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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox weapon
{{Infobox weapon
|name=85 mm divisional gun D-44
| name = 85 mm divisional gun D-44
| image=D-44-beyt-hatotchan-1.jpg
| image = D-44-beyt-hatotchan-1.jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_size = 300
|caption=85 mm D-44 divisional gun.
| caption = 85 mm D-44 divisional gun.
|origin=Soviet Union
| origin = Soviet Union
|type=Field gun
| type = Field gun
<!-- Type selection -->
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged =
| is_bladed =
|is_ranged=
| is_explosive =
|is_bladed=
| is_artillery = yes
|is_explosive=
| is_vehicle =
|is_artillery=yes
| is_UK = <!-- Service history -->
|is_vehicle=
| service = 1946–present
|is_UK=
| used_by =
<!-- Service history -->
| wars = [[Vietnam War]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://danviet.vn/dang-gom-khau-phao-ban-20-phatphut-bao-ve-dao-viet-nam-7777779912.htm|title=Đáng gờm khẩu pháo bắn 20 phát/phút bảo vệ đảo Việt Nam|website=danviet.vn}}</ref><br>[[Cambodian Civil War]]<br>[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br>[[Ethiopian Civil War]]<br>[[Iran-Iraq War]]<br>[[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]]<br>[[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|War in Donbas]]<br>[[Second Nagorno-Karabakh War]]
|service=
<br>[[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]<ref name="DavidAxe85mm271022">{{cite news|author=[[David Axe]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/10/27/ukraine-is-collecting-a-lot-of-russias-old-t-62-tanks/ |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Ukraine Is Collecting A Lot Of Russia’s Old T-62 Tanks
|used_by=
|newspaper=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>
|wars=[[Vietnam War]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://danviet.vn/dang-gom-khau-phao-ban-20-phatphut-bao-ve-dao-viet-nam-7777779912.htm|title=Đáng gờm khẩu pháo bắn 20 phát/phút bảo vệ đảo Việt Nam|website=danviet.vn}}</ref><br>[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br>[[Iran-Iraq War]]<br>[[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]]<br>[[War in Donbass]]<br>[[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer =
<br>[[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
| design_date = 1943–1944
<!-- Production history -->
| manufacturer = [[Uralmash]]
|designer=
| production_date = 1946–1954
|design_date=1943–1944
| number = 10,918
|manufacturer=[[Uralmash]]
| variants = D-44N<br>SD-44<br>Chinese Type 56
|production_date=1944–1953
<!-- General specifications -->| weight = D-44: 1,725 kg<br>(3,803 lbs)<br>SD-44: 2,250 kg<br>(4,960 lbs)
|number=10,800
| length = {{convert|8.34|m|ftin}}
|variants=D-44N<br>SD-44<br>Chinese Type 56
| part_length = {{convert|4.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 55 calibers<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Jane's pocket book of towed artillery|last=Foss|first=Christopher|date=1977|publisher=Collier|page=45|isbn=0020806000|location=New York|oclc=911907988}}</ref>
<!-- General specifications -->
| width = {{convert|1.78|m|ftin}}
|weight=D-44: 1,725 kg<br>(3,803 lbs)<br>SD-44: 2,250 kg<br>(4,960 lbs)
|length={{convert|8.34|m|ftin}}
| height = {{convert|1.42|m|ftin}}
| crew = 8
|part_length={{convert|4.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 55 calibers<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Jane's pocket book of towed artillery|last=Foss|first=Christopher|date=1977|publisher=Collier|page=45|isbn=0020806000|location=New York|oclc=911907988}}</ref>
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge = [[Glossary of British ordnance terms#Fixed QF|Fixed QF]] 85×629 mm. R<ref name=":0" /><br>(R/112mm)
|width={{convert|1.78|m|ftin}}
| caliber = 85 mm (3.34 in)
|height={{convert|1.42|m|ftin}}
| action =
|crew=8
| rate = up to 20 rounds per minute (burst)
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| velocity = 1,030 m/s (3,379 ft/s)
|cartridge=[[Glossary of British ordnance terms#Fixed QF|Fixed QF]] 85×629 mm. R<ref name=":0" /><br>(R/112mm)
| range = 1,150 m (1,257 yds) ([[HVAP]]-T)
|caliber=85 mm (3.34 in)
| max_range = 15.65 km (9.72 mi)
|action=
| feed =
|rate=up to 20 rounds per minute (burst)
| sights = OP-2-7 w/5.5X Magnification
|velocity=1,030 m/s (3,379 ft/s)
<!-- Artillery specifications -->| breech = Semi-automatic [[Rifled breech loader#The sliding block|vertical sliding-wedge]]<ref name=":0" />
|range=1,150 m (1,257 yds) ([[HVAP]]-T)
| recoil = [[Hydraulic recoil mechanism|Hydro-pneumatic]]<ref name=":0" />
|max_range=15.65 km (9.72 mi)
| carriage = [[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|Split trail]]
|feed=
| elevation = -7° to 35°
|sights=OP-2-7 w/5.5X Magnification
| traverse = 54°
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications -->| blade_type =
|breech=Semi-automatic [[Rifled breech loader#The sliding block|vertical sliding-wedge]]<ref name=":0" />
| hilt_type =
|recoil=[[Hydraulic recoil mechanism|Hydro-pneumatic]]<ref name=":0" />
| sheath_type =
|carriage=[[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|Split trail]]
| head_type =
|elevation=-7° to 35°
| haft_type = <!-- Explosive specifications -->
|traverse=54°
| diameter =
<!-- Bladed weapon specifications -->
| filling =
|blade_type=
| filling_weight =
|hilt_type=
| detonation =
|sheath_type=
| yield = <!-- Vehicle specifications -->
|head_type=
| armour =
|haft_type=
| primary_armament =
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
| secondary_armament =
|diameter=
| engine =
|filling=
| engine_power =
|filling_weight=
| pw_ratio =
|detonation=
| suspension =
|yield=
| vehicle_range =
<!-- Vehicle specifications -->
| speed =
|armour=
|primary_armament=
|secondary_armament=
|engine=
|engine_power=
|pw_ratio=
|suspension=
|vehicle_range=
|speed=
}}
}}


