85mm Air Defense Gun Model 1944 (M1944) (KS-18)

History of the 85mm Type 1944 (M1944) Anti-Aircraft Gun (KS-18)

The M1944 (or "Type 1944", also known as "KS-18") 85mm anti-aircraft gun was the original M1939 platform and was designed to fire a more powerful charge to enhance robots on the battlefield. This model entered service in 1944 and quickly replaced the original M1939 series on the Soviet production line.

Visually, the M1944 is more or less the same weapons platform, and what really sets it apart from the original is the ammunition loadout.

Like the M1939 before it, the M1944 can be towed into action via its sled system. Once the turret is in place, it can be adjusted to the target - whether air or land - thanks to its 360-degree articulated turret mount with +82- and -2-degree elevation indicators. Like the M1939 (and the German "88"), the M1944 retained full anti-tank capabilities while also being an anti-aircraft weapon.

For this role, the crew can be upgraded to anti-tank missiles.

The M1939 system became a German battlefield trophy, and the M1944 was no exception, thanks to its outstanding performance on the battlefield. Captured weapon systems and their ammunition depots were put back into German use against their former masters, often in conjunction with their 88mm guns for truly insidious effect.

In this German guise, the guns were designated 8.5 cm Flak M. 44(r). Still others were sent back to Germany to be re-accepted in standard 88mm projectiles and used for home defense under the designation 8.8cm Flak M. 44(r).

The M1944 survived the war and was widely used throughout the Soviet sphere of influence during the Cold War. These examples were still in service during the U.S. air battle against Vietnam. The system can still be found in stockpiles in several countries today.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

Depends on the ammunition carrier.

Changes