2S4 Tyulpan

During and after World War II, the Soviets designed and made use of towed heavy mortars, such as the 160 mm mortar M1943, which was one of the heaviest mortars in general use during the war (second only to the German Karl-Gerät self-propelled heavy mortars), and the post-war 240 mm mortar M240. The first self-propelled mortar was the 2B1 Oka, based on the Iosif Stalin tank chassis capable of firing a {{cvt|420|mm}} shell at a distance of {{convert|45|km|abbr=on}}. A few examples were built and paraded in the early 1960s, but ultimately the Oka wasn't adopted due Nikita Khrushchev's preference for missiles over heavy guns.{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|pages=V−26−V−27}}

The towed M240, used by artillery regiments of rifle divisions during the 1950s until they were reassigned in the late 1950s to heavy mortar battalions, proved to be rather impractical in combat: the 3OF-864 shell weighted {{convert|130|kg|abbr=on}}, which made difficult for crews to load the weapon without the aid of a small crane.{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|page=V−27}}

According to the US Marine Corps Intelligence, the Soviets desire for a self-propelled mortar was renewed with the development of nuclear projectiles. Although the Soviet Army was well supplied with nuclear FROG-7 rockets and Scud tactical ballistic missiles, nuclear shells had the advantage of being less bulkier and having greater accuracy. Additionally, the 240 mm mortar shells of the M240 also have a greater destructive effect than artillery shells of comparable caliber,{{efn|Mortar shells have relatively thin walls in comparison to artillery shells, allowing them to carry larger explosive payloads.{{cite book |title=War Department Technical Manual |date=1943 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=174 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hcoIAQAAIAAJ |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=en}}}} making them well suited for striking protected targets, such as entrenched command centers, enemy forces on reverse slopes of hills, or enemy defensive fortifications.{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|page=V−27}}

Development of a practical self-propelled mortar started in the early 1960s by Yuri V. Tomashov's Design Bureau at Uraltransmash plant under the designation Obiekt 305. It combined the GM chassis with a modified version of the 240 mm M240 mortar, the 2B8 developed by Yuri N. Kalachnikov at the Perm Machine Building Plant.{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|page=V−27}} It was introduced into the Soviet Army in the early 1970s as the 2S4 Tyulpan ("Tulip"), reaching full operational status in 1975, being designated by Western intelligence as the M-1975 240 mm self-propelled mortar.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}}{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|page=V−28}}

The 2S4 Tyulpan uses a modified 2K11 Krug chassis and carries an externally mounted 240 mm 2B8 smoothbore mortar complete with its baseplate on the rear of the hull and a dozer blade at the front to prepare firing positions. The hull provides the crew protection against shrapnel and small arms fire. An NBC protection system and night vision equipment are also included. The 2S4 can carry a crew of four while the other five members are carried in the supporting vehicle, usually a 6×6 truck or a MT-LB artillery tractor.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}}

The driver and the commander are seated on the front left side of the vehicle, while the rest of the crew and the ammunition are positioned in the rear. The driver is provided with a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the rear with periscopes for forward observation. The central periscope can be replaced with by a passive night vision device. Behind the driver, the commander has an elevated cupola that can be rotated a full 360° and features an externally mounted PKT machine gun and an infra-red searchlight, with additional hatches mounted on the roof.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}}

The 2S4 has a capacity of 40 standard high-explosive mortar rounds and 1,500 rounds for the PKT machine gun,{{sfn|Foss|2011|pages=914−915}} or 20 Rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP).{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|page=V−28}} These are placed in two automated drum-type magazines. The rounds are fed to the top of the carrier, where they are placed on a track. The mortar then tilts to the horizontal position. The breech opens, and a telescoping rammer pushes the round into the breech, then the bagged propellant charge. The breech closes, and the mortar tilts into the firing position.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}}{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|page=V−28}} In combat, the mortar is elevated between 50° and 80°, and it can fire one round per minute.{{cite web |date=18 November 2017 |title=[Actu] Le retrofit et la modernisation des artilleries automotrices ex-soviétiques |url=https://redsamovar.com/2017/11/18/actu-le-retrofit-et-la-modernisation-des-artilleries-automotrices-ex-sovietiques/ |website=Red Samovar}} The 2S4 is fired either with a mechanical or electrical trigger.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}}{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|page=V−28}}