The '''85-mm divisional gun D-44''' ({{lang-ru|85-мм дивизионная пушка Д-44}}) was a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Infantry division#Infantry|divisional]] 85-mm [[caliber|calibre]] [[field artillery]] gun used in the last action of [[World War II]]. It was designed as the replacement for the [[76 mm divisional gun M1942 (ZiS-3)]]. The gun is no longer in front-line service with the [[Russian Ground Forces]], although some 200 of the Chinese '''Type 56''' variant are still in service with the [[Pakistan Army]].<ref name=PentagonPress>{{cite book|last=Mehta|first=Admiral Sureesh|title=South Asia Defence And Strategic Year Book 2008|year=2008|publisher=Pentagon Press|isbn=978-81-8274-320-5|page=329}}</ref> Wartime service included use by [[communist]] forces during the [[Vietnam War]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/1977/JAN_FEB_1977/JAN_FEB_1977_PAGES_42_47.pdf|last= Off |first=David E.|pages=42–47|date=1977|work=Field Artillery Magazine |title=Part VI Vietnamization|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110518071445/https://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/1977/JAN_FEB_1977/JAN_FEB_1977_PAGES_42_47.pdf |archive-date= 2011-05-18 }}</ref> and by [[Arab]] forces during their conflicts with Israel.
The '''85-mm divisional gun D-44''' ({{langx|ru|85-мм дивизионная пушка Д-44}}) was a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Infantry division#Infantry|divisional]] 85-mm [[caliber|calibre]] [[field artillery]] gun used in the last action of [[World War II]]. It was designed as the replacement for the [[76 mm divisional gun M1942 (ZiS-3)]]. The gun was no longer in front-line service with the [[Russian Ground Forces]], until being pressed back into service in the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]] in 2023.<ref name="RUS">{{cite web |title=Ukraine Update: Data shows Ukraine is laying down the heaviest firestorm of artillery in the war |url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/9/30/2196246/-Ukraine-Update-Data-shows-Ukraine-is-laying-down-the-heaviest-firestorm-of-artillery-in-the-war |website=Daily Kos |access-date=1 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Wartime service included use by [[communist]] forces during the [[Vietnam War]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/1977/JAN_FEB_1977/JAN_FEB_1977_PAGES_42_47.pdf|last= Off |first=David E.|pages=42–47|date=1977|work=Field Artillery Magazine |title=Part VI Vietnamization|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110518071445/https://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/1977/JAN_FEB_1977/JAN_FEB_1977_PAGES_42_47.pdf |archive-date= 2011-05-18 }}</ref> and by [[Arab]] forces during their conflicts with Israel.


