Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1173894
of the self-propelled mortars. The new 2S31 Vena was to be based on the BMD-3. The development began in 1988. It was to address the dis- advantages of Nona. Tight interior, small quantity of ammunition and lack of a a proper fire control system. The vehicle was actually ready for production in 1993. The main problems of Nona were resolved. However, the new world did not allow the Russian MoD to place orders. The non-standard base platform was the main deal breaker in case of the export sales. Due to the aforesaid circumstances, a variant using the BMP-3 was rolled out in 1997. Then the whole project was put into the freezer. Until 2009 the components were refreshed. For instance, it turned out that the OKB "Argon" targeting system can no longer be manufactured, due to its obsolete character. Then, a micro-scale pro- duction began. According to some obscure information only a single battery was handed off as the system turned out to be too expensive. It was replaced by a simple "Khosta". Azerbaijan ordered 17 2S31 Vena in 2016. The vehicle that took 19 years to develop does not look too bad. It features a new, welded turret (derived from the Nona-2 of 1988) that is spacious and accommodates the modified 2A80 rifled gun-mortar. The vehicle carries 70 rounds, with 36 being placed in two automated storage spaces, 18 rounds per section in the turret. The remaining rounds can be found on both sides of the driver. The fire control system is fairly decent. Despite the fact that the 1P50 gunner sight offers no night capabilities, night vision is available to the com- mander who has an electrically driven small turret at his disposal, that features a thermal camera and 1D22S laser rangefinder coupled with an 1P51 night sight and PZU-5M anti-aircraft/direct fire sight. There is also a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun. The commander may lay down direct fire on the targets. Communications are ensured thanks to the Arbalet R-163-50U radio. Fire control system may be operated in ful- ly automatic, semi-automatic or manual mdoes. Firing solutions are provided to the crew at a tempo that like the capabilities of the Pol- ish "Topaz" system in a version that was quite common during the last decade. Vena features Shtora APS with two groups, 6 smoke grenade dispensers each. BMP-3 hull uses the UTD-29 engine that provides the vehicle, weighing 19 tons, with a very good mobility and amphibious capabilities. Considering the above, it may be said that the Russians have eliminated most of the Nona's disadvantages. Is the 2S31 a platform that could compete against the Polish Rak system? One of the major advantages of the Vena platform is great- er ammunition quantity and greater range, if rocket-propelled ammunition is used. 3ОF49 rounds offer explosive yield that is 40% higher which stems from the application of the strong A-IX-2 explosive (RDX) carried in the warhead in a significant quantity. 2S31 has very good off-road capabilities as well, which is a major advantage. Russian Kapustnik-B and BM auto- mated fire control systems can be placed on par with the Polish ZZKO "Topaz". However, one should remember that the Polish system is, in fact, a C3ISTAR solution coupled with BMS - this is what Vena lacks. "Topaz" also attains readiness quicker. Para- doxically, the long barrel 2A80 gun-mortar that seems to be the greatest advantage of the platform is also its greatest deficien- cy, due to the loading process that is difficult at high elevations. Thus, the actual ROF is lower than the one specified: 5-6 RPM, depending on the condition of the soldiers. Rak has a constant, unchanging rate of fire - 8 RPM. As a result of the above issues, the firepower offered by the 3ОF49 rounds is limited due to the 25% lower ROF. The Polish ammunition is using low-sensitivi- ty explosives. Thus, it is safe to store and maintain. The 2A80 barrel does not really increase accuracy when compared to the precise, smooth-bore Rak solution that is coupled with aerody- VEHICLES