The D-30 can be recognized by its unique three-trail carriage, the conspicuous box-like shield for the recoil-recuperator mechanism mounted above the tube, the multi-baffle muzzle brake, and the small protective shield fitted between the wheels. Early models of the D-30 had a multi-baffle muzzle brake while the D-30M has a double-baffle muzzle brake. The gun has a semiautomatic, vertically-sliding, wedge-type breechblock. It can be towed by a truck (Ural-375 or ZIL-131) or armored tractor at speeds up to 80 krn/hr. It is towed muzzle-first by a large lunette just under the muzzle brake with its trails folded under the barrel.
The D-30 is found in the howitzer battalion of BTR-equipped motorized rifle regiments and in the artillery regiment of motorized rifle, tank, and airborne divisions. A battalion of D-30s is also being added to some tank regiments as an interim measure. These D-30s will eventually be replaced by a battalion of 122-mm self-propelled howitzers 2S1. The maximum effective range of either howitzer is 15,300 meters.
In firing position, the crew of eight unhitches the gun, lowers the central firing jack, raising the wheels high enough to clear the trail legs, and spreads the two outer trails 120° on each side. The revolving mount permits 360° traverse and is equipped for high and low angles of fire, making it fully suitable for antitank defense. It is doubtful that full elevation is possible when the breech is immediately over a trail leg. The D-30 can also be equipped with a IR or passive night vision sights for direct fire.
The D-30 fires FRAG-HE and HEAT-FS variable-charge, case-type, separate-loading ammunition. The D-30 has a special nonrotating, fin-stabilized, HEAT projectile which allows it to effectively engage armored vehicles with direct fire. The HEAT round can penetrate up to 460 mm of armor at any range. Other types of projectiles include chemical, illuminating (S-462 weighing 22.4 kg), smoke (D-462 weighing 22.3 kg), leaflet, flechette, and incendiary. Recently an RAP has been introduced with a maximum range of 21900 m.
There are at least two chemical projectiles for the D-30, with the CW agent is dispersed by the explosion of a TNT bursting charge. The Sarin projectile weighs 22.2 kg with 1.3 kg of Sarin agent. The 122 mm Lewisite projectile weighs 23.1 kg with 3.3 kg of viscous Lewisite agent.
Specifications | ||
| Alternative Designations | 122-mm D-30A Lyagushka | |
| Date of Introduction | 1963 | |
| Proliferation | At least 13 countries | |
| Description | ||
| Crew | 5 (section of 6) | |
| Carriage | D-30 | |
| Combat Weight (mt) | 3.2 | |
| Chassis Length Overall (m) | ||
| Travel Position | 5.4 | |
| Firing Position | INA | |
| Height Overall (m) | 1.6 | |
| Width Overall (m) | ||
| Travel Position | 1.9 | |
| Firing Position | INA | |
| Towing Speed (km/h) | ||
| Max Road | 60 | |
| Max Off-Road | 25 | |
| Max Cross-Country | ||
| Fording Depths (m) | .5 | |
| Emplacement Time (min) | 1.5 | |
| Displacement Time (min) | 3.5 | |
| Prime Mover | MT-LB; Ural-375, or equivalent | |
| ARMAMENT | ||
| Main Armament | ||
| Caliber, Type, Name | 122-mm, 2A18M canon | |
| Barrel Length (cal) | 38 (approximately) | |
| Rate of Fire (rpm) | ||
| Burst | 8 | |
| Normal | 6 | |
| Sustained | 4 | |
| Loader Type | Semi-automatic | |
| Breech Type | Vertical sliding wedge | |
| Muzzle Brake Type | Multi-baffle | |
| Traverse | (°) | |
| Left | 360 | |
| Right | 360 | |
| Total | 360 | |
| Elevation (°) (-/+) | -7/+70° | |
| FIRE CONTROL | ||
| Indirect Fire | PG-1M Panoramic Telescope (PANTEL) | |
| Direct Fire | OP 4M-45 | |
| Collimator | K-1 | |
| Gun Display Unit | None | |
| Fire Control Computer | None | |
| VARIANTS | ||
| Saddam | Iraqi produced version of the D-30 | |
| D30J | Yugoslavian produced version of the D-30 | |
| SP 122 | Egyptian self-propelled howitzer (M109A2 chassis and turret with an Egyptian made D-30 howitzer). | |
| Type 85 | Chinese self-propelled howitzer (Chinese Type 85 APC chassis and a licensed produced version of the D-30 in a semi-open superstructure.) | |
| MAIN ARMAMENT AMMUNITION | ||
| Caliber, Type, Name | ||
| 122-mm Frag-HE, OF-81 | ||
| Indirect Fire Range (m) | ||
| Minimum Range | 1000 | |
| Maximum Range | 15,300 | |
| Complete Projectile Weight (kg) | 21.76 (OF-56) | |
| Muzzle Velocity | 680 m/s | |
| Fuze Type | RGM-2 PD 122-mm, HEAT-FS | |
| Direct Fire Range (m) | ||
| Minimum Range | 0 | |
| Maximum Range | 1000 | |
| Armor Penetration (mm) | 460 (@ 0° obliquity any range) | |
| Complete Projectile Weight (kg) | 21.58 | |
| Muzzle Velocity | 740 m/s | |
| Fuze Type | GPV-2 PIBD 122-mm Frag-HE Rocket Assisted | |
| Indirect Fire Range (m) | ||
| Minimum Range | INA | |
| Maximum Range | 21,900 | |
| Complete Projectile Weight (kg) | 21.76 (3OF-56) | |
| Muzzle Velocity | INA | |
| Fuze Type | PD | |
| Other Ammunition Types | Incendiary, Chemical, Flechette, Semi-active laser-guided Kitolov-2M Frag-HE | |
