Russia Tests Self-propelled Weapons For Cross-Air Forces On Ukraine's Battlefield

2S42 Russian Lotos. (Source: Vitaly V Kuzmin via Army Recognition)

JAKARTA - The self-propelled weapon for the advanced Lotos air cross-air force, has undergone trials in the special military operations zone, President Kalashnikov Holding Alan Lushnikov said in an interview.

Lushinov said the Lotos were made to replace the independent artillery unit Nona, which has been operating in the artillery units of cross-air troops since 1981.

"Lotos surpass Miss-SM self-propelled weapons 1.5 times in terms of firing range with standard high-explosion fragmentation ammunition, carrying ammunition rations, and integral power indicators of basic high-end explosion fragmentation ammunition," Lushnikov told TASS, as quoted September 4.

"In response to the question of when the weapon could be used by our army, I would say that the weapon has been used by our army, undergoing trials in the special military operations zone," he added.

Citing Army Recognition, the 2S42 "Lotos" is a pioneer in Russian military engineering, designed as a 120 mm mortar system self-propelled specifically for Russian Air Traffic Forces.

Created based on the BMD-4M chassis, Lotos aims to replace Ms. 2S9 self-driving mortar. With the design work completed in October 2018 and the first prototype to be built soon after, the vehicle made its public debut in August 2019 at a defense exhibition near Moscow.

TsNIITochMash Director General Dmitry Yuryevich Semizorov, confirmed in an interview in August 2023 with RIA Novosti that Lotos had undergone a preliminary trial from October 2020 to March 2022.

The Army Recognition editorial team reported in August 2023 that 2S42 had started trials, marking the completion of its preliminary tests in August 2022. Lotos underwent rigorous ground and water testing and was dropped from various heights and angles. After this test, developers address identified issues, particularly on electronic devices inside vehicles, bullet loading systems, and chassis. In particular, modifications are affected by the insights gained from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The main armament is the 120mm mortar which allows Lotos to function both as a mortar and howitzer, which can fire direct and indirect shots.

The vehicle has an automatic loading system with a capacity of up to 40 bullets, including a specially developed double-barreled bullet and a 120mm mortar mine, which increases its lethal power. The maximum firing range of this vehicle reaches up to 13 km.

Lotos are not only resilient in terms of firepower, but also in terms of mobility and defense. This vehicle has an extended hull to increase capacity and protection, which is equivalent to the IFV BMD-4M, the Air Infantry Combat Vehicle.

For self-defense, the vehicle includes a remotely controlled weapons station armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun and a smoke grenade launcher. Adaptation to the chassis has increased its speed and operational range, with vehicles reaching speeds of up to 70 km/hour on highways and 40 km/hour on rough terrain.

Amazingly, Lotos maintains amphibious capabilities, driven by two water jets. It can also be transported by air and deployed by air, emphasizing its strategic mobility for air operations.