Russia's struggle: Ukrainian strikes challenge artillery edge
The Russians are currently facing significant issues with tube artillery. One of the few systems that can compete in range with others, such as the Polish Krab using common ammunition, is the 2A36 Hyacinth-B howitzer. We discuss its capabilities and how the Ukrainians have targeted them.
The Russians are increasingly using North Korean Koksans. Although they have a low rate of fire and accuracy, they can strike targets over 19 miles away. This is crucial because Ukraine continues to receive more artillery systems in the NATO 155 mm caliber version with a long barrel, offering an effective range of 19 miles with the least expensive ammunition.
Conversely, most Russian 122 mm or 152 mm caliber artillery can target a maximum range of about 12 miles. An exception is the 2A36 Hyacinth-B howitzer, though few exist, making each a valuable target.
In the video below, you can see that the Ukrainians deemed it important enough to use an Su-27 aircraft to bomb its position, along with a nearby missile stockpile, using a pair of GBU-39 SDB glide bombs.
2A36 Hyacinth-B: Special counter-battery howitzer of the USSR
The 152 mm caliber 2A36 Hyacinth-B howitzers were introduced into service in the USSR in the late 1970s as successors to the 130 mm caliber field guns, M-46, from the Stalin era.
A key feature of the Hyacinth is its long barrel, measuring 49 calibers (nearly 25 feet) by Russian standards, which allows a range of approximately 17-19 miles with basic ammunition or up to 25 miles with rounds that include a rocket booster. This provides a rate of fire of up to six rounds per minute, significantly better than the North Korean Koksans, which fire at most one round per minute.
These features enable the Hyacinth to engage in artillery duels with systems like the Polish Krabs or German PzH 2000. It is available in a towed version as the 2A36 Hyacinth-B and a less common self-propelled variant, the 2S5 Hyacinth-S.
GBU-39 SDB bombs: U.S. "Featherweight" gliding bombs
The GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), introduced to the U.S. Air Force in 2006, is a precise gliding bomb considered "featherweight" compared to standard bombs that weigh over 440 lbs.
The SDB weighs just 270 lbs and is 6 feet long. Its smaller destructive power is compensated by its accuracy, hitting within a few meters. Notably, the bomb houses a 205 lb warhead with greater destructive power than a typical artillery shell, which contains at most 20-22 lbs of explosive.
The bomb can operate in various modes. In one, it detonates in the air, creating fragments capable of penetrating anything that is not heavily armored or underground. Other modes include impact explosion or delayed detonation, with the ability to penetrate up to 35 inches of reinforced concrete.
The bomb features folding wings, enabling it to strike targets up to 69 miles away when released from high altitudes, thus protecting the launching aircraft from short-range anti-aircraft systems. An inertial and satellite navigation system or a seeker head homing on a reflected laser beam ensures target accuracy.
However, Russian electronic warfare systems have reduced the precision of these bombs and other GPS-based armaments in some regions. As a result, using a larger number of bombs is recommended, which is feasible with the GBU-39 SDB due to the BRU-61/A dispensers. These can carry up to four units while occupying just one suspension point.
