Unrealized proposal filled with hopes and dreams

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 The 2S9 "Nona" and its subsequent variants have been a mainstay in lightly armoured vehicles for indirect fire using a 120mm mortar gun system. 

A relatively refreshing proposal was drafted in the early 2010s to mount the 2A51 120mm mortar on a T-80 chassis. It was proposed that JCS "Spetsmash" would work on creating a design. Various configurations could be suggested; keep the original T-80 turret module with its remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun, retrofit the original autoloader carousel to support shells and install a modified fire control system or propose a different design.

New proposed combat module with a 2A51 120mm mortar system mounted on a T-80 chassis

A more favoured option would be to develop a new combat module based on various requirements like; what type of weapon system is to be used and what type of combat the vehicle will partake in (urban or open terrain).

Based on advancements made by JCS "Spetsmash" and JCS "VNIIITM" in the field of remote-controlled tanks along with Soviet experimental work dating back to the 1970s and 1990s. Primarily the 1990s, with the reconfiguration of a T-72 to a fully remote-controlled tank. 

It is argued that using a fully remote-controlled tank would have several benefits. Due to the lack of a 3-man crew, the internal armour volume could be increased, providing more protection against ground threats. Additionally, a lack of crew operating the tank would prevent human loss in cases of fatal vehicle damage.  

This proposed concept is superb and has a lot of potential by combining all the great things of the "Nona" 2A51 gun system and the amazing performance of the T-80 chassis. Although some things need to be addressed! The model does not show any passive dust prevention systems like LFP rubber flaps, rubber flaps along the frontal turret arc or a raised air intake, all of which are present on the T-80U. Lack of these integrations will harm the engine filtration system and severely impact engine performance. 

While the 2A51 might be an easy calibre to integrate and autoload, why restrict to such a weak mortar calibre? Plenty of other options like the 203mm rifled cannon used on the 2S7 "Pion". This might have drawbacks like limited ammunition stowage capacity in the autoloader due to the shells being much larger than contemporary 125mm rounds. But it's all about the firepower! 120mm mortar shells are very underwhelming when compared to 203mm rounds that weigh more than 100kg and are effectively giant Astrahan watermelons filled with explosives. With such large shells, it becomes a hazard for the crew to be inside the vehicle, so the idea of having the tank be controlled using a remote-controlled system fits it quite well.

No modern design bureau would say "No" to such a great proposal! Of course, the cost for such a vehicle would quickly add up because of the new turret, gun integration, new autoloader, a new FCS and robotic integration. It will forever stay a project full of hopes and dreams. 

The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes. 

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