==Overview==
==Overview==
The design of the D-44 started in 1943 at the design bureau of No.9 factory "[[Uralmash]]" and production began in 1944. Its [[GRAU]] code was '''52-P-367'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.russianarms.ru/forum/index.php?board=270.0|title=Пушки|website=www.russianarms.ru}}</ref> The '''SD-44''' was a 1950s variant with an auxiliary propulsion unit and ammunition box for 10 rounds, with 697 issued to the [[Russian Airborne Troops|airborne forces]] (VDV) from 1954.<ref>Six SD-44's were issued per antitank battery in each airborne regiment, for a total of 18 in an airborne division. Janes, p. 525.</ref> The '''D-44N''' was a 1960s variant with an APN 3-7 infra-red illumination device for night combat. China received D-44s during the [[Korean War]] and began manufacturing a copy, the Type 56, in the early 1960s.<ref>The People's Liberation Army assigned 12 Type 56 guns per artillery regiment. Brassey's, p. 124.</ref> Finally, the [[Polish Army]] has equipped some of their D-44 guns with electrical subsystems in the early 1980s and designated them '''D-44M''' and '''D-44MN'''.<ref name="Janes (2008), p. 899.">Janes (2008), p. 899.</ref>
The design of the D-44 started in 1943 at the design bureau of No.9 factory "[[Uralmash]]" and production began in 1944. Its [[GRAU]] code was '''52-P-367'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.russianarms.ru/forum/index.php?board=270.0|title=Пушки|website=www.russianarms.ru}}</ref> The '''SD-44''' was a 1950s variant with an auxiliary propulsion unit and ammunition box for 10 rounds, with 697 issued to the [[Soviet Airborne Forces|airborne forces]] (VDV) from 1954.<ref>Six SD-44's were issued per antitank battery in each airborne regiment, for a total of 18 in an airborne division. Janes, p. 525.</ref> The '''D-44N''' was a 1960s variant with an APN 3-7 infra-red illumination device for night combat. China received D-44s during the [[Korean War]] and began manufacturing a copy, the Type 56, in the early 1960s.<ref>The People's Liberation Army assigned 12 Type 56 guns per artillery regiment. Brassey's, p. 124.</ref> Finally, the [[Polish Army]] has equipped some of their D-44 guns with electrical subsystems in the early 1980s and designated them '''D-44M''' and '''D-44MN'''.<ref name="Janes (2008), p. 899.">Janes (2008), p. 899.</ref>


