The all-welded steel armor chassis of the 2S5 has a maximum thickness of about 15-mm, providing the crew with some protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. A front-mounted dozer blade is used for clearing obstacles and preparing firing positions, in accordance with standard Russian doctrine, without the need for specialized engineer support [in constrast, American doctrine stresses mobility for survivability]. A large rear-mounted spade dig into the ground providing a more stable platform when the deployed in the firing position. A 7.62-mm machine gun mounted on the forward part of the cupola can be operated remotely, and a white light searchlight being mounted on the left side. The commander is provided with periscopes and other viewing devices. Standard equipment for the 2S5 includes an NBC system and infra-red night equipment for the driver and commander.
The long barrel of the 152-mm main gun is mounted externally to the rear, and is held in position by a travel lock when traveling. It is fitted with a five part multi-baffle muzzle brake. Crew fatigue is reduced by a semi-automatic loading system consisting of an electrically driven chain rammer left of the breech, a projectile tray and a charge tray. The projectile and charge are loaded in the trays and then swung upwards through almost 90° where the rammer rams the projectile then the charge. When not in operation the loading system folds back 90° parallel to the breech and the projectile and charge-loading system, which pivots on the right side.The 2S5 takes three minutes to set up for action and about as long to secure for movement. A unit of fire is 60 rounds, and the mechanical ammunition-handling system enables a maximum rate of fire of 5-6 rounds/minute to be achieved. Ammunition is of the separate projectile and charge type, which can be supplied from on board via the rear of the vehicle or from the ground. A total of 30 rounds is carried, with projectiles stowed vertically in a carousel on the left of the rear compartment. The 30 propellant charges on the right in three rows of 10, stowed vertically on a horizontal conveyor belt that runs under the floor of the vehicle. The propellant charge consists of a cartridge case, and after firing the breech automatically opens and ejects the spent cartridge case.
The maximum range firing conventional ammunition is 28500-meters, while a range of 40,000-meters can be achieved using a rocket-assisted projectile. The standard high explosive fragmentation projectile weighs 46 kg, with propellant and cartridge weighing up to 34 kg. Other types of ammunition include chemical, concrete-piercing, improved conventional munitions and tactical nuclear.Specifications | ||
| Alternative Designations | 152-mm 2S5 Giatsint-S | |
| Date of Introduction | 1981 | |
| Proliferation | At least 4 countries | |
| Description | ||
| Crew | 5 (section of 7 with 2 in ammo carrier) | |
| Platform (chassis) | Modified 2S3 | |
| Combat Weight (mt) | 28.2 | |
| Chassis Length Overall (m) | 8.33 | |
| Height Overall (m) | 2.76 | |
| Width Overall (m) | 3.25 | |
| Automotive Performance | ||
| Engine Type | 520-hp V-59-V-12 multi-fuel diesel | |
| Cruising Range (km) | 500 km | |
| Speed (km/h) | ||
| Max Road | 63 | |
| Max Off-Road | 25 | |
| Cross-Country | INA | |
| Max Swim | 4.5 | |
| Fording Depths (m) | 1.05 | |
| Emplacement Time (min) | 2 | |
| Displacement Time (min) | 1 | |
| Radio | R-123M | |
| Protection | ||
| Armor, Turret (mm) | INA | |
| Armor Turret Top (mm) | 15 | |
| Armor Hull (mm) | 15 | |
| Self-Entrenching Blade | Yes | |
| NBC Protection System | Yes | |
| Smoke Equipment | None | |
| ARMAMENT | ||
| Main Armament | ||
| Caliber, Type, Name | 152-mm, canon, 2A37 | |
| Barrel Length (cal) | 52 | |
| Rate of Fire (rpm) | ||
| Burst | 6 | |
| Normal | 5 | |
| Sustained | 1-2 | |
| Fire from Ground | INA | |
| Loader Type | Semi-automatic | |
| Breech Type | Horizontal sliding wedge | |
| Muzzle Brake Type | Multi baffle | |
| Traverse | (°) | |
| Left | 15 | |
| Right | 15 | |
| Total | 30 | |
| Elevation (°) (-/+) | -2/+57° | |
| Caliber, Type, Name | 7.62-mm machinegun PKT | |
| Mount Type | Bow (ball-mounted) | |
| Direct Fire Range (m) | 1000 | |
| Max Effective Range (m)` | ||
| Day | 1000 /400-500 on the move | |
| Night | 800 | |
| Fire on Move | Yes | |
| Rate of Fire (rpm) | 650 (cyclic) | |
| FIRE CONTROL | ||
| Indirect Fire | PG-1M Panoramic Telescope (PANTEL) | |
| Direct Fire | N/A | |
| Collimator | K-1 | |
| Gun Display Unit | None | |
| Fire Control Computer | None | |
| VARIANTS | None | |
| MAIN ARMAMENT AMMUNITION | ||
| Caliber, Type, Name | ||
| 152-mm Frag-HE, OF-39 | ||
| Indirect Fire Range (m) | ||
| Minimum Range | 9100 | |
| Maximum Range | 28,400 | |
| Complete Projectile Weight (kg) | 43.51 (OF-29) | |
| Muzzle Velocity | 945 m/s | |
| Fuze Type | V-429 PD 152-mm, HEAT, BP-540 Direct Fire Range (m) | |
| Minimum Range | 0 | |
| Maximum Range | 1000 | |
| Armor Penetration (mm) | INA | |
| Complete Projectile Weight (kg) | 27.00 | |
| Muzzle Velocity | 655 m/s | |
| Fuze Type | GPV-3 PD 152-mm Frag-HE, OF-86 Indirect Fire Range (m) | |
| Minimum Range | INA | |
| Maximum Range | 30,500 | |
| Complete Projectile Weight (kg) | 43.8 (OF-59) | |
| Muzzle Velocity | 945 m/s | |
| Fuze Type | V-429 PD | |
| Other Ammunition Types | DPICM, DPICM-BB, Incendiary, Chemical, Flechette, Semi-active laser-guided Krasnopol-M Frag-HE | |
