The 2S19 Msta (Russian: Мста, named after the Msta River) is a conventional self-propelled 152 mm howitzer designed by the Soviet Union during the later part of the Cold War. It is based on the T-80U tank hull, but powered by the T-72's diesel engine. There is also a NATO 155mm-compatible version intended for export by the Russian Federation. Msta (Russian: ) is a river in Tver Oblast and Novgorod Oblast of Russia. ... Loading a WW1 British 15 in (381 mm) howitzer A howitzer or hauwitzer is a type of field artillery. ... For other uses, please see Cold War (disambiguation). ... The T-80 is a Soviet/Russian/Ukrainian main battle tank. ... The T-72, a Soviet main battle tank entered production in 1971. ...

Development

The Msta is a modern howitzer designed for employment as a crew-served weapon or fitting into self-propelled artillery mountings. Current production of the towed model is designated Msta-B while the self-propelled model is the Msta-S, also known by the GRAU index 2S19. ... A U.S. M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer Self-propelled artillery (also called mobile artilley or locomotive artillery) vehicles mount a large howitzer (or alternatively mortar or rockets) and are used for long-range indirect bombardment support. ... Main Agency of Missiles and Artillery of the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union (Главное ракетно-артиллерийское управление МО РФ, ГРАУ) is a department of Soviet/Russian Ministry of Defense which is subordinated to the Chief of Armament and Munition of the Armed Forces, vice-minister of defense (начальник вооружения ВС РФ - заместитель Министра обороны РФ). In particular, the GRAU is responsible for assignment...

Specifications

Msta-S specifications provided by manufacturer

• Calibre: 152 mm
• Combat weight: 42 t
• Crew: 5
• Maximum range: 28.5 km
• Rate of fire: 8 rounds per minute
• Weapon elevation: -4° to +68°
• Weapon traverse: 360°
• Maximum tow speed: 60 km/h
• Deployment time: 2 to 2.5 minutes
• Unit of fire: 60 rounds