PERM, Eastern European Russia. Oct 31 (Interfax-AVN) - The local Motovilikhinskiye Zavody JS has completed tests of the modernised 120mm Vena 2S31self-propelled artillery system, head of the company's special equipment export bureau Mikhail Romanov said on Wednesday.
The tests were supervised by Motovilikhinskiye Zavody Chief Constructor Rafael Shvarev, Romanov told Interfax-Military News Agency.
According to him, the Vena possesses a unique combination of characteristics of a mortar and a howitzer. It is also distinguished by the power of its high-explosive shells that is comparable to that of 152-155mm shells and the capability of firing all types of 120mm mortar shells made in Russia and abroad.
The Vena 2S31self-propelled gun is an armoured amphibious unit on the BMP-3 tracked chassis. It is fitted with an automatic system of guidance control in the horizontal and vertical plains which includes a computer for calculating fire parameters.
The Vena has a system of automatic topographic referencing and orienting, as well as equipment for day-time and night-time optical-electronic intelligence and target finding for maintaining high accuracy of fire.
The 2S31 is armed with the 2A80 rifled semi-automatic gun, calibre 120mm, which has a combined breechblock, pneumatic rammer and a system of fume extraction from the barrel. The weapon is capable of direct and indirect fire without preparation of firing position. The maximum firing range is 13km for high-explosive shells, 7.1km for high-explosive mortar bombs and 9km for guided artillery shells. The onboard ammunition load is 70 rounds, rate of fire 8 to 10 rounds per minute, weight 19,100kg, maximum highway speed 60km/h, maximum floating speed 9km/h. Fuel endurance is 600km and crew four men.
Romanov praised the weapon's high export potential.