Successful design and solid age: the potential of the D-30 howitzer
The 122-mm towed howitzer D-30 or 2A18 was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1960, and a few years later, deliveries of such weapons foreign countries. Despite its considerable age, the howitzer in the original and modernized version shows high tactical, technical and operational characteristics. It still retains sufficient potential and, with proper use, remains a convenient and effective fire weapon.
Perspective sample
The development of the future D-30 howitzer has been carried out in the Perm Design Bureau-9 since the spring of 1954. The goal of the project was to create a new 122-mm howitzer to replace the existing M-30 mod. 1938. The customer demanded to improve the firing characteristics, as well as to provide circular aiming without moving the gun.
The project used a number of bold new solutions, but its development took about a year. In 1955, the manufacture and testing of experimental guns began. Fine-tuning the design lasted for several years, and the howitzer passed state tests only at the end of the fifties. On May 12, 1960, the gun was put into service under the designations 2A18 and D-30.
Perm Plant No. 9 quickly mastered the mass production of the new howitzer. Serial products were actively supplied to the artillery units of the ground, coastal and airborne troops, where they gradually replaced the obsolete M-30s.
In the second half of the seventies, based on the experience of operating and using the first version of 2A18, a project for the modernization of the D-30A / 2A18M was developed. This project included a minimal change in the original design, but the replacement of individual parts made it possible to increase some characteristics. In the future, the guns of the two modifications were operated in parallel.
New variants of the howitzer were also developed. The most successful was the 122-mm 2A31 gun for the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled gun. It was produced in a large series and massively fell into ground artillery units. Several domestic upgrade options did not reach the series. In addition, foreign states tried to carry out their own modernization.
The active operation of the D-30A in the Russian armed forces continued until the beginning of the tenth years. Since 2013, 122-mm towed howitzers of the ground forces have begun to be replaced with similar self-propelled systems. At the same time, the D-30A products remained in service with the Airborne Forces as a relatively light and mobile weapon with the possibility of parachute landing.
Training salute division of the Southern Military District. D-30A howitzers are used. February 2020
Since the sixties, D-30 (A) howitzers have been exported. Such weapons were received by the ATS states, as well as friendly countries of Asia and Africa. In addition, Soviet howitzers went to independent countries in the post-Soviet space. In total, 30-60 countries and a number of armed formations have or had D-65s.
Technical features
The D-30 product is a towed howitzer on a carriage of an original design, designed for direct fire and from covered positions. In the stowed position, the gun has a length of 5,4 m and a mass of approx. 3,3 tons. The towing of the gun is carried out using the tractor MT-LB, Ural-4320, etc. Carriage speed - up to 60 km / h. Calculation - 6 people.
The D-30 has a rifled barrel with a caliber of 122 mm and a length of 35 klb with a muzzle brake. The first modification used a slotted brake with a hinged towing beam. In the D-30A project, a new two-chamber brake with a rigidly fixed beam was introduced. The breech accommodates a semi-automatic wedge gate moving vertically. Hydropneumatic recoil devices are used; their cylinders are covered with an armor casing.
During training to deploy weapons
The howitzer received an original carriage that provides circular horizontal guidance. The lower machine of such a carriage has three beds, bred in different directions and fixed with coulters. In the center of the machine there is a jack for lifting the tool, which simplifies the work with the beds. A sprung wheel travel is provided; when firing, the wheels are hung above the ground. The upper carriage machine has a traditional design with guidance drives and a shield cover.
The gun can fire in any direction. Elevation angles vary from -7° to +70°. In this case, the maximum angles are achieved only when the breech is located between the movable beds - with the maximum stability of the system.
From the point of view of fire control, the D-30 practically does not differ from other guns of that time. For direct fire, the OP-4M telescopic sight is used. Panorama PG-1 is intended for closed positions. Sights and pointing flywheels, as well as the trigger lever are located on the upper machine on the left.
Preparing for shooting. A jack is visible, which simplifies the calculation work
The D-30(A) howitzer uses the entire domestic range of 122-mm separate-loading rounds. The main ones are high-explosive fragmentation projectiles of a number of types weighing 21,7 kg. The gun accelerates them to 690 m / s and sends them to 15,2 km. An active-rocket projectile flies 21,9 km. It is possible to use cumulative, smoke and other ammunition, as well as guided projectiles. Rate of fire - 6-8 rds / min.
Causes of longevity
At the time of its introduction, the D-30 howitzer was in every respect superior to the existing 122 mm systems. Advantages in technical, combat and operational characteristics were obtained through a number of original solutions and technologies. In addition, they created a reserve for the future, thanks to which the D-30 is still relevant and retains its place in many armies.
Significant advantages over the existing M-30 were obtained through the use of new materials and technologies. In addition, the original design of the carriage made its contribution. So, in the stowed position, the new D-30 was about 200 mm shorter than the M-30 - when using a longer barrel. The D-30 was 150-200 kg heavier than the existing howitzer, but this was offset by the lack of a limber.
The D-30 howitzer can be used with different tractors. This function can, in fact, be assigned to any vehicle with sufficient load capacity and hook traction. The tractor must tow the gun on roads and terrain, as well as transport the crew and ammunition in standard containers. The Airborne Forces can parachute 2M18(M) howitzers on existing parachute platforms, which is facilitated by the limited weight and size.
Driver at work. Used panorama PG-1 for firing from closed positions
The carriage of the original design with three beds was designed to provide circular horizontal guidance - none of the previous domestic howitzers had such capabilities. Thanks to this carriage, the transfer of fire at large angles does not require the movement of the entire gun. At the same time, it was possible to maintain the possibility of firing on hinged trajectories.
A wide range of compatible ammunition for various purposes has been created for the 2A18(M) howitzer. With their help, guns can hit a variety of targets or solve other tasks at ranges of more than 15 km and up to 22 km. The same ammunition is used by the 2S1 self-propelled gun. This simplifies the supply of artillery units and the joint use of different types of guns.
In recent years, it has been possible to further increase the combat effectiveness of howitzers. Units with such weapons received modern fire control systems, communications and data transmission. New devices speed up the process of obtaining target designation, generating data for firing and striking.
Despite the specific design of the carriage and the perfection of the artillery unit, the D-30(A) howitzer is not difficult to operate. The prepared calculation is able to use it in any conditions and show good results. Deployment takes minimal time; the main maintenance operations are carried out by calculation.
D-30A battery volley
The D-30 howitzer is also known for its high reliability. The experience of conflicts in recent decades shows that this product can work effectively in different conditions and successfully perform fire missions. With proper use, breakdowns are practically eliminated, and possible problems are corrected in a regular way.
Proven benefits
Thus, in the late fifties, Soviet designers were able to create a more than successful howitzer. Through the use of a number of original technical ideas, it was possible to obtain high performance characteristics - as well as the potential for further upgrades and long service life. And the results of all this can be seen right now.
Despite its great age, the D-30 / 2A18 howitzer remains in service with many countries and is actively used in various conflicts. It can be assumed that the operation of such weapons will continue for several more decades. This is facilitated by both a large number of existing guns and their high technical potential.
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