Soviet Explosive Ordnance - 76mm Projectiles (Part 2)

76mm Artillery and Tank Gun Projectiles - Part 2

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Frag-HE, UOF-352

 

This Soviet fragmentation high-explosive round is fired from the 76mm mountain gun (howitzer) M1909.  Although the M1909 has been replaced by the 76mm M1938 mountain gun (howitzer) in the Soviet Army, it is believed to be present in undetermined quantities in Albania and possibly one or two other Satellite countries; the same applies to the ammunition, which is not interchangeable in the two weapons.

The illustrated projectile gives both fragmentation and blast effect; the setting of the fuze determines whether the fragmentation or the blast effect will be the greater, in any given instance.

The KTM-1 is known to be used with the OF-350 projectile in the UOF-352 round.  As a component of other complete rounds, however, the OF-350 projectile also has been found with KT-1, KTM-3, and KTMZ-1 fuzes.

The following complete rounds are variants of the illustrated round: UOF-352A, with an OF-350A projectile using the KTM-1 fuze; and UOF-352AM, with an OF-350A projectile using a KTM-1 fuze; and UOF-352M, with an OF-350 projectile using a KTM-1 fuze.  These variants are fired in the same weapon and, except for differences in markings, are almost identical with the UOF-352 in external appearance. 

Characteristics

Calibre: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: ?kg (? lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.22kg (13.69 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 0.37kg (0.8 lbs)

Type of projectile: AT/80

Weight of projectile filler: 0.71kg (1.57 lbs)

Packaging

The illustrated container has a capacity of five rounds.  When packed, it weighs from 54.7 to 57 kg (121 to 125 lbs).

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Frag-HE, UOF-353

This fragmentation high-explosive round is fired from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1927; divisional guns M1902/30, M1936 (F22), M1939 (USV), M1942 (ZIS-3); tank guns M1927/32, M1938/39 (L-11), M1939 (F-32), M1940 (F-34), M1941 (ZIS-5); and self-propelled gun M1942/43 (SAU-76). All of these weapons, with the exception of the M1942 and M1942/43,. are obsolete in the Soviet Army.

It gives both fragmentation and blast effect; the setting of the fuze determines whether the fragmentation or blast effect will be the greater in any given instance.

The KT-1 and KTM-1 fuzes are used with the OF-350 projectile in this round.  As a component of other complete rounds, however, the OF-350 projectile also has been found with the KTM-3 and KTMZ-1 fuzes.

The following complete rounds are variants of the illustrated round:  UOF-353A, with an OF-350A projectile using a KTM-1 or KT-1 fuze; UOF-353AM, with an IOF-350A projectile using a KTM-1 fuze; UOF-353M, with an OF-350 projectile using a KTM-1 fuze; UOF-353 (BPK), with an OF-343 (BPK) projectile using a KT-1 fuze; and UOF-353M (BPK), with an OF-343 (BPK) projectile using a KTM-1 fuze.  These variants are basically the same as the UOF-353.  They are fired from the same weapons and, except for differences in fuzes and markings, are almost identical with the UFO-353 in external appearance.

Note: All complete rounds of the "353" series (that is, all rounds with the number 353 as a component of their code number) contain a reduced propellent charge.
 

Characteristics

Calibre: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: 8.2kg (18.08 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.21kg (13.7 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 0.45kg (1 lb)

Type of projectile: Amatol 80/20

Weight of projectile filler: 0.71kg (1.57 lbs)

Packaging

The illustrated 5-round wooden box weighs about 54 kg (119 lbs) when packed.  This ammunition may also be packed in a six- or eight-round wooden box.  The gross weight may be stenciled on the packing box in the form БРУТТО 54 КГ.

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Frag-HE, UOF-354A

This fragmentation round is fired from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1927; divisional guns M1902/30, M1936 (F22), M1939 (USV), M1942 (ZIS-3); tank guns M1927/32, M1938/39 (L-11), M1939 (F-32), M1940 (F-34), M1941 (ZIS-5); and self-propelled gun M1942/43 (SAU-76). All of these weapons, with the exception of the M1942 and M1942/43, are obsolete in the Soviet Army.

