Model 1963 (D-30 / 2A18)

History

The 122mm howitzer D-30 became the Soviet Union's standard battlefield artillery system in 1963, replacing the aging 1938 WWII-era 122mm M-30 model. The initial system was a wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) developed to support motorized rifle elements equipped with the BTR series. Overall, the D-30 has largely become a reliable and robust conventional artillery piece in battlefield conditions, making it a favorite of Allied and Soviet states during the decades of the Cold War.

It is still present on the battlefield today in staggering numbers (2015).

The D-30 can fire standard FRAG-HE (fragmentation, high-explosive) and HEAT-FS (high-explosive, anti-tank, stabilized fin) rounds. It is also capable of firing chemical projectiles, including the type of sarin gas ignited by TNT. The Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP) extends the weapon's range to 21,900 meters (13.6 miles). A well-trained and experienced rifleman can fire 4-8 rounds per minute continuously. The gun has an elevation/descent limit of +70/-7 degrees and is capable of indirect and direct fire.

The gun's mounting hardware is mounted on a tripod that doubles as a two-wheel tow unit. Traversal is a full 360 degrees from the centerline. The recoil is managed by a hydropneumatic system.

Like other artillery pieces, the D-30 is already in service. For Russia (and associated forces), the primary transport vehicle is the wheeled tracked MT-LB or Ural-375, although many other transports may be alternative candidates.

The design of the weapon system is attributed to F. F. Petrov and it was manufactured at the Motovilikha factory.

In addition to the original D-30 (also marked "2A18"), several variants were produced. The weapon is locally manufactured in China, Croatia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yugoslavia (Serbia) and Sudan, resulting in various localized names.

The Egyptian D-30-M variant appeared on the Egyptian Self-Propelled Gun (SPG) platform in the form of the SPH-122 (American M109 howitzer chassis) and T-122 (Soviet T-34 tank chassis).

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

Depends on the ammunition carrier.

Changes