The barrel was developed from that of the [[T-34 variants#Tanks|T-34-85 tank]] and was capable of firing 20–25 high-explosive (HE), armor-piercing, and high-explosive antitank (HEAT) projectiles per minute. Subcaliber BR-365P HVAP-T (high velocity armor-piercing-tracer) projectiles were capable of penetrating 100&nbsp;mm of armor at 1000 meters at a ninety-degree obliquity, and the BR-367P HVAP-T projectile penetrates 180&nbsp;mm of armor under the same conditions.<ref name="Janes (2008), p. 899."/> The post-war round O-365K HE weighed 9.5&nbsp;kg and packed 741&nbsp;grams of [[Trinitrotoluene|TNT]] as its bursting charge, while the BK-2M HEAT-FS (fin-stabilized) projectile can penetrate 300&nbsp;mm of armor. The HEAT round for the Type 56 has a maximum range of 970 meters and will penetrate 100&nbsp;mm of armor at an angle of 65 degrees.<ref>Brassey's p. 124.</ref>
The barrel was developed from that of the [[T-34 variants#Tanks|T-34-85 tank]] and was capable of firing 20–25 high-explosive (HE), armor-piercing, and high-explosive antitank (HEAT) projectiles per minute. Subcaliber BR-365P HVAP-T (high velocity armor-piercing-tracer) projectiles were capable of penetrating 100&nbsp;mm of armor at 1000 meters at a ninety-degree obliquity, and the BR-367P HVAP-T projectile penetrates 180&nbsp;mm of armor under the same conditions.<ref name="Janes (2008), p. 899."/> The post-war round O-365K HE weighed 9.5&nbsp;kg and packed 741&nbsp;grams of [[Trinitrotoluene|TNT]] as its bursting charge, while the BK-2M HEAT-FS (fin-stabilized) projectile can penetrate 300&nbsp;mm of armor. The HEAT round for the Type 56 has a maximum range of 970 meters and will penetrate 100&nbsp;mm of armor at an angle of 65 degrees.<ref>Brassey's p. 124.</ref>
Line 113: Line 106:


==Production==
==Production==
The D-44 was produced from 1945 until 1953. During the years 1948-1950, over two thousand D-44s were produced per year.<ref name="Janes (2008), p. 899."/> The D-44 also served as the basis from which the [[85 mm antitank gun D-48]] was developed and also the [[BM-14|RPU-14]] multiple rocket launcher uses the D-44's carriage.
The D-44 was produced from 1945 until 1953. During the years 1948-1950, over two thousand D-44s were produced per year.<ref name="Janes (2008), p. 899."/> The D-44 also served as the basis from which the [[85 mm antitank gun D-48]] was developed and also the [[BM-14|RPU-14]] multiple rocket launcher uses the D-44's carriage.{{fact|date=July 2024}}


==Use by other nations==
==Use by other nations==
[[File:Type 56 85 mm gun MW side.JPG|thumbnail|Type 56, PLA D-44 variant]]
[[File:Type 56 85 mm gun MW side.JPG|thumbnail|Type 56, PLA D-44 variant]]
[[File:16 18 057 D44.jpg|thumb|D-44 on display at [[Georgia Veterans State Park]]]]
[[File:16 18 057 D44.jpg|thumb|D-44 on display at [[Georgia Veterans State Park]]]]
By the 1950s, the D-44 had been exported for use by [[Warsaw Pact]] nations,<ref>For example, the East German forces first publicly displayed SD-44 pieces in 1958. Kopenhagen, p. 48.</ref> with the gun remaining in service with the East German [[National People's Army]] until the fall of the [[German Democratic Republic|East Germany]]. Besides Pakistan and East Germany, other users include(d) Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China (Type 56), Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Laos, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Poland, Romania, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Vietnam<ref>Janes, p. 526.</ref> and Zambia <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2014/10/27/jubilie/|title = Zambia : Golden Jubilee celebrations in pictures -Part 2 of 5|date = 27 October 2014}}</ref>
By the 1950s, the D-44 had been exported for use by [[Warsaw Pact]] nations,<ref>For example, the East German forces first publicly displayed SD-44 pieces in 1958. Kopenhagen, p. 48.</ref> with the gun remaining in service with the East German [[National People's Army]] until the fall of [[German Democratic Republic|East Germany]]. Besides East Germany, other users include(d) Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China (Type 56), Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Laos, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Poland, Romania, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Vietnam<ref>Janes, p. 526.</ref> and Zambia <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2014/10/27/jubilie/|title = Zambia : Golden Jubilee celebrations in pictures -Part 2 of 5|date = 27 October 2014}}</ref>


