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D-74

1955 COLD WAR MODERN

History

Even before the last shot of World War II (1939-1945), the Soviet Army set its sights on a future "Cold War" and began several A modernization project its war capability. Shortly after the war, two new designs of field guns appeared, a 122mm caliber and a 130mm caliber.

The former was named "D-74", while the latter became the legendary "M-46".

The production of the D-74 began in 1955 and was publicly introduced that same year. Its design is attributed to F. F. Petrov, who brought extensive wartime experience to the project.

Over time, the D-74 was standardized among the Soviet ranks and later adopted by other armed forces around the world that were loyal to the Soviet Union at the time - including Cambodia, Angola, China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Syria, North Korea and Zimbabwe.

The heart of the gun is the conventional gun, consisting of a two-wheeled rubber tire frame unit (this unit is also shared with the 152mm caliber D-20 series guns) and mounting hardware making up the pitch and lateral functions as well as the barrel itself. A horizontal sliding wedge is used on the chamber to gain access to the chamber.

Elevation is limited to +45/-5 degrees and passes 45 degrees from the centerline. An optional thin gun shield provides limited protection for rifle groups of seven to nine people.