It gives both fragmentation and blast effect; the fuze setting determines which effect will be the greater in a given instance.  Its projectile burst produces from 200 to 250 lethal fragments.

The KT-1 and KTM-1 fuzes are used with the OF-350A projectile in this round.

The following complete rounds are variants of the illustrated round: UOF-354, with an OF-350 projectile using a KT-1 fuze; UOF-354M, with an OF-350 projectile using a KT-1, KTM-1, or KTMZ-1 fuze; and UOF-354AM, with an OF-350 projectile using a KTM-1 fuze.  These variants are basically the same as the UOF-354A, and are fired from the same weapons.  Except for differences in markings, they are almost identical with the UOF-354A in external appearances.

Characteristics

Calibre: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: 8.86kg (19.5 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.22kg (13.72 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 1.08kg (2.38 lbs)

Type of projectile: TNT

Weight of projectile filler: 0.54kg (1.19 lbs)

Packaging

 

The illustrated 5-round wooden box weighs about 58 kg (128 lbs) when packed. This ammunition may also be packed in a 6-round wooden boxes with a gross weight of 70 kg (154 lbs), or 8-round wooden boxes with a gross weight of 94 kg (207 lbs).

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Frag-HE, UOF-356

This Soviet fragmentation high-explosive round is used in the 76mm mountain gun (howitzer) M1938.  It gives both fragmentation and blast effect; the fuze setting determines which effect will be the greater in a given instance. Its projectile burst produces from 200 to 250 lethal fragments.

The KTM-1 fuze is used with the OF-350 projectile in this round.  As a component of other complete rounds, however, the OF-350 projectile also has been found with KT-1, KTM-3, and KTMZ-1 fuzes..

The complete round UO-356A, with an OF-350 projectile using either a KT-1 or a KTM-1 fuze, is a variant of the illustrated round. It is fired from the same weapon and, except for differences in markings, is almost identical in external appearance to the UOF-356.

Note. The cartridge case measurements and markings in the above illustration have not been verified.

Characteristics

Calibre: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: 8.25kg (18.15 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.2kg (13.64 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 0.62kg (1.37 lbs)

Type of projectile: TNT

Weight of projectile filler: 0.71kg (1.56 lbs)

Packaging

This ammunition is packed in five-round wooden boxes.  The gross weight of the packed wooden box is about 60 kg (132 lbs).

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, AP-T, UBR-344

This armor-piercing tracer round is fired only from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1943.  The M1943 is obsolete in the Soviet Army, but is standard in the Polish, Bulgarian, Czechoslovak, and Albanian Armies and also may be found in Rumania and Yugoslavia.

The illustrated round is not interchangeable with standard ammunition used in other 76mm weapons.  It is used against such targets as tanks, armored trains, and armored or reinforced concrete structures.  Its projectile contains a small base cavity filled with high-explosive.

The MD-5 and MD-7 fuzes are used with the BR-350 projectile in this round.

Note.  The dimensions and markings on the cartridge case in the above illustration have not been verified.

Characteristics

Calibre: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: ?kg (? lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.5kg (14.3 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: ?kg (? lbs)

Type of projectile: TNT

Weight of projectile filler: 0.155kg (0.34 lbs)

Packaging

The illustrated 5-round wooden box weighs approximately 58 kg  (128 lbs).  This ammunition may also be packed in a 6-round box weighing approximately 70 kg (154 lbs), or in a 8-round box weighing approximately 94 kg (207 lbs).

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, AP-T, UBR-353



This armor-piercing tracer round is fired from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1927; divisional guns M1902/30, M1936 (F22), M1939 (USV), M1942 (ZIS-3); tank guns M1927/32, M1938/39 (L-11), M1939 (F-32), M1940 (F-34), M1941 (ZIS-5); and self-propelled gun M1942/43 (SAU-76).

It is used against such targets as tanks, armored trains, and armored or reinforced concrete structures. Its projectile contains a small base cavity filled with high-explosive.

The MD-5 and MD-7 fuzes are used with the BR-350 projectile in this round.

Note: All complete rounds of the "353" series (that is, all rounds with the number 353 as a component of their code number) contain a reduced propellent charge. 

