Characteristics and capabilities of the automatic gun 2A42
Gun 2A42 without additional devices; the item is on its side. Photo Airwar.ru
On domestic armored vehicles and combat helicopters, weapons of different models of all main classes are used. One of the most common samples in this area is the 30 mm 2A42 automatic gun. Despite its age and small caliber, it retains a high technical and combat potential. Such a weapon performs well on different platforms and successfully copes with the defeat of certain targets.
Small-caliber progress
History The future of the 2A42 cannon began about half a century ago. In the context of the further development of armored combat vehicles for the ground forces, it was decided to develop and test a small-caliber automatic gun. In the future, it was planned to compare it with the existing 73-mm system or its upgraded version and then draw conclusions.
The development of a new gun, which later received the GRAU 2A42 index, was entrusted to the Tula Instrument Design Bureau. The corresponding order was received in 1972. The design took several years, and at the beginning of the second half of the seventies, an experimental gun was put to the test. Then, in 1978, an experimental BMP "Object 675" with a small-caliber gun was brought to the test site. Together with her, the 768 machine with the 73-mm 2A41 Zarnitsa gun was tested.
BMP-2 firing from 2A42. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Comparative tests have shown that the 30-mm product 2A42, despite the smaller caliber, has a number of advantages over Zarnitsa. She was more accurate and could conduct effective fire at the same or greater ranges. In addition, the high efficiency of firing at buildings and armored vehicles was shown - even without breaking through the armor, the target was disabled.
Based on the test results, the product "675" with the 2A42 gun was put into service under the new designation BMP-2. In the future, the same weapon received a new BMD-2. In addition, the new gun was used in the development of advanced attack helicopters. As a result of these works, the Mi-28, Ka-50 and Ka-52 helicopters, as well as their modifications, entered service.
To date, the 2A42 cannon has managed to become one of the main weapons of several branches of the armed forces. There are thousands of pieces of equipment with such weapons in service. These are infantry fighting vehicles BMP-2, airborne vehicles BMD-2 and BMD-3 support vehicles tanks BMPT, as well as helicopters of a number of types. In addition, 2A42 products or their derivatives are used in a number of foreign projects.
Twin installation of guns on the BMPT. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
Technical features
2A42 is a 30x165 mm automatic cannon designed for installation on various platforms. Depending on the projectile used, the product is capable of hitting manpower, unprotected and armored vehicles, as well as buildings and aircraft. The total length of the gun exceeds 3 m, weight without ammunition - 115 kg.
The gun is equipped with a rifled barrel with a caliber of 30 mm and a length of 2,4 m (80 calibers) with a developed two-chamber muzzle brake. The barrel is fixed in a receiver of complex shape, containing all the main parts and assemblies. Automation is used based on the removal of powder gases with firing from the rear sear. The barrel is locked by turning the bolt; when fully locked, a shot is fired.
The cocking of the gun before firing is carried out manually using a ratchet handle. The reciprocating mainspring is characterized by a large compression force, which is why cocking is a difficult and slow process. It also provides for quick reloading / cocking with a squib. The trigger mechanism has an electrical control system. A firing mode is provided for single or bursts with a rate of 550 and 800 rds / min.
Bringing the gun to normal combat. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The gun is equipped with an original receiver that provides simultaneous feeding of two tapes from different sides. This allows you to alternately use shells of two types from different belts and boxes. The feed control method depends on the platform you are using.
2A42 uses 30x165 mm unitary shells, also used by shipborne AK-630 assault rifles. To date, several shells of this type have been developed in our country. These are high-explosive fragmentation products weighing 385-389 g, as well as several different armor-piercing shells with penetration of at least 18-25 mm of armor at a distance of 1 km. In addition, there are foreign shots 30x165 mm on the market, for which higher characteristics are declared.
Depending on the type of projectile, the initial velocity reaches 960-1120 m/s. When used against unprotected targets, the effective range is 4 km. Lightly armored vehicles are hit from 1-1,5 km, air targets - at a slant range of up to 2,5 km.
Reliable and efficient
The 2A42 automatic gun has a number of important advantages, due to which it was able to become widespread. At the same time, over several decades of service, such a tool has practically not become obsolete morally, and it can be expected that its service will continue both in the short and medium term.
Loading tape with ammunition. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The most important advantage of the gun is its versatility. Initially, it was created to accommodate the future BMP-2 in a limited volume of the fighting compartment. In this regard, the gun is distinguished by the minimum required dimensions, special contours and limited weight. In the future, all this simplified the use of the gun on other platforms, incl. creation of new installations for helicopters.
Achieved high fire performance. Due to the long 80-caliber barrel, the 2A42 gun gives the projectile a high initial velocity, which also gives an increased range of fire against various targets. It also provides high accuracy. When firing single shots from a ground platform at a distance of 1 km, the average deviation from the aiming point does not exceed 400-500 mm. On air platforms, this parameter grows, but remains within acceptable limits.
Of great importance is the wide range of ammunition. With the help of shells of different types, 2A42 can hit both manpower or other unprotected targets, as well as armored vehicles. At the same time, foreign developments in the field of 30x165 mm shots show that far from the full potential of the gun was realized in domestic projects.
Ka-52K helicopter with a 2A42 gun on the NPPU-80 installation. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Domestic 30-mm armor-piercing projectiles of various types can penetrate at least 25-27 mm of homogeneous steel armor at a range of 1 km and meeting angles of approx. 60°. This is enough to defeat the vast majority of modern foreign armored vehicles of the light and medium class. Only the newest developments take into account such a threat and are probably protected from it.
During testing and combat use, it was found that the 2A42 cannot penetrate the armor of even obsolete medium tanks. At the same time, such a weapon is capable of incapacitating or destroying external units and devices of the tank, incl. optical means and weapons. As a result, a heavily armored vehicle retains its overall integrity, but loses its combat capability.
High potential can be used in different ways. So, most carrier vehicles are equipped with only one 2A42 gun. In turn, BMPT tank support combat vehicles in all versions receive two such guns. This increases the overall rate of fire, the size and mass of the volley, as well as other firing characteristics.
Mi-28N with NPPU-28 nose gun. Photo "Russian Helicopters"
Product 2A42 showed and proved high reliability. It can be used in a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. The probability of delays in firing is extremely small. In addition, when using the entire ammunition load of 500-600 shells, long pauses for intermediate cooling are not required. The reliability of the gun is ensured by a successful design, designed for use on armored vehicles - with all the specific loads, pollution and other factors.
However, there are also disadvantages. So, 2A42 makes high demands on the carrier. The recoil impulse of this gun is short and reaches 20 tons. The carrier's fighting compartment or gun mount must be suitable for such loads. The hulls of domestic armored personnel carriers or armored vehicles do not meet the requirements of the 2A42 gun. In this regard, it was necessary to develop the 2A72 gun in the same caliber, but with a different principle of operation and reduced recoil.
time tested
The 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon was adopted by the Soviet army more than 40 years ago. Subsequently, it became part of the armament complex of a number of combat vehicles and helicopters, and also showed and confirmed the design characteristics. The carriers of such weapons are regularly used in various exercises, and in addition, they had to participate in real battles. Under all conditions, the required parameters were demonstrated and the calculated possibilities were confirmed.
Due to its potential, the 2A42 gun remains in service, and they are not going to abandon it. Moreover, new fighting compartments and armored vehicles with such equipment appear, and some developments of this kind successfully reach the series. At the same time, back in the eighties, the 2A42 gun was created for the addition of 2A72. The presence of two guns for a common projectile gives new benefits and advantages to the existing equipment, and also ensures its further development.
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