===Current Users===
==Operational history==

Russia has deployed D-44s in Ukraine. With one being destroyed by a Ukrainian drone on 27 September 2023 according to footage posted online. Previous footage has shown a D-44 being mounted on a tractor as a tank destroyer used by Ukraine in fighting near [[Kreminna]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/ukraine_-_russia_conflict_war_2022/russian_world_war_2-era_d-44_howitzer_destroyed_by_ukrainian_drone.html#google_vignette|title = Russian World War 2-era D-44 howitzer destroyed by Ukrainian drone|access-date=29 September 2023 |date = 28 September 2023}}</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=October 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/08/05/ukraines-latest-tank-destroyer-is-a-79-year-old-gun-bolted-to-a-50-year-old-tractor/?sh=1ce435cd563b|title = Ukraine’s Latest Tank-Destroyer Is A 79-Year-Old Gun Bolted To A 50-Year-Old Tractor|access-date=29 September 2023|author=David Axe |date = 5 August 2023}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2024}}

===Current users===
*{{ALG}} - 80 in service.<ref name="IISS">{{cite book |date= 2017 |title= Military Balance 2017 |publisher= IISS |isbn=978-1857439007 }}</ref>
*{{ALG}} - 80 in service.<ref name="IISS">{{cite book |date= 2017 |title= Military Balance 2017 |publisher= IISS |isbn=978-1857439007 }}</ref>
*{{ARM}} - 35 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{ARM}} - 35 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
Line 133: Line 130:
*{{flag|Guinea}} - 6 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{flag|Guinea}} - 6 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{flag|Guinea-Bissau}} - 8 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{flag|Guinea-Bissau}} - 8 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{flag|Mali}} - Unknown number in service<ref>{{cite tweet|user=tom_nachtrab|number=1582021934673702913|title=On 22nd September, Mali celebrated its National Independece [sic] Day. Due to Corona, the usual military parades were scaled down in size and number. But the parade in Segou nevertheless contained several rarely seen gems of the FAMA’s inventory}}</ref>
*{{flag|Mongolia}} - Unknown number of D-44 and D-48 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{flag|Mongolia}} - Unknown number of D-44 and D-48 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{MOZ}} - 12 Type 56 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{MOZ}} - 12 Type 56 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{flag|Pakistan}} - 200 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{flag|Russia}}<ref name="RUS"/>
*{{flag|Sudan}} - Unknown number in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{flag|Sudan}} - Unknown number in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{TAN}} - 75 Type 56 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{TAN}} - 75 Type 56 in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{Flagicon|Transnistria}} [[Transnistria]]
*{{Flagicon|Transnistria}} [[Transnistria]]
*{{UKR}} - Unknown number in service.<ref name="IISS" />
*{{UKR}} - Unknown number in service.<ref name="DavidAxe85mm271022"/>{{Better source needed|date=October 2024}}<ref name="IISS" />
*{{VIE}} - Unknown number in service.<ref name="auto"/>
*{{VIE}} - Unknown number in service.<ref name="auto"/>
*{{flag|Yemen}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=The Oryx Handbook of Pre-war Yemeni Fighting Vehicles |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2015/09/pre-war-yemeni-fighting-vehicles_20.html |website=Oryx |date=20 September 2015}}</ref>
*{{flag|Yemen}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=The Oryx Handbook of Pre-war Yemeni Fighting Vehicles |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2015/09/pre-war-yemeni-fighting-vehicles_20.html |website=Oryx |date=20 September 2015}}</ref>
* {{flag|Somaliland}}: 27 in service


