An Iraqi D-20 captured by coalition forces.
Source: www.fas.org -
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Soviet 2S3 Akatsiya self-proplled howitzer is armed with a howitzer that is closely related to the D-20.
The D-74 is a 122mm field gun based on the same carriage as the D-20.
The PLZ83 is a self-propelled howitzer of Chinese origin with Type 66 ordnance.
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