2B9 Vasilek
Encyclopedia
The 2B9 Vasilek is an automatic 82 mm gun-mortar developed in the Soviet Union
in the 1970s and subsequently fielded in the Soviet Army
. Unlike conventional mortars, the 2B9 can fire in automatic mode using four-round clips, and rounds can be loaded from either the muzzle or the breech. Because of its wheeled carriage, the 2B9 resembles a light artillery piece more than a conventional mortar.
The 2B9 was used in Afghanistan by Soviet units and is still found in Russian
airmobile
infantry units. In the fighting in Afghanistan, Soviet units found the 2B9 a versatile and useful weapon. The 2B9 can fire an antitank projectile weighing 3.1 kg with a 75 g warhead that can penetrate 100mm of armor.
By 1988, the 2B9 was also deployed as a self-propelled weapon by mounting the gun-mortar in the rear of an MT-LB
armored personnel carrier.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in the 1970s and subsequently fielded in the Soviet Army
Soviet Army
The Soviet Army is the name given to the main part of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1992. Previously, it had been known as the Red Army. Informally, Армия referred to all the MOD armed forces, except, in some cases, the Soviet Navy.This article covers the Soviet Ground...
. Unlike conventional mortars, the 2B9 can fire in automatic mode using four-round clips, and rounds can be loaded from either the muzzle or the breech. Because of its wheeled carriage, the 2B9 resembles a light artillery piece more than a conventional mortar.
The 2B9 was used in Afghanistan by Soviet units and is still found in Russian
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
airmobile
Air assault
Air assault is the movement of ground-based military forces by vertical take-off and landing aircraft—such as the helicopter—to seize and hold key terrain which has not been fully secured, and to directly engage enemy forces...
infantry units. In the fighting in Afghanistan, Soviet units found the 2B9 a versatile and useful weapon. The 2B9 can fire an antitank projectile weighing 3.1 kg with a 75 g warhead that can penetrate 100mm of armor.
By 1988, the 2B9 was also deployed as a self-propelled weapon by mounting the gun-mortar in the rear of an MT-LB
MT-LB
The MT-LB is a Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious auxiliary armoured vehicle which was first introduced in the late 1960s...
armored personnel carrier.