30mm Shipunov 2A42
Overview
2A42
A 30mm 2A42 autocannon mounted in the chin turret of the Mi-28 helicopter.
Source: Allocer -
© GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Russia - Tulamashzavod
Bulgaria - Arsenal
India - Indian Ordance Factory
Slovakia - ZTS
Ukraine - Precision Mechanics Plant
ZTM-2 (Ukrainian production)
Description
Introduction
The 2A42 is a late Cold War era 30mm autocannon of Soviet origin. It was developed somewhere in the 1970's and was selected to arm the new BMP-2. The 2A42 autocannon significantly improved the lethality and combat range of the BMP-2 compared to the BMP-1 with its 73mm low pressure cannon. The 2A42 has also been used on a variety of other platforms and its 30x165mm ammunition is used by various other Soviet autocannon.
Design
The 2A42 is a gas double belt feed gas operated weapon. It is electrically powered and requires external power. The long barrel is rifled and has a double baffle muzzle brake. The rate of fire is selectable to low and high. Due to its significant recoil the strength requirements on the mount are high. There are no variants of the 2A42, although the design of the newer lightweight 2A72 shares some design features.
Firepower
The 2A42 fires the now common 30x165mm round that was specifically developed for this weapon. Several types of ammunition are available. The low rate of fire setting is 200 to 300 rpm and the high setting about 550 to 800 rpm. The effective range is 1.5 km versus armored vehicles. The effective range for the high explosive rounds is about 2 km versus infantry, vehicles and aircraft although it has a slant range of 4 km.
Platforms
The main use of the 2A42 is as main armament of the BMP-2 mechanized infantry combat vehicle. Other vehicles that use the 2A42 are the BMD-2, BMD-3 and BTR-90. The 2A42 is also used on the Mi-28 Havoc and Ka-50 Hokum helicopters, making it one of the most powerful helicopter guns in use.
Details
Media
2A42
A plain 2A42 autocannon without mounting bracket or ammunition.
Source: KBP Tula
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
BMP-2
Russian army BMP-2 on display in 2011.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
BMD-3
BMD-3 with Konkurs anti-tank guided missile on its launch rail.
Source: www.army.lv
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Systems armed with 2A42
Combat vehicles
BMP-2
The BMP-2 is a mechanized infantry combat vehicle that was produced in large numbers. The BMP-2 was the platform on which the 2A42 was introduced.
BMD-2
The BMD-2 airborne combat vehicle features a small one man turret with 2A42 autocannon.
Combat helicopters
Mil Mi-28
The Mi-28 is armed with a 2A42 autocannon in a large chin mounted turret.
Kamov Ka-52 Alligator
On the Ka-52 the 2A42 is fitted in a ventral mount on the right side of the fuselage.
Kamov Ka-29TB
The Ka-29TB assault helicopter can be fitted with a 2A42. When fitted it feeds from ammunition storage in the passenger area.