[dragoon500ly]

During the T2000 time frame, the Soviet Artillery would equip the front-line Category I and II divisions.

M-1969 76.2mm Mountain Gun. Approximately eight motor rifle divisions are equipped with this piece, in place of the normal 122mm howitzers. This is a lightweight piece, weighing in at 815kg and able to be disassembled into nine loads. It has a maximum range of 11,000m and can fire HE and HEAT ammunition. It requires a crew of 6.

D-30 122mm Howitzer. This is the standard divisional and regimental howitzer. Introduced in 1967 it replaced the M-30 and other World War II pieces. It is a highly successful design, combining simplicity and ruggedness with effectiveness. While it lacks the range and destructive power of the NATO 155mm howitzers, the Soviets believe that deploying the D-30 further forward than NATO doctrine requires will negate the range advantage and that the numbers of these weapons made possible by their simplicity and ease of production will compensate for any individual limitations. Quantity has a quality all its own. The D-30 weighs in at 3,150kg in its firing position. It has a maximum rate of fire of 8rpm (sustained rate of 4rpm) and a maximum range of 15,300m. It can fire HE (21.8kg), HEAT (14.1kg), Smoke (22.4kg), Illum (22.4kg) and Chemical (22.4kg) rounds. It uses a 7 man crew. Basic Load for the D-30 is 80 rounds broken down into 64 HE, 12 smoke and 4 HEAT.

D-74 122mm Gun. This is found in the heavy artillery regiment of some Category II and III divisions. It weighs in at 5,568kg in firing position. Has a maximum rate of fire of 7rpm (sustained is 3rpm), and a maximum range of 24,000m. It can fire HE (27.5kg), APHE (25kg), Smoke (21.7kg), Illum (21.7kg) and Chem (21.7kg). Basic Load for the D-74 is 80 rounds broken down into 64 HE, 12 Smoke and 4 APHE.

D-20 152mm Gun-Howitzer. This is the standard heavy howitzer, equipping the army-level artillery brigades and artillery divisions. Introduced in 1955 and now being replaced by the 152mm SP howitzer. It weighs 5,650kg in firing position. It has a maximum rate of fire of 6rpm; a sustained rate of fire of 2rpm. The maximum range is 18,500m. It can fire HE (43.6kg), APHE (48.8kg), Smoke (52kg), Illum (52kg) and Chem (52kg). Basic Load is 60 rounds broken down into 48 HE, 9 Smoke and 3 APHE.

M-46 130mm Field Gun. Introduced in 1954, the M-46 is organic to each artillery division and a battalion is in each army-level artillery brigade. Often assigned to counterbattery missions due to its long range and accuracy. In firing position, it weighs 7,700kg. Maximum rate of fire is 6rpm; sustained is 3rpm. It has a maximum range of 27,500m. It fires HE (33.4kg), APHE (33.6kg), and Illum (25.8kg). The Basic Load is 70 rounds broken down into 65 HE and 5 APHE.