New Sovietskiy 2S35 120 mm Self Propelled Artillery / Mortar:
The 2S19 Self Propelled Artillery was already operating in significant numbers when the Communists took back over Russia in Twenty Twenty-Seven. As a result, it was not replaced by a more effective platform until the Twenty-Sixties. The lighter platform, the 2S9, armed with a 120 mm mortar, was around fifty years old and simply could not be retained in service. A replacement had been developed, the 2S31 which used the BMP-3 as the basic chassis, but it never entered service and was limited to a few prototypes.
In many ways, this was actually a lucky break because a new vehicle would have to be designed and built. The design did use the 2S31 as a basis but used the newer BMP-5 as the chassis. As the design used the new alloys and composites, they were much stronger and able to withstand far greater abuse than a refitted version would be able to. Because they could survive the crucible of combat far better, they often were made to do the roles which larger artillery platforms should have been used in. As more and more of the 2S31 had to be retired, they ended up performing more and more support roles.
Many stayed in service until the coming of the Rifts even after more advanced artillery platforms were developed. They were easy to maintain and their new construction meant that they did not wear out like the older designs did. Many were transferred to reserve units as more advanced artillery systems became available. They also became a popular export item with the new Soviet government not wanting to export much of their more advanced technology.
After the coming of the Rifts, large numbers of these vehicles have been recovered by the New Sovietsky which they use to support the longer ranged 2S268. They are considered extremely effective and are quite popular with crews. The only real dislike some operators have is that they are not fusion powered and have comparatively short range. Only a very small number are operated by warlords, not really understanding how to use the vehicles in the best manner. More are operated by mercenaries with some having replaced the standard diesel power plant with a fusion reactor, often from various truck designs.
As previously mentioned, the design is based off of the BMP-5 design and uses many of the same components. This includes the diesel engine which gives the vehicle a range of around eight hundred kilometers. The United States designs around the same time used fuel cell systems with even greater range and hydrogen is always available by cracking water. The diesel engine also produces far more heat and much easier to track with thermal equipment. Maximum road speed is 70 kilometers per hour on the road and 45 kilometers per hour off road. The vehicle can also operate on the water at about 10 kilometers per hour using two water-jets mounted at the rear of the hull.
The Soviet 2A80 120 mm cannon can be considered in many ways a cross between standard artillery and a mortar. It is rifled unlike most mortars and fills both roles in many respects. It has much greater range than a standard 120 mm mortar but shorter than most standard artillery systems. It is fully automatic and can fire at the rate of eight rounds per minute until payload is exhausted. Can also be reloaded from outside the vehicle. A standard payload of seventy rounds is carried for the 120 mm cannon. Various rounds are available including mine rounds although they are extremely rare.
The original 2S31 carried a 7.62 machine gun. Even with special rounds, this weapon was found to be too underpowered. As a result, it was replaced by a 14.5 mm heavy machine gun with four hundred rounds of ammunition. Generally, this was considered adequate but was replaced by a 10 mm rail gun in most models later in service. Payload was also increased to eight hundred rounds. This actually not doubles but quadruples the weapons effectiveness. An automatic grenade launcher was considered but not adopted for the most part although a few crews might have managed to acquire and mount one instead of the machine gun or rail gun. After the Rifts, some mercenaries who operate these vehicles have replaced the rail gun or heavy machine gun with an energy weapon with pulse lasers being the most common. For defense against missiles, the vehicle is equipped with a multi-purpose jamming system.
Model Type: 2S35
Vehicle Type: Self Propelled Artillery / Mortar (Tracked)
Crew: Four (Driver, Gunner, Operators, and Commander).
M.D.C. by Location:
| [1] Tractor Treads (2): | 40 each | |
| 120 mm Artillery / Mortar Turret: | 100 | |
| 2A80 120-mm Rifled Gun (In Turret): | 60 | |
| [3] 14.5 mm Commander heavy machine-gun (Early Models): | 30 | |
| [3] 10 mm Commander Heavy Rail-Gun (Turret): | 50 | |
| Multi-Option Jammers (2): | 25 | |
| [2] Headlights (2): | 10 each | |
| Reinforced Crew Compartment: | 80 | |
| [3] Main Body: | 300 |
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 43.5 mph (70 kph) on roads
and 28.0 mph (45 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: Uses tracks to propel tank over the surface
of the water but is not designed for deep water use. Using the tracks,
the BMP-5 can travel on the surface of water at 6.2 mph (10 kph/5.4 knots).
Maximum Range: 497.1 miles (800 km)
Statistical Data:
Height: 10.04 feet (3.06 meters)
Width: 10.33 feet (3.25 meters)
Length: 22.15 feet (6.75 meters) not including gun barrel and
28.25 feet (8.61 meters) with barrel forward
Weight: 21.50 tons (19.5 metric tons).
Power Source: Conventional, Diesel
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: 3.5 million credits was the production price
originally; Remaining Armored Vehicle sells for double that (7.0 million
credits). Many of these tanks remain in service with the New Sovietski
and a few are in the hands of Russian Warlords.
Weapon Systems:
Sensors:
Special Notes:
[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 2008, Kitsune. All rights reserved.
