Monday 25 July 2016

Post-War Wishlist

"On introduction of new types of SPGs between 1946 and 1950 and on issues of development and experimental works

It is reasonable to develop and begin production of the following SPGs in 1946-1950:


  1. Close casemate SPGs on the 701 chassis, armed with:
    1. 152 mm gun with a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s.
    2. 130 mm gun with a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s.
  2. Open casemate SPGs on the Uralmash-1 chassis, armed with:
    1. 152 mm ML-20SM gun-howitzer.
    2. 122 mm D-25 gun.
    3. Dual 57 mm guns (SPAAG).
  3. Open casemate SPGs weighing no more than 25 tons, armed with:
    1. 100 mm D-10 gun.
    2. 122 mm howitzer.
    3. Dual 37 mm guns (SPAAG).
  4. Open casemate SPAAG on the T-34 chassis armed with quad 37 mm guns.
  5. Open casemate SPAAG on the SU-76 chassis armed with quad 20-25 mm guns.
  6. Airborne tracked open casemate SPG with a 76 mm gun for infantry support, weighing no more than 5 tons.
  7. Airborne wheeled open casemate SPG with a 76 mm gun for infantry support, weighing no more than 5 tons.
  8. Artillery observation vehicle on the Uralmash-1 chassis with a rangefinder, radio, and powerful optics for observation and fire correction.
When developing SPGs, the following requirements must be met:
  1. Effective protection against infantry HEAT mines and grenades (Ofenrohr type) must be created.
  2. In order to improve off-road performance, limit the overhang of the gun by shifting the fighting compartment back.
  3. In order to effectively move off-road, the engine must provide at least 17 hp/ton.
  4. The ammunition capacity must be increased.
    The design of the fighting compartment and ammunition racks must provide the following rates of fire:
    1. Airborne SPG: 10 RPM
    2. Light SPG: 8 RPM
    3. Medium SPG: 6 RPM
    4. Heavy SPG: 4 RPM
  5. The following horizontal range muse be achieved:
    1. Engine off: 30 degrees
    2. Engine on, with input from gunner and commander: 360 degrees
  6. The fighting compartment ventilation effectiveness must be increased. The concentration of gases must not exceed an unacceptable dose even if all ammunition within the tank is shot off as fast as possible.
  7. 4x and 8x zoom telescopic sights must be installed.
  8. A simple and convenient system for target acquisition must be designed.
  9. The commander of an SPG must have:
    1. Simple and convenient rangefinder.
    2. 6x zoom fire correction device connected to the rangefinder.
    3. Observation devices in a cupola.
  10. The driver's observation devices must be improved, granting vision in a 120 degree horizontal arc.
  11. Medium and heavy SPGs must have heavy AA machineguns.
  12. All components of the SPG must last for at least 300 km.
  13. Use in winter and summer conditions must be well thought out (accessing mechanisms for maintenance, lack of frequent tuning, reliable air filtration, reliable heating, etc).
  14. The traverse and elevation mechanisms must be conveniently positioned and not required great effort to operate.
    For heavy artillery systems, include electric aiming mechanisms and hand-cranked backups. The elevation and traverse mechanisms must have recoil tension springs.
    Effort should not be greater than 4-5 kg.
  15. Driving the SPG should be convenient. Efforts on the turning levers should not exceed 10 kg.
  16. The quality of all AP shells must be improved.
  17. Effort should be taken to reduce the size of the breech, mount, and guards.
  18. The suspension must have rolling bearings.
  19. The breeches must be sliding, semi-automatic. Medium caliber guns use one-piece ammunition.
  20. Medium and heavy caliber guns need bore evacuators.
  21. Heavy guns need loading assistance devices (gun rammers).
  22. The trigger mechanisms must be electric with mechanical backups.
    When using the trigger, the gunner must be able to keep using the aiming mechanisms and sights.
  23. The firing mechanism should allow for re-cocking and firing without opening the breech.
  24. The recoil of the gun must not surpass the mass of the vehicle the gun is installed on.
  25. The oscillating part of the artillery system must be naturally balanced.
Build the following percentage of SPGs monthly according to the specified classification:
  1. Airborne: 5%
  2. Light: 30%
  3. Medium: 35%
  4. Heavy: 20%
  5. AA: 10%
Chief of the GBTU, Lieutenant-General of the Tank Forces, Vershinin
Chief of the GBTU USA, Major-General of the Tank Engineering Forces, Alymov."

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