Self-propelled gun "Condenser-2P", index GRAU 2A3 - a heavy self-propelled unit weighing 64 tons, capable of sending a 570 kg projectile at a distance of 25.6 kilometers. It was not mass-produced, only 4 guns were made. For the first time, a self-propelled gun was shown at the parade on Red Square in 1957. The shown ACS made a splash among domestic spectators and foreign journalists. Some foreign experts suggested that the vehicles shown during the parade were fake, designed for the effect of intimidation, but in fact it was a real artillery system of 406-mm caliber, shot at a training ground.
In 1954, the USSR began to create a self-propelled 406-mm cannon of special power, designed to destroy large military and industrial enemy targets located at a distance of more than 25 km with conventional and nuclear shells. Just in case, it was decided to create three types of nuclear super-weapons: a cannon, a mortar and a recoilless gun, with calibers significantly exceeding the American nuclear cannons. The huge caliber appeared as a result of the inability of the Soviet nuclear scientists to make compact ammunition. At the design stage, the artillery system, for secrecy purposes, received the designation "Condenser-2P" ("object 271"), and later it was assigned the index 2A3 by the Ministry of Defense. The gun was developed simultaneously with the self-propelled 420-mm mortar 2B1 "Oka" ("object 273"), in accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers dated April 18, 1955.
The artillery part of the self-propelled unit (the swinging part, the guidance and loading mechanism) was designed by TsKB-34 under the leadership of I. I. Ivanov, where it was assigned the SM-54 index. The horizontal guidance of the gun was carried out by turning the entire gun on a caterpillar track, while precise aiming was carried out using a special electric motor through the turning mechanism. Vertical guidance was provided by a hydraulic lift. The projectile weight was 570 kg, the maximum firing range was 25.6 km.
Proceeding from the fact that there was no suitable chassis to accommodate such a large weapon, the OKBT of the Leningrad Kirov Plant developed a new eight-wheel undercarriage - "object 271". When developing the chassis, the designers focused on the need to ensure the perception of large recoil forces when fired. The created chassis "object 271" had sloths down and hydraulic shock absorbers, partially absorbing the recoil energy. The power plant for the self-propelled gun was borrowed from the T-10 heavy tank with virtually no changes.
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In 1955, plant No. 221 manufactured a 406-mm experimental ballistic barrel SM-E124, which was used to test shots for the SM-54 cannon. In August 1954, the first fully equipped artillery unit of the SM-54 cannon was commissioned at Plant No. 221. The installation of the first SM-54 cannon on the chassis of "Object 271" was completed at the Kirov Plant on December 26, 1956. Tests of the 2A3 "Condenser-2P" cannon were carried out in 1957-1959 at the Central Artillery Range near Leningrad ("Rzhevsky Range") together with a 420-mm 2B1 self-propelled mortar. Before testing the 2A3 "Condenser-2P" unit, some experts did not believe that the SPG would withstand a shot without being destroyed. Nevertheless, the 406-mm self-propelled gun 2A3 "Condenser-2P" has successfully passed the tests by firing and range.
Initially, the tests were accompanied by numerous breakdowns. When fired, the recoil force of the SM-54 gun of the 2A3 "Condenser-2P" installation was such that the self-propelled gun rolled back on a caterpillar track by several meters. At the first shots, simulators of nuclear shells damaged sloths, which could not withstand the large recoil forces of such a powerful weapon. Later, there were cases of failure from the gearbox mountings, the installation equipment collapsed.
After each shot, a study of the material part was carried out, weak components and parts were identified, new technical solutions were taken to eliminate. As a result, the design of the SPG was continuously improved and its reliability increased. The tests also revealed low maneuverability and maneuverability of the installations. However, it was not possible to completely extinguish the rollback, and after the shot, the installation moved back several meters. The horizontal guidance angle of the gun was also very small. Due to the significant weight and size characteristics, it took a lot of time to prepare the firing position of the 2A3 "Condenser-2P" gun, the specified firing accuracy required not only accurate aiming of the gun, but also the thoroughness of preparatory work in the position. Special equipment was used to load the gun;loading was carried out only in a horizontal position.
A total of four 406-mm self-propelled guns 2A3 "Condenser-2P" were built, shown in 1957 at a military parade in Moscow. Some foreign experts have suggested that the cars shown at the parade are just a props designed for a frightening effect. However, it was a real artillery system, fired at the range. However, the mobility of the installation left much to be desired. She could not pass along the streets of small towns, over country bridges, under bridges, power lines, etc. It could not compete with the divisional tactical unguided missile "Luna" neither in these parameters, nor in the firing range. Therefore, the 2A3 "Condenser-2P" did not enter service. The last surviving examples of these miracle weapons are now in museums. ACS 2A3 "Condenser-2P" can be seen in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces (Moscow),mortar 2B1 "Oka" ("Transformer") - in the Museum of Artillery, Engineering Troops and Signal Corps (St. Petersburg).
Performance characteristics 2A3 "Condenser-2P" "object 271"
Combat weight, t 64
Crew, people 7
Length with gun forward, mm 20,000
Case width, mm 3080
Height, mm 5750
Clearance, mm 460
Armament
Caliber and brand of the gun 406.4 mm SM-54
Firing range, km up to 25.6
Sights TPV-51, "Ugol", S-71-5, ZIS-3
V-12-6B engine, supercharged diesel
Maximum power: 552 kW (751 hp) @ 2100 rpm
Engine power, hp from. 750
Cruising on the highway, km 200
Specific power, hp s./t. 11.7
Suspension type individual torsion beam