30mm AK-306
Overview
AK-306
Forward view of AK-306 naval gun turret.
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Description
Introduction
The AK-306 is a late Cold War era naval self-defense gun turret of Soviet origin. The AK-306 was developed using proven components of the AK-630 close-in weapon system. It serves as a replacement for the AK-230 for less intensive warfare duties.
Design
Externally the AK-306 looks similar to the AK-630. The main visual difference is that the AK-306 lacks the smooth water cooling jacket and all six barrels can be see. Internally the AK-306 differs in using a different fire control system, in being armed with the much lower rate of fire AO-18L autocannon and lacking the below deck ammunition feed of the AK-630. This makes the AK-306 a much cheaper system that is easier to install on smaller vessels.
Fire control
The AK-306 is remotely operated and is fired by an operated sitting behind a console using an optronic director. There is no radar guidance, making the AK-306 practically unable to interdict inbound sea skimming anti-ship missiles or fast fighter aircraft. The AK-306 is mainly intended to engage helicopters, small boats and near shore surface targets. A minehunter can also use the AK-306 to engage enemy mines floating at the surface.
Firepower
The AK-306 is armed with AO-18L six barrel autocannon. This fires the 30x165mm round from a single 500 round belt. There is no below deck magazine as found on the AK-630, which has 2.000 rounds to fire. The AO-18L is the only variant in the GSh-6-30 autocannon line-up that is not gas operated. It is electrically operated with a selectable rate of fire of 300 - 500 rpm or 600 - 1.000 rpm cyclic rate of fire. The rate of fire is selected upon installation and is not selected by the operator.
Platforms
The AK-306 was intended to arm patrol boats, minehunters, hovercraft, customs vessels and various other limited displacement vessels that do not take part in high intensity naval warfare. The AK-306 is a multi-purpose gun without any practical missile defense capability.
Details
Related articles
30mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-30
AK-306 is armed with a single electrically operated AO-18L six barrel autocannon.
30mm AK-630
The AK-306 was derived from the AK-630 close-in weapon system, which has a much higher rate of fire and uses radar guidance.
30mm AK-230
The AK-306 was intended as a much lighter alternative to the older AK-230 for vessel of limited displacement.