30mm 2A38
Overview
2S6 Tunguska
Rear view of 2S6 Tunguska firing its two 2A38M autocnanon during a live fire exercise in 2016.
Source: Sergey Bobylev / Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Russia - Tulamashzavod
Description
Introduction
The 2A38 is a late Cold War era autocannon of Soviet origin. This was developed in the 1970's and entered service in the early 1980's.
Design
The 2A38 is a gas operated autocannon. It operates on the Gast principle that uses two conjoined autocannon where firing one cannon is used to cycle the action on the other, and vice verse. This provides a very high rate of fire in a compact package. The barrels are water cooled to cope with the high rate of fire. Both cannon are fed by the same belt feed system.
Firepower
The 2A38 fires the 30x165mm autocannon cartridge at a cyclic rate of fire of over 4.000 rpm. This is typically done at bursts of 80 to 250 rounds.
Platforms
The 2A38 was first introduced on the 2S6 Tunguska, a tracked combined gun and SAM system. It is also used on the more modern Pantsir system which is based on a large truck chassis.
Media
30mm 2A38M
Side view of 2A38M twin barrel 30mm autocannon.
Source: NPO VK
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
30mm 2A38M
Close-up of rear section of 2A38M autocannon.
Source: NPO VK
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
30mm 2A38M
Close-up of muzzle section of 2A38M autocannon.
Source: NPO VK
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
30mm 2A38M
Side view of 2A38M twin barrel 30mm autocannon. Note the ammunition belt at the rear of the gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Details
Media
2S6 Tunguska
Rear view of 2S6 Tunguska firing its two 2A38M autocnanon during a live fire exercise in 2016.
Source: Sergey Bobylev / Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
2S6 Tunguska
Russian 2S6 Tunguska with search radar in raised position.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
2S6 Tunguska
Russian 2S6 Tunguska firing its twin 2A38M autocannon.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
96K6 Pantsir-S2
Russian Pantsir-S2 firing its twin 2A38M autocannon during a public display.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
96K6 Pantsir-S2
Russian Pantsir-S2 firing its twin 2A38M autocannon during a public display.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Related articles
2S6 Tunguska
The 2A38 became operational on the 2S6 Tunguska self-propelled anti-aircraft gun / SAM system.
96K6 Pantsir-S
The 2A38M is used on the Pantsir-S1 and S2 short range air defense system.