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SU-122 (U-35) self-propelled gun

Design of the 122-mm self-propelled howitzer began in the summer of 1942. In the autumn three design offices offered the projects of their battle machines. Two projects were made. The machine of Uralmashzavod was made on the chassis T-34 and received an index U-35, and the machine of Factory 592 was made on the chassis of a German assault gun StuG III, with the index SG-122. After tests for service, the Army accepted the U-35 and since 01 January 1943 began its mass manufacturing.

The U-35 received the index SU-122 and was made by three consecutive series, which differed unsignificantly. From May 1942 in AMMO of SU-122 were added hollow-charge shells. It has allowed to apply SU-122 against German tanks.

In March 1943 Design Office of Uralmashzavod wanted to improve the characteristics of SU-122. For the machine they made a new spacious cabin, in which was established in 122-mm howitzer U-11, which has maintained tests in a turret of the tank KV-9. Modified SP received the index SU-122M. But weight and cost of the machine exceeded allowable limits, and the reliability became worse. The SU-122M was not accepted for service.

At the end of May design Office of Uralmashzavod, together with Factory 9, once again modernized SU-122. In a body of a new type, unified with SU-85, was established in 122-mm howitzer D-6, distinguished from U-11 by smaller dimensions and weight. The tests were carried out together with SU-85. Because of breakages of SU-122-III (such index has received new SP before tests), it was removed from tests.

SU-122P

As the manufacture of SU-100 was stopped for the lack of an armor-piercing shell, and powerful AT SPs were required, DB of a Uralmashzavod offered to establish in a frame of SU-100 instead of a gun D-10, 122-mm tank gun D-25. In the autumn 1944 tests of SU-100 of the second series, armed in 122-mm gun D-25, began. After production tests SU-122P (such index the new machine has received), it was sent to Gorokhovetski prowing ground for Government tests, which has passed successfully. On October 1 1944 SU-122P was recommended for acceptance on a service.

The machine was not made because the quick-firing of SU-122P has appeared very small (there was whole one loader), and for struggle of the enemys fortress in opinion of a management suited more ISU-152 and ISU-122.