AK-230
{{Short description|Soviet fully automatic naval twin 30 mm gun}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = AK-230
| image = Forward AK-230, Keihässalmi.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = AK-230 mounted on Finnish minelayer Keihässalmi
| type = CIWS
| origin = Soviet Union
| is_ranged = Yes
| service = 1969-1990s
| used_by =
| wars =
| designer =
| design_date = 1956
| manufacturer = Tulamashzavod
| production_date = 1959-1984
| number = 1750
| variants = See Variants
| weight = {{plainlist|
- {{convert|156|kg|lbs|abbr=on}} per gun
- {{convert|1974|kg|lbs|abbr=on}} for full mount}}
| length = {{convert|2.140|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| part_length = {{convert|1.897|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|2.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1.46|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| diameter =
| crew = 2 (remote)
| passengers =
| cartridge = 30x210mmB
| cartridge_weight = {{convert|1.07|kg|lbs|abbr=on}} to {{convert|1.13|kg|lbs|abbr=on}}
| caliber = 30mm
| barrels = 2
| action = Gas-operated revolver cannon
| rate = 1000 rpm (per barrel)
| velocity = {{convert|1050|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
| max_range = *{{convert|6.5|km|ft|abbr=on}} against surface targets
- {{convert|4|km|ft|abbr=on}} against aircraft
- {{convert|2|km|ft|abbr=on}} against missiles
| feed = 500-round belt
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The AK-230 is a Soviet radar-controlled 30mm naval anti-aircraft autocannon. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar. The AK-230 is widely used, mounted on large warships as well as small craft. About 1450 guns were produced in the USSR, and about 300 were produced in China as the Type 69. It was succeeded by the more powerful AK-630 from the mid-to-late 1970s.
Development and service
Development of the weapon began during the 1950s, with the first trial weapon fitted to the Osa class of fast attack missile boats and Shershen class torpedo boats. The weapon was officially accepted into service in 1969. Its service life was relatively short due to the fielding of the AK-630 system in the mid-1970s, which uses the same mountings and can be controlled by the same fire control systems. While its 30×210 mm round was much more powerful than the AK-630's 30×165 mm one, having the muzzle velocity of {{convert|1,050|m/s|abbr=on}} (the same as with 30×173 mm GAU-8's cartridge), the moderately powered AK-630's round allowed for much higher rates of fire, especially in a Gatling-type weapon, which was considered more advantageous for the anti-aircraft system.
Description
The weapon consists of two stabilized NN-30 30 mm water-cooled four chamber revolver cannons, which are mounted inside a riveted steel turret. The gun mechanism is gas operated.{{cite book|author=Norman Friedman|title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4S3h8j_NEmkC&pg=PA468|year=2006|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=978-1-55750-262-9|page=468}} The guns each weigh {{convert|155|kg|abbr=on}} and have barrels {{convert|1,930|mm|abbr=on}} long, and a total length of {{convert|2,670|mm|abbr=on}}. The barrels are rifled with 12 grooves. The guns each have a rate of fire of 1,000 round per minute; they are fed by independent 500-round belts of ammunition.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-31 |title=Russia / USSR 30 mm/63 (1.2") AK-230 - NavWeaps |url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNRussian_30mm-63_ak-230.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531155417/http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNRussian_30mm-63_ak-230.php |archive-date=2024-05-31 |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=navweaps.com}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-09 |title=30mm AK-230 {{!}} Weaponsystems.net |url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/648-30mm+AK-230 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109164204/https://weaponsystems.net/system/648-30mm+AK-230 |archive-date=2023-11-09 |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=weaponsystems.net}}
The rounds are electrically fired; propellent gases are used to eject the spent shells and belt links into a space between the magazine and the hull. The ballistic maximum range for the weapon is about {{convert|6.7|km|abbr=on}}, but realistic ranges for engaging air targets are quoted as between {{convert|2.5|to|4|km|abbr=on}}.
