Soviet 130mm HE Projectile

1. Overview

The Soviet 130mm high-explosive (HE) fragmentation projectile family — primarily the OF-482M, OF-43, and OF-44 — represents the standard HE ammunition for the M-46 (52-P-482) 130mm towed field gun. These are spin-stabilized, separate-loading projectiles designed to deliver devastating blast and fragmentation effects at long range. Weighing approximately 33 kg, the 130mm HE projectile was among the most powerful conventional artillery rounds in Soviet service, and the M-46’s exceptional range of over 27 km made these projectiles a formidable counter-battery and deep-strike weapon. The M-46 and its ammunition remain in active service with numerous countries and have been reintroduced to combat by Russian forces in the Ukraine conflict (2022–present).

2. Country/Bloc of Origin

  • Country of Origin: Soviet Union (USSR)
  • Developer/Manufacturer: Designed by the artillery design bureau of Plant No. 172 (Motovilikha Plants, Perm), chief designer M.Yu. Tsirulnikov
  • GRAU Designator (Gun): 52-P-482
  • Time Period: Development completed 1950; serial production began 1954
  • Widely exported to Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet client states across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America
  • Licensed production in China (Type 59), with copies and variants produced in numerous countries

3. Ordnance Class

  • Type: Artillery projectile (high-explosive fragmentation)
  • Primary Role: Anti-personnel, destruction of field fortifications, counter-battery fire, suppression of enemy rear areas, and engagement of armored vehicles in direct fire
  • Delivery Method: Artillery-delivered; fired from the M-46 130mm towed field gun and compatible platforms
  • Classification: Separate-loading, spin-stabilized HE fragmentation projectile

4. Ordnance Family / Nomenclature

  • Primary Designations:
    • OF-482M — Standard 130mm HE fragmentation projectile (confirmed by Bulletpicker and field identification guides)
    • OF-43 — 130mm HE-Frag projectile, range to 27,500m
    • OF-44 — 130mm HE-Frag projectile, range to 22,500m
  • Caliber: 130mm
  • Related Ammunition (same weapon system):
    • BR-482 / BR-482B — Armor-Piercing Capped Ballistic Capped, High-Explosive, Tracer (APCBC-HE-T), range: ~1,140m
    • PB-42 — High-Explosive Semi-Armor Piercing (HESAP)
    • ERFB-BB — Extended Range Full Bore with Base Bleed (range: up to 38,000m)
    • Smoke, illumination, and chemical projectiles also available
  • Propelling Charges: Metal cartridge case with propellant; loaded separately from the projectile
  • Compatible Chinese Equivalents: Chinese-manufactured 130mm HE projectiles for the Type 59 gun are ballistically compatible
  • The “OF” prefix in Soviet nomenclature stands for “Осколочно-Фугасный” (Oskolochno-Fugasnyy), meaning “fragmentation-high explosive”

5. Hazards

  • Primary Hazards:
    • Blast: Major blast overpressure effect from a substantial HE charge within the ~33 kg projectile
    • Fragmentation: The heavy steel body produces extensive lethal fragmentation; however, some reports note potential inconsistencies in fragmentation performance
  • Explosive Fill: TNT or TNT-based composition; substantial fill weight consistent with the large projectile
  • Sensitivity: Standard sensitivity for large-caliber gun ammunition
  • UXO Considerations:
    • 130mm HE projectiles are large, heavy munitions with significant explosive content; duds are extremely hazardous
    • High muzzle velocity (~930 m/s) means duds may be deeply embedded in terrain, particularly in soft ground
    • The M-46’s long range (27+ km) means duds can be found far from identifiable firing positions
    • Fuze condition in UXO may be unpredictable; partially armed fuzes may be sensitive to vibration, thermal change, or physical disturbance
    • 130mm ammunition is actively being used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict (2022–present), with Russian forces reintroducing M-46 guns from storage
    • Ammunition from multiple sources (Soviet stockpiles, North Korean production, Chinese/Iranian origin) is currently in theater, presenting identification challenges
    • Aging stockpiles worldwide increase the risk of degraded and unstable rounds

⚠ WARNING: All ordnance should be considered dangerous until rendered safe by qualified EOD personnel. 130mm HE projectiles are large-caliber munitions with substantial explosive content. Never approach, handle, or disturb suspected ordnance.

