2B9 Vasilek

The 2B9 Vasilek (Cornflower) is an automatic 82 mm gun-mortar developed in the Soviet Union in 1967 and fielded with the Soviet Army in 1970. It was based on the F-82 automatic mortar. Unlike conventional mortars, the 2B9 can fire in single and automatic mode using four-round clips. Rounds can be loaded from either the muzzle or the breech. Because of its wheeled carriage, the 2B9 resembles a light artillery piece more than a conventional mortar.

2B9 Vasilek
82 mm 2B9 Vasilek Gun-mortar
TypeGun-mortar
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1970–present
WarsSoviet–Afghan War
Syrian Civil War
War in Donbass
Production history
ManufacturerBolshevik Plant, Norinco, Diósgyőri Gépgyár
Specifications
Masscombat: 632 kg (1,393 lb)
Shell3.23 kg (7 lb 2 oz) bomb
Caliber82 mm (3.2 in)
Breechmuzzle or breech loaded
Elevation−1° to 85°
Traverse60°
Rate of fire100–120 rpm
Muzzle velocity270 m/s (890 ft/s)
Maximum firing range4,270 meters
SightsPAM-1 2.5× or 3×

The 2B9 was used in Afghanistan[1] by Soviet units and is still found in Russian airmobile infantry units. In the fighting in Afghanistan, Soviet units found the 2B9 to be a versatile and useful weapon.[2] The 2B9 can fire high-explosive, armor-piercing and smoke shells, as well as flares. The armor-piercing projectile, which weighs 3.1 kg, has a 75 g warhead that can penetrate 100mm of armor.[3] Upon blast, the shell produces 400 to 600 fragments.

The 2B9 can be towed but is usually carried on a modified GAZ-66.[4] By 1988, the 2B9 was also deployed as a self-propelled weapon by mounting the gun-mortar in the rear of an MT-LB armored personnel carrier.[5]

During the Syrian Civil War, the 2B9M Vasilek was used by the Syrian Armed Forces, Kurdish People's Protection Units, and the Islamist group Ansar al-Sham. The latter used a 2B9M automatic mortar near Mount Chalma, Kesab district.[6]

Variants
  • 2B9 Vasilek – Basic model
    • 2B9M Vasilek – Modernised version introduced in 1982, and adopted in 1983.[6]
  • DE-82 - upgraded Hungarian version developed in 1987.[4]
  • Type W99 – 2B9 Vasilek produced in the People's Republic of China by Norinco.[7]

Operators
Map with 2B9 operators in blue with former operators in red

Current operators

Former operators

References
  1. Campbell, David (30 November 2017). Soviet Paratrooper vs Mujahideen Fighter: Afghanistan 1979–89. Combat 29. Osprey Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 9781472817648.
  2. "fmso.leavenworth.army.mil". Archived from the original on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  3. Leland Ness (ed.), Jane's Infantry Weapons 2007–2008, pp. 556–557, Surrey: Jane's Information Group, 2007
  4. Lovass, Ernő; Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (3 September 2018). "Soviet 2B9M Vasilek self-loading mortar". armamentresearch.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  5. "sill-www.army.mil" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  6. Jenzen-Jones, N.R.; Lyamin, Yuri (18 June 2014). "2B9M Vasilek automatic mortar in service with Ansar al-Sham in Syria". armamentresearch.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  7. Blasko, Dennis J. (2013). The Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century. Routledge. p. 140. ISBN 9781136519970.
  8. How the "Cornflower" fires 13/11/14. Novorossia TV. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  9. "Vídeo of DPR militia using 2B9 Vasilek". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2014.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.