The "Kalashnikov" concern will for the first time showcase to foreign specialists the 120-mm advanced self-propelled artillery gun (SAO) "Lotos", developed by the Central Research Institute for Precision Machine Engineering (JSC "TsNIITOCHMASH"). The equipment will be presented at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi from February 17 to 21.
"Kalashnikov" is conducting state tests of the new product, including the use of aerosol-forming ammunition designed for effective optoelectronic counteraction against the enemy's high-precision weapons.
"Lotos" is capable of being airdropped with a combat crew inside in a fully combat-ready state from military transport aircraft using airborne parachute systems.
The gun can fire conventional and high-precision ammunition from prepared, unprepared, and concealed firing positions, as well as by direct or semi-direct laying. The circular rotation of the turret ensures firing in the range of ± 360 degrees horizontally.
"Lotos" was conceived as a replacement for the SAO "Nona", which has been in service since 1981, in the development of which TsNIITOCHMASH also took direct part. During preliminary tests, "Lotos" showed that it surpasses the SAO "Nona-S-M" in terms of firing range with standard high-explosive fragmentation shells, carried ammunition load, and the integral indicator of the power of the main high-explosive fragmentation shell.
In addition, the new product is equipped with automated aiming drives, which increase the speed and accuracy of gun aiming, and mechanized ammunition racks, which facilitate and speed up the work of the loader. It has a higher level of armor protection for the combat crew and a number of other significant advantages compared to the "Nona-S-M".
Thanks to the new gun, the firing range of the "Lotos" with a high-explosive fragmentation shell has increased to 13 km. If the latest guided rocket-assisted gliding projectile (code "Glissada") is used, the range increases to 25 km. The rate of fire of the gun has been increased to 6-8 rounds/min.
Earlier,www1.ru reported that the latest Su-57E fighter jet may begin to be produced in India.
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