2S1 Gvozdika

2S1 (SAU-122)
2S1 "Gvozdika" during the Independence Day parade in Kiev, Ukraine
Type	Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1972–present
Used by	see Operators
Wars	see Combat history
Production history
Designer	Kharkov Tractor Plant
Designed	1969
Produced	1971–1991
Number built	more than 10,000
Variants	see Variants
Specifications
Weight	16 tonnes (35,273 lbs)
Length	7.26 m (23 ft 10 in)
Width	2.85 m (9 ft 4 in)
Height	2.73 m (8 ft 11 in)
Crew	4
Shell	separate loading, cased charge
Caliber	122 mm
Breech	Horizontal sliding wedge, semi-automatic
Elevation	-3 to +70 degrees
Traverse	360 degrees
Rate of fire	Maximum: 5 rpm Sustained: 1-2 rpm
Muzzle velocity	680 m/s (2,200 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	Conventional: 15.3 km (9.5 mi) Extended: 21.9 km (13.6 mi)
Armor	20 mm (.78 in)
Main armament	2A18 122 mm (4.8 in) howitzer
Engine	YaMZ-238N diesel 220 kW (300 hp)
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	500 km (310 mi)
Speed	Road: 60 km/h (37 mph) Off-road: 30 km/h (18 mph) Swim: 4.5 km/h (2.8 mph)

The 2S1 Gvozdika (Russian: 2С1 «Гвоздика», "Carnation") is a Soviet self-propelled howitzer based on the chassis MT-LB APC, mounting the 122 mm 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its GRAU designation. An alternative Russian designation is SAU-122 but in the Russian Army it is commonly known as Gvozdika. The 2S1 is fully amphibious with very little preparation, and once afloat is propelled by its tracks. A variety of wider tracks are also available to allow the 2S1 to operate in snow or swamp conditions. It is NBC protected and has infra-red night-vision capability.

The 2S1 has seven road wheels on each side; the running gear can be fitted with different widths of track to match terrain. The interior is separated into a driver's compartment on the left, an engine compartment on the right and a fighting compartment to the rear. Within the fighting compartment the commander sits on the left, the loader on the right and the gunner to the front. The all-welded turret is located above the fighting compartment. The 2S1 utilizes a 122 mm howitzer based on the towed D-30 howitzer. The gun is equipped with a power rammer, a double-baffle muzzle brake and a fume extractor. It is capable of firing HE (high explosive), leaflet, HE/RAP, armor-piercing HE, flechette and chemical rounds.

The first prototype was ready in 1969. The 2S1 entered service with the Soviet Army in the early 1970s and was first seen in public at a Polish Army parade in 1974. The vehicle was deployed in large numbers (72 per tank division, 36 per motorized rifle division). It was designated the M1974 by the U.S. Army and manufactured in Bulgarian, Polish and Russian state factories.