23mm Volkov-Yartsev VYa-23
Introduction
23mm VYa-23
Left side view of 23mm Volkov-Yartsev 23mm autocannon.
Source: www.airpages.ru -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Late 1940 to May 1941 (Soviet state trials)
A.A. Volkov & S.A. Yartsev
1942 - 1947 (series production)
Волков-Ярцев ВЯ-23 (cyrillic)
Description
Introduction
The VYa-23 is a World War 2 era autocannon of Soviet origin. The VYa-23 was developed during the early stages of World War 2 for increased effectiveness against vehicles by ground attack aircraft. The name is derived from its main developers Volkov and Yartsev and its 23mm caliber.
Design
The VYa-23 is at its core an upscaled Berezin B-20. The 23x152mmB cartridge was developed specifically for the VYa-23. This has a larger diameter but is also much longer than the earlier 20x99mm. This provided both a high muzzle velocity and much increased explosive filler. The VYa-23 is a gas operated weapon with a single belt feed mechanism.
Firepower
The VYa-23 fires the 23x152mmB cartridge from a single belt feed. Cyclic rate of fire is 600 to 650 rpm. The HE filler was twice as large as on earlier Soviet 20x99mm rounds and proved effective against soft targets. The main ammunition types are API and HEI/HEI-T. The API projectile penetrates 25mm RHA at 400 meters. The violent action of this powerful autocannon proved to introduce significant wear on parts and host aircraft, and reduced its reliability.
Platforms
The VYa-23 was introduced on the Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik ground attack aircraft. This aircraft was in widespread Soviet service in World War 2 and several of its variants were armed with the VYa-23. Although effective against infantry and soft targets the VYa-23 proved less successful against German tanks. A small number of LaGG-3 fighter aircraft was produced with the VYa-23. The VYa-23 was also used in the Il-10 ground attack aircraft until replaced by the NS-23.
Details
Media
23mm VYa-23
Line diagram of 23mm Volkov-Yartsev 23mm autocannon.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
23mm VYa-23
Right side view of 23mm Volkov-Yartsev 23mm autocannon as part of the collection of the Voronezh Museum of Local Lore.
Source: Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
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