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SAU Object 268 "Hypericum"

The high efficiency of self-propelled 152-millimeter guns during the Great Patriotic War made this type of technology one of the most promising. In the eyes of some specialists and military, ACSs with large-caliber guns became a universal miracle weapon. Therefore, at the end of the war, work in this direction was continued. Among other production and design organizations, the subjects of large-caliber guns for self-propelled guns were engaged in the design office of Plant No. 172 (Perm).

The name Hypericum originated from the Greek name for the plant St. John’s wort, hyperikon. Literally translated, the name is an amalgamation of the root words "hyper" (meaning over) and "eikon" (meaning image or apparition), referring to the plant’s supposed ability to ward off evil spirits. St. John’s wort (SJW), known botanically as Hypericum perforatum, is a sprawling, leafy herb that grows in open, disturbed areas throughout much of the world’s temperate regions. The use of this species as an herbal remedy to treat a variety of internal and external ailments dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. Since then, it has remained a popular treatment for anxiety, depression, cuts, and burns. Recent research suggests the effectiveness of this herb in treating other ailments, including cancer, inflammation-related disorders, and bacterial and viral diseases, and as an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent.

On February 18, 1949, the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 701-270ss was issued, according to which the development and production of heavy tanks weighing more than 50 tons ceased. It is natural that, following the IS-4 and the IS-7, they ordered the development of self-propelled units based on them. In the middle of 1954, the designers of the 172plant completed engineering works on the M-64 cannon design. This 152-mm gun sent an armor-piercing projectile at a speed of about 740 meters per second. At the same time, the range of a direct shot at a target with a height of two meters was 900 m. As for the maximum range of a shot, at an optimal elevation, the M-64 threw a projectile at 13 kilometers. The project of such an instrument interested the military and in March of the 55th Plant No. 172 was given the task to prepare all the documentation for the new gun, to assemble a prototype, and also to assemble a self-propelled gun armed with an M-64. It is also worth noting that an injector was installed on the M-62, thanks to which it was possible to reduce the gas content of the tank's fighting compartment after the shot.

Object 268 had 35 rounds in ammunition. The gun had two sights: for direct fire shooting and for shooting from closed positions, for which the ZIS-3 was installed. As an additional weapon, a large-caliber KPV machine gun was installed on the tank, capable of striking not only the enemy's manpower, but also lightly armored vehicles. Ammunition machine gun was 500 rounds. In the future, the self-propelled crew of four people could also get weapons for self-defense, for example, Kalashnikov assault rifles and grenades. In addition, the question of installing a “machine gun” paired with a cannon on the “Object 268” was considered, but the specifics of the combat use of this class of armored vehicles did not allow it.

The heavy Soviet tank T-10 (IS-8) was chosen as the base for the self-propelled guns, while all the working units were retained. At facility 268, it was decided to put a V-shaped 700 hp diesel engine B-12-5. Transmission provided 2 rear and 8 forward speeds.

Instead of a turret from the T-10 tank, an armored welded wheelhouse of trapezoid sheets was installed. Frontal cutting felling was - 187 mm, which was very "solid" for those times. The board and the stern were much thinner than the frontal armor, 100 and 50 mm, respectively.

Driving characteristics of the tank allowed it to reach speeds of up to 48 km / h. The “Hypericum” could drive 350 km without refueling.

A fighting vehicle with a fighting mass of fifty tons and a gun of 152 mm caliber was ready in early 1956 and soon set off for the test range. The updated combat compartment and new weapons almost did not affect the driving performance of the T-10 chassis. The maximum speed reached at the tests was 48 kilometers per hour, and one diesel refueling was enough to travel up to 350 kilometers on the highway. It is easy to calculate the specific fuel consumption: self-propelled gun had five tanks. Three internal had a capacity of 185 liters (two rear) and 90 liters (one front). In addition, on the back of the wings, the designers of Plant No. 172 installed another tank for 150 liters each. Total about 200-220 liters of fuel for every hundred kilometers. When traveling over rough terrain, speed and power reserve, as well as fuel consumption. The crew was 4 people according to the classical scheme: Commander, driver, loader, gunner.

The large caliber of the M-64 cannon made the engineers consider a number of structural nuances. So, to reduce the length of the rollback - a very important parameter for self-propelled guns - the gun was equipped with a two-chamber muzzle brake. In addition, developed hydraulic recoil devices were used. For the convenience of the crew, the gun had a mechanism of filing a tray type. Also, the M-64 was one of the first Soviet cannons which were equipped with an ejector. Thanks to this “build-up” on the gun barrel, it was possible to significantly reduce the gas content of the crew compartment after the shooting.

In the combat installation of the “Object 268” there were 35 separate loading shots. With the M-64 cannon, it was possible to use the entire available types of 152 mm ammunition. The cannon attachment system made it possible to make a tip within 6° from the axis horizontally and from -5° to +15° in the vertical plane. For firing direct fire "Object 268" had a TS-2A sight. Since the designers and the military initially assumed the use of this ACS for firing from closed positions, in addition to the TS-2A, the ZIS-3 was mounted. The tank commander also had at his disposal a TKD-09 stereo range finder placed on the slewing command turret directly in front of the hatch.

By the end of the prolonged tests of the "Object 268" American tank builders had created a tank M60. Soon the English Chieftain was ready. These armored vehicles had very good weapons for their time and no less solid protection. According to the estimates of the Soviet military and scientists, “Object 268”, meeting in battle with new foreign tanks, was no longer a guaranteed winner.

Moreover, by the time of the production of a sufficient number of new self-propelled guns, even more sophisticated tanks could have appeared abroad, with which the “Object 268” could not have fought. Therefore, at the very end of the 1950s, the project “268” was closed and all plans for mass production of new SAUs were canceled. The only collected copy was then sent to the Tank Museum in Kubinka.

Also, one of the reasons was that the “Hypericum” was inferior in efficiency to the heavy T-10 tank. Therefore, they declined serial production, and also declined all further development of anti-tank SAU. This was the end of the era of steel monsters without a turret, which showed itself so well in the Great Patriotic War, but finally became outdated by the 1950s.

There was another reason, which largely coincided with why the British, at about the same time, put an end to their heavy self-propelled installations FV215 and FV4005. The fact is that in 1956, work began on projects of anti-tank guided missile systems. On May 8, 1957, the USSR Council of Ministers authorized the development of tanks and self-propelled guns armed with guided missiles. The launcher for an anti-tank missile is much more compact than a gun. Rocket launch is much easier, and most importantly, it can be controlled in flight. As a result, with a similar power charge, the rocket is an order of magnitude more efficient. It is not surprising that Object 268 was the last Soviet heavy assault ACS with cannon armament.