15 cm Kanone 18

• Name — 15 cm Kanone 18 • Origin — Germany • Type — Heavy gun • Is Artillery — yes • Used By — Nazi Germany • Wars — World War II • Designer — Rheinmetall • Design Date — 1933–1938 • Manufacturer — Rheinmetall • Production Date — 1940–1943 • Number — 101 • Weight — Combat: 12,460 kg (27,469 lbs) Travel: 18,600 kg (41,006 lbs) • Length — 8.6 m • Part Length — 8.195 m L/55 • Cartridge Weight — 43 kg • Cartridge — 149 x 815 mm R • Caliber — 149.1 mm (5.87 in) • Velocity — 865 m/s (2,838 ft/s) • Max Range — 24,500 m (26,793 yds) • Breech — horizontal block • Carriage — box trail • Elevation — -2° to +45° • Traverse — 10° on wheels 360° on platform

In 1933 Rheinmetall began development of a new artillery piece to fulfill a German Army requirement for a replacement of the aged 15 cm Kanone 16, with the first production units received in 1938. There was not much of an improvement over the older gun as it weighed two tons more than the K 16 but only had 2290 m more range. The army was happy with the range, but not with the carriage. There was a special transport carriage for the gun when traveling long distances and putting it on its turntable for firing took more time to assemble. The rate of fire was at best two rounds per minute.

The K18 used different types of ammunition based on carriers, but most probably would have used High Explosive or Armour Piercing shells. Crews could use different amounts of charges to effect trajectory and range, similar to other heavy guns of the time.

• Illustration — K 18 firing in Russia A total of 101 examples were built by Rheinmetall between 1938 and 1943. It was not popular in service as its barrel length and weight were very large proportionally for its shell damage, and its performance was not much better than the established K16 design. The Heer also fielded many larger caliber guns which were more effective at engaging fortifications. This caused its production to be terminated in August 1943. Many were used in static coastal installations, removing all mobility drawbacks and resulting in successful service over the K16.