| KS-19 100mm anti-aircraft gun | |
|---|---|
 KS-19 in Russia. | |
| Type | Anti-aircraft gun |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1948–present |
| Wars | Korean War Vietnam War Iran-Iraq War Somali Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War Second Nagorno-Karabakh War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | L. V. Lulyev |
| Produced | N/A |
| No. built | N/A |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9,550 kg (21,054 lbs) |
| Length | 9.45 m (31 ft) |
| Barrel length | 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 2.35 m (7 ft 8 in) |
| Height | 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) |
| Crew | 15 |
| Shell | Fixed QF 100×695 mm. R |
| Caliber | 100 mm (3.94 in) |
| Breech | Semi-automatic horizontal sliding-wedge |
| Elevation | −3°/+85 |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 15 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 900-1,000 m/s |
| Maximum firing range | Horizontal: 21 km (13 mi) Vertical: 12,700 m (41,667 ft) timed fuse. 15,000 m (49,213 ft) proximity fuse. |
The KS-19 100mm anti-aircraft gun (Russian: КС-19 100мм зенитная установка) is a Soviet anti-aircraft gun that also features efficient capabilities against ground targets.
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. Due to its towed nature, it requires an external means of mobility, typically an AT-S Medium or AT-T Heavy tracked artillery tractor. The 15-man crew is transported on the tractor, along with readily available ammunition for the gun.
This rifled gun boasts a semiautomatic horizontal sliding wedge block, a power rammer, an automatic fuze setter, and a long muzzle brake. The loading tray allows for quick and efficient ammunition loading, enabling a well-trained crew to fire a maximum of 15 rounds per minute. 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. While the onboard sights are adequate for engaging air targets, greater accuracy is achieved when used in conjunction with the fire control radar.
The ammunition is of a fixed type and is largely interchangeable with other 100mm rifled tank and field guns. Anti-aircraft ammunition includes high explosive, high explosive fragmentation, and fragmentation types. The two types of armor-piercing rounds are the AP-T (Armor Piercing-Tracer) and the APC-T (Armor Piercing Capped-Tracer). The AP-T round is reputed to penetrate 185 mm of armor at a range of 1000 m.
History
The KS-19 gun was developed to replace the 85mm anti-aircraft guns that were used during World War II. It was widely adopted by all of the Warsaw Pact armies and saw action with communist forces in both Korea and Vietnam.
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. As a result, it is no longer a commonly used weapon in modern warfare.
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. 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. During the Kharkiv counteroffensive in 2022, Ukraine regained control of Balakliia on September 10.
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. One advantage of using these guns as artillery is that they fire older ammunition that is not commonly used by other Ukrainian artillery. In fact, one of the Soviet UOF-412 rounds that was seen in use had been manufactured as far back as 1962.
Variants
Soviet Union
• KS-19 - Original production model introduced in 1948 on KZU-16 carriage.
• KS-19M - Updated model introduced in 1951. The grooves in the barrel were broadened to reduce the projectile's friction and reduce barrel wear.
• KS-19M2 - Final production model introduced in 1955. Features the heavier and more stable KZU-28 carriage, which is easier to set up as well.
China
• Type 59 - Chinese production model.
Iran
• Sa'eer - Iranian upgrade of either Soviet KS-19 or Chinese Type 59 with automatic targeting and reloading system revealed to the public in November 2011. Since then also observed in use in Iraq mounted on a truck.
Syria
Hezbollah militia has reportedly operated a KS-19 systems mounted on 2K12E Kvadrat tracked chassis, the export variant of the 2K12 Kub anti-aircraft missile system in 2016. Hezbollah also operated multiple KS-19 systems mounted on commercial trucks.
Ukraine
The 241st and 111th TDF brigades, operated multiple KS-19 systems mounted on trucks in 2023 during the Russo-Ukrainian war in indirect fire support role.
Surviving Examples
- Jianchuan Museum - Type 59 variant
Operators
Current
Azerbaijan – 8 
Cambodia – 50
Cuba – Unknown
Guinea – 4
Iran
Mauritania – 12
North Korea
Republic of the Congo - Unknown
Romania
Syria – Unknown
Transnistria
Ukraine: The Ukrainian army started to use KS-19 100mm anti-aircraft guns in 2023.
Vietnam
Yemen
Former operators
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria – 150 in 2018.
Artsakh − Seized by Azerbaijan after the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh
Bulgaria
China – Produced as Type 59 . Retired.
Czechoslovakia
Egypt – 300 in 2018.
Georgia – Used in ground role.
Hungary
Iraq
Kazakhstan
Poland – Withdrawn from service in late 1950s.
Morocco – 17 in 2018.
Nicaragua
North Vietnam
Russia – Used at least until 2008.
Somalia – 24 in 1989.
Soviet Union
Sudan
References
- ^ Foss, Christopher (1977). Jane's pocket book of towed artillery. New York: Collier. p. 257. ISBN 0020806000. OCLC 911907988.
- ^ "KS-19". Weaponsystems.net. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
- ^ Bishop C and Drury I. The Encyclopedia of World Military Power (1988). Temple Press/Aerospace publishing.
- ^ Identification Guide, vol. II, Headquarters United States Army, Europe and Seventh Army, 1973, p. 225
- ^ "Many Ukrainian KS-19 were stored in Balakliya". Twitter. 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- 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.
- ^ "The Ukrainian army started to use ancient KS-19 100mm anti-aircraft guns". Twitter. April 1, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
- "We can see Soviet UOF-412 rounds with OF-412 projectiles". Twitter. April 1, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- Administrator (2012-02-10). "Saeer KS-19 automatic 100mm anti-aircraft gun technical data sheet specifications pictures | Iran Iranian army light heavy weapons UK | Iran Iranian army military equipment armoured UK". Army Recognition. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- Axe, David. "Ukraine's Latest Mobile Howitzer Is A Soviet Anti-Aircraft Gun From The 1940s Bolted To A Modern Czech Cargo Truck". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- Ukraine - XX.08.2023. KS-19 AA Guns Mounted On A Trucks In Use By Soldiers Of The 111th TDF Brigade., 15 September 2023, retrieved 2024-01-10
- "Kəlbəcərdə artilleriya qurğuları və sursat aşkarlandı - Fotolar". 30 March 2024.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2022). The military balance. 2022. Abingdon, Oxon. ISBN 978-1032279008.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. Taylor & Francis. p. 470. ISBN 9781032012278.
- Iran produces smart 100mm anti-aircraft gun – YouTube
- IISS 2007, p.236
- ^ Military Factory
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023 (1st ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-1032508955.
- Trade Registers Archived 2010-04-14 at the Wayback Machine. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 12 June 2015
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2018). The Military Balance. 2018. Routledge. ISBN 978-1857439557.
- Mitzer, Stijin; Oliemans, Joost. "Documenting Equipment Losses During The September 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict". Oryx. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (1 October 2001). The Military Balance. 2001-2002. Routledge. ISBN 978-0198509790.
- ^ Institute for Strategic Studies (1989). The military balance, 1989-1990. London: Brassey's. ISBN 978-0080375694.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies (5 February 2008). The Military Balance. 2008. Routledge. ISBN 978-1857434613.