General Facts

TYPE
Towed howitzer

ORIGIN
USSR

NICKNAMES
M1954 (NATO designation)
Type 59 (Chinese production)
M-59-1M (Egyptian production)
130 K54 (Finland service)

DESIGNED
Late 1940's

DESIGNER
Factory No 172

PRODUCTION
1951 - ?

PRODUCERS
China - Norinco
Egypt - Abu Zaabal
North Korea - State arsenals
USSR - Motovilikha

QUANTITY
Unknown

UNIT COST
Unknown

CHARACTERISTICS
Long range
Average rate of fire
Large and heavy

Introduction

The M-46 is a towed 130mm towed howitzer of Soviet origin. The M-46 was developed in the late 1940's to replace the 122mm A-19 for long range shelling and counter battery fire. After trails against the D-74 the M-46 was selected in 1950. The M-46 was produced in large quantities and many remain in use. Until its proper designation was known it was called the M1954 in the West. The M-46 has been produced under license in China as the Type 59.

Layout

The M-46 uses a sturdy split trail carriage which has two wheels and a gun shield. The M-46 mounts a long 130mm 58 caliber ordnance with pepperpot muzzle brake. The Chinese Type 59-I uses a lighter carriage with similar ordnance, but fitted a double baffle muzzle brake. A crew of 8 to 10 is required for operating at normal performance.

Firepower

The M-46 fires its own range of 130 mm ammunition out to 27.2 km. This allows it to outrange virtually early Cold War artillery including the US M59 Long Tom. It is however unable to match the latest 155mm L/52 artillery, even with base bleed rounds. The maximum rate of fire is 5 to 6 rpm, although several sources claim 8 to 10 rpm. The M-46 can also be used as a direct fire weapon out to 1.2 km versus armored vehicles and at longer ranges against infantry.

Mobility

The M-46 is usually towed by a 6x6 truck but prime movers are also used. The M-46 uses a limber while the Chinese Type 59 does not. The M-46 can be towed up to a speed of 50 km/h.

Users

The M-46 was produced in large quantities for Soviet use and export to Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet allies. In Soviet service the M-46 was replaced by the larger and more capable 2A36. The M-46 remains in widespread use in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

M-46

The M-46 is a conventional 130mm towed field gun. It has a split trail two wheeled carriage and a gun shield is fitted for crew protection. The M-46 has a 58 calibers long 130mm ordnance that is fitted with a pepperpot muzzle brake. Normally a crew of 8 is used to operate the weapon. The M-47 is a 152mm variant of the M-46 that was produced in limited numbers in the 1950's.

Specifications:
M-46

Type	Towed howitzer
Crew	8
Ordnance	130mm L/58 howitzer, 7.6 m barrel
Elevation	-2.5 to +45°
Traverse	25° left and right

Rate of fire	5 - 6 rpm, up to 8 rpm reported
Range	27.2 km (standard rounds)
Carriage	2 wheel split trail carriage, 2.06 m track, 13.50 x 38 tires
Weight	7.7 t (firing position), 8.45 t (travelling)
Length	11.73 m (travelling)

Width	2.45 m (travelling)
Height	2.55 m (travelling)
Towing vehicle	6x6 truck
Speed	50 km/ on roads
Remarks	Gun shield

Type 59

The Type 59 is a Chinese copy of the M-46 which includes some changes. The Type 59-I incorporates some parts taken from the Type 60 field gun, mainly in the carriage. The Type 59-I has the same 58 caliber 130mm ordnance, which is fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake in the Chinese version. The Egyptian M-59-1M is similar to the Type 59-I.

Specifications:
Type 59-I

Type	Towed howitzer
Crew	8 - 10
Ordnance	130mm L/58 howitzer
Elevation	-2.5 to +45°
Traverse	58° total

Rate of fire	8 - 10 rpm
Range	7.8 km (minimum), 27.2 km (standard rounds), 32 km (base bleed), 1.2 km (direct fire)
Carriage	2 wheel split trail carriage
Weight	6.3 t
Length	10.8 m (travelling)

Width	2.42 m (travelling)
Height	2.75 m (travelling)
Towing vehicle	6x6 truck
Speed	60 km/ on roads
Remarks	Gun shield

M-46S

Soltam offers an upgrade package for the M-46 called the M-46S. This replaces the 130mm ordnance with a 155mm gun, which may be either a L/39 or L/45 one. The ordnance is similar as used on the M839 and M845 howitzers and results in increased range and firepower. This upgrade is in use with India which designates the system Mephisto.

Specifications:
M-46S

Type	Towed howitzer
Crew	?
Ordnance	155mm L/45 howitzer
Elevation	-2.5 to +45°
Traverse	25° left and right

Rate of fire	?
Range	25.8 km (standard rounds), 39.0 km (base bleed)
Carriage	2 wheel split trail carriage
Weight	8.85 t (travelling)
Length	11.73 m (travelling)