 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2011) |
| NR-23 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Single-barrel Autocannon |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Production history | |
| Variants | Norinco Type 23-1 and Type 23-2 NR-23k (Prototype) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 39 kg (86 lb) |
| Length | 1,980 mm (6 ft 6 in) |
| Barrel length | 1,450 mm (4 ft 9 in) |
| Width | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Height | 136 mm (5.4 in) |
| Caliber | 23×115 mm (0.90 in) |
| Barrels | 1 |
| Action | Short recoil |
| Rate of fire | 800–850 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 690 m/s (2,264 ft/s) |
The Nudelman-Richter NR-23 is a Soviet autocannon widely used in military aircraft of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact. It was designed by A. E. Nudelman and A. A. Richter to replace the wartime Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 and Volkov-Yartsev VYa-23, entering service in 1949.
The NR-23 is a single-barrel, short recoil-operated 23 mm (0.90 in) cannon. It was similar to the NS-23 but mechanical improvements increased its rate of fire by more than 50%. Its theoretical rate of fire was 850 rounds per minute, although United States Air Force tests of captured weapons achieved an actual rate of fire of only 650 rounds per minute.
The NR-23 was later replaced by the Afanasev Makarov AM-23 automatic cannon which had a higher firing rate. The AM-23 was used in turreted installations for bombers. It was a gas-operated weapon, weighed 43 kg (95 lb) and was capable of a substantially higher rate of fire (1,200–1,300 rounds per minute).
The People's Republic of China manufactures copies of both versions of this weapon as Norinco Type 23-1 (NR-23) and Type 23-2 (AM-23), respectively.