6. Key Identification Features

  • Caliber: 130mm
  • Weight: Approximately 33 kg (73 lbs)
  • Shape: Streamlined ogive with boat-tailed base; long, slender profile characteristic of high-velocity gun ammunition
  • Color and Markings:
    • OF-482M: Painted dark green or gray with black stenciled markings
    • Markings include projectile designation, lot number, manufacturing date, explosive fill type, and factory code
    • Soviet/Russian markings in Cyrillic script
  • Distinctive Features:
    • Single copper or gilding-metal rotating band
    • Standard Soviet fuze well for PD fuzes
    • Boat-tailed base with welded or threaded base cover
    • Larger and heavier than 122mm projectiles; comparable in size but slightly smaller than 152mm projectiles
    • The “pepperpot” muzzle brake of the M-46 gun is a distinctive identification feature of the firing platform
  • Material: Steel body

7. Fuzing Mechanisms

  • Fuze Type: Point-detonating (PD) fuze with superquick (SQ) and delay options
  • Compatible Fuzes: Standard Soviet PD fuzes for 130mm gun ammunition; MTSQ (Mechanical Time and Superquick) fuzes may also be used
  • Arming Sequence: Fuze arms through setback forces during firing and centrifugal force from spin stabilization
  • Functioning:
    • Upon impact, the PD fuze initiates the booster charge
    • The booster detonates the main HE fill
    • Superquick mode: detonation on surface contact for maximum blast and fragmentation effect against exposed targets
    • Delay mode: allows projectile to penetrate light cover, earthworks, or structures before detonating
  • Self-Destruct: None — relies on impact fuzing
  • Anti-Handling: Not typically equipped, though fuze condition in UXO may create unpredictable sensitivity

8. History of Development and Use

  • Development: The M-46 gun and its ammunition were developed beginning in April 1946, when the order was given to design new artillery to replace aging WWII-era 122mm and 152mm field guns. The M-46 (130mm) and M-47 (152mm) shared the same carriage, with the M-46 proving far more successful. Development was completed by 1950, with serial production at Plant No. 172 (Perm) beginning in 1954
  • Design Origin: The M-46 was derived from the M-36 130mm naval gun used for coast defense, adapted for a towed field gun role. This naval heritage contributed to its exceptional ballistic performance and long range
  • Service Entry: First publicly observed at the 1954 May Day Parade in Moscow. It initially replaced the 100mm BS-3 field/anti-tank gun
  • Strategic Significance: For many years, the M-46 was one of the longest-range artillery pieces in existence. Its 27+ km range exceeded most Western field artillery of the period, making it particularly effective for counter-battery fire. Its use with Soviet integrated fire-control systems including SNAR-2 radars was reported
  • Combat History: The M-46 and its HE ammunition have participated in an extraordinary number of conflicts:
    • Sino-Indian War (1962)
    • Indo-Pakistani Wars (1965, 1971)
    • Vietnam War (1955–1975) — M-46’s long range made it especially effective
    • Six Day War (1967)
    • Yom Kippur War (1973)
    • Angolan Civil War (1975–2002) / South African Border War (1966–1990) — M-46s used effectively in counter-battery roles against South African BL 5.5-inch guns
    • Sino-Vietnamese War (1979)
    • Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988)
    • Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989)
    • Gulf War (1990–1991)
    • Yugoslav Wars (1991–2001)
    • Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009)
    • Syrian Civil War (2011–present)
    • Russia-Ukraine conflict (2022–present)
  • Current Status: The M-46 was officially replaced in Russian service by the 2A36 Giatsint-B 152mm gun. However, Russian forces have reactivated M-46 guns from storage for use in Ukraine (observed from mid-2023 onward), with up to 600 M-46s estimated to have been in Russian reserve storage. 130mm ammunition is being sourced from North Korea and through other international supply chains to sustain this reactivated capability
  • Global Presence: The M-46/Type 59 family has been operated by more than 25 countries. Approximately 6,500 M-46s were produced by the Soviet Union, with an additional 3,500+ Type 59/59-1 produced by China

