Krasnopol (weapon system)
The 2K25 Krasnopol[11][12][13] is a Soviet 152/155 mm cannon-launched, fin-stabilized, base bleed-assisted, semi-automatic laser-guided artillery weapon system. It automatically 'homes' on a point illuminated by a laser designator, typically operated by a drone or ground-based artillery observer. Krasnopol projectiles are fired mainly from Soviet self-propelled howitzers such as the 2S3 Akatsiya and 2S19 Msta-S and are intended to engage small ground targets such as tanks, other direct fire weapons, strong-points, or other significant point targets visible to the observer. It can be used against both stationary and moving targets (providing these remain within the observer's field of view).
Development[edit]
The weapon system was developed in the Tula-based KBP Instrument Design Bureau under the supervision of A. G. Shipunov. Work on the project was initiated in the 1970s. In February 1986 the Krasnopol system was adopted by the Soviet Army under the designation 3OF39, and began mass production in Izhmash and Izhmeh factories.[14] Since 2002, it is augmented by the 120- and 122 mm Kitolov-2 laser-guided system.[15]
A 155 mm variant of the project was also developed to access the commercial markets, which can be fired from howitzers such as the G6 and M109A6. Besides Russia, the Krasnopol is also manufactured by Chinese defence industry conglomerate Norinco.
On July 28, 2022, Russian news agency TASS reported that Kalashnikov Group is working on an modernization of Krasnopol with increased range, better at striking small-size targets, enhanced warhead and raised efficiency during clouds and strong wind.[16]
In early 2023, it was reported that Russia had increased the production of Krasnopol "several times" for the needs of the war in Ukraine.[17]
The development and trial use of a drone-carried version was reportedly completed as of May 22, 2023.[18] Supplies of a modernized version began in August 2023[19] and its application in November 2023.[20]
The original model of the Krasnopol was designed to be used with former Soviet-Bloc artillery systems of 152 mm (6.0 in), such as D-20, 2S3 Akatsiya, 2A65 (Msta-B). Krasnopol carries a 20.5 kilograms (45 lb) high explosive fragmentation warhead. The entire missile weighs 50 kilograms (110 lb). However, its length made it incompatible with the autoloader of the 2S19 152 mm Self-Propelled Gun.
The Krasnopol-M was a miniaturized version of the projectile, developed in the mid-1990s by Shipunov's team at the KBP Design Bureau taking advantage of new electronics technology acquired in the design of the 120 mm Kitolov-2 guided projectile (similar in construction and purpose; this is in essence a smaller model of the Krasnopol to be used with the 2S9 NONA 120 mm mortar and designated 3OF69 and a related projectile for 122 mm howitzers designated Kitolov-2M 3OF69M) was made with a shorter length to enable it to be used with autoloader-equipped self-propelled guns without having to be disassembled into two parts. It also comes in an alternate 155 mm (6.1 in) caliber to allow it to be used with NATO-standard 155 mm howitzers. Besides the reduced total length, the Krasnopol-M also has a different protective cap for the optical seeker.
Krasnopol-155M is a further development based on Krasnopol-M, is a 155 mm artillery projectile designed to engage armored targets. It uses a semi-active laser (SAL) guidance system in the terminal phase of its trajectory.[32][11]
Krasnopol-155М GAP (Guided Artillery Projectiles) was developed to be used with artillery systems such as M109A1-6, G5/G6, FH77, M777, TRF1 among others.[33]