Characteristics

Calibre: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: 8.2kg (18.04 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.1kg (13.41 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 0.48kg (1.056 lbs)

Type of projectile: TNT

Weight of projectile filler: 0.816kg (1.8 lbs)

Packaging

 

The illustrated 5-round wooden box weighs approximately 58kg (128 lbs) when packed. This ammunition may also be packed in a 6-round box weighing approximately 70kg (154 lbs) or in an 8-round box weighing approximately 94kg (207 lbs).

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, HVAP-T, UBR-354P

This high-velocity armor-piercing tracer round is fired from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1927; divisional guns M1902/30, M1936 (F22), M1939 (USV), M1942 (ZIS-3); tank guns M1927/32, M1938/39 (L-11), M1939 (F-32), M1940 (F-34), M1941 (ZIS-5); and self-propelled gun M1942/43 (SAU-76). All of these weapons, with the exception of the M1942 and M1942/43,. are obsolete in the Soviet Army.

High-velocity armor-piercing ammunition (called "subcaliber" by the Soviets) is used primarily against tanks; however, it is also used against any type of armored or reinforced concrete target.  Its effect is achieved by the high muzzle velocity of the projectile and hardness of its core.

A solid aluminum ballistic cap is screwed into the BR-350P projectile shown above.  The projectile has a recessed base, so that the tracer element is not visible in the side view.

The same complete round, UBR-354P, also may be found with a BR-354P projectile.  A sheet-metal ballistic cap is crimped onto the BR-354P projectile.  In other respects, the BR-350P and BR-354P projectiles are almost identical.  No fuze is used in either of these projectiles. 

Note.  Stamped numbers shown on the body of the projectile in the above illustration were taken from an actual projectile.  They are believed to identify the projectile by manufacturing plant, lot number, and year of manufacture.  A fourth number (possibly the smelt number) sometimes appears in the same line, or on the opposite side of the projectile.  The identification code number which is stenciled on all other types of projectiles apparently does not appear on HVAP projectiles.

Characteristics

Calibre: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: 6.05kg (13.31 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 3kg (6.59 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 1.34kg (2.95 lbs)

Core materials: Steel slug and tungsten carbide

Weight of core: 0.6kg (1.31 lbs)

Packaging

The illustrated 5-round wooden box has a gross weight of 45 kg (99 lbs).  The lid is hinged and the rounds are securely held in place within the box by means of contour blocking.

This ammunition also may be packed in a six- or eight-round box.  The Cyrillic abbreviation ПОДКАЛ as shown in the above drawing, means that the packing box contains "subcaliber" (HVAP) ammunition.

  

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, AP-T, UBR-354A

This high-velocity armor-piercing tracer round is fired from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1927; divisional guns M1902/30, M1936 (F22), M1939 (USV), M1942 (ZIS-3); tank guns M1927/32, M1938/39 (L-11), M1939 (F-32), M1940 (F-34), M1941 (ZIS-5); and self-propelled gun M1942/43 (SAU-76). All of these weapons, with the exception of the M1942 and M1942/43,. are obsolete in the Soviet Army.

It is used against such targets as tanks, armored trains, and armored or reinforced concrete structures. Its projectile contains a small base cavity filled with high-explosive.

The MD-5 and MD-7 fuzes are used with the BR-350A projectile in this round.  A black color band forward of the rotating band may or may not be found.  The significance of the black band is not known.

The following complete rounds are variants of the illustrated round: UBR-354 with BR-350 projectile, UBR-354BS with BR-350 projectile, and UBR-354B with BR-350B projectile.  All three of these variants use the MD-5 fuze.  They are basically the same as the UBR-354A and are fired in the same weapons.

Characteristics

Calibre: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: 8.81kg (19.4 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.61kg (14.54 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 1.08kg (2.36 lbs)

Core materials: TNT

Weight of core: 0.16kg (0.34 lbs)
 

Packaging

The illustrated 5-round wooden box has a gross weight of 58 kg (128 lbs). This ammunition also may be packed in a 6-round wooden boxes weighing about 70 kg (154 lbs), or 8-round wooden boxes weighing about 94 kg (207 lbs).

Next Time: 76mm Projectiles (Part 3)