152mm D-20
NATO: M1955, China: Type 66
Overview
D-20
An Iraqi D-20 captured by coalition forces.
Source: www.fas.org -
© copyright lies with original owner
China
Romania - Arsenalul Armatei
Over 1.000 Type 66
D-72 (early project name)
52-P-546 (GRAU index)
Type 66 (Chinese production)
PL66 (new Chinese naming system)
152 H55 (Finnish service)
A411 (Romanian industry index)
Tun / Obuzier calibrul 152-mm tractat M1981 (Romanian service)
Description
Introduction
The D-20 is a towed howitzer of Soviet origin. It was developed in the early 1950's to replace most 152mm howitzer in Soviet service. It has been produced under license in China and Romania. The ordnance is similar to the one used in the 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer.
Design
The D-20 uses the same two wheel split trail carriage as the contemporary D-74. Instead of a 122mm howitzer a shorter and larger caliber 152mm ordnance is fitted. A shield gives the crew of 10 some protection from small arms fire over the frontal arc.
Firepower
The D-20 fires powerful 152mm shells from its 34-caliber ordnance with double baffle muzzle brake. A maximum range of 17.4 km can be achieved. The maximum rate of fire is 5 to 6 rpm and sustained fire is 2 to 4 rpm.
Mobility
The D-20 is normally towed by 6x6 truck. In Soviet service the Ural 375D 6x6 truck and AT-S artillery tractor were used. The weapon is too heavy to be manhandled.
Users
The D-20 was widely used by Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces and has been exported to most nations with ties to the USSR. In Russian service the D-20 was replaced by the towed 2A65 and 2A36 and self-propelled 2S3 Akatsiya. The D-20 remain in widespread service in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Variants
D-20 and Type 66
Only a single version of the D-20 has been produced. The D-20 can be distinguished from the D-74 that uses the same carriage by the shorter and much thicker ordnance. The Type 66 is produced in China and is a direct copy of the D-20.
M1981 and M1985
The M1981 is the Romanian production variant of the D-20. It differs in various small details from the D-20. The M1985 is an M1981 with a much longer barrel and associated increased range.
Details
Media
D-20
A D-20 howitzer towed by Finnish 6x6 truck.
Source: www.tietokannat.mil.fi
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
D-20
Muzzle blast from a D-20 howitzer in Finnish service.
Source: www.tietokannat.mil.fi
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
D-20
Rear view of D-20 howitzer showing breech.
Source: www.tietokannat.mil.fi
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
D-20
Side view of D-20 howitzer showing split trail carriage.
Source: www.tietokannat.mil.fi
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
D-20
A battery of Finnish D-20 howitzers in the firing position.
Source: www.tietokannat.mil.fi
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
2S3 Akatsiya
The Soviet 2S3 Akatsiya self-proplled howitzer is armed with a howitzer that is closely related to the D-20.
122mm D-74
The D-74 is a 122mm field gun based on the same carriage as the D-20.
PLZ83
The PLZ83 is a self-propelled howitzer of Chinese origin with Type 66 ordnance.