9. Technical Specifications

ParameterSpecification
Caliber130mm
Projectile Weight~33 kg (73 lbs)
Projectile TypeHigh-Explosive Fragmentation (HE-Frag)
Explosive FillTNT or TNT-based composition
StabilizationSpin-stabilized
Loading TypeSeparate loading (metal cartridge case)
Muzzle Velocity~930 m/s (3,051 ft/s)
Maximum Range (OF-43)27,500m
Maximum Range (OF-44)22,500m
Maximum Range (ERFB-BB)Up to 38,000m
Rate of Fire (Burst)6–8 rounds/min
Rate of Fire (Sustained)~70 rounds/hour
Unit of Fire80 rounds (Soviet standard)
Compatible WeaponsM-46 130mm towed field gun, Type 59/59-1 (Chinese), and derivative platforms

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the relationship between the OF-482M, OF-43, and OF-44 designations? A: These are different projectile models within the Soviet 130mm HE-Frag ammunition family for the M-46 gun. The OF-43 achieves the maximum range of 27,500m, while the OF-44 reaches 22,500m — the difference likely reflects variations in projectile design, weight, or aerodynamic characteristics. The OF-482M is another model in the family documented in ordnance identification guides. All are standard HE-Frag projectiles serving the same general tactical purpose.

Q: Why has the M-46 been reintroduced to combat in Ukraine despite being a 1950s design? A: The M-46’s reactivation reflects several factors: Russia’s heavy artillery losses in Ukraine created demand for additional towed guns; the M-46’s 27+ km range remains competitive with some modern systems; large numbers (~600) were available in Russian storage; and 130mm ammunition has been sourced from North Korea and other international suppliers. Despite its age, the M-46 remains a capable weapon when adequate ammunition is available.

Q: How can Soviet 130mm HE projectiles be distinguished from other large-caliber artillery rounds? A: The 130mm caliber is relatively uncommon compared to 122mm and 152mm Soviet artillery. Key identification points include: measuring the diameter (130mm falls between 122mm and 152mm); weight (~33 kg is heavier than 122mm rounds but lighter than 152mm); markings (OF-482M, OF-43, or OF-44 designations); and the color scheme (dark green or gray with black stenciled markings in Cyrillic). Association with the distinctive M-46 gun (long barrel with “pepperpot” muzzle brake) can also aid identification.

Q: What is the significance of the M-46’s naval heritage for the ammunition design? A: The M-46 was derived from the M-36 130mm naval gun used in coast defense. This naval heritage is reflected in the ammunition’s high muzzle velocity, long barrel (55 caliber), and single-charge propelling system (no variable charges, unlike howitzer ammunition). The high velocity and flat trajectory made the M-46 effective in both indirect fire and direct fire anti-tank roles, though the single-charge system limits flexibility in adjusting range through charge selection.

Q: What are the counter-battery considerations when encountering 130mm fire? A: The M-46’s long range (27+ km standard, 38+ km with extended-range ammunition) means 130mm fire can originate from positions far behind the front line. The high muzzle velocity produces a relatively flat trajectory, which can make counter-battery radar detection somewhat different from lower-velocity howitzer fire. The gun’s weight (~7.7 tonnes) and length (11m in firing position) make it slow to emplace and displace, creating a vulnerability to counter-battery response — a factor that has driven development of self-propelled variants.

Q: What international supply chains are providing 130mm ammunition in current conflicts? A: The Russia-Ukraine conflict has highlighted complex 130mm ammunition supply chains. Russia does not produce 130mm shells domestically and has sourced them from North Korea (130mm projectiles observed with North Korean markings), through Iranian channels (shells with Chinese inscriptions, suggesting Chinese-origin stock transiting through Iran), and potentially from other sources. China and Iran both continue to manufacture 130mm ammunition, and the caliber remains commercially available from several producers including manufacturers in India, Pakistan, Serbia, and Bulgaria.

Q: How does the Soviet 130mm HE projectile compare to Western 155mm HE rounds? A: The Soviet 130mm HE projectile (~33 kg) is lighter than a typical 155mm HE round (~43 kg), with correspondingly less explosive fill and a smaller fragmentation pattern. However, the M-46’s higher muzzle velocity (~930 m/s vs. ~680–830 m/s for most 155mm howitzers) gave it a range advantage over many Western 155mm systems of its era. The 155mm caliber eventually proved more versatile due to its heavier shell, greater explosive fill, and the ability to fire at higher angles with variable charges. This is why several upgrade programs (by Soltam, RDM Technology, and NORINCO) have offered re-barreling M-46/Type 59 guns to 155mm.