30 mm 2A38 autocannon

The 2A38 is a Soviet twin-barrel 30 mm autocannon developed in the 1970s and first fielded on the 2S6 Tunguska short-range air-defense system. It uses the Gast principle, water cooling, and 30x165 mm ammunition to deliver very high burst fire from a compact gun package that was later reused on the Pantsir family.

30 mm 2A38 autocannon, Twin-barrel 30 mm autocannon, Air Defense

Image source: Commons 2A38 Museum Image 79-54

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union
Built by: KBP Instrument Design BureauTulamashzavod
Built in: Soviet UnionRussia
Type: Twin-barrel 30 mm autocannon
Service note: Cold War design, still fielded on air-defense platforms

air defense autocannon NATO

Specifications

Caliber: 30x165 mm
Barrels: Twin barrel, Gast principle
Action: Gas-operated
Rate of fire: About 4,060-4,810 rounds per minute per twin gun
Muzzle velocity: 960-980 m/s
Weight: 195 kg gun only, without coolant
Cooling: Water cooled

Mounted On

Firing weapon

Weapon type

Firing evidence

Tracked short-range air-defense system

WeaponSystems.net states that the 2A38 was first introduced on the 2S6 Tunguska.

Sources: WeaponSystems.net 30mm 2A38

30 mm 2A38 autocannon Images

30 mm 2A38 autocannon, Twin-barrel 30 mm autocannon, Air Defense - view 1 — Source: Commons 2A38 Museum Image 79-54

30 mm 2A38 autocannon, Twin-barrel 30 mm autocannon, Air Defense - view 2 — Source: Commons 2A38 Museum Image 79-55

30 mm 2A38 autocannon, Twin-barrel 30 mm autocannon, Air Defense - view 3 — Source: Commons Tunguska Turret Image

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Sources

WeaponSystems.net 30mm 2A38Publisher: WeaponSystems.net | Note: Supports 2A38 origin, design, firepower, platform relationship to the 2S6 Tunguska, and general specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Army Guide 2A38M GunPublisher: Army Guide | Note: Supports the twin 30 mm 2A38M cannon's water cooling, environmental operating range, and identification as the Tunguska gun family. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Commons 2A38 Museum Image 79-54Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a Commons museum photograph of a 2A38-pattern gun display. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Commons 2A38 Museum Image 79-55Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a Commons museum photograph of a 2A38-pattern gun display. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Commons Tunguska Turret ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a Commons parade photograph showing a Tunguska turret with 2A38 armament. | Accessed: 2026-06-23