KH178 105 mm Towed Howitzer | |
---|---|
Type | Howitzer |
Place of origin | South Korea |
Service history | |
In service | 1983–present |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Designer | Agency for Defense Development |
Designed | 1978–1982 |
Manufacturer | Kia Machine Tool (1983–1996) Kia Heavy Industry (1996–2001) WIA (2001–2009) Hyundai Wia (2009–present) |
Produced | 1983–present |
Variants | KH178MK1 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 2,650 kg (5,840 lb) |
Length | 7.6 m (25 ft) |
Barrel length | 3.92 m (12 ft 10 in) |
Width | 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) |
Height | 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) |
Crew | 8 (including driver) |
Caliber | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
Breech | Horizontal sliding block |
Recoil | Constant, hydropneumatic |
Elevation | -5° to 65° (-89 mils to 1,156 mils) |
Traverse | ±23° (±409 mils) |
Rate of fire | 15 rds/min maximum 3–5 rds/min sustained |
Muzzle velocity | 662 m/s (2,170 ft/s) |
Maximum firing range | 14.7 km (9.1 mi) HE 18 km (11 mi) RAP |
The KH178 ("Korean Howitzer 1 (First) 78") is a South Korean 105 mm 38 caliber towed howitzer. It was designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and manufactured by Hyundai WIA. [1] [2]
In 1976, the plan for a domestic 105 mm howitzer design was scrapped, and the factories began preparing for mass production of KM101A1 with assistance from the United States. In June 1976 South Korea continued its development work by importing two newly introduced British 105mm L118 light guns (an air-portable towed howitzer) for evaluation. In 1977 the mass