30mm 2A72
ZPT99
Overview
2A72
30mm 2A72 autocannon on a Russian army BTR-80A infantry fighting vehicle.
Source: mil.ru -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Russia - Tulamashzavod
Ukraine - Precision Mechanics Plant
Ukraine - KB Artillery armament
China
ZTM-1 (Ukranian production)
KBA-2 (Ukrainian production)
China
Description
Introduction
The 2A72 is a late Cold War era 30mm autocannon of Soviet origin. It was developed as a less complex and lighter alternative to the widely used 2A42. Studies revealed that the 2A42 was virtually always used at the low rate of fire setting. By modifying and simplifying the 2A42 design it could be produced at lower cost and be used for a wider range of applications. The 2A72 is used both as main armament and as a coaxial weapon for the 100mm 2A70 low pressure cannon.
Design
The 2A72 is a much simplified design based on the 2A42 consisting of only 349 parts instead of 578. Unlike the 2A42 it is not gas operated but recoil operated. Unlike the fixed barrel on the 2A42 the barrel moves rearward upon firing. A new design muzzle brake is used in order to retain enough recoil to cycle the weapon. Since the initial recoil impulse is lower the 2A72 can be fitted to lighter vehicles, such as the BTR-80A.
Firepower
The 2A72 fires the common 30x165mm round of which several types are available. The rate of fire is 330 rpm which is effectively similar to the earlier 2A42, which was hardly used at the higher rate of fire setting. The effective range is 1.5 km versus armored vehicles. The effective range for the high explosive rounds is about 2 km versus infantry, vehicles and aircraft although it has a slant range of 4 km. Compared to 2A42 the accuracy is lower due to the recoil motion of the barrel.
Platforms
The 2A72 is mainly used as a coaxial weapon on the BMP-3 and as main armament for the BTR-80A. Other applications include the BMD-4 and various Chinese combat vehicles.
Media
2A72
A plain view of the 2A72 30mm autocannon.
Source: KBP Tula
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
2A72
A view down the barrel of the 2A72 showing the rifling in the barrel.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
BTR-80A with 2A72
A 30mm 2A72 autocannon mounted in the turret of a BTR-80A armored personnel carrier.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Details
Related articles
30mm Shipunov 2A42
The 2A72 is a lighter and simplified design based on the widely used 2A42.
Application
BMP-3
The 2A72 is used as coaxial armament on the BMP-3 mechanized infantry combat vehicle.
BTR-80A
The 2A72 is the main armament of the BTR-80A infantry fighting vehicle.
BTR-82
The 2A72 is the main armament of the BTR-82 infantry fighting vehicle.
BRM-3K Rys
The 2A72 is the main armament of the BRM-3K reconnaissance vehicle.
ZBL08
The ZPT99 is used as the main armament on the ZBL08 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle.
ZBD04
The ZPT99 is used as coaxial armament on the ZBD04 mechanized infantry combat vehicle.
ZBD04A
The ZPT99 is used as coaxial armament on the ZBD04A mechanized infantry combat vehicle.