2S9 Nona, self-propelled 120 mm gun-mortar model of the Soviet Union
The 2S9 Nona is a Soviet-era mobile artillery piece equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun designed to support airborne and rapid response troops. The vehicle features a tracked aluminum chassis, moves at speeds up to about 60 kilometers per hour, and carries around 40 rounds of ammunition with a firing range extending to nearly 9 kilometers.
The Nona system emerged from the Soviet Union in the late 1970s to provide mobile fire support to airborne units deployed worldwide. It became a cornerstone of rapid response doctrine and saw active service during the Soviet-Afghan War and subsequent conflicts in Georgia and Ukraine.
The vehicle is compact enough to be deployed from large military transport planes and can be ready for action shortly after landing. It requires a four-person crew and operates effectively across diverse terrain types, from open plains to mountainous areas and rough ground.
The system can fire a variety of ammunition types from different countries including France, Israel, and China, highlighting its versatile role on the battlefield. Its ability to function as a mortar with elevation angles up to about 80 degrees allows it to attack targets hiding behind cover or in trenches, setting it apart from traditional artillery.
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