The weapon is remote-directed, typically by a fire-control system linked to either a MR-104 Rys (NATO reporting name: Drum Tilt) or MR-103 Bars (NATO reporting name: Muff Cobb) radar systems.
Ammunition
The AK-230 fires specially developed 30x210B 30 mm ammunition that is electrically primed. Two rounds were developed: a high-explosive round with an impact fuze, and an armour-piercing round. The Chinese Type 69 fires only a locally produced version of the high-explosive round. Ammunition is also produced in Romania and Serbia.
Image:Naboj szkolny 30x210B.jpg]]
Image:Tasma i luska do AK-230.jpg
| class=wikitable
!Type | HE | AP-T |
| Designation
| OF-83D || BR-83 | |
|---|---|
| Weight | |
| Round
| {{convert|1.13|kg|abbr=on}} || {{convert|1.12|kg|abbr=on}} | |
| Projectile
| {{convert|0.27|kg|abbr=on}} || {{convert|0.35|kg|abbr=on}} | |
| Explosive content
| {{convert|30|g|abbr=on}} of | |
| Muzzle velocity
|colspan=2| {{convert|1,050|m/s|abbr=on}} |
Specifications
- Calibre: 30 mm
- Traverse: +180 to -180 degrees at 35 degree/s{{Citation needed|date=February 2015}}
- Elevation: -12 to +87 degrees at 50 degree/s{{Citation needed|date=February 2015}}
- Mounting weight: {{convert|1,857|to|1,905|kg|abbr=on}}
- Rate of fire: 2,000 rpm (system){{Citation needed|date=February 2015}}
- Gun Weight: {{convert|156|kg|abbr=on}}
- Gun Length oa: {{convert|2.140|m|abbr=on}}
- Bore Length: {{convert|1.897|m|abbr=on}}
- Rifling Length: {{convert|1.805|m|abbr=on}}
- Grooves: 12
- Chamber Volume: {{convert|221.1|cm3|abbr=on}}
- Rate Of Fire: over 1,000 rounds per minute cyclic
Variants
- AK-230 A type - For ships with 220 V DC power systems.
- AK-230 B type - For ships with 380 V AC power systems.
- AK-230M - Less magnetized version for minesweepers (380 V AC).
- Type 69 - Chinese upgraded version, total weight 3,600 kg. Shells are ejected outside of the turret. a faster 50 degree/second traverse.
Platforms
= AK-230 =
- Soviet cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov - 8 mounts
- Polnocny-class landing ship - 2 or 4 mounts
- Parchim-class corvette - 1 mount
- Soviet cruiser Admiral Senyavin - 8 mounts (after 1972 modernization)
- Kanin-class destroyer - 4 mounts (after modernization)
- Kotlin-class destroyer - 4 mounts (after modernization)
- Osa-class missile boat - 2 mounts
- Stenka-class patrol boat - 2 mounts
- Shershen-class torpedo boat - 2 mounts
- Koni-class frigate - 2 mounts
- Aist-class LCAC - 2 mounts
= AK-230M =
- Vanya-class minesweeper - 1 mount
- Yurka-class minesweeper - 2 mounts
- Natya-class minesweeper - 2 mounts
References
{{reflist}}
=General references=
{{Commons category}}
- Jane's Naval Weapon Systems Issue Thirty Three
- [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNRussian_30mm-63_ak-230.htm Navy Weapons.com]
- {{cite book
| last = Koll
| first = Christian
| author-link =
| title = Soviet Cannon - A Comprehensive Study of Soviet Arms and Ammunition in Calibres 12.7mm to 57mm
| publisher = Koll
| year = 2009
| location = Austria
| url = http://www.russianammo.org
| doi =
| isbn = 978-3-200-01445-9
| page = 323 }}
Category:Naval anti-aircraft guns
Category:Autocannons of the Soviet Union
Category:Close-in weapon systems
Category:Cold War artillery of the Soviet Union
Category:Anti-aircraft guns of the Soviet Union