===Former Users===
===Former users===
*{{flag|Albania}}
*{{flag|Albania}}
*{{flag|China}}
*{{flag|China}}
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*{{flag|Iran}}
*{{flag|Iran}}
*{{flaglist|ISIS}} - 1 captured in Syria.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vehicles and equipment captured and operated by the Islamic State inside Syria|url=http://spioenkop.blogspot.com/2014/11/vehicles-and-equipment-captured-and.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311055855/http://spioenkop.blogspot.com/2014/11/vehicles-and-equipment-captured-and.html|archive-date=11 March 2016|url-status=dead|date=31 March 2015|website=spioenkop.blogspot.com|access-date=25 March 2019|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*{{flaglist|ISIS}} - 1 captured in Syria.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vehicles and equipment captured and operated by the Islamic State inside Syria|url=http://spioenkop.blogspot.com/2014/11/vehicles-and-equipment-captured-and.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311055855/http://spioenkop.blogspot.com/2014/11/vehicles-and-equipment-captured-and.html|archive-date=11 March 2016|url-status=dead|date=31 March 2015|website=spioenkop.blogspot.com|access-date=25 March 2019|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*{{flag|Mali}}
*{{flag|North Vietnam}} - Used during [[Vietnam War]].
*{{flag|North Vietnam}} - Used during [[Vietnam War]].
*{{flag|Polish People's Republic}} - Used by [[Polish People's Army]] used during World War II and post war.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.2wojna.pl/encyklopedia-su-art-009.html|title=85 mm wz. 1944 D-44, D-48, armata dywizyjna, przeciwpancerna|website=www.2wojna.pl}}</ref>
*{{flag|Polish People's Republic}} - Used by [[Polish People's Army]] used during World War II and post war.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.2wojna.pl/encyklopedia-su-art-009.html|title=85 mm wz. 1944 D-44, D-48, armata dywizyjna, przeciwpancerna|website=www.2wojna.pl}}</ref>
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[[Category:Anti-tank guns of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Anti-tank guns of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Uralmash products]]
[[Category:Uralmash products]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1940s]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1944]]

Latest revision as of 23:28, 12 December 2024

85 mm divisional gun D-44
85 mm D-44 divisional gun.
TypeField gun
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1946–present
WarsVietnam War[1]
Cambodian Civil War
Lebanese Civil War
Ethiopian Civil War
Iran-Iraq War
First Nagorno-Karabakh War
War in Donbas
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
Russian invasion of Ukraine[2]
Production history
Designed1943–1944
ManufacturerUralmash
Produced1946–1954
No. built10,918
VariantsD-44N
SD-44
Chinese Type 56
Specifications
MassD-44: 1,725 kg
(3,803 lbs)
SD-44: 2,250 kg
(4,960 lbs)
Length8.34 metres (27 ft 4 in)
Barrel length4.7 m (15 ft 5 in) 55 calibers[3]
Width1.78 metres (5 ft 10 in)
Height1.42 metres (4 ft 8 in)
Crew8
ShellFixed QF 85×629 mm. R[3]
(R/112mm)
Caliber85 mm (3.34 in)
BreechSemi-automatic vertical sliding-wedge[3]
RecoilHydro-pneumatic[3]
CarriageSplit trail
Elevation-7° to 35°
Traverse54°
Rate of fireup to 20 rounds per minute (burst)
Muzzle velocity1,030 m/s (3,379 ft/s)
Effective firing range1,150 m (1,257 yds) (HVAP-T)
Maximum firing range15.65 km (9.72 mi)
SightsOP-2-7 w/5.5X Magnification

The 85-mm divisional gun D-44 (Russian: 85-мм дивизионная пушка Д-44) was a Soviet divisional 85-mm calibre field artillery gun used in the last action of World War II. It was designed as the replacement for the 76 mm divisional gun M1942 (ZiS-3). The gun was no longer in front-line service with the Russian Ground Forces, until being pressed back into service in the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2023.[4] Wartime service included use by communist forces during the Vietnam War[5] and by Arab forces during their conflicts with Israel.

