Ukrainian 406th Artillery Brigade annihilates Russian 2S4 Tyulpan world's most powerful mortar system

According to a video published on Telegram on May 15, 2023, Ukrainian soldiers of the 406th separate artillery brigade destroyed one 2S4 Tyulpan, one of the most powerful artillery systems of the Russian armed forces and the most efficient mortar system in the world.
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Ukrainian soldiers of the 406th Artillery Brigade have destroyed 2S4 Tyulpan, the most powerful mortar artillery system of the Russian army. (Picture source Facebook 406th Artillery Brigade)

The 406th Artillery Brigade (406 ОАБр, unit A2062) is a naval artillery unit of the Ukrainian Navy formed in 2015. This artillery unit is equipped with American-made M777 155mm towed howitzers, Soviet-made 2A36 Giatsint-B towed 152 mm field guns, Soviet D-20 152mm towed guns, and Soviet MT-12 100-mm anti-tank guns.

The Ukrainian soldiers first detected the Russian 2S4 Tyulpan using drones to pinpoint its exact location. Subsequently, they targeted it using precision-guided artillery munitions probably fired from M777 howitzers.

The M777 is an American-made towed howitzer capable of firing both guided and unguided munitions. Notably, it can fire the M982 Excalibur, a 155mm extended-range artillery shell developed by Raytheon Missile Systems, which utilizes GPS guidance to strike with remarkable precision.

Additionally, the M777 can also fire munitions equipped with the M1156 Precision Guidance Kit, a device that upgrades traditional unguided 155mm artillery shells, transforming them into precise, guided munitions. This wide range of ammunition options makes the M777 a formidable tool on the modern battlefield.

Since the beginning of the War, Ukrainian armed forces have received a total of 152 M777 towed howitzers coming from Australia (6), Canada (4), and the United States (142).

The M982 Excalibur is a 155mm extended-range guided artillery shell developed by Raytheon Missile Systems and BAE Systems Bofors. It's recognized for its remarkable precision and ability to strike targets at extended ranges, owing to its built-in GPS guidance system.

The Excalibur shell has a maximum range of up to 40 kilometers when fired from a 39-caliber gun, and up to 57 kilometers when fired from a 52-caliber gun. This range can be further extended by using the Excalibur "N5" variant, which incorporates a base bleed and rocket assist to reach out to 70 kilometers.

The M982 Excalibur is known for its exceptional accuracy, which is primarily attributed to its GPS guidance system and advanced onboard electronics. The Excalibur shell is reported to have a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 2 meters, meaning that 50% of the shells fired will land within a 2-meter radius of the intended target. This level of precision enables Excalibur to effectively engage targets with a high degree of accuracy, reducing collateral damage and the number of rounds needed to neutralize a target.

In terms of deployment, the Excalibur has been used by several countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and recently in combat operations in Ukraine. It's compatible with a variety of artillery systems, including the M777 lightweight howitzer and the M109 self-propelled howitzer.

The Russian 2S4 Tyulpan would have been destroyed by an M777 155mm towed howitzer using a guided projectile. (Picture Russian MoD)

The 2S4 Tyulpan is a Soviet self-propelled mortar system, highly regarded for its impressive firepower and mobility. The 2S4 Tyulpan is often considered one of the most powerful self-propelled mortar systems in the world, mainly due to its 240mm mortar, which is one of the largest calibers used in mobile artillery systems.

The 2S4 Tyulpan is based on a tracked armored chassis vehicle armed with a 240mm mortar. This gives it an impressive range, with the ability to hit targets up to 20 kilometers away using standard ammunition, and up to 9.5 kilometers when using rocket-assisted projectiles. The 2S4 Tyulpan's mortar can fire a variety of rounds, including high-explosive, fragmentation, and even nuclear rounds. The system is also capable of firing the "Smel'chak" (Daredevil) guided missile, which is laser-guided and has a maximum range of around 9 kilometers.

The 2S4 Tyulpan is built on a tracked chassis, which gives it a high degree of mobility, allowing it to traverse various types of terrain. Its amphibious capabilities further enhance its adaptability, enabling it to cross bodies of water. The vehicle is powered by a 520-horsepower diesel engine, which can propel it at speeds of up to 62 kilometers per hour on roads.

The 2S4 Tyulpan also has notable defensive capabilities. Its armor is thick enough to protect the crew from small arms fire and shrapnel. Additionally, it is equipped with an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) protection system to ensure crew safety in contaminated environments.

In terms of operation, the 2S4 Tyulpan typically has a crew of five: a driver, a commander, a gunner, and two loaders. However, the system also features a semi-automatic loading mechanism, which can help reduce the workload of the crew and increase the rate of fire. This automation allows the 2S4 Tyulpan to fire at a rate of about one round per minute.

The Russian 2S4 Tyulpan is considered the most powerful mortar system in the world. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)