steel arrow dispensing) rounds. The 2S1 can also fire chemical based warheads. Up to 40 x 122mm projectiles can be stored aboard the 2S1 interior.
The 2S1 was further developed into other useful battlefield roles for the Red Army and its other operators. This included such types as a mine clearer and chemical reconnaissance vehicle. Other nations have taken the 2S1 design steps further to produce more custom-minded battlefield solutions such as those supporting guided anti-tank missiles or utilizing commonality of parts with other chassis systems.
In Red Army service, the 2S1 was formally replaced by the 2S9 and 2S19 series of self-propelled guns. The phase out process of existing 2S1s began in 2007. Other former operators of the type included the Czech Republic, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Yugoslavia - these either being placed in reserve status or passed on to successor states. In the case of East German 2S1s, they were phased out of service in 1990 following the reunification of the country from its East and West post-World War 2 components.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
Specifications
State Factories - Soviet Union / Poland / Bulgaria Manufacturer(s)
AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT
Traverse bodies of open water under own power with / without preparation.
FIRE SUPPORT / ASSAULT / BREACHING
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.
25.0 ft (7.62 meters) Length
9.4 ft (2.85 meters) Width
9.0 ft (2.73 meters) Height
34,613 lb (15,700 kg) Weight
17.3 tons (Light-class) Tonnage
1 x YaMZ-238N V-8 water-cooled, diesel-fueled engine developing 300 horsepower at 2,100rpm and driving a conventional track-and-wheel arrangement. Drive System
38 mph (62 kph) Road Speed
311 miles (500 km) Road Range
1 x 122mm 2A18 main gun barrel.
AMMUNITION
40 x 122mm projectiles.
2S1 "Gvozdika" (Carnation) - Base Series Designation.
M1974 - Western Designation of the 2S1 Series
SAU-122 - Alternative Soviet/Russian Designation
UR-77 "Meteorit" - Mine-Clearer
M1979 - Mine-Clearing Vehicle
RKhM "Kashalot" (ATV M1979/4) - Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle
RKhM-K - Command Variant of the RKhM
2S34 "Chosta" - Modernized 2S1; fitting 120mm 2S80 series main gun with guided munitions support; revised fire control system.
2A1M "Gozdzik" - Polish Variant; improved amphibious capabilities
2S1T "Gozdzik" - Polish Variant; fitted with TOPAZ digital fire control system.
Rak - Polish 120mm Mortar Carrier
LPG - Polish Armored Personnel Carrier based on the chassis of the 2S1.
Model 89 - Romanian Designation of 2S1; revised hull design.
Raad-1 "Thunder" - Iranian Variant
BMP-23 - Bulgarian Variant; infantry fighting vehicle type; fitted with 23mm autocannon and support for guided anti-tank missiles in special two-man turret.
BMP-23D - Bulgarian Variant; fitted with smoke grenade dischargers; support for 9K111 guided missiles.
BRM-23 - Bulgarian Variant; Reconnaissance Version
BMP-30 - Bulgarian Variant; BMP-2 style turret; limited production.
Abu Fatma - Sudanese license-production variant
122 PsH 74 - Finnish Designation
Images
1 / 12
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
2 / 12
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
3 / 12
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
4 / 12
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
5 / 12
High-angled left side view of an abandoned Iraqi 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer
6 / 12
Rear right side view of an abandoned Iraqi 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer
7 / 12
Front left side view of a partially concealed 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer in the Iraqi desert
8 / 12
Front left side view of the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer
9 / 12
Left side profile view of the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer
10 / 12
Front view of the 2S1 command variant , its MT-LB origins clearly noticeable
11 / 12
Rear right side view of a 2S1 command variant, its main gun removed for additional equipment
12 / 12
A US soldier peers through the rear door of a 2S1 command vehicle
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
