KS-19

The KS-19 100mm anti-aircraft gun (Russian: КС-19 100мм зенитная установка) is a Soviet anti-aircraft gun that also features good capabilities against ground targets.[2]

KS-19 100mm anti-aircraft gun
KS-19 in Russia.
TypeAnti-aircraft gun
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1947
WarsKorean War
Vietnam War
Iran-Iraq War
Russo-Ukrainian War
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Production history
DesignerL. V. Lulyev
ProducedN/A
No. builtN/A
Specifications
Mass9,550 kg (21,054 lbs)
Length9.45 m (31 ft)
Barrel length5.7 m (18 ft 8 in)[1]
Width2.35 m (7 ft 8 in)
Height1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Crew15
ShellFixed QF 100×695 mm. R[1]
Caliber100 mm (3.94 in)
BreechSemi-automatic horizontal sliding-wedge[1]
Elevation−3°/+85
Traverse360°
Rate of fire15 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity900-1,000 m/s
Maximum firing rangeHorizontal: 21 km (13 mi)
Vertical: 12,700 m (41,667 ft) timed fuse.
15,000 m (49,213 ft) proximity fuse.

Characteristics

The KS-19 is a towed anti-aircraft gun that was specifically designed to excel in ground combat, particularly against armored targets and as artillery.[3] Due to its towed nature, it requires an external means of mobility, typically an AT-S Medium or AT-T Heavy tracked artillery tractor.[3] The 15-man crew is transported on the tractor, along with readily available ammunition for the gun.[3]

This rifled gun boasts a semiautomatic horizontal sliding wedge block, a power rammer, an automatic fuze setter, and a long muzzle brake.[4] The loading tray allows for quick and efficient ammunition loading, enabling a well-trained crew to fire a maximum of 15 rounds per minute.[3] The fire control system comprises the PUAZO-6/19 directional system, along with a SON 9 (NATO Reporting name 'Fire Can') or SON-9A fire control radar.[4] While the onboard sights are adequate for engaging air targets, greater accuracy is achieved when used in conjunction with the fire control radar.[3]

The ammunition is of a fixed type and is largely interchangeable with other 100mm rifled tank and field guns.[4] Anti-aircraft ammunition includes high explosive, high explosive fragmentation, and fragmentation types.[4] The two types of armor-piercing rounds are the AP-T (Armor Piercing-Tracer) and the APC-T (Armor Piercing Capped-Tracer).[3] The AP-T round is reputed to penetrate 185 mm of armor at a range of 1000 m.[3]

History

The KS-19 gun was developed to replace the 85mm anti-aircraft guns that were used during World War II.[4] It was widely adopted by all of the Warsaw Pact armies and saw action with communist forces in both Korea and Vietnam.[4]

However, the KS-19 gun has largely been phased out of front line arsenals due to the increased use of more effective surface-to-air missiles.[2] As a result, it is no longer a commonly used weapon in modern warfare.[2]

Russo-Ukrainian War

At the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a number of KS-19 guns were stored in Balakliia.[5] However, the city was captured by Russian forces on March 3 and it is believed that the Russians may have used some of the guns as decoys.[5] During the Kharkiv counteroffensive in 2022, Ukraine regained control of Balakliia on September 10.[6]

As of April 1st, 2023, it has been reported that Ukraine is using some of the KS-19 guns that were stored in Balakliia for indirect fire against ground targets, and possibly for direct fire as well.[7] One advantage of using these guns as artillery is that they fire older ammunition that is not commonly used by other Ukrainian artillery.[7] In fact, one of the Soviet UOF-412 rounds that was seen in use had been manufactured as far back as 1962.[8]

Operators

Current

Former operators

References
  1. Foss, Christopher (1977). Jane's pocket book of towed artillery. New York: Collier. p. 257. ISBN 0020806000. OCLC 911907988.
  2. "KS-19". Weaponsystems.net. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  3. Bishop C and Drury I. The Encyclopedia of World Military Power (1988). Temple Press/Aerospace publishing.
  4. Identification Guide, vol. II, Headquarters United States Army, Europe and Seventh Army, 1973, p. 225
  5. "Many Ukrainian KS-19 were stored in Balakliya". Twitter. 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  6. Koshiw, Isobel; Tondo, Lorenzo; Mazhulin, Artem (2022-09-10). "Ukraine's southern offensive 'was designed to trick Russia'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  7. "The Ukrainian army started to use ancient KS-19 100mm anti-aircraft guns". Twitter. April 1, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  8. "We can see Soviet UOF-412 rounds with OF-412 projectiles". Twitter. April 1, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  9. @Danspiun (31 March 2021). "241. Another unofficial Spike ATGM film sneaks out, as is the habit recently ... and expect more to come. A NKR/Arm..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. International Institute for Strategic Studies (2022). The military balance. 2022. Abingdon, Oxon. ISBN 978-1032279008.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. Taylor & Francis. p. 470. ISBN 9781032012278.
  12. Iran produces smart 100mm anti-aircraft gun – YouTube
  13. IISS 2007, p.236
  14. Military Factory
  15. International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023 (1st ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-1032508955.
  16. Trade Registers. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 12 June 2015
  17. International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2018). The Military Balance. 2018. Routledge. ISBN 978-1857439557.
  18. Mitzer, Stijin; Oliemans, Joost. "Documenting Equipment Losses During The September 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict". Oryx. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  19. International Institute for Strategic Studies (1 October 2001). The Military Balance. 2001-2002. Routledge. ISBN 978-0198509790.
  20. Institute for Strategic Studies (1989). The military balance, 1989-1990. London: Brassey's. ISBN 978-0080375694.
  21. International Institute for Strategic Studies (5 February 2008). The Military Balance. 2008. Routledge. ISBN 978-1857434613.
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