Description

The design of this gun was started in 1943 but it may have been influenced post-war by captured examples of the German 12.7 cm (5") KM40, which was a fully-stabilized anti-aircraft weapon used to defend German cities during World War II. The first prototype of the Soviet gun was completed in 1948 and after many years of testing the gun was accepted into service in 1957.

This weapon in Soviet service was controlled by Sfera-56 Fire Control Radar which had a maximum range of 24 km (13 nm). It could track targets up to 15 km high flying at speeds of up to 300 mps. It also had an automatic AA gun sight which could track targets of up to 22 km away and moving at speeds between 0 and 270 mps. The system had a radar rangefinder Shtag-B which could provide correct range for targets up to 15 km.

This weapon is triaxially stabilized and considered to be dual-purpose.

The PRC is currently manufacturing this gun which differs from the Soviet version by lacking mechanical cross-level stabilization and a range-only radar.

Both the USSR and the PRC uses these guns in a coast defense role.

Gun Characteristics

Designation Russia / USSR: 130 mm/58 (5.1") SM-2-1 Pattern 1957
PRC: 130 mm/58 (5.1") Type 76
Ship Class Used On Russia / USSR: Pr 41 Neustrashimy and Pr. 56 Kotlin classes
PRC: Luda class
Date Of Design 1948
Date In Service 1957
Gun Weight 4.8 tons (4.99 mt)
Gun Length oa 294.82 in (7.490 m)
Bore Length 277.56 in (7.050 m)
Rifling Length 233.35 in (5.927 m)
Grooves 28
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume 1,195 in3 (19.6 dm3)
Rate Of Fire
  • With electrical loading
    • 15 rounds per minute at +3 degrees
    • 11.5 - 12 rounds per minute at +30 to +50 degrees
  • With hand loading
    • 9.7 rounds per minute at +3 degrees
    • 8.2 rounds per minute at +30 to +50 degrees

Ammunition

Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round 118.6 - 135.36 lbs. (53.8 - 61.4 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights
  • Russia / USSR
    • Semi-AP (PB-42): 73.63 lbs. (33.4 kg)
    • HE-FRAG (OF-42): 72.75 lbs. (33.0 kg)
    • AA (ZS-42): 72 lbs. (32.675 kg)
    • AA (ZS-42P): 72.9 lbs. (33.08 kg)
    • Star Shell (SP-42): 56.88 lbs. (25.8 kg)
  • PRC
    • SAP A 1: 73.63 lbs. (33.4 kg)
    • SAP B 1: 73.63 lbs. (33.4 kg)
    • HE: 73.63 lbs. (33.4 kg)
    • Illum: 56.22 lbs. (25.5 kg)
Bursting Charge
  • Russia / USSR
    • Semi-AP (PB-42): 3.09 lbs. (1.4 kg)
    • HE-FRAG (OF-42): 5.49 lbs. (2.49 kg)
    • AA (ZS-42): 5.12 lbs. (2.5 kg)
    • AA (ZS-42P): 4.3 lbs. (1.95 kg)
    • Star Shell: N/A
  • PRC
    • SAP A: N/A
    • SAP B: N/A
    • HE: N/A
    • Illum: N/A
Projectile Length
  • Russia / USSR
    • Semi-AP (PB-42): 4.68 calibers
    • HE-FRAG (OF-42): 4.73 calibers
    • AA (ZS-42): 4.79 calibers
    • AA (ZS-42P): 4.7 calibers
    • Star Shell (SP-42): 4.43 calibers
  • PRC
    • SAP A: 24.7 in (62.73 cm)
    • SAP B: 24.1 in (61.21 cm)
    • HE: 25.1 in (63.8 cm)
    • Illum: 22.5 in (57.2 cm)
Complete Round Length N/A
Cartridge Case Type, Size and Empty Weight Brass or steel, N/A, 28.0 lbs. (12.7 kg)
Propellant Charge Russia / USSR: 33.73 lbs. (15.3 kg)
PRC: N/A
Muzzle Velocity
  • Russia / USSR
    • Semi-AP (PB-42): 3,116 fps (950 mps)
    • HE-FRAG (OF-42): 3,116 fps (950 mps)
    • AA (ZS-42): 3,133 fps (955 mps)
    • AA (ZS-42P): 3,133 fps (955 mps)
    • Star Shell (SP-42): 2,460 fps (750 mps)
  • PRC
    • SAP A: 2,854 fps (870 mps)
    • SAP B: 3,116 fps (950 mps)
    • HE: 3,116 fps (950 mps)
    • Illum: N/A
Working Pressure
  • Russia / USSR: N/A
  • PRC
    • SAP A: 19.31 tons/in2 (3,050 kg/cm2)
    • SAP B: 22.80 tons/in2 (3,600 kg/cm2)
    • HE: 22.80 tons/in2 (3,600 kg/cm2)
    • Illum: 10.13 tons/in2 (1,600 kg/cm2)
Approximate Barrel Life 1,700 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun 400 rounds
  • ^1.11.2SAP A and SAP B are my descriptions.

Range

Russia / USSR

Range with 73.63 lbs. (33.4 kg) Semi-AP (PB-42)
Elevation Distance
Max Range 30,360 yards (27,760 m)
Range with 72 lbs. (32.68 kg) AA (ZS-42)
Elevation Distance
Max Range 26,000 yards (23,775 m)

PRC

Range with 73.63 lbs. (33.4 kg) SAP A
Elevation Distance
Max Range 30,020 yards (27,450 m)
Range with 73.63 lbs. (33.4 kg) SAP B
Elevation Distance
Max Range 29,615 yards (27,080 m)
Range with 73.63 lbs. (33.4 kg) HE
Elevation Distance
Max Range 29,615 yards (27,080 m)

Illumination round has a maximum range of 16,400 yards (15,000 m) with the flare parachute opening at 48,240 feet (14,700 m). The flare assembly provides more than 400,000 candles and burns for over 30 seconds. The average rate of descent is 33 fps (10 mps).

Mount/Turret Data

Designation Russia: SM-2-1 Twin Mount
PRC: Type 76 Twin Mount
Weight 57.325 mt
Elevation -7.35 / +81.46 degrees
Rate of Elevation 17.62 degrees per second
Train +204 / -204 degrees
Rate of Train 18 degrees per second
Gun Recoil N/A

The Chinese gun house has rounded edges and lacks the stabilization and radar found on Russian mountings.

Sources

Data from:

  • "The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman
  • "Jane's Ammunition Handbook: Ninth Edition 2000-2001" edited by Terry J. Gander and Charles Q. Cutshaw
  • "Entsiklopedia Otechestvennoi Artillerii" (Encyclopedia of Fatherland (Russian) Artillery) by A.V. Shirokorad

Special help from Vladimir Yakubov