The 152mm Msta-S self-propelled howitzer with an automated laying and fire control system (ALFCS) is designed to engage (neutralize) enemy artillery and mortar batteries; tanks, anti-tank and other armored vehicles; manpower and fire means, control points, air defence, missile defence and electronic weaponry; destroy field fortifications and other defensive structures; deny the enemy’s ability to maneuver its infantry and armored reserves.

Advantages of the self-propelled howitzer:

• the gun can be loaded at any angle of elevation and a traverse through 360 degrees;
• the capability to cross water obstacles up to 5 meters deep and up to 1,000 meters wide;
• original mechanisms feeding projectiles and charges from the ground provide high-rate firing without using the carried ammunition load;
• automatic laying and laying recovery after each shot;
• high survivability.

The automated laying and fire control system installed on the self-propelled howitzer, combined with artillery fire control vehicles, provides highly effective counter-battery fire. The use of the ALFCS reduces the emplacement time 1.5-2 times, shortens the time to open fire by 25-30%, and doubles the survivability of the self-propelled howitzer on the battlefield.

The self-propelled howitzer can deliver both indirect and direct fire only at the halt without the preliminary preparation of firing positions.