155 mm gun T7 explained

155mm L/40 T7
Is Ranged:yes
Type:Tank gun
Length:6.64m (21.78feet)
Part Length:6.4276m (21.0879feet) (L/41.4)
Origin:United States
Variants:T7, T7E1
Weight:2384kg (5,256lb)
Used By:United States
Production Date:1940s
Caliber:155mm
Rate:2 rpm
Velocity:NaNm/s
Max Range:Project cancelled before maximum range tests occurred

The 155mm L/40 T7 was an American rifled tank gun developed in 1945. The T7 was to be the main armament for the T30 Heavy Tank, but only a handful were produced due to the T30 project being cancelled after trials in the late 1940s.

The T7 used two-part separated ammunition like the 105mm T5E1 gun on the T29 Heavy Tank. It had a low velocity of only 701m/s compared to the 120mm T53 on the T34 Heavy Tank (945 m/s) and the 105mm T5E1 on the T29 Heavy Tank (945 m/s). However, the 43 kg (95 lbs) High-Explosive shell (HE) and high-velocity armour-piercing (HVAP) was demonstrated to have a powerful demolition effect. Testing concluded before completion when the T30 project was cancelled in the late 1940s.

Penetration comparison

Ammunition type
Muzzle velocity Penetration (mm)
500 m1000 m1500 m2000 m2500 m3000 m
M112B1 (AP)701m/s215213203211195187
T43 (Mod.) (AP)774m/s254243236226215203
T35 (HVAP)1106m/s392355340314292276
M107 (HE)945m/s858585858585

Variants

Bibliography