M-46 M1954 130 mm towed field gun technical data | Russia Russian army light heavy weapons UK | Russia Russian army military equipment vehicles UK

: 01 March 2024

M-46 M1954 130 mm towed field gun

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Description

The 130 mm M-46 M1954 is a manually loaded 130 mm artillery towed gun, designed manufactured in Russia since the 1950s. The M-46 was first seen in public in May 1954 and originally was known in the West as the M1954. The operation of the M-46 towed gun revolves around a crew of eight personnel. The M-46 is no longer in service with the Russian army, but it is still more largely used by many armies in the world, mostly in Africa, Asia and Middle East.

Variants

- There is also a Chinese copy, called Type 59.

Technical Data

Armament

The M-46 has 52 calibre barrel with a tied jaw horizontal sliding block breach and ‘pepperpot’ muzzle brake. The M-46 was developed from the M-36 130 mm naval gun used on ships and for coast defence. Ammunition originally included HE fragmentation, Armour Piercing solid shot, smoke, illuminating and chemical. HE shells weigh some 33 kg. Maximum rate of fire is 5 -6 rounds/minute, and about 70 rounds/hour. The Russian artillery unit rate of fire was 80 rounds.

Design

The barrel is mounted on a split-trail carriage, with deep box section trails and foam-filled road wheels on the ground when firing and 50° of top traverse. The barrel can elevate from -2.5 degrees to 45 degrees and traverse up to 50 degrees. The carriage is of the split trail type and is provided with a two-wheeled limber. The small shield protects little more than the sights, possible including from the effects of muzzle blast, and some protection from machine gun fire in anti-tank engagements. The gun has long and robust trails to provide stability when firing, a large detachable spade is are fitted to the end of each when the gun is brought into action.

Mobility

The gun is mounted on a two-wheeled split trail carriage with large sponge-filled rubber tires on each of the single wheels. For travel, it is provided with a two-wheeled limber and can be towed by a truck or armored vehicle. When travelling, the 130 mm barrel is withdrawn by a mechanism on the right trail from battery to the rear to reduce the overall length of the weapon.

Accessories

The M-46 towed gun has the OP4M-35 direct fire sight with a field of view of 11º and a magnification of ×5.5, and an APN-3 active/passive night sight. The M-46 fires case-type, variable-charge, separate loading ammunition as shown in the table.

Specifications