The need for a lightweight 76 mm (3") gun for small combatants prompted the development of this weapon. The result was a fully automatic weapon using the same gun barrels as used for the 76.2 mm (3") AK-726 mount A-221. The trials were performed in 1977 and in 1979 the gun was accepted into production. The mount was produced in Gorky and was used on virtually all small combatants built in the 1980s.
This mount has selectable rates of fire of 30, 60 and 120-130 rounds per minute. The highest speed could be achieved by firing a burst of 75 rounds, but afterwards the gun had to cool off for 25 to 30 minutes. This weapon is considered effective against missiles and during trials it consistently shot down Falanga ATGMs (AT-2 Swatter) simulating Harpoon ASMs. On average it took 25 rounds per missile.
The gun is controlled by the MP-123-02 FCS. This system uses radar, TV and laser designators. This fire control system has a range of 28 miles (45 km) without ECM and 18 miles (30 km) with ECM and weighs 5.1 tons (5.2 mt).
Uses a monobloc barrel with a casing and a vertical sliding breech block. Automatics are recoil operated. The barrel is sea-water cooled, which is pumped between the casing and barrel at 11.5 fps (3.5 mps).
Some of these guns have been sold to the People's Republic of China.
Nomenclature note: This gun is classified as 76 mm/60 but the actual bore diameter is 76.2 mm (3.0") and the actual barrel length is 59 calibers.
| Designation | 76 mm/60 (3") AK-176 |
|---|---|
| Ship Class Used On | Grisha V, Parchim II (Pr. 1331M), Babochka (Pr. 1141), Nanuchka III (Pr. 1234.1), Dergach (Pr. 1239), Turya (Pr. 206M), Pauk (Pr. 1241.2), Ropuchka (Pr. 775), Tarantul I (Pr. 1241.1) and other classes |
| Date Of Design | 1977 |
| Date In Service | 1979 |
| Gun Weight | 1,810 lbs. (821 kg) |
| Gun Length oa | 176.54 in (4.484 m) |
| Bore Length | N/A |
| Rifling Length | N/A |
| Grooves | 24 |
| Lands | N/A |
| Twist | N/A |
| Chamber Volume | 225.8 in3 (37 dm3) |
| Rate Of Fire | Selectable to 30, 60 or 120 - 130 rounds per minute |
| Type | Fixed |
|---|---|
| Weight of Complete Round | AA (ZS-63): 27.34 lbs. (12.4 kg) FRAG (OF-62): 27.34 lbs. (12.4 kg) |
| Projectile Types and Weights | AA (ZS-63): 13.0 lbs. (5.9 kg) FRAG (OF-62): 13.0 lbs. (5.9 kg) |
| Bursting Charge | AA (ZS-63): 1.06 lbs. (0.48 kg) FRAG (OF-62): 0.88 lbs. (0.4 kg) |
| Projectile Length | AA (ZS-63): 14 in (35.5 cm) FRAG (OF-62): 14 in (35.5 cm) |
| Propellant Charge | 6.72 lbs. (3.05 kg) Cartridge: 14.33 lbs. (6.5 kg) |
| Muzzle Velocity | 3,215 fps (980 mps) |
| Working Pressure | N/A |
| Approximate Barrel Life | 3000 rounds |
| Ammunition stowage per gun | 75 ready rounds on mount |
| Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|
| Max. Ballistic Range | 17,169 yards (15,700 m) |
| Max. Ceiling | 12,030 yards (11,000 m) |
| Lethal Radius Against Aircraft | 26 feet (8 m) |
| Designation | Single Mount AK-176 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.29 tons (10.45 mt) (without ammo or cooling equipment) |
| Elevation | -15 / +85 degrees by hand -10 / +80 degrees by electric distance control system ESP-221 |
| Rate of Elevation | 13 degrees per second by hand 30 degrees per second by electric distance control system ESP-221 |
| Train | -175 / +175 degrees by hand -168 / +168 degrees by electric distance control system ESP-221 |
| Rate of Train | 14 degrees per second by hand 35 degrees per second by electric distance control system ESP-221 |
| Gun Recoil | 15.0 - 19.7 in (38 - 50 cm) |
Data from:
- "The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman
- "Entsiklopedia Otechestvennoi Artillerii" (Encyclopedia of Fatherland [Russian] Artillery) by A.V. Shirokorad
Special help from Vladimir Yakubov