MT-12 Rapier. 100-mm anti-tank gun MT-12

Artillery guns, unlike, for example, aircraft, are rarely given names, content with an alphanumeric index. Exception is made by few samples, among which is the MT-12 anti-tank gun. "Rapier" - so it is respectfully called in the troops. It really is somewhat reminiscent of this stabbing, cold weapon. The long trunk, an elegant protective shield cover, reminiscent of the guard (small but very rational), the accuracy of the "carcass" - all these qualities would well have been in the way of the duelists of past centuries. Today's artillerymen are preparing for fights of a different kind. The gun, despite the age, calculated in decades, is still in the ranks. It is not obsolete.

Class of anti-tank guns

Until the thirties of the last century special cannons were not created to combat armored vehicles. In this there was no sense: the tanks of the first two decades of the XX century were either clumsy heavy machines, or lightly armored semi-tractors-semiautomobiles. They often could be disabled without any problems with conventional means of close fire. The war in Spain (1936) became that time line, after which theorists and practitioners of tactical science began to realize the importance of tank formations in modern armed conflicts. As always, there were ideas about how to neutralize the threat to the defense from maneuverable armored forces. Envelopes from the flanks leading to encirclement could arise on unpredictable directions of land theaters of military operations, and consequently, the requirements for a new class of guns consisted of maximum mobility and compactness. The famous frontline "sorokopyatka" coped quite well with all types of German tanks of the beginning of the war. During the fighting, the armor of enemy equipment was growing. To break it, 45 mm was not enough, first 75 caliber projectiles were required, and the inventions and 85 millimeters. By the end of the 60's this figure had grown to 100 mm. The Rapier anti-tank gun was designed to fight West German Leopards and American M-60s.

Competition of guns and ATGMs

By the end of the sixth decade, the land forces of the industrialized countries had received at their disposal a new anti-tank weapon - ATGMs. In essence, guided missiles were rockets with controls in the form of swivel wings. Their guidance is carried out either over the radio channel or (to avoid interference) over a long thin cable unwound from the coil and dragging from behind. It seemed that now the artillery had once again surrendered its position to the inexorably advancing scientific and technological progress. However, military budgets are also not bottomless, and ATGM is not cheap. Then the military experts again turned to the old "good" cannons and, to their displeasure, found an obvious contradiction. The required accuracy was provided by the rifled barrels, but they, alas, had limitations on the caliber. And suddenly this problem was unexpectedly solved as a result of the revolutionary approach of the creators of the MT-12 Rapier gun.

Projectile with stabilizers

The idea was to give the projectile stability in flight in an exclusively "rocket" way. In its design were included stabilizers, opening after leaving the muzzle of the trunk. Thus, a non-rotating artillery shell could ensure accuracy of hit not worse than that released from the rifled channel. The merits of the new ammunition were not exhausted by this: the force of the cumulative impact was strengthened. In addition, at the Yurga machine-building plant did not begin to oppose different methods of engaging armored vehicles. The "Rapira" cannon can shoot and missiles launched from the barrel, this requires additional equipment, which is quite easy to install in the field.

Mobility and maneuver

The problem of the rapid delivery of anti-tank artillery to the front sector, which is under the threat of a breakthrough, the designers tried to solve in various ways, up to the installation on the carriage of the motorcycle engine.

The 100 mm anti-tank gun T-12, created by the KB Yurginsky Machine Works under the leadership of L. V. Korneev and V. Ya. Afanasyev, is mounted on a uniaxial trolley with wheels from ZiL-150, the carriage has a torsion suspension of the increased stroke of spring suspension. The simplified design was without hydraulics, the MT-12 Rapier gun proved to be resistant to vibration and shaking in the transport position.

The MT-L tractor or armored MT-LB is attached to the gun, inside of which a calculation consisting of at least four (maximum-six) people is placed relatively safely. The towing can be performed at a speed of up to 60 km / h with a power reserve of 500 km. On the march, the guidance mechanisms, in order to avoid contamination, are covered with a canvas cover.

At the firing position

One of the main requirements for anti-tank weapons - maneuverability - was observed. The weight of the gun is about three tons, which is quite within the standards of suitability for airmobile delivery. The silhouette has turned squat, which makes it difficult to visually detect the firing point of the enemy.

The MT-12 "Rapira" trunk (long, 61 gauge) together with the breech block, cage and muzzle brake forms a single unit. The simplicity of the design ensures a quick transfer to the fighting position after disengaging from the tractor, for this it is sufficient to dissolve the frame, lower the lower flap of the armored chassis and install the sight. Shells are fed manually, they are heavy (about 80 kg). Before opening the fire, the shutter opens manually, then, after ejecting the first sleeve, this operation is automatic.

The descent is made either by pressing the handle or by means of a cable fixed to it.

Sights

The complete set includes a regular panoramic optical sight OP4M-40U. To fire against the sun, an anti-glare filter is used. As additional guidance means, APN-6-40 night vision can be used, and when shooting in extremely difficult meteorological conditions (fog, heavy snow, rain) and in the absence of direct visibility, a radar device is installed on the special bracket. In addition, it is possible to correct fire for hidden targets, according to information coming from external sources. An anti-tank cannon "Rapier" can also fire missiles (after installing special laser guidance equipment on it).

Shells

Depending on the nature of the target, three main types of ammunition are used. Sub-caliber designs are used to combat tanks. If the target has an increased level of protection, it makes sense to fire with a cumulative-fragmentation munition, which is characterized by the greatest armor-piercing ability. High-explosive shells are designed to combat manpower and suppress engineering firing points. For artillery ammunition, effective direct fire distance is 1880 meters. The maximum range of the projectile is over 8 km.

Managed missiles, which also can fire the MT-12 "Rapier" anti-tank guns, aim to hit targets that are four kilometers away.

Application and disadvantages

No weapon is not without drawbacks. The gun is characterized by a high degree of universality of application. This is facilitated by the high initial velocity of the projectile (more than one and a half kilometers per second), a large mass of ammunition, a possible elevation angle of 20 degrees, rate of fire (shot every 10 seconds) and many other advantages. Currently, a dozen states have MT-12 "Rapier" guns. The photo of the characteristic silhouette of the gun accompanies the reporting from the conflict zones, both remote from the Russian borders, and absolutely close. However, some operators have already managed to abandon its use. The reason for this was the physical wear and tear without the possibility of a full recovery, and the constructive drawback of a very successful muzzle brake in many respects. The fact is that when shot, it significantly compensates for the recoil, but at the same time unmasks the position with a bright flash of hot gunpowder gases escaping from the holes at the end of the barrel. The Armed Forces of the Russian Army consist of more than two and a half thousand cannon MT-12 Rapier, most of which are conserved.