File:ParkPatriot2015part5-53.jpg

File:2S4 Reloading.jpg

File:240-mm self-propelled mortar 2B8 (SAC-2S4).JPG

The primary ammunition for the weapon is the high-explosive (HE) 53-F-864 mortar round, which has a total weight of {{convert|130|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The GMWZ-7 fuze can be set either to have a delayed action or to detonate on contact. The weapon uses a five-part propelling charge system, which varies the muzzle velocity from {{convert|158|to |362|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} and grants a range of up to {{convert|9650|m|yd|abbr=on}}. Another basic type of ammunition used is a HE fragmentation RAP round weighing {{convert|228|kg|abbr=on}} with a maximum range of {{convert|18000|m|yd|abbr=on}}. Minimum range is {{convert|800|m|yd|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}}

Other types of 240 mm mortar rounds developed include chemical, concrete-piercing, and tactical nuclear. Russian sources state that the chemical and nuclear rounds have been phased out from service.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}} According to Lyamin and Jenzen-Jones, the Soviets also developed a cluster munition (designated as the 3O8 Nerpa), and the Sayda incendiary round. The Nerpa round weighs {{convert|230|kg|abbr=on}}, while the warhead itself weighs {{convert|112|kg|abbr=on}}, have a range of {{convert|7.1-19.3|km|abbr=on}}.{{efn|Maximum range of the 3O8 round is reduced to {{convert|15|km|abbr=on}} with brake rings attached.}} Each round releases 14 submunitions.

The 2S4 Tyulpan can also fire the 3F5 Smel'chak ("Daredevil") laser-guided mortar round. Developed in the 1980s and successfully tested in Afghanistan, where it was fired from the towed M240 mortar. Besides the projectile itself and the mortar, the system also includes the 1D15 laser designator and rangefinder, the 1A35K/1A35J synchronization system and communication equipment. Usually a forward observer locates the target, the command post calculates the target laying information brought by the observer, the Smel'chak round is then loaded, aimed at the targed and fired. Once the round is within {{convert|400-800|m|yd|abbr=on}} of the target the self-guidance system is activated: a laser designator "paints" the target for a short period of time (making it difficult to jam) and the projectile homes onto the target accordingly. If the round is veering off course, a rocket motor engages to correct its flight. The 1D15 designator have a ×10 monocular sight, can designate targets from {{convert|200-10000|m|yd|abbr=on}} with a circular error probability of {{convert|10|m|yd|abbr=on}}. The Smel'chak has a minimum range of {{convert|3.6|km|abbr=on}} and a maximum range of {{convert|9.2|km|abbr=on}} with the laser designator ranging from {{convert|0.2-5|km|abbr=on}}. The 3F5 weighs {{convert|134.2|kg|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|32|kg|abbr=on}} is the warhead.{{sfn|Foss|2011|pages=914−915}}

The tracked suspension is a torsion bar type consisting of a pair of drive sprockets located at the front of the vehicle, idler wheels at the rear, six pairs of rubber tyred road wheels, and four pairs of return rollers.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}}

• A modernized variant was introduced into service with Russian military in 2017. It has a new barrel, hydraulic recoil mechanism, communication systems, and positioning and fire-control system.{{cite web |last1=Malyasov |first1=Dylan |title=Russia modernises batch of 2S4 Tyulpan self-propelled “nuclear” mortars |url=https://defence-blog.com/russia-modernises-batch-of-2s4-tyulpan-self-propelled-nuclear-mortars/ |website=Defence Blog |access-date=3 November 2024 |date=13 November 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12150585@egNews |title=Units of the Russian Defence Ministry receive 2S4 Tulpan modernized self-propelled mortars |access-date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117175641/http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12150585@egNews |archive-date=17 November 2017 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web | url=http://www.armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2019/1015/102054842/detail.shtml | title=ЦАМТО / Новости / Крупнейшие в мире арторудия, состоящие на вооружении в подразделениях ЗВО, прошли модернизацию }}

