KS-19



Overview


100mm KS-19

Soviet 100mm KS-19 towed anti-aircraft gun on display in a museum in St. Petersburg.
Source: one half 3544 - © Public domain

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Anti-aircraft gun
Entered service
1948
Status
Limited service
Development
1947 - 1948 (design project)
1948 (Soviet state tests)
Developer
Soviet Union - OKB-8
L.V. Lyulyev as chief designer
Production
1948 - 1957 (Soviet production)
Producer
Soviet Union - No. 8 plant
Soviet Union - Votkinsk Maching-Building Plant
China - State arsenals (Type 59)
Number produced
Over 10.500 produced in the USSR
Designations
52-P-415 (GRAU index)
Type 59 (Chinese production)
Notable users
Soviet Union
China
Vietnam
Egypt

Description


Introduction

The KS-19 is an early Cold War era heavy anti-aircraft gun of Soviet origin. It was developed just after World War 2 to combat high flying threats, such as the mass bomber formations employed with significant impact against Axis powers in World War 2. This required an accurate long range gun paired with fire direction systems. Both were not present in the USSR at the end of World War 2, hence the development of the KS-19 and associated fire control system.

Design

The 100mm ordnance of the KS-19 is derived from the B-34 naval gun. This naval gun was widely used by the Soviet navy and had suitable firing characteristics. The gun is mounted on a powered turntable on a four wheel chassis. A multi-slotted muzzle brake helps to reduce stresses on the gun mount and recoil mechanism. There are two outriggers and four jacks create a stable firing position. A pneumatic rammer is fitted since the gun to be loaded at a high angle. A gun shield provides a degree of protection in case the gun is used against ground targets.

Firepower

The KS-19 fires 100mm fixed type shells at a cyclic rate of fire of about 15 rpm. For a system intended for used against bomber aircraft the maximum altitude is very important. The 100mm high explosive fragmentation shells can be used out to 15.4 km altitude using a proximity fuse and 12.7 km with a time fuse. The maximum range against ground targets is 21 km as an indirect fire weapon.

Guidance

The KS-19 can be used as an independent mount against air and ground targets using the gunsight. However, it is intended to be used in conjunction with a fire direction system and fire control radar. Up to six guns can be slaved to a single PUAZO-6 or PUAZO-13 fire direction system. Radar input is provided by the SON-9 (NATO: Fire Can). In East German service the truck based RPK-1 fire control system was used with the KS-19M2, indicating that more modern fire control systems could be integrated.

Mobility

The KS-19 is a large and heavy system. It takes some time to emplace the weapon or make it ready for travel. In Soviet service the AT-S and AT-T tracked prime movers were often issued to tow the KS-19. On suitable roads it can also be towed by 6x6 tactical trucks.

Users

The KS-19 was produced in large numbers, with over 10.500 produced. At first these were only used by the USSR and a select number of Soviet allies. With the introduction of surface to air missiles many ex-Soviet KS-19 were exported to various Soviet allies around the world. The design was shared with China, which produced its own near direct copy as the Type 59. Nowadays the KS-19 and Type 59 are no longer in frontline service as anti-aircraft guns. In various modern conflicts the KS-19 serves as a potent direct fire weapon in defensive positions and as a makeshift artillery piece.

Variants


100mm KS-19

Side view of KS-19 anti-aircraft gun on display at the Museum of Russian Military History.
Source: Museum of National Military History - © CC BY-SA 4.0

Variants of the KS-19

The KS-19 was produced in three variants: the KS-19, KS-19M and KS-19M2. The Type 59 is a direct copy produced in China using a Soviet design package provided before the Sino-Soviet split.

KS-19
Original production model introduced in 1948 on KZU-16 carriage.
KS-19M
Updated model introduced in 1951. The grooves in the barrel were broadened to reduce the projectile's friction and reduce barrel wear.
KS-19M2
Final production model introduced in 1955. Features the heavier and more stable KZU-28 carriage, which is easier to set up as well.
Type 59
Chinese production model.

Details


Facts KS-19
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Anti-aircraft gun
Crew
7
Dimensions - Travel configuration
Weight
9.46 t
Length
9.23 m
Width
2.35 m
Height
2.3 m
Dimensions - Firing configuration
Weight
9.35 t
Length
5 m carriage
Width
4 m over outriggers
Height
7.65 m at maximum elevation
Ordnance
Type
100mm 61-caliber rifled gun
Barrel length
6.07 m, 40 grooves
Muzzle brake
Multi-slotted muzzle brake
Muzzle velocity
900 m/s
Elevation
-3° to +85°, powered
Traverse
360° powered
Maximum of 2 full rotations in one direction due to wires and cables
Fire control
Sights
Reflex sight for anti-aircraft use
Telescopic sight for ground targets
External control
PUAZO-6 or -7 fire director with SON-4 fire control radar
PUAZO-13 fire director with SON-9 fire control radar
Firepower
Rate of fire
13 to 15 rpm cyclic for 1 minute
45 shots in 5 minutes
110 shots in 60 minutes
Range
15.4 km maximum altitude with proximity fuse
12.7 km maximum altitude with time fuse
21 km maximum horizontal range
Carriage
Type
Four wheel KZU-16 carriage
Gun shield
Yes
Mobility
Towing vehicle
AT-S or AT-T tracked prime movers or 6x6 tactical truck
Towed speed
35 to 40 km/h on road
Autonomous mobility
Too heavy for manhandling in the field

Media


Related articles


AT-S

The AT-S was the first tracked prime mover issued with the KS-19.

AT-T

The AT-T is a tracked prime mover often used with KS-19 anti-aircraft guns in Soviet service.