- Yes
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- North Korea sub-tree in China
- United Korea tree
- Other
- I said no
TL;DR: North Korean domestically-produced SPG, armed with a non-turreted modified 130mm M-46 cannon, on an artillery-tractor (ATS-59 / ‘Tŏkch’ŏn’) chassis
History
During the Korean War, the Korean People’s Army (KPA) was primarily equipped with T-34-85s, alongside SU-76 SPGs. These were used to great effect at the start of the war, but were very quickly outmatched by UN / US armoured vehicles. The SU-76s remained in service after the war, alongside smaller numbers of SU-100s, and even smaller numbers of ISU-122s — likely obtained from the Chinese PVA. The KPA was also armed with very large numbers of towed artillery (and MRLs), which, prior to the 1970s, constituted virtually all of the country’s artillery. In the late 1960s and well into the 1970s, the KPA underwent a large-scale modernisation program. Part of this program surrounded the development of self-propelled artillery, which was sorely lacking from the KPA’s arsenal.
1. SU-76s and; 2. SU-100s during parades
The first attempts at this were made in the late 1960s, when a 152mm D-20 and modified 130mm M-46 (with the muzzle-brake of the SM-4-1) were mounted on a Soviet ATS-59 artillery tractor chassis. These did not enter production, but did pave the way for a number of very successful designs. Production began in earnest in the 1970s, with the development of five separate SPGs (alongside a few other vehicle types) on the aforementioned ATS-59 chassis — these are collectively called the Tŏkch’ŏn (Tokchon) by the US DoD, although this name does not appear to official. The first vehicle was first built in 1972, and was armed with a domestically-produced 152mm howitzer, based on the Soviet D-20, but fitted with a new muzzle-brake. The second was built in 1974, and was armed with an open-turreted 130mm M-46 (modified as above). The third was likely built around the same time (1974–75), and armed with the same 130mm M-46 cannon, but without a turret. The fourth was built in 1978, and armed with a domestic 122mm cannon, based heavily on the D-74. The fifth was built sometime in the 1980s, and was armed with the same 152mm howitzer as the first type, but in a fully-enclosed turret. .
SPGs at the KPA Exhibition of Arms and Equipment in Pyongyang. The five vehicles along the front row, from closest to camera to furthest are the: 1972 152mm SPH; 1978 122mm SPG; 1974 130mm SPG; 1973 170mm SPG (Chuch’ep’o); 1983 170mm SPG (Chuch’ep’o)
The focus of this suggestion is on the third vehicle in the series. The US DoD ascribes the name 'M1975 to this design. The official KPA designation is unknown — I have given it the name ATS-59 (130mm) here. If the vehicle was first constructed in 1975, then its name is likely to be 1975-model 130mm self-propelled level-fire gun. However, it is unfortunately impossible to verify this date. This version is less commonly seen than the turreted 1974 130mm SPG, although is seen more during training exercises. Unlike like some of the other SPGs in the family, the ATS-59 (130mm) has not been seen carrying MANPADS.
Note on Naming Scheme
North Korea split their self-propelled guns into three main categories:
- Self-Propelled ‘Direct-Fire’ Guns [자행직사포], e.g. the 100mm-armed ATS-59- and 323-based vehicles
- Self-Propelled ‘Level-Fire’ Guns [자행평사포], e.g. this vehicle (or rather, what it is likely named, given the name of the 1974 130mm SPG which uses the same gun) and the 170mm-armed Chuch’ep’o
- Self-Propelled ‘Curved-Fire’ Guns [자행곡사포], e.g. the 1978 122mm SPG, the 1972 152mm SPG, and the Chuch’e 107 155mm SPG
I have chosen to translate them as follows:
- Self-Propelled ‘Direct-Fire’ Guns → Tank Destroyer (TD). A more literal translation would be Self-Propelled Anti Tank Gun (SPATG), but this is not commonly used
- Self-Propelled ‘Level-Fire’ Guns → Self-Propelled Gun (SPG)
- Self-Propelled ‘Curved-Fire’ Guns → Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Characteristics
The ATS-59 (130mm) is armed with a domestically-produced 130mm M-46, modified with the muzzle-brake of the SM-4-1. This cannon is limited to firing HE and APHE rounds. It can fire BR-482B APCBC rounds — the same as on the IS-7 and Obj. 279 in-game — at 930m/s, capable of penetrating 328mm @ 0° @ 10m. It can also fire OF-482M HE, weighing 33.4kg with 3.64kg of explosive mass, at a muzzle velocity of 930/s, capable of penetrating 37mm @ 0°. It also has a reduced charge variant, which has a muzzle velocity of 705m/s. 3OF33 HE is largely identical to full-charge OF-482M, but has an improved explosive mass of 4.17kg, able to penetrate 38mm @ 0°. North Korean OF-482M shells have been delivered to Russia, confirming their production.
