Russia / USSR
76 mm/60 (3") AK-176
Updated 16 November 2007
The need for a lightweight 76 mm (3") gun for small combatants prompted the development of this weapon.  The result was a fully automatic weapon using the same gun barrels as did the 76.2 mm (3") AK-726 mount called A-221.  The trials were done in 1977 and in 1979 the gun was accepted into production.  The mount was produced in Gorky and was used on virtually all small combatants built in 1980s.

This mount has selectable rates of fire of 30, 60 and 120-130 rounds per minute.  The 120 rpm could be achieved by firing a burst of 75 rounds, but afterwards the gun had to cool off for 25 to 30 minutes.   This weapon is considered effective against missiles and during trials it consistently shot down Falanga ATGMs (AT-2 Swatter) simulating Harpoon ASMs.  On average it took 25 rounds per missile.

The gun is controlled by the MP-123-02 FCS.  This system uses radar, TV and laser designators.  The system has a range of 28 miles (45 km) without ECM and 18 miles (30 km) with ECM and weighed 5.1 tons (5.2 mt).

Uses a monobloc barrel with a casing and a vertical sliding breech block.  Automatics are recoil operated.  The barrel is sea-water cooled, which is pumped between the casing and barrel at 11.5 fps (3.5 mps).

Some of these guns have been sold to the People's Republic of China.

Nomenclature note:  This gun is classified as 76 mm/60 but the actual barrel length is 59 calibers and the actual bore diameter is 76.2 mm (3.0").
WNRussian_3-60_ak176_pic.jpg

76 mm/60 (3") AK-176
Picture courtesy of Jacek Krzewiñski
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Gun Characteristics
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Designation 76 mm/60 (3") AK-176
Ship Class Used On Grisha V, Parchim II (Pr. 1331M), Babochka (Pr. 1141), Nanuchka III (Pr. 1234.1), Dergach (Pr. 1239), Turya (Pr. 206M), Pauk (Pr. 1241.2), Ropuchka (Pr. 775), Tarantul I (Pr. 1241.1) and other classes
Date Of Design 1977
Date In Service 1979
Gun Weight 1,810 lbs. (821 kg)
Gun Length oa 176.54 in (4.484 m)
Bore Length N/A
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves 24
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume 225.8 in3 (37 dm3)
Rate Of Fire 30, 60, 120-130 rounds per minute
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Ammunition
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Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round AA (ZS-63) - 27.34 lbs. (12.4 kg)
FRAG (OF-62) - 27.34 lbs. (12.4 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights AA (ZS-63) - 13.0 lbs. (5.9 kg)
FRAG (OF-62) - 13.0 lbs. (5.9 kg)
Bursting Charge AA (ZS-63) - 1.06 lbs. (0.48 kg)
FRAG (OF-62) - 0.88 lbs. (0.4 kg)
Projectile Length AA (ZS-63) - 14 in (35.5 cm)
FRAG (OF-62) - 14 in (35.5 cm)
Propellant Charge 6.72 lbs. (3.05 kg)
Cartridge - 14.33 lbs. (6.5 kg)
Muzzle Velocity  3,215 fps (980 mps)
Working Pressure N/A
Approximate Barrel Life 3000 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun N/A
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Range
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Elevation With 27.34 lbs. (12.4 kg) AA (ZS-63) Shell
Max. Ballistic Range 17,169 yards (15,700 m)
Max. Ceiling 12,030 yards (11,000 m)
Lethal Radius Against Aircraft 26 feet (8 m)
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Mount / Turret Data
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Designation Single Mount AK-176
Weight 10.29 tons (10.45 mt) (without ammo or cooling equipment)
Elevation -15 / +85 degrees by hand
-10 / +80 degrees by electric distance control system ESP-221
Rate of Elevation 13 degrees per second by hand
30 degrees per second by electric distance control system ESP-221
Train -175 / +175 degrees by hand
-168 / +168 degrees by electric distance control system ESP-221
Rate of Train 14 degrees per second by hand
35 degrees per second by electric distance control system ESP-221
Gun Recoil 15.0 - 19.7 in (38 - 50 cm)
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Data from
"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman
"Entsiklopedia Otechestvennoi Artillerii" (Encyclopedia of Fatherland (Russian) Artillery) by A.V. Shirokorad
Special help from Vladimir Yakubov