D-30 / 2A18 (Model 1963)

History

The 122mm D-30 howitzer, introduced in 1963 by the Soviet Union, replaced the older 122mm M-30 artillery used during World War II. Designed to support infantry on wheeled armored vehicles, the D-30 quickly became a dependable artillery piece in battlefield conditions. It remained a favored choice for both Allied and Soviet forces throughout the Cold War and continues to be used extensively even as of 2015.

Capable of firing diverse rounds, including explosive and anti-tank projectiles, the D-30 boasts a firing rate of 4-8 rounds per minute when skillfully operated. It can be elevated up to +70 degrees and depressed down to -7 degrees, accommodating both indirect and direct firing. The gun's mobility is facilitated by a tripod with wheels for towing, while its 360-degree rotation is supported by a recoil management system.

The D-30's legacy extends to various international variants produced in countries like China, Croatia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yugoslavia (Serbia), and Sudan. Notably, Egypt integrated the D-30-M variant into self-propelled gun platforms like the SPH-122 and T-122, using different chassis. Credited to F. F. Petrov, the D-30's design originated from the Motovilikha factory. This artillery system exemplifies a successful Cold War-era innovation that continues to play a significant role in modern military operations.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service: 1963

Origins: Soviet Union

Status: Active.

Crew: 6

Production: 12,000

Manufacturer: Gosudarstvennoe Unitarnoe Predpriatie Zavod 9

Operator: Afghanistan; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bangladesh; Belarus; Benin; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Cambodia; Cameroon; China; Congo; Croatia; Cuba; Egypt; Djibouti; Egypt; Estonia; Finland; Macedonia; Georgia; Iran; Iraq; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon; Libya; Madagascar; Mali; Mauritania; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique; Myanmar; Nicaragua; North Korea; Pakistan; Peru; Russia; Rwanda; Sudan; Slovakia; Serbia; former Soviet Union; Syria; Tajikistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan; Vietnam; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe

Roles

Anti-Tank/Anti-Tank

Base models or variants can be used to track, engage, and defeat armored enemy elements at long distances.

Fire Support/Attack/Breakthrough

Support allied forces with direct/indirect fire, attacking forward positions and/or breaking through fortified areas of the battlefield.

Dimensions and Weight

Height: 5.2 feet (1.6m)

Weight: 7,055 lbs (3,200 kg)

Tonnage: 3.5 tons

Power and Performance

Engine: No. This is the towed artillery battlefield element.

Area: 3.6 km (5.8 km)

Weapon

1 x 122mm barrel.

AMMOTION

Depends on the ammo carrier.

Variant

2A18 - GRAU designation.

2A18M D-30A - with mid-term product improvements.

D-30M - Offers mid-life product improvements.

D30J - Yugoslav-made

D-30SP-122 - Egyptian modified American M109 self-propelled gun and D-30 main gun.

Type 85 - Chinese-made self-propelled gun mounted on the Type 85 APC chassis with a D-30 main gun.