New Sovietskiy 2K22-T Tunguska Anti-Aircraft Artillery:
The 2K22 was first developed in Nineteen-Seventy as a replacement for the previous air defense platforms. The guns of the previous weapon platform was armed with a 23 mm cannon and was not considered effective against NATO aircraft such as the A-10 Thunderbolt. Production started in Nineteen Seventy-Six and continued to be produced even after the Soviet Union collapsed although in much smaller numbers. In addition to being produced in Russia, the combat vehicle was exported to India. India operated a number of different Russian designs.
The vehicle combined two 30 mm 2A38M auto cannons and eight 9M311 missiles (NATO designation SA-19 Grison.) A total of 1,904 rounds for the 30 mm cannon were carried with a rate of fire of around 5,000 rounds per minute with both cannons combine. It has a range of 3,000 meters against air targets which extends to 4,000 meters against ground targets. Electronics allowed multiple vehicles to link fire control systems to a command and control platform.
An upgraded model was introduced in Two Thousand Three. This upgraded model was designated the Tunguska-M1. It most important feature included a much improved ability to engage low flying missiles and aircraft. The vehicle has a powerful tracking radar with a maximum range of thirty-eight kilometers. As well, it used a new chassis, the GM-5975 and similar chassis were used in a variety of different vehicles. Diesel powered, the vehicle has a 780 Horsepower V12 engine and a maximum road speed of sixty-five kilometers per hour and an operational range of five hundred kilometers.
When the Soviet government became communist once again, there was vast increase in military spending. Still, the new spending was not enough for replacing all military platforms and vehicles in service. As a result, there were times when they needed to refit vehicles already in service. While there were many disadvantaged of this approach, it is far cheaper than all new designs. As well, there were a number of generals and marshals who saw that this was politically expedient to support. The 2K22M1 was not produced in large numbers but it was decided that both solutions would be followed. The already existing vehicles were refitted while new vehicles were also built using the new materials.
The ones which were re-manufactured using new composite materials were designated 2K22-T1 while those which were new construction vehicles were designated 2K22-T2. India had bought relatively large numbers of the combat vehicle and decided to refit their existing vehicles and did not purchase large numbers of the new construction models. They had fallen on comparatively hard times and could not afford large number of new vehicles.
The biggest refit of the design was the refitting of the design with the new composite armors but new tracks made out of the new materials were part of the reconstruction. Otherwise, any of the new weapons which had been introduced would devastate the design. In addition, the weapons in the platform had new ammunition. In some cases, such as the missile launchers, they were refitted to be able to fire the new missiles which later became standard medium range type missiles.
The refitted versions were considered by most soldiers and officers to be of limited use due to the fact that they broke down far more frequently than the new built designs. Even the newly build vehicles were soon considered obsolete by most due to the fact of the comparatively limited radar range and due to comparatively slow speed. Most new tank designs were far faster than the 2KM22 design. As most diesel powered vehicles retired and repair parts became rare, there were more and more problems operating the vehicle.
It took quite a while for all of the refitted versions to be retired and remained in service until the late part of the Twenty-First Century. Some were scrapped, a few were put in reserves, while others were sold or given to allies. The new constructed vehicles remained in service but were used mostly in supporting roles due to the limitations in the design. As it was, there was never a true replacement for the design. Luckily, many of the new combat designs which entered service later in the century carried effective defenses against aircraft and missiles.
By the actual time of the Rifts, all of the 2K22M1 had long been retired
in Soviet service. While many were destroyed, many others survived the
coming of the magical storms which devastated much of the Earth. Many of
the new construction versions also survived. Some of both versions were
recovered by the New Sovietskiy which needed almost any combat vehicles
they could find. As well, a number of Warlord have found these vehicles
and mercenaries have found these vehicles as well. Since it can be found
outside of the old Soviet borders, they can be found in other hands as
well although mostly the refitted versions. Many consider the refitted
vehicles to be more trouble than they are worth although the new construction
version are better liked. Some vehicles have been refitted with new radar
systems and some have had the power system replaced by fusion reactors.
| Model Type: | 2K22-T1 | Upgraded Original Model (Added Composite Armors) |
| 2K22-T2 | New Composite Construction |
Vehicle Type: Self Propelled Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Tracked)
Crew: Four (Driver, 2 Weapon Operators, and Commander).
| M.D.C. By Location: | Refitted Version: | New Manufacture: |
| [1] Tractor Treads (2): | 40 each | 60 each | |
| Weapon Turret | 80 | 120 | |
| 57E6 Anti-Aircraft Radar (1, Folds Down): | 40 | 60 | |
| 30 mm 2A38M Auto-Cannons (2, Turret) | td>25 each35 each | ||
| 9M113-M1 Medium Range Missile Tubes (8, Turret) | 15 each | 20 each | |
| Multi-Option Jammers (2): | 25 | 25 | |
| [2] Headlights (2): | 10 each | 10 each | |
| Reinforced Crew Compartment: | 40 | 60 | |
| [3] Main Body: | 180 | 260 |
Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the tank until
it is replaced. Replacing a tread will take 1D6x10 minutes by a trained
crew (2 replacements are carried on board) or three times as long by the
inexperienced. Changing the tread is only advisable when the vehicle is
not under attack.
[2] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the
attacker to make a "called shot," but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[3] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is
completely shut down and is unsalvageable.
Speed:
Ground: Maximum speed on land is 40.4 mph (65 kph) on roads
and 24.9 mph (40 kph) off road maximum. The vehicle is designed to traverse
virtually all terrain and can climb at up to a 60% grade although at a
much slower speed (About 10% of maximum road speed). It can also climb
barriers and ford trenches. The vehicle can also handle side slopes of
up to 30%.
Water Capabilities: Not Amphibious.
Maximum Range: 310.68 miles (500 km)
Statistical Data:
Height: 11.02 feet (3.36 meters) with radar folded down and
13.19 feet (4.02 meters) folded up
Width: 10.63 feet (3.24 meters)
Length: 26.02 feet (7.93 meters) for chassis
Weight: 37.48 tons (34 metric tons).
Power Source: Conventional, Diesel (V-46-4 turbocharged V-12
diesel with 780 HP)
Cargo Capacity: Minimal storage space in pilots compartment;
about three feet (0.9 m) in side dimensions for extra clothing, weapons,
and personal items. Four carbines and one hand-held missile launcher with
four loads each are stored in a compartment in the crew compartment.
Black Market Cost: 2.8 million credits to build the 2K22-T1
and 3.8 million credits to built the 2K22-T1 model. Often cost double to
purchase one. Many of these armored remain in service with the New Sovietski
and a few are in the hands of Russian Warlords or mercenaries.
Weapon Systems:
Sensors:
[New Navy, New Sovietskiy, and TRIAX are trademarks
owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books Inc.]
Initial Concepts by Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ).
By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).
Copyright © 2009, Kitsune. All rights reserved.
