Ammunition for Russian Federation and Associated States (CIS) 57 mm anti-aircraft guns

benefit of added radar-based fire-control systems. The most commonly used ammunition for these guns is usually of the FRAG-T type although armour-piercing ammunition has been developed. The 57 mm S-60 and its ammunition have been produced in China , where the gun is known as the Type 59; naval variants have been developed by NORINCO. The S-60 has also been manufactured (with some slight variations) in Hungary , where it is known as the 57 mm SZ-60, and it is assumed that ammunition has also been produced there. However, no information is available. S-60 ammunition was at one time produced in the former Czechoslovakia. It appears that 57 mm air defence ammunition is no longer in production within Russia . Description The 57 × 348 mm ammunition for the S-60 anti-aircraft gun series is fixed, with the projectile rigidly crimped to the cartridge case by two crimping bands engaging into two prominent cannelures on the projectile. The slightly tapered forged steel projectiles use a wide pressed copper or cupro-nickel driving band (over 26 mm wide) with a complex indented outline. The cartridge cases are lacquered steel or drawn 70:30 brass and use a KV-U or KV-5U (KB-5Y) base-mounted percussion primer to ignite their 11/7SW or 14/7 nitrocellulose powder propellant contents weighing 1.18 to 2 kg (nominal). Rounds are fed into the gun in clips, each holding four rounds. All projectiles have a muzzle velocity of around 1,000 m/s. The main types are as follows: FRAG-T, UOR-281 and UOR-281U These two rounds use OR-281 or OR-281U forged steel projectiles which are virtually identical apart from variations in the shape of their ogives. The OR-281U ogive is more rounded and the walls are thicker producing increased fragmentation. The explosive filling on both types of projectile is A-IX-2 (RDX/Aluminium), with the OR-281 containing 168 g and the OR-281U 154 g (both weights are nominal). The OR-281 projectile weighs 2.81 kg and the OR-281U weighs 2.85 kg. Both projectiles can use either an MG-57 or MGZ-57 point detonating fuze threaded into the nose. Both types of fuze, which are made of steel, weigh 316 g and have a self-destruct mechanism which operates between 13 and 17 seconds after firing. A protruding tracer element housing (burn time is a minimum of 10 seconds) is threaded into the base of each projectile. APC-T, BR-281 and BR-281U These two armour-piercing projectiles are virtually identical with the BR-281U differing from the BR-281 only in the type of steel used for the armour-piercing body. Both projectiles have relatively short rounded ogives covered by a pressed-on light steel ballistic cap to preserve the ballistic outline. Both use an MD-10 base detonating fuze (delay time 0.005 second) to ignite the explosive payload which is 13 to 20 g of A-IX-2 (RDX/Aluminium), enhancing behind-armour effects (the BR-281U contains 10 g). The rear of each projectile also houses a protruding No 22 tracer housing which is threaded into the base; the tracer burns for a minimum of 2 seconds. Both types of projectile weigh 2.82 kg. Both types of round have an increased load of 14/7 propellant weighing between 1.45 and 1.54 kg. Both projectiles can penetrate 96 mm of armour set at 0º obliquity at 1,000 m. At 500 m the penetration is 106 mm. TP-T, UOR-281U Carrying a nose-mounted MG-57 ZAST dummy fuze, this training round weighs 6 kg complete with an inert projectile weighing 2.8 kg. Recoil cartridge, WBK-81 This round is intended to provide a recoil force for the testing and maintenance of gun recoil systems and consists of a standard sized cartridge case containing a sealed package containing water to produce the mass to provide the required recoil. The round/cartridge case weighs 3.5 kg complete, of which 1.07 kg is the Nc7p 8, 7/14-11/7 propellant charge. When the round is fired the water payload emerges from the muzzle in a fine mist, so this round can be fired over restricted ranges or areas without risk of harm to personnel or structures. Blank, MK-281 This Blank round is contained in a truncated 57 mm cartridge case and weighs 3 kg complete. The sound and flash producing filling is 560 g of Nctp 1, 2X0, 4/1,2-KF. Authorised fuzes PD MG57, MGZ-57. BD MD-10 Equivalent rounds BULGARIA Marketed by Kintex Type: FRAG-T, UOR-281 or UOR-281U Description: Fitted with MG-57 or MGZ-57 PD fuze. May be produced with the option of a brass or steel cartridge case. Complete round weight given as 6.35 kg and length of complete round 535 mm. Production as required BULGARIA Manufacturer DUNARIT JSCo Type: FRAG-T Description: Appears to be similar to OUR-281 or UOR-281Z. Projectile weight 2.8 kg and muzzle velocity 1,000 m/s CHINA , PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC Manufacturer China North Industries (NORINCO) Type: HE-T, AP-T Description: HE-T has virtually identical specifications to 57 mm FRAG-T OR-281U. Uses Liu-2 PD fuze. AP-T complete round weighs 6.45 kg and is 537 mm long. A special HE-T is produced specifically for the 57 mm Type 76 water-cooled, twin-barrel naval gun; weight is 7.4 kg (complete round) and length overall 591 mm. Maximum range is 15,000 m; MV 1,000 m/s EGYPT Manufacturer Heliopolis Company for Chemical Industries Type: HE-T, AP-T Description: Weight of complete round given as 6.309 kg and projectile weight as 3.309 kg. Filling is 153 g of Hexal MACEDONIA Manufacturer EUROINVEST Type: HE-T M66 Description: Intended primarily for 57 mm S-68 guns carried on ZSU-57-2 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system. Equates to FRAG-T OR-281U. Standard specifications. ROMANIA Manufacturer SN ROMARM SA Type: Cartridge cases Description: Brass, standard specifications. Production may include complete rounds but no information available. YUGOSLAVIA , FEDERAL REPUBLIC Manufacturer Yugoimport SDPR Type: HE-T, HE Description: May no longer be in production. Equivalent to FRAG-T OR-281U, with or without a tracer element