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The 240-mm self-propelled mortar known to the West as the M-1975
is known as the SM-240 (2S4) by the former Soviet Army, although its more
common name is the Tyulpan, or Tulip Tree. The M-1975 consists of a much
modified GMZ tracked minelaying vehicle carrying a 240-mm M-240 breech-loading
mortar on the hull rear. The mortar is carried complete with a baseplate
and is hydraulically lowered from its traveling position around a pivot
on the hull rear. The baseplate is hinged to the hull rear so that when
emplaced the mortar barrel faces away from the hull. The 240-mm mortar
is lowered into the firing position under remote-control and when in position
can be elevated from +45 to +80° with a traverse of 8° left and right.
Some rounds are probably carried inside the vehicle hull and it is likely
that some form of assisted loading is provided. The rate of fire is probably
about one round a minute, with firing being by remote-control. The hull
of the vehicle is of all-welded steel armor with the engine compartment
at the front right and driver front left. The commander is seated to the
rear of the driver and has a raised cupola with an externally mounted 12.7-mm
anti-aircraft machine gun. A further hatch is to the rear of the commander's
cupola with a similar outward opening hatch on the opposite side of the
vehicle roof. Ammunition is stowed internally and is loaded into the mortar
using a hand-operated crane mounted at the rear of the vehicle on the left
side. The mortar sighting system is on the right side of the mortar. Suspension
is of the torsion bar type with each side having six road wheels with the
drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and four track-return rollers.
Firing a standard 130 kg HE round designated the F-864, a minimum range
of 800-m and a maximum range of 9700-m can be achieved. In addition there
is understood to be an extended-range round with a maximum range of 20000
m. Other rounds include a chemical projectile and nuclear. A concrete-piercing
round for use against urban targets has been reported.