New 122 mm howitzer by OKB under the head of F. F. Petrov shortly before World War II to replace the obsolescent World War I models. The trials of the new weapon were completed in late 1938. In the September 1939 new howitzer M-30 became the standard divisional howitzer of Red Army. There were produced about 500 specimens of M-30 in 1940. More than 13500 ones were completed during World War II.
Transport weight of the M-30 was 3100 kg and there was towed by 3 ton truck or by six horses. The crew were eight men. The muzzle velocity was 515 m/s and maximum range was 11800 m. Rate of fire was max 6 rds/min.
The same basic carriage of M-30 was used in 1943 in 152 mm howitzer D-1.
The M-30 fires variable-charge ammunition:
- OF-426, O-462A and O-460 projectiles against non armored targets
- BP-460A anti armored projectile
- D-4602 smoke projectile
- D462 signal projectile
- A-462 leaflet projectile
The same basic carriage of M-30 was used in 1943 in 152 mm howitzer D-1.
The most of weapons were dark green color overall. Some of them were camouflaged by yellow, black and brown spots. In winter there were over painted by matt white.
After the War the M-30 became the weapon of the Warsaw pact armies and was introduced into Yugoslav Army.