File:2S4.ogv

According to Foss, around 450 vehicles were built in total, while the Russian Federation hasn't disclosed any production figures. Foss also points out that the Russians maintain a small number of 2S4s in front line service due the weapon short range and low rate of fire.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}}

The Tyulpan was exported to Czechoslovakia, Iraq, and Lebanon.{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|page=V−28}}{{cite web |title=Arms transfer database |url=https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferData |website=SIPRI |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=16 March 2024}} It is no longer in service with these countries.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}}

The 2S4 saw action during the conflicts in Afghanistan{{sfn|Isby|2013|page=26}}{{efn|Erroneously referred to by Isby as the "240mm SP M-1977".}} and Chechnya.{{cite news |url=http://www.aeronautics.ru/chechnya/021700.htm |website=aeronautics.ru |title=War in Chechnya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011209055848/http://www.aeronautics.ru/chechnya/021700.htm |archive-date=2001-12-09 |url-status=dead}}

According to Isby, the Soviets made use of heavy artillery including the 2S4 in Afghanistan in early months of 1980. By 1984, they were brought back to action against the Afghan mujahideen.{{sfn|Isby|2013|page=48}} Use of 240 mm mortars was reported during the Lebanese Civil War,{{cite journal |last1=Gourley |first1=Capt. Scott R |last2=McDermott |first2=Capt. David F. |editor1-last=Garland |editor1-first=Albert N |editor2-last=Edgerton |editor2-first=Marie B. |title=Soviet Mortars |journal=Infantry |date=November-December 1984 |volume=74 |issue=6 |page=14 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TeupioaAOwwC |access-date=3 November 2024 |publisher=U.S. Army Infantry School |location=Fort Benning, GA |language=en |issn=0019-9532}} with the Lebanese Forces receiving at least 3 2S4s from Iraq.

During the First Chechen War, the Russian Army deployed four 2S4s in the 1994 campaign and ten in the 1996 campaign. During the latter, they were used to bombard rebel positions in Grozny, effectively destroying the city. In the second war against the Chechen rebels, the Russian Army expended about 1,410 HE rounds, 40 anti-personnel rounds and 60 laser-guided rounds between January and February 2000.{{cite web |last1=Axe |first1=David |title=Ukrainian Gunners Are Hunting Down Russia’s City-Wrecking Siege Mortars |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/08/21/ukrainian-gunners-are-hunting-down-russias-city-wrecking-siege-mortars/ |website=Forbes |access-date=3 November 2024 |language=en |date=21 August 2023}}

There were also reports that the Tyulpan may have been used by the Syrian Army during the 2012 bombardment of Homs.{{cite news |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Backchannels/2012/0221/Syria-s-Assad-is-hitting-Homs-with-the-heaviest-mortars-in-the-world-video |title=Syria's Assad is hitting Homs with the heaviest mortars in the world |date=21 February 2012 |access-date=21 February 2012 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |first=Dan |last=Murphy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223004159/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Backchannels/2012/0221/Syria-s-Assad-is-hitting-Homs-with-the-heaviest-mortars-in-the-world-video |archive-date=23 February 2012 |url-status=live }} However, other reports suggest that the towed M240s were used instead.{{cite web |last1=Lyamin |first1=Yuri |last2=Jenzen-Jones |first2=N. R. |title=Soviet 3O8 240 mm rocket-assisted cargo projectiles in Syria |url=https://armamentresearch.com/soviet-3o8-240-mm-rocket-assisted-cargo-projectiles-in-syria/ |website=The Hoplite |publisher=Armament Research Services (ARES) |access-date=3 November 2024 |date=14 December 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Roblin |first1=Sébastien |title=The largest-caliber mortar system in the world is shelling cities in Syria and Ukraine (2/2) |url=https://offiziere.ch/?p=27127 |website=Offiziere.ch |access-date=3 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716224225/https://offiziere.ch/?p=27127 |archive-date=16 July 2018 |date=16 July 2018}}

