Kalashnikov Concern said its latest 120mm Lotos self-propelled artillery system, developed for the Russian Airborne Forces, has successfully completed tests under extreme temperature conditions.

During the trials, the vehicle was tested on water in waves of up to three points. Specialists also confirmed that it remained fully operational at relative humidity levels of up to 100% without any reduction in its stated performance.

A separate stage exposed the system to extreme heat and cold. Lotos was kept for six hours at plus 60 degrees Celsius and then at minus 60 degrees Celsius.

According to Kalashnikov, the vehicle will be capable of airborne deployment from military transport aircraft and will provide radiation protection in the event of a nuclear explosion.

The developer said Lotos exceeds the Nona-SM self-propelled artillery system by 50% in the firing range of standard high-explosive fragmentation rounds. The vehicle is currently undergoing state trials under a schedule approved by the customer.

Lotos was first unveiled at the Army-2017 forum. To ensure compatibility with other Airborne Forces equipment, the system was built on the chassis of the air-droppable BMD-4M.

The crew consists of four people. Lotos can be parachuted from Il-76 aircraft in a fully combat-ready configuration. It can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour on roads and up to 40 kilometers per hour across rough terrain.