Overview

[edit]

The design of the D-44 started in 1943 at the design bureau of No.9 factory "Uralmash" and production began in 1944. Its GRAU code was 52-P-367.[6] The SD-44 was a 1950s variant with an auxiliary propulsion unit and ammunition box for 10 rounds, with 697 issued to the airborne forces (VDV) from 1954.[7] The D-44N was a 1960s variant with an APN 3-7 infra-red illumination device for night combat. China received D-44s during the Korean War and began manufacturing a copy, the Type 56, in the early 1960s.[8] Finally, the Polish Army has equipped some of their D-44 guns with electrical subsystems in the early 1980s and designated them D-44M and D-44MN.[9]

The barrel was developed from that of the T-34-85 tank and was capable of firing 20–25 high-explosive (HE), armor-piercing, and high-explosive antitank (HEAT) projectiles per minute. Subcaliber BR-365P HVAP-T (high velocity armor-piercing-tracer) projectiles were capable of penetrating 100 mm of armor at 1000 meters at a ninety-degree obliquity, and the BR-367P HVAP-T projectile penetrates 180 mm of armor under the same conditions.[9] The post-war round O-365K HE weighed 9.5 kg and packed 741 grams of TNT as its bursting charge, while the BK-2M HEAT-FS (fin-stabilized) projectile can penetrate 300 mm of armor. The HEAT round for the Type 56 has a maximum range of 970 meters and will penetrate 100 mm of armor at an angle of 65 degrees.[10]

The gun uses GAZ-AA tires, and is towed by a 2.5t truck[11] or a Ya-12 tractor with the average speed of 20–25 km/h on surfaced roads, and 11 km/h over open terrain, with a maximum towing speed over asphalt roadway of about 55 km/h.[12] The SD-44's auxiliary propulsion unit M-72 of 14 hp can move the gun at road speeds up to 25 km/h.[13]

The gun uses the OP-2-7 sight with 5.5x magnification for day combat. The sight permits target acquisition at 1500 meters.[14]

Performance of D-44 and comparable weapons
Explosive projectiles and range
Weapon Projectile Weight (Bursting charge), kg Maximum range, meters
85 mm D-44 (firing O-365K) 9.5 (0.74) 15,650
25 Pounder Mk II (firing HE Mk. I D) 11.33 (0.82) 12,253
8.8 cm FlaK 18 (firing SprGr L4.5) 9.4 (0.87) 14,815
90 mm M3 (firing M71) 10.64 (0.93) 17,337
Data taken from Janes (1982), The American Arsenal, German Artillery of World War Two, and tarrif.net.

Production

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The D-44 was produced from 1945 until 1953. During the years 1948-1950, over two thousand D-44s were produced per year.[9] The D-44 also served as the basis from which the 85 mm antitank gun D-48 was developed and also the RPU-14 multiple rocket launcher uses the D-44's carriage.[citation needed]

Use by other nations

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Type 56, PLA D-44 variant
D-44 on display at Georgia Veterans State Park

By the 1950s, the D-44 had been exported for use by Warsaw Pact nations,[15] with the gun remaining in service with the East German National People's Army until the fall of East Germany. Besides East Germany, other users include(d) Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China (Type 56), Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Laos, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Poland, Romania, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Vietnam[16] and Zambia [17]

Operational history

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Russia has deployed D-44s in Ukraine. With one being destroyed by a Ukrainian drone on 27 September 2023 according to footage posted online. Previous footage has shown a D-44 being mounted on a tractor as a tank destroyer used by Ukraine in fighting near Kreminna.[18][unreliable source?][19][better source needed]

Current users

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Former users

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See also

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  • 85 mm vz. 52 - A similar Czech gun which used the same ammunition.