The number of rounds carried is unknown. Unlike the 1974 130mm SPG, the ATS-59 (130mm) does not appear to have ammunition crates. The gun is also shifted back, providing very limited room for ammunition stowage. It may be the case that no rounds can be carried onboard, although I would personally argue it should be given (perhaps fictitiously) ammunition crates — somewhat like the Chi-Ha Long Gun in game.
The rear of the ATS-59 (130mm), showing the lack of space. The vehicle on the right appears to be a subvariant with a slightly different hull and additional side armour plates, which can fold over to provide some level of additional protection for the crew
The 130mm M-46 typically has a rate of fire of 5-6rpm, albeit when loaded with the full number of crew. This is likely to be reduced on the ATS-59 (130mm), although likely not to the same extent of the turreted 1974 130mm SPG. 4 crew members are typically seen during parades, although the vehicle is typically operated from outside with more crew. If mounted the same as the standalone cannon, the gun can elevate from -2.5° to +45°, and traverse 50° total (-25°/+25°).
The ATS-59 (130mm) is based on the ATS-59 chassis, but the superstructure has been heavily modified. The cab has been removed and replaced by sloped armour, with the driver’s position appearing to have been lowered slightly. The hull has been opened up in the rear 2/3rds of the vehicle. Unlike other ATS-59-based SPGs, the ATS-59 (130mm) lacks the thin armour plates around the rear cabin (other than the slightly obscure variant shown above). The overall armour is thinly-armoured, presumably less than 10–15mm all around, unlikely to resist much more than small arms fire. Occasionally, it has been seen — like with most other vehicles in this family — with (presumably bullet-proof) glass windows for the two crew members in the hull.
The ATS-59 is fitted with an A-650 V12 diesel engine, producing 300hp @ 1700rpm. It is impossible to verify if the engine fitted to the ATS-59 (130mm), and other ATS-59-based SPGs, is the same, although it seems likely. The exhaust and engine deck appear to be unmodified. The ATS-59 has a top speed of 39km/h. It weighs 13.5t — unladen. Like most other details, once again, the weight of the ATS-59 (130mm) is unknown. A rough calculation would put the weight at around 23t, given the weight of the cannon (~7.7t), ammunition, and modifications to the hull. This would give the vehicle a power-to-weight ratio of roughly 13hp/t.
Conclusion
The ATS-59 (130mm) would be an excellent addition to a future United Korean tech tree, as a mid-tier SPG. It would have an extremely powerful APHE round, which is currently in-game on the IS-7, Object 279, and PLZ83-130, but have poor flexibility, armour, and mobility, even when compared to its turreted counterpart. It would therefore go at a BR of around 5.3.
Specifications
Armament
- 130mm M-46
- Unknown ammunition capacity, possibly none
- Ammunition
- BR-482B APCBC
- 328mm @ 0° @ 10m
- OF-482M HE
- 37mm @ 0°
- OF33 HE
- 38mm @ 0°
- BR-482B APCBC
- Vertical Guidance
- -2.5°/+45°
- Horizontal Guidance
- -25°/+25° (estimate)
Armour
- Hull
- Unknown — likely <10mm all around
- Gun Shield
- Unknown — likely <10mm
Mobility
- Speed
- 39km/h
- Weight
- ~23t (estimate)
- Engine power
- 300hp, ~13hp/t (estimate)
Other
- Crew
- ~4
Images
Sources
Spoiler
The Armed Forces of North Korea — On the Path of Songun. Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans.
무장장비관 견문록(1) ‘불새’를 쏘는 ‘무적의 첨단전차’:자주시보
- This author grossly over-exaggerates the capabilites of North Korean equipment, but has visited the KPA museum in Pyongyang and — seemingly accurately — reported the names of vehicles / equipment
130mm M-46 | Weaponsystems.net
First Batch of North Korean 130mm Artillery Shells Arrive in Russia
