Modern Russian self-propelled artillery installation on a tracked chassis. It combines the advantages of a mortar, cannon and howitzer. It is designed for combat with armored vehicles, counter-battery warfare, destruction of infantry, command posts and other enemy infrastructure. It is used by the Russian armed forces as part of a special military operation in Ukraine. It has been mass-produced and modified since 2008.
The history of the creation of 2C34 "Host"
At the beginning of the 21st century, the Russian Ministry of Defense drew attention to the need for deep modernization and subsequent replacement of the 2S1 Gvozdika. In this regard, the 2X1M1 project was launched in 2003. Within its framework, the artillery part of the ACS was equipped with a new automated gun control and guidance system (ASUN) 1V168-1. However, it later turned out that in order to increase firepower, more significant changes must be made, up to a complete replacement of the gun.
Therefore, the machine-building company Motovilikhinsky Plants from Perm and the Nizhny Novgorod scientific research enterprise Burevestnik began to introduce components of other artillery systems into the design of self-propelled guns, for example, 2C31 "Vienna" and 2C23 "Nona-SVK". This project was named 2C34 "Hosta". In 2008, the first prototypes appeared and small-scale production of the machines began. They were sent to the Orenburg region to conduct military tests.
As a result, the ACS demonstrated insufficient stability due to constant rocking when firing and a low rate of fire (3-4 rounds per minute). However, the production and supply of vehicles to the army were not stopped. In total, we managed to produce more than 50 units. In addition, an experimental modification of the 2C34M with a new gun computing system and a prototype 2C34-1 with an alternative gun (2A80-1 instead of 2A31), the presence of ASUNO 1B180-1 and other modern equipment were created.
Characteristics and advantages of the 2C34 "Host"
The 2C34 Hosta is based on a modified chassis from the 2C1 Gvozdika. The layout is classic. The engine and transmission compartment (on the right) and the driver's seat (on the left) are located in the bow of the hull. The rest of the space is reserved for the fighting compartment. The length of the hull is 7.26 m, the width is 2.85 m, and the height is 2,827 m. The ground clearance is 400 mm. The hull is welded from rolled steel 15 mm armor plates. This type of reservation is able to protect gunners from bullets and shell fragments.
Above the fighting compartment there is a turret with a cannon, ammunition, as well as places for the gunner, loader and commander of the vehicle. It can rotate 360° around its axis. The main gun is a rifled semi-automatic 120 mm howitzer-mortar gun 2A80-1. It can fire direct fire or from closed positions. Elevation angle values range from -2° to +80°. Smoke grenade launchers and a 7.62mm PKTM machine gun are used as additional weapons.
The ammunition consists of 40 rounds of various types. We are talking about thermobaric 3VOF119, incendiary 3VZ4, lighting 3VS24, smoke 53-VD-843 and cluster 3VO32/3VO34 shells and mines. In addition, various high-explosive smoothbore and rifled ammunition are used.: Soviet 3VOF53, 3VOF57, 53-VOF-843B, 3VOF68, 3VOF69, 3VOF79 and Russian 3VOF54(-1), 3VOF110, 3VOF111, including the active-reactive 3VOF111.
Guided munitions may be used: 3VOF112 projectile and KM-8 "Gran" mines. The gun is adapted to the use of foreign samples. For example, the French PRECLAIR, ACED, PEPA/PEPA-LP, M44/66, PR-14, PRAB, PRPA and APCM. Turkish MKE Mod 209/226/236/250/258 or Spanish MAT-120. Due to the possibility of firing in various modes, the destruction of open and protected targets at a distance of up to 14 km is ensured.
The ACS is equipped with an automated fire control system (ACS), which is responsible for calculating the parameters of gun guidance. Thanks to her, the rate of fire was increased to nine rounds per minute. There are two versions of the SLA: simplified – for standard installations and ASUNO – for command vehicles. The on-board equipment includes an optoelectronic reconnaissance and target designation system. It provides detection and recognition of objects, their capture and tracking day and night, as well as in any weather.
Interesting facts: The Chinese manufacturer of prefabricated Trumpeter models produces 1/35 scale copies of ACS data. One combat vehicle was presented at the exposition of the international forum "Technologies in Mechanical Engineering-2014" in Zhukovsky. The installation captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces was demonstrated in 2022 at an exhibition in Prague. The Khosta has a sealed hull and can move through water at a speed of about 4-4.5 km/h.
The car is powered by an eight-cylinder YaMZ-238N diesel engine with a capacity of 300 hp. The maximum speed when driving on the highway is 60 km / h. In rough terrain, this value drops to 32 km/h. The power reserve is about 500 km. The track size is 2.5 m. The transmission is dual-threaded. The transmission is seven-speed (with one rear speed). The installation with ammunition weighs about 16 tons.
The undercarriage has seven support rollers with a torsion bar suspension on each side. Some of them are equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers. The driving wheels are located in the bow, the guides are located in the stern. The track width is 350 mm, the tracks consist of links with hinges. They exert a specific pressure on the ground equal to 0.492 kg / sq. cm. The machine can overcome a 35-degree rise, a 70-centimeter wall and a three-meter ditch. The bottom of the hull has been reinforced to improve the resistance to detonation of anti-tank mines.
Modern use of 2C34 "Host"
The Russian army has 40 2C34 "Host" systems in service. They are assigned to military units No. 22220 and No. 12128. These are the bases of the 20th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Carpathian-Berlin Brigade (Volgograd) and the 21st Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Omsk-Novobug brigade (Orenburg Region). The latter is a structural unit of the Center group of forces participating in the SVO. The 21st OMSBR directly operated in the Svatovsky and Avdeevsky directions.
The first official report on the use of 2C34 installations as part of a special military operation in Ukraine appeared on February 16, 2023. The Ministry of Defense noted that these vehicles operate both singly and in pairs. They are firing at enemy positions during the day and at night. Target designation and fire correction are provided through interaction with reconnaissance groups and UAV calculations. Earlier, footage appeared of two vehicles being transported to the rear for repair and restoration. At least one installation was captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Conclusion
ACS 2C34 "Hosta" is a multifunctional and reliable machine. It is equipped with more powerful weapons than the 2S1 Gvozdika, is maintainable and easy to operate. Thanks to the introduction of automated equipment, the installation effectively operates within the framework of a single tactical management system. However, its weak point is the outdated chassis. The prospects of this installation can be discussed only after the replacement or deep modernization of the chassis.