Citations

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  1. ^ a b "Đáng gờm khẩu pháo bắn 20 phát/phút bảo vệ đảo Việt Nam". danviet.vn.
  2. ^ a b David Axe (27 October 2022). "Ukraine Is Collecting A Lot Of Russia's Old T-62 Tanks". Forbes.
  3. ^ a b c d Foss, Christopher (1977). Jane's pocket book of towed artillery. New York: Collier. p. 45. ISBN 0020806000. OCLC 911907988.
  4. ^ a b "Ukraine Update: Data shows Ukraine is laying down the heaviest firestorm of artillery in the war". Daily Kos. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  5. ^ Off, David E. (1977). "Part VI Vietnamization" (PDF). Field Artillery Magazine. pp. 42–47. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2011.
  6. ^ "Пушки". www.russianarms.ru.
  7. ^ Six SD-44's were issued per antitank battery in each airborne regiment, for a total of 18 in an airborne division. Janes, p. 525.
  8. ^ The People's Liberation Army assigned 12 Type 56 guns per artillery regiment. Brassey's, p. 124.
  9. ^ a b c Janes (2008), p. 899.
  10. ^ Brassey's p. 124.
  11. ^ Both ZIL-157's and URAL-375D's were used as towing trucks. See Janes and Kopenhagen.
  12. ^ "Д-44". easyget.narod.ru.
  13. ^ TRADOC Worldwide Equipment Guide, p. 5-4.
  14. ^ WEG, p. 5-4.
  15. ^ For example, the East German forces first publicly displayed SD-44 pieces in 1958. Kopenhagen, p. 48.
  16. ^ Janes, p. 526.
  17. ^ "Zambia : Golden Jubilee celebrations in pictures -Part 2 of 5". 27 October 2014.
  18. ^ "Russian World War 2-era D-44 howitzer destroyed by Ukrainian drone". 28 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  19. ^ David Axe (5 August 2023). "Ukraine's Latest Tank-Destroyer Is A 79-Year-Old Gun Bolted To A 50-Year-Old Tractor". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Military Balance 2017. IISS. 2017. ISBN 978-1857439007.
  21. ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (1 September 2021). "The Tigray Defence Forces - Documenting Its Heavy Weaponry". Oryx Blog.
  22. ^ @tom_nachtrab (17 October 2022). "On 22nd September, Mali celebrated its National Independece [sic] Day. Due to Corona, the usual military parades were scaled down in size and number. But the parade in Segou nevertheless contained several rarely seen gems of the FAMA's inventory" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (20 September 2015). "The Oryx Handbook of Pre-war Yemeni Fighting Vehicles". Oryx.
  24. ^ "Vehicles and equipment captured and operated by the Islamic State inside Syria". spioenkop.blogspot.com. 31 March 2015. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  25. ^ "85 mm wz. 1944 D-44, D-48, armata dywizyjna, przeciwpancerna". www.2wojna.pl.
  26. ^ Stroea, Adrian; Băjenaru, Gheorghe (2010). Artileria româna în date si imagini [Romanian artillery in data and images] (in Romanian). Editura Centrului Tehnic-Editorial al Armatei. p. 130. ISBN 978-606-524-080-3.
  27. ^ "4th Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery". army.l. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 3 October 2021.

References

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  • Brassey's Encyclopedia of Land Forces and Warfare, Brassey's Inc., Washington D.C., 2000, ISBN 1-57488-087-X.
  • Die Landstreitkräfte der NVA, Wilfried Kopenhagen, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttart, 2003, ISBN 3-613-02297-4.
  • German Artillery of World War Two, Ian V. Hogg, Greenhill Books, London, 2002. ISBN 1-85367-480-X.
  • Foss, Christopher F. (ed.) Jane's Armour and Artillery 1981-1982, Jane's Publishing Company Ltd, London & New York, 1982. ISBN 978-0-531-03976-2
  • Foss, Christopher F. (ed.) Jane's Armour and Artillery 2007-2008, Jane's Publishing Company Ltd, Coulsdon, 2007. ISBN 978-0-7106-2794-0
  • Shunkov V. N. The Weapons of the Red Army, Mn. Harvest, 1999 (Шунков В. Н. - Оружие Красной Армии. — Мн.: Харвест, 1999.) ISBN 985-433-469-4.
  • The American Arsenal, Ian V. Hogg (introduction), Greenhill Books, London, 2001. ISBN 1-85367-470-2.
  • TRADOC Worldwide Equipment Guide
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