2A26s

The 2A26s, often referred to as the "2A26" or simply "26s," is a designation for a series of Soviet and Russian-designed automatic cannons. These cannons are typically chambered in 30mm caliber and are most famously known for their use as main armament on various armored vehicles, particularly infantry fighting vehicles and some main battle tanks.

The development of the 2A26 series began in the Soviet Union, with the goal of providing a more powerful and effective anti-armor and anti-personnel weapon compared to earlier autocannons. The design emphasizes a high rate of fire and the ability to engage a range of targets, from lightly armored vehicles to infantry.

A key feature of the 2A26 series is its gas-operated firing mechanism, which allows for reliable operation. It can fire various types of ammunition, including high-explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag) rounds for anti-personnel use and armor-piercing discarding sabot (APDS) rounds for engaging armored targets. Some variants also support the use of programmable or proximity-fuzed ammunition.

The 2A26 has seen widespread service with the Russian military and has also been exported to numerous countries. Its effectiveness and adaptability have led to its integration into a variety of combat platforms, making it a significant weapon system in modern military arsenals. Over time, there have been evolutionary improvements to the 2A26 design, leading to different variants with enhanced capabilities and reliability.