Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2011) |
| NR-23 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Single-barrel Autocannon |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Production history | |
| Variants | Norinco Type 23-1 and Type 23-2 NR-23k (Prototype) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 39 kg (86 lb) |
| Length | 1,980 mm (6 ft 6 in) |
23×115 mm (0.90 in) | |
| Barrels | 1 |
| Action | Short recoil |
| Rate of fire | 800–850 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 690 m/s (2,264 ft/s) |
The Nudelman-Richter NR-23 is a
The NR-23 is a single-barrel, short recoil-operated 23 mm (0.90 in) cannon. It was similar to the NS-23 but mechanical improvements increased its rate of fire by more than 50%. Its theoretical rate of fire was 850 rounds per minute, although United States Air Force tests of captured weapons achieved an actual rate of fire of only 650 rounds per minute.
The NR-23 was later replaced by the Afanasev Makarov AM-23 automatic cannon which had a higher firing rate. The AM-23 was used in turreted installations for bombers. It was a gas-operated weapon, weighed 43 kg (95 lb) and was capable of a substantially higher rate of fire (1,200–1,300 rounds per minute).
The
Applications
The NR-23 was used on
The NR-23 is also the only cannon to have been fired in space. Published accounts state that a Nudelman-Richter gun was installed on Almaz 2 space station.[1][2] On the final day of the Almaz 2's deployment, the cannons were tested by firing a total of 20 rounds. The details of this test and its results remain classified.[1]
In the mid-1960s the cannon was replaced in
The mechanism of the NR-23 was scaled up to produce the more powerful
See also
Notes and references
- ^ a b Zak, Anatoly. "Here Is the Soviet Union's Secret Space Cannon". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ "James Olberg, Space Power Theory, Ch. 2" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-07-12. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
- Koll, Christian (2009). Soviet Cannon - A Comprehensive Study of Soviet Arms and Ammunition in Calibres 12.7mm to 57mm. Austria: Koll. p. 136. ISBN 978-3-200-01445-9. Archived from the originalon 2009-10-19. Retrieved 2020-12-12.