2S9 NONA Self Propelled Mortar
from: Wikipedia
edited by: Tim Wing
The 2S9 NONA (Новейшее Орудие Наземной Артилерии – Newest Ordnance of Ground Artillery) was a self-propelled 120 mm mortar designed by the Soviet Union that entered service in 1981. The 2S9 chassis is designated the S-120 and based on the aluminum hull of the BTR-D airborne multi-purpose tracked armored personnel carrier. Generally, the 120 mm mortar is referred to as the Nona, with the 2S9 also known as the Nona-S; a BTR-80 based version is the 2S23 or Nona-SVK, and the towed 2B16 anti-tank gun version is named the Nona-K. It is estimated that well over 1,000 2S9s were built.
General Characteristics
- Type: Self Propelled Gun
- Place of origin: Soviet Union
- In service: 1981-2031
- Primary users: Eastern Block of Soviet Independent States (EBSIS)
- Wars: Global Civil War, Unification War, Malcontent Uprisings, Palestine Conflict
- Designer: TsNIITochMash
- Manufacturer: Motovilikha Plants
- Produced: 1979-2011
- Number built: 1500
Design
The 2S9 Nona-S is an amphibious vehicle that can be propelled through the water by two rear water-jets. It is operated by a four-man crew comprising a commander, a driver/mechanic, a gunner, and a loader. The hull interior is separated into a command compartment, a fighting compartment and an engine compartment. A welded steel turret is located at the middle of the hull. The two-man turret has hatches for the gunner and loader respectively.
Mobility
- Engine: 5D20 Diesel, making 240 HP
- Suspension: Torsion Bar
- Fuel capacity: 400 liters
Performance
- Road speed: 60 km/h
- Water speed: 9 km/h
- Operational range: 500 km
- Power to weight: 27.1 HP/ton
Armor
The 2S9’s armor is composed of aluminum plate armor with a maximum thickness of 16 mm. The 2S9’s armor provides good resistance to lighter infantry weapons, such as the 7.62mm machine gun round, fair resistance to heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round and no resistance light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round.
Armament
Primary
The 2S9 utilizes a 120 mm 2A60 mortar with a 1.8-meter-long barrel. It is breech-loaded and capable of firing HE (high explosive), white phosphorus and smoke rounds.
- Designation: 2A60 Mortar
- Calibers: 120mm
- Range: 8.8 km (conventional), 12.8 km (extended)
- Rate of fire, max: 10 rounds per minute
- Rate of fire, sustained: 4 rounds per minute
- Warhead: High Explosive (HE), White Phosphorous (WP)
- Ammunition supply: 40-60 rounds carried internally, dependent on type
Specifications
- Weight, combat: 8 tons
- Length: 6.02 meters
- Width: 2.63 meters
- Height: 2.3 meters
- Crew: 4 man crew
2S9 NONA-S: 120mm mortar system mounted on the aluminum hull of the BTR-D airborne multi-purpose tracked armored personnel carrier.
2S23 NONA-SVK: 120mm mortar system mounted on the hull of a BTR-80.
2B16 NONA-K: Towed anti-tank gun version.
Operators
Eastern Block of Soviet Independent States (EBSIS)
Soviet Army
- 2S9: 1981-2031
Afghanistan, Vietnam and People’s Republic of China
Bibliography
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Original artwork by: Unknown source
Content by Tim Wing
Copyright © 2015 Tim Wing