One of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine created an improvised self-propelled howitzer made up of a D-44 85mm artillery gun and an ML-LB multipurpose armored vehicle, and actively uses this self-made artillery piece in the battles against the russian invasion forces, testifies the video published on social media the other day.
"It shoots and it scoots" is the principle at the core of this unusual weapon which may seem a bit archaic. But here we should keep in mind that in the conditions of the russian – still overwhelming – advantage in artillery, plus the increased needs created by ongoing offensive operations, Ukrainians are forced to make use of any available piece, even if scooting and shooting is all it can do.
Read more: Losses of russian Armored Vehicles in the Battle for Staromaiorske (Photos)
On the other hand, some details tell us that this artillery vehicle is the perfect example of a weapon for waging the "scoot-and-shoot tactics" which implies launching quick short strikes against the enemy and fleeing before it manages to identify the source and fire back.
The D-44 gun's declared specifications are: maximum attack range with a high-explosive shell up of 15.2 km (9.4 miles), and a rate of fire of 15 rounds per minute. If the D-44s remaining in service with the Ukrainian military are still able to perform at least close to these specs, it means they would be an optimal weapon to launch a barrage on a group of enemy personnel from a significant distance.
And the mobility of the tracked MT-LB carrier enables the firing squad to quickly leave the spot as soon as the last shot comes out of the barrel.
Here the MT-LB is nothing but a moving platform, in fact, the gun is attached with very limited flexibility, and pointing the gun right direction requires the whole hull to yaw. On the flip side, this flaw was exploited in an ergonomic solution – the spent shells are discharged on the ground, not into the hull, making the accommodation of the crew more comfortable.
One more detail: what seems to be a slat armor cage attached to the side of the hull could actually be a holder for the personal belongings of the crew which consists of three artillerymen.
Earlier Defense Express described also some other unusual vehicles both by necessity and requirements of the war in Ukraine, including another example of a handmade howitzer on the basis of a captured MT-LB and MT-12 Rapira anti-tank gun, or the russian decision to install an S-60 anti-aircraft gun on the same type of vehicle.
We also explained in a dedicated article how the russo-Ukrainian War brought back to life the forgotten concept of a heavy infantry fighting vehicle on a tank chassis.
Read more: How Ukrainian Military Get More Effect While Using the Same Soviet Weapons As russians
