120 mm 2B16 (NONA-K) combination gun deployed in the firing position and clearly showing large muzzle brake
(2000)
120 mm 2B16 (NONA-K) combination gun deployed in the firing system and showing large muzzle brake and castor wheel on trail to assist in bringing the weapon into actionk
(2002)
Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002-2003
120 mm 2B16 (NONA-K) combination gun
Development
For some years the Russian Army has deployed two 120 mm gun/mortar systems, the 2B16 (NONA-K) towed system and the 2S9 full-tracked self-propelled system which is covered in detail in the Self-propelled mortar systems section. The 2S9 is based on the BMD-1 airborne combat vehicle chassis.
It is now known that these two weapons share the same 120 mm ordnance and fire the same family of ammunition with the obvious logistic and training advantages to the user.
These 120 mm weapons combine the features of a howitzer and mortar in one system. In many respects they are unique weapons as there is no similar equivalent weapon system in the West.
The 120 mm 2B16 (NONA-K) towed system was developed in the 1970s at the famous Perm artillery facility and the Central Scientific Research Institute for Precision Machinery Construction.
It was accepted for service with the Russian Army in 1986 with the main user being the Russian air assault forces.
More recently, Russia has developed a new full-tracked self-propelled artillery system called the 2S31 which fires the same family of ammunition as the 2B16, 2S9 and 2S23 as well as a complete new family of ammunition. The 2S31 remains at the prototype stage and is already being offered on the export market. Details of the 120 mm 2S31 are given in the Self-propelled mortar systems section.
The 120 mm 2S31 is based on a much modified BMP-3 infantry combat vehicle chassis.
United Nations sources have stated that Russia did not declare any export of the 120 mm 2B16 (NONA-K) for the years 1992 through to 2000.
Description
Within the designation NONA-K the K (or Kolesnaya in Russian) stands for wheeled, with the weapon being mounted on a split trail carriage and each trail being provided with a castor wheel to assist in bringing the weapon quickly into action.
When travelling, the trails are closed together and locked and the complete upper part of the weapon is traversed through 180? and locked in position over the closed trails.
The 2B16 is normally towed by the GAZ-66 (4 ? 4) 2,000 kg light truck which also carries the five-man crew and a quantity of ready to use 120 mm ammunition. Maximum towed speed on a good road is quoted as 80 km/h. For short distances it can be towed by the smaller UAZ-469 (4 ? 4) 695 kg light vehicle.
When deployed in the firing position, the NONA-K is supported on a small circular baseplate which is located under the forward part of the carriage. The rubber-tyred roadwheels are raised clear of the ground and the equipment rests on the two box-type spread trails, each of which is fitted with a spade.
The 120 mm/24.2 calibre ordnance, designated the 2A51, has 40 constant twist rifling grooves and is breech loaded. It can fire both Russian and Western natures of 120 mm rifled ammunition (for example that used by the French TDA 120 RT-61 towed mortar).
To reduce recoil forces on the barrel, a large box-type multibaffle muzzle brake is fitted which absorbs about 30 per cent of the recoil.
The hydraulic recoil system is mounted above the ordnance and extends about halfway along the barrel with the recuperator being of the hydropneumatic type. The breech mechanism is of the vertical sliding type with plastic gas obturator and a chamber indent device is fitted to retain the round in place when the weapon is fired at high elevation.
The thin shield either side of the ordnance provides the crew of the 2B16 with some protection from small arms fire and shell splinters, with the left side of the shield being slightly higher than the right to protect the direct and indirect sighting system. The manual elevation and traverse controls are also on the left side of the weapon.
Types of 120 mm projectiles fired by the 2B16 include HE-FRAG (high-explosive fragmentation), HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank) and smoke as well as 120 mm mortar bombs.
Details of the prerifled projectiles are given in the table.
Type
HE-FRAG
HE-RAP
HEAT
Calibre
120 mm
120 mm
120 mm
Round weight
19.8 kg
19.8 kg
13.17 kg
HE content
4.9 kg
3.25 kg
n/a
Round length
820 mm
825 mm
960 mm
Muzzle velocity
367 m/s
367 m/s
560 m/s
Max pressure
100 MpA
100 MpA
110 MpA
Max range
8,850 m
12,850 m
1,000 m
Min range
1000 m
1000 m
40 m
The HE-FRAG projectile is called the OF-49, has a steel body and contains A-IX-2 explosive. There is also the OF-51 HE-FRAG projectile which also contains A-IX-2 explosive.
The rocket-assisted projectile is called the OF-50 with the motor cutting in 10 to 13 seconds after the projectile leaves the barrel. The HEAT projectile is fin- stabilised and will penetrate 650 mm of conventional steel armour at 90? to the vertical.
Standard 120 mm mortar bombs fired include the OF-843B, OF-34 and OF-38 high-explosive fragmentation, S-843 and 3S9 illumination, 3Z2 incendiary and 3D5 smoke. These have muzzle velocities of between 119 and 331 m/s and ranges of between 430 and 7,150 m.
The 120 mm ammuntion for this as well as the 2S9, 2S23 and latest 2S31 has been designed and manufactured by the Bazalt State Research and Production Enterprise.
Russia has developed 122 and 120 mm laser-guided projectiles but there is no hard evidence that any of these have been designed for use with the 2B16.
The 2S9, also referred to as the NONA-S, has a similar ordnance to that used in the NONA-K but this is fitted with a system to purge the ordnance after the weapon has been fired. A pneumatically assisted rammer is fitted to increase the rate of fire and load the weapon at higher elevations. The ordnance is not fitted with a muzzle brake.
The latest 120 mm gun/mortar system to enter service is the 2S23, or NONA-SVK which is based on the chassis of the BTR-80 (8 ? 8) APC which has been in service with the Russian Army for some years.
This uses a modified version of the 120 mm 2A51 ordnance which is called the 2A60, but ballistics and characteristics remain the same. Details are given in the Self-propelled mortar systems section.
Specifications
2B16
Calibre: 120 mm
Calibre length: 24.2
Recoil: 400 mm
Muzzle brake: multibaffle
Carriage: split trail
Weight: 1,200 kg
Length: 5.9 m
Width: 1.79 m
Elevation/depression: +80/-10?
Traverse: 30? left and right
Rate of fire: 8-10 rds/min
Max range:
(HE-FRAG projectile) 8,700 m
(HE-FRAG mortar bomb) 7,100 m
Crew: 5
Status
Production complete. In service with the following countries:
