M1937 (ML-20) Russian 152mm Towed Howitzer

M1937

Towed Gun

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M1937 (ML-20) Russian 152mm Towed Howitzer — M1937_(ML-20)_(AA).jpgTRADOC ODIN WEG

Basic Information

Name

M1937 (ML-20) Russian 152mm Towed Howitzer

Designation

M1937

Alternate Designation

M1937; ML-20

Equipment Type

Towed Gun

Manufacturer

Design bureau of No. 172 Plant, headed by F. F. Petrov

Date of Introduction

1937

Description

The M1937 (ML-20) Russian 152mm Towed Gun Howitzer is an obsolete 152-mm gun/howitzer almost completely replaced in the Russian ground forces by the D-20 (M1955). The ML-20 uses the same carriage as the A-19 (M1931/M1937) 122-mm Corps Gun but has a shorter barrel with a multi-slotted muzzle brake. The recoil mechanism is mounted below the barrel, which is balanced by twin equilibrators that stand just ahead of the small shield. The riveted, box-section split trail is carried by a two-wheel limber during travel and anchored by detachable recoil spades on each leg during firing. The main carriage wheels are dual-tired discs with narrow treads. The overall length of the gun during travel is reduced by pulling the barrel rearwards over the joined trail legs. The ML-20 fires case-type, separately loaded ammunitions. Principal rounds for the gun are the OF-540 high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG), G-530 and G-545 concrete-piercing (CP), and BR-540 armor-piercing with tracer (AP-T) projectiles.

Variants

ML-20 with bag loading ML-20 with bag loading – In 1937 the Main Artillery Department decided, for economic reasons, to modify medium caliber guns to use bag loading instead of cased loading. An experimental ML-20 piece was built in 1939; the trials were unsuccessful.

ML-20SM ML-20SM – Modified ML-20S with identical ballistics. muzzle brake was removed. The gun was mounted in the experimental ISU-152 model 1945, of which only one unit was built.

BL-20 BL-20 – ML-20 with cast breech and wedge breechblock. Was developed by OKB-172 (sharashka of the NKVD) in 1946.

ML-20 with M-46-type carriage ML-20 with M-46-type carriage – ML-20 with a modified carriage, resembling in construction a carriage of the M-46 130 mm gun. In 1950 an experimental piece was built and tested.

52 H 88-37 – 152 H 88-37 – A Finnish modernization program

152 mm haubico-armata wz. 37/85 152 mm haubico-armata wz. 37/85 – A Polish modernization, tires from KrAZ-255B truck, new compressed air cylinder and automotive lighting increased the road speed of the towed gun from 20 to 50 km/h and allowed the gun to be towed on public roads.

System

Alternative Designation M1937; ML-20

Type Towed Howitzer

Caliber 152 mm

Manufacturer Design bureau of No. 172 Plant, headed by F. F. Petrov

In Service 1937-Present

Crew INA

Carriage Split trail

Displacement Time 2 minutes

Emplacement Time 2 minutes

Dimensions

Length 8.18 m

Barrel Length 4.24 m

Width 2.35 m

Height 2.27 m

Weight, Combat 7,270 kg

Weight, Travel 7,930 kg

Main Weapon System

System

Name M1937 (ML-20)

Type Towed Howitzer

Caliber 152 mm

Breech Interrupted screw

Recoil hydro-pneumatic

Rate of Fire 3-4 rounds per minute

Maximum Firing Range 17.23 km

Maximum Elevation +65 deg

Minimum Elevation -2 deg

Traverse Range 58 deg

Traverse Right 29 deg

Traverse Left 29 deg

Ammunition (Option 1)

Name BR-540

Type APHE

Caliber 152 mm

Weight 48.8 kg

Muzzle Velocity 600 m/s

Maximum Range 4,000 m

Ammunition (Option 2)

Name BP-540

Type HEAT

Caliber 152 mm

Weight 27.44 kg

Muzzle Velocity 680 m/s

Maximum Range 3,000 m

Ammunition (Option 3)

Name OF-540

Type HE-Fragmentation, steel

Caliber 152 mm

Weight 43.6 kg

Muzzle Velocity 655 m/s

Maximum Range 17,230 m

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS No

Direct Fire Yes

Indirect Fire Yes

Collimator INA

Details

Country of Origin Russia

Category Towed Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems

Land > Artillery > Towed Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems

Classification

Domain

Ground

Equipment Status

Active

Dimensions

Length

8.18 m

Width

2.35 m

Height

2.27 m

Weight

7270 kg

Operators (6)

Russia

Ukraine

North Korea

Bulgaria

Mongolia

Syria

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