122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30)

Infobox Weapon
name=122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30)


caption=The D-30 in Finnish Army service.
origin=Soviet Union
type=Howitzer
is_ranged=
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is_artillery=yes
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weight=combat: 3,200 kg
(7,055 lbs)
length=5.4 m (17.71 ft) (transport)
part_length=bore: 38 calibres
width=1.9 m (6.23 ft) (transport)
height=1.6 m (5.24 ft) (transport)
crew=1+7
cartridge=
caliber=122 mm (4.8 in)
action=
rate=1 rounds per minute (sustained), 7-8 rounds (max)
velocity=
range=15.4 km (9.56 mi)
max_range=22 km (13.76 mi)
(with rocket assisted ammunition)
feed=
sights=
breech=
recoil=hydropneumatic
carriage=tripod
elevation=-7° to 70°
traverse=360°
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speed=The 122-mm howitzer D-30 (GRAU index 2A18) is a Soviet howitzer that entered service in the late 1960s, replacing the M-30 122 mm howitzer. Its longer barrel gave it greater range than the M-30, and once emplaced it could be traversed 360 degrees. It is no longer in production, but remains in service with more than 60 countries' armed services.

Description

This is a 122 mm artillery piece developed in the former Soviet Union. It is loosely based on a German design of the Second World War. Its most striking feature is the fact that it's mounted on a tripod which allows the gun to be swung around a full 360-degrees. Another interesting feature is that it's towed by its barrel. It does not use powder charges that are loaded separately, but has cased charges which are loaded after the shell. The D-30 is capable of being a deadly anti-tank weapon when used in a defensive role. It has seen service in a number of countries including Egypt, Iraq and Poland. A number of them have built their own versions of the D-30. This includes a model built by Egypt which is self-propelled. China has its own version, which serves with the People's Liberation Army.

Deployment

When the gun is brought into action a suitable site is picked out. It should preferably be as level as reasonably possible. The tripod legs are deployed and the gun mounted on it. The tripod legs are then hammered into the ground and then it is ready for action.

Variants

* D-30
** D-30M - new double baffle muzzle brake, square central base plate, towing lunette assembly.
** D-30A - modified recoil system, new muzzle brake.
* D-30 - Chinese version
** D-30-2 - Chinese version - largely as original D-30
** D-30-3 - Chinese version, upgrade of Type 59 85 mm field gun with 122 mm weapon
* D-30 HR M94 - Croatian built version, new muzzle brake, redesigned trail, NATO standard sighting, improved hydraulic brake
* SPH 122 mm - Egyptian version. (D-30 mounted on a M1092 chassis)
* "Saddam" - Iraqi version
* Shafie D-301 - Iranian version
* D-30J - Yugoslav/Serbian version

pecifications

* Calibre: 122 mm
* Barrel length: 4.875 m
* Weight: 3,210 kg
* Elevation: +70 to -7 degrees
* Traverse: 360 degrees
* Maximum rate of fire: 7 to 8 rounds per minute.
* Sustained rate of fire (1 hour): 75 rounds.
* Range:
** Normal projectile: 15,400 m
** Rocket assisted projectile: 21,900 m

Ammunition

The D-30 fires separate loading projectiles, with variable charges:

List of operators

*AFG
*ARM - 60
*AZE -
*BAN-13 (more than 100+ will be made soon for the army)
*BIH - 51 units
*CAM
*CHN -
*CRO - 52 units (D-30 HR M94)
*EGY -
*ETH
*EST - 36 units
*FIN - 486 units (Finnish designation is 122H63)
*GEO - 140 units
*IRQ -
*flag|Kyrgyzstan - 72 units
*POL -
*RUS -
*SRB - 303 units
*TJK - 12 units
*UKR - 443 units
*VIE
*ZAM - 25 units

External links

* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/d-30.htm FAS.org]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/d-30.htm Globalsecurity.org]