2S9 Nona
2S9 Nona-S 120 mm self-propelled mortar, 2016
Typeair-droppable self-propelled mortar
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1981–present
Used bysee Operators
WarsSoviet-Afghan War
Russo-Georgian War
Syrian Civil War
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
DesignerTSNIITOCHMASH
Designed1974–1980
ManufacturerMotovilikha Plants
Produced1979–1989
Specifications
Mass8.7 tonnes
Length6.02 m
Barrel lengthapprox. 1.8 m or 2.88 m[1][2]
Width2.63 m
Height2.3 m
Crew4
Caliber120 mm
Elevation-4 to +80 degrees
Traverse70 degrees
Rate of fire10 rpm, max;
4 rpm, sustained
Effective firing range8.8 km (conventional);
12.8 km (extended)
Armor15 mm max
Main
armament
120 mm 2A60 mortar
Engine5D20 Diesel
240 hp
Power/weight27.1 hp/tonne
Payload capacity40-60 rounds
Suspensiontorsion
Ground clearance450 mm
Fuel capacity400 liters
Operational
range
500 km
Maximum speed 60 km/h (road);
9 km/h (water)

The 2S9 NONA (Russian: Новейшее Орудие Наземной Артилерии, lit. 'Newest Ordnance of Ground Artillery') is a self-propelled and air-droppable 120 mm mortar designed in the Soviet Union, which entered service in 1981. The 2S9 chassis is designated the S-120 and based on the aluminium hull of the BTR-D airborne multi-purpose tracked armoured personnel carrier. More generally, the 120 mm mortar is referred to as the Nona, with the 2S9 also known as the Nona-S. Although no figures have been released, it is estimated that well over 1,000 2S9 were built.[3]

Description

2S9 Nona-S of the 106th Guards Airborne Division in firing position during field exercises, 2018

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.

The 2S9 utilizes a 120 mm 2A51 mortar with a 1.8-meter-long barrel. The weapon is actually a hybrid of a mortar and howitzer, being an unconventional design that lacks a direct NATO counterpart. It is a rifled, breech-loaded weapon capable of firing HE (high explosive), white phosphorus and smoke rounds, as well as laser-guided munitions like KM-8 Gran. It can engage in indirect and direct fire, as well as targeting armoured vehicles; its armour-piercing rounds can penetrate the equivalent of 600-650 mm of steel plate at up to a kilometre.[4][1][5][6]

Operational history

They have been deployed by Russia during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. In July 2022, video on social media purported to show Ukrainian forces using M777 to destroy a towed 2B16 Nona-K in Hoptivka on the border to Russia.[7] In August 2022, Ukraine's armed forces claimed to use four captured Russian 2S9 against Russian forces.[8] In November 2022, a 2S23-SVK Nona was photographed in Ukrainian service. It was reportedly captured from Russian forces in March and took months to refit.[9]

Variants

Variants of the 120 mm Nona mortar:

  • 2S23 Nona-SVK – BTR-80-based chassis mounting a 2A60 mortar, a variant of the 2A50.[10]
  • 2B16 Nona-K – A towed version. Fitted with a muzzle brake.[5]
  • 2S31 Vena – Is a similar concept based on the BMP-3 chassis. Longer barrel for increased range.[11]
  • 2S17-2 Nona-SV – A BRM-1K with a 2S9 Nona turret, in use by the Ukrainian Ground Forces.[12][13]

Operators

Current operators

2S9 Nona-S of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 2018

Former operators

  • "2S9 Anona (Anemone)- 120mm SPH/Mortar". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  • Walkaround 2S9 Nona from Kremenchug
2S9 Operators
Map of 2S9 operators in blue with former operators in red
Nona-K
2B16 Nona-K
Nona-SVK
Nona-SVK
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2S9 Nona.

References

  1. 1 2 Marat Kenzhetaev (1998). "Self Propelled Artillery and Mortars". www.armscontrol.ru. MIPT Center for Arms Control, Energy and Environmental Studies. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  2. ↑ Arg. (n.d.). 2S9 Nona-S. Military. Retrieved November 13, 2022, from http://www.military-today.com/artillery/2s9_nona_s.htm
  3. ↑ Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0-7106-1542-6
  4. ↑ "The Russian BMD-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle - TankNutDave.com". Archived from the original on 9 October 2018.
  5. 1 2 2B16 NONA-K, Army Guide, retrieved 16/02/2021
  6. ↑ 2S9 Nona, Military Today, retrieved 16/02/2021
  7. ↑ Manning, Joshua (12 July 2022). "WATCH: Ukraine destroy Russian Nona-K guns with M777 Howitzer". euroweeklynews.com. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "Ukraine's Fighters Apply Trophy 2S9 Nona Self-Propelled Artillery Gun to Destroy russia's Armor (Video)". defence-ua.com. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  9. ↑ Campbell, Joseph (4 November 2022). "Ukrainian troops fire on Russians with captured weapons near key city". reuters.com. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "2S23 Nona-SVK 120mm Self-Propelled Gun System". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  11. ↑ "2S31 Vena 120mm Self-Propelled Gun". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine".
  13. ↑ "Ukrainian Version of the Nona Self-Propelled Mortar On the BMP Chassis Went Into Series (Video)".
  14. ↑ The Military Balance 2016, p. 180.
  15. ↑ The Military Balance, 2022, p.186
  16. ↑ The Military Balance 2016, p. 187.
  17. ↑ The Military Balance 2016, p. 188.
  18. ↑ The Military Balance 2016, pp. 190–200.
  19. ↑ "Syria Rearms". Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  20. ↑ The Military Balance, 2022, p.210
  21. ↑ The Military Balance 2016, pp. 205–206.
  22. ↑ Ferguson, Jonathan; Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (November 2014). Raising Red Flags: An Examination of Arms & Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine, 2014. Research Report 3. Armament Research Services. pp. 50, 70. ISBN 978-0-9924624-3-7. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  23. ↑ The Military Balance 2016, p. 491.
  24. ↑ The Military Balance 2016, p. 208.
  25. ↑ "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  26. ↑ The Military Balance 2016, p. 416.
  27. 1 2 3 Jones, Jeffrey, ed. (19 October 2017). U.S. Marine Corps School Of Infantry SOI Complete Training Materials. Jeffrey Frank Jones. p. LIV. Retrieved 17 November 2023.

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