85mm Air Defense Gun Model 1944 (M1944) (KS-18) Anti-Aircraft Defense Gun (1944)
The 85mm M1944 air defense gun replaced the similar M1939 system for the Red Army during World War 2.
Like the M1939 before it, the M1944 could be towed into action with its four-wheeled carriage system. Once in place, the gun could be elevated to suit the target - be they air or land-based - thanks to its 360-degree traversing gun mount with +82 and -2 degree elevation specifications. Like the M1939 (and the German "88" for that matter), the M1944 retained full anti-tank capabilities as well as being an anti-aircraft weapon. For this role, the crew could switch to an anti-tank projectile.
M1939 systems became a battlefield prize for the German Army and the M1944 proved no exception thanks to their effectiveness on the battlefield. Captured gun systems and their ammunition supplies were reconstituted back into German Army service to be used against their former owners, often times alongside their 88mm guns for a truly dastardly effect. In this German guise, the guns came under the designation of 8.5cm Flak M.44(r). Still others were sent back to Germany, rebored to accept the standard 88mm projectile and set up in the homeland defense role under the designation of 8.8cm Flak M.44(r).
The M1944 survived the war and was fielded extensively across the Soviet sphere of influence during the Cold War. Examples were still in operation by the time of the American air war over Vietnam. The system can still be found in the inventories of several nations even today. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
85mm Air Defense Gun Model 1944 (M1944) (KS-18)
Anti-Aircraft Defense Gun
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: State Factories - Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1944
Production: 6,000
Focus Model: 85mm Air Defense Gun Model 1944 (M1944) (KS-18)
Crew: 7
Overall Length: 23.13ft (7.05m)
Width: 7.05ft (2.15m)
Height: 7.38ft (2.25m)
Weight: 5.3 US Short Tons (4,765kg; 10,505lbs)
Powerplant: None. This is a towed artillery piece.
Maximum Speed: 0mph (0 km/h)
Maximum Range: 11 miles (18 km)
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: None
Armament:
1 x 85mm main gun
Ammunition:
Dependent on ammunition carrier.
Variants:
85mm Air Defense Gun Model 1944 - Formal Series Designation.
KS-18 - Alternative Designation
8.5cm Flak M.44(r) - German Army designation for captured examples.
8.8cm Flak M.44(r) - German Army designation for captured examples; rebored for 88mm projectiles.
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