OSCE observers, monitoring movements of equipment in the war in Donbas with a UAV, spotted a 2S4 on territory under control of the Donetsk People's Republic on 4 July 2015.{{cite press release |url=http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/170456 |website=osce.org |title=Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 5 July 2015 |date=2015-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707114345/http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/170456 |archive-date=2015-07-07 |url-status=live}}

In May 2022, 2S4 Tyulpan were reported being used in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with 55 units destroyed by Ukrainian forces as of February 2025, as documented by the OSINT research website Oryx.{{cite web |last1=Janovsky |first1=Jakub |last2=naalsio26 |last3=Aloha |last4=Dan |last5=Kemal |last6=Black |first6=Alexander |title=Attack On Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html |website=Oryx |access-date=5 February 2025 |date=24 February 2022}} According to Rob Lee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Russian 2S4 crews are "likely a priority for Ukrainian counter-battery fire".

File:2S4 operators.png

• {{RUS}} – According to Foss, Russia had a total of 400 vehicles (including those in storage) in 2011.{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=914}} In February 2024, this number declined to 39 vehicles in active service and 160 in storage, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=193}}

• {{CSK}} – 8 received between 1988 and 1989, passed on to successor states{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=516}}
• {{CZE}} − Remained in service as late as 1994{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=516}}
• {{flag|Iraq|1963}} – 10 received in 1983, remained in service as late as 1994{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=516}}
• {{flag|Kazakhstan}} – At least 3 vehicles seen during a parade,{{cite web |last1=Nachtrab |first1=Thomas |last2=Mitzer |first2=Stijn |last3=Buschlaid |last4=Kerdijk |first4=Jan |title=Steppe Sentinels: Kazakhstan’s Fighting Vehicles |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/08/steppe-sentinels-kazakhstans-fighting.html |website=Oryx |access-date=3 November 2024 |date=21 August 2023}} none remain in service according the IISS{{sfn|IISS|2024|page=186}}
• {{flagicon image|Forces_Libanaises_Flag.svg}} Lebanese Forces − 3 received from Iraq in 1988
• {{SVK}} − Remained in service as late as 1994{{sfn|Foss|1994|page=516}}
• {{USSR}} – 55 were in active service in 1991{{sfn|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995|page=V−28}}

• 2B1 Oka
• 2S7 Pion
• 2A3 Kondensator 2P
• 180 mm gun S-23
• 240 mm mortar M240

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F |editor1-link=Christopher F Foss |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery: 1994-95 |date=1994 |edition=15th |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-1154-3 |page=654 |language=en}}
• {{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F |editor1-link=Christopher F Foss |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2011-2012 |date=2011 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-2960-9 |edition=32nd |url=https://archive.org/details/janesarmourartil0000unse |language=en}}
• {{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |date=2024 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-040-05115-3 |language=en |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2024}}}}
• {{cite book |last1=Isby |first1=David |title=Russia's War in Afghanistan |date=2013 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4728-0179-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KXqHCwAAQBAJ |language=en}}
• {{cite book |title=Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices: 1945-1995 |date=1995 |publisher=Marine Corps Intelligence Activity |location=Quantico, VA |url=https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB96134846.xhtml |access-date=16 March 2024 |language=en |ref={{SfnRef|Marine Corps Intelligence|1995}}}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_F-W4aBfgw Video of a Tyulpan mortar being fired]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAPU6oE2ZV0 A 2019 video of Tyulpan being fired]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060622045713/http://www.armscontrol.ru/atmtc/Arms_systems/Land/Artillery/Self_Propelled/2S4_SP_Mortar_Tulpan.htm 2S4 240 mm Tulpan at armscontrol.ru]

{{PostWWIISovietAFVS}}

{{SovArtyColdWar}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2s4 Tyulpan}}

Category:Self-propelled artillery of the Soviet Union

Category:Mortars of the Soviet Union

Category:Tracked mortars

Category:240 mm artillery

Category:Nuclear artillery

Category:Uraltransmash products

Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s