Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30

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	Weapon: Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 Type: Autocannon Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1954 Caliber: 30x155mm Action: Short Recoil Overall Length (mm): 2153.0 Overall Length (in): 84.76 Weight (kg): 66.00 Weight (pounds): 145.51 Effective Range (m): 1200 m Effective Range (yards): 1312.34

The Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 was a Soviet 30mm autocannon developed in the early 1950s by engineers A.E. Nudelman and A.A. Rikhter. It was designed as a more compact and reliable replacement for the earlier NR-23 cannon, providing greater firepower without a dramatic increase in size or weight. The NR-30 fired powerful 30x155mm rounds and was gas-operated with a high rate of fire-approximately 850 to 1,000 rounds per minute. With its enhanced destructive capability, the NR-30 was particularly effective against both air and ground targets, making it one of the most versatile cannons of its class.

The NR-30 was first introduced in 1954 and became standard armament on many Soviet jet fighters and interceptors, including the MiG-19, MiG-21, Su-7, and Yak-28. Its installation typically involved mounting a single or dual cannon in the aircraft's lower fuselage or wing roots, often accompanied by 60 to 80 rounds per gun. Over its production run, tens of thousands of NR-30 cannons were manufactured, and it remained in front-line service throughout the Cold War. Its relatively simple design and rugged performance made it well-suited for mass production and field use in a wide variety of climates and operational theaters.

The NR-30 gained a reputation for reliability and destructive power, capable of shredding aerial targets and inflicting severe damage on lightly armored ground vehicles. Its high muzzle velocity and heavy shell weight gave it an edge in beyond-visual-range gunnery engagements, especially when paired with Soviet radar-guided fire control systems. While eventually replaced by more modern cannon systems like the GSh-23 and GSh-30-1, the NR-30 played a vital role in Soviet and Warsaw Pact air doctrine for decades, serving as a cornerstone of air-to-air and air-to-ground firepower from the 1950s through the 1980s.

The 30x155mm ammunition used in the NR-30 came in several variants tailored to different mission profiles. These included high-explosive incendiary (HEI), armor-piercing incendiary (API), and target practice (TP) rounds. The HEI rounds were highly effective against aerial targets, detonating on impact with a fragmentation effect that increased hit probability. The API variants were designed for engaging light armor or hardened ground targets, with incendiary components to ignite fuel or munitions. Soviet engineers also developed specialized reduced-ricochet and blast-resistant loads for safer training in confined ranges. The versatility of its ammunition further cemented the NR-30's reputation as a deadly and adaptable aircraft weapon.