Ukraine deploys new Bohdana 3.0 155mm howitzer against Russian troops

According to a tweet by Praise The Steph on September 3, 2023, the Ukrainian 1st Separate Brigade of Special Purpose has deployed the new 2S22 Bohdana 3.0 into active service. This updated version of the 2S22 Bohdana is mounted on a Czech Tatra 815-7 chassis and features a Puma armored cab manufactured by the Czech company Excalibur Army. The Ukrainian army has now at least 4 Bohdana in three variants (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0), each with its own 6x6 truck chassis.
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The Bohdana 3.0 is built upon a Tatra 815-7 chassis and is equipped with a Czech armored cab from Excalibur Army (Picture source: 5 Channel)

This deployment has been unveiled by a TV report by Ukraine's "5 channel" on September 2, 2023. The report focuses on accounts from gunner officers involved in the conflict, highlighting that despite receiving foreign weaponry and military equipment, the Ukrainian armed forces continue to demonstrate their reliance on domestically produced items. This is particularly evident in their satisfaction with the Bohdana 3.0, which plays a role in ongoing battles and underscores Ukraine's self-sufficiency and military capabilities.

The base on the 3.0 variant, the Tatra 815-7 (Force), has been in production since 2008, with various configurations available, including 4×4, 6×6, 8×8, and 10×10, and additional chassis options like 10×8, 12×12, and 12×8. The Tatra 815-7 chassis serves as the base for several military vehicles, including the Ukrainian Bureviya 220 mm MLRS, Excalibur International's Khan Tactical Ballistic Missile System, and the French Nexter Titus MRAV.

Technical specifications of the Tatra 815-7 include an air-cooled, turbocharged Tatra T3C-928-90 V8 engine with a displacement of 12,667 cc, capable of delivering 402 hp at 1,800 rpm and generating a peak torque of 2,100 Nm at 1,000 rpm. It can achieve a top speed of 115 km/h, has a fuel tank capacity of 420 liters, a cruising range of 750 km, and can handle an angle of approach/departure of 45°/42°, along with a fording depth capability of 1.5 meters.

The Bohdana 3.0's Puma L2 Long cabin is a component of the Puma armored cabin family developed and produced by the Czech company Excalibur Army for the Tatra Force chassis series. This cabin can accommodate up to five occupants within its four-door setup and provides Level 2 ballistic protection in line with STANAG 4569 standards. Inside, the cabin features a digital dashboard equipped with two display units and an infotainment system developed by Excalibur. This system is adaptable for potential integration with other subsystems, allowing control over various superstructures and functions from within the cabin. Additionally, for those who prefer a more traditional setup, the cabin can be equipped with a standard analog dashboard from Tatra Trucks.

The 2S22 Bohdana, in all its iterations, is a 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer based on a 6x6 truck chassis, similar in design to the French CAESAR, Russian 2S43 Malva, and Israeli ATMOS wheeled self-propelled howitzers. The vehicle was designed and developed in Ukraine according to NATO standards, including the gun control system and the truck carrier. The layout features an armored cabin at the front and the artillery gun system at the rear, offering protection against small arms fire and artillery shell fragments, and accommodating up to five crew members.

The primary armament of the 2S22 Bohdana comprises a single 155mm NATO standard cannon positioned at the rear of the truck chassis, capable of firing High-explosive incendiary/armor-piercing ammunition (HEIAP) with a range of 35 to 40 km and Rocket-assisted projectile (RAP) with a range of 45 to 60 km. It can achieve a maximum rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute, with the truck capable of carrying a total of 20 rounds of ammunition and associated charges stored in boxes located on each side of the truck chassis.

The Ukrainian 2S22 Bohdana 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer in its 1.0 variant (Photo credits: Sergey Pashynsky)

The original 2S22 Bohdana 1.0 is based on a KrAZ 63221 6×6 high-mobility truck chassis produced by Ukrainian AutoKrAZ, with a total weight of 28,000 kg. Introduced in 2018 during the Kyiv Independence Day Parade, the 1.0 underwent its first firing and trial tests in October 2021. Since then, Ukraine's armed forces have deployed the vehicle in combat, and already updated it, based on combat experience.

The upgraded Bohdana 2.0 variant retains the 155mm cannon but introduces various improvements, including a redesigned armored cabin. Notable changes include curved roof edges towards the sides of the cabin, redesigned windows and doors with different base shapes, and larger steps. In terms of combat capabilities, the 2.0 version can fire American M982 Excalibur 155mm precision-guided shells. Additionally, a computerized fire control system has been installed on the chassis, enabling automatic targeting and target tracking. The Ukrainian forces have also enhanced the fire system to ensure effectiveness across different terrains. Furthermore, it appears that there is a shift to a different base for the three-axis chassis, which seems to be the KrAZ-6322 military truck.

Utilizing the KrAZ truck chassis, the 2S22 Bohdana offers mobility on both roads and off-road terrain. It can achieve a maximum road speed of 80 km/h and has a cruising range of up to 1,000 km. The vehicle can cross vertical steps of 0.7m, trenches of 1m, gradients of 60%, and side slopes of 30%. Additionally, it can ford through water up to a maximum depth of 1.2m.

The 2.0 variant can employ conventional NATO ammunition with its 155mm cannon, enabling a firing range of up to 42 km with HEIAP ammunition and up to 50 km with artillery rocket-assisted projectiles. Equipped with a modern aiming and fire control system, including a computerized fire control system, a ballistic calculator, an automatic gun laying system, and a navigation system, the 2S22 Bohdana can rapidly establish its location and engage targets. The Bohdana 2.0 continues to be designed and manufactured in Ukraine by the Kramatorsk Heavy Duty Machine Tool Building Plant.

The Ukrainian 2S22 Bohdana 2.0 with a new cab and a new chassis (Picture source blue-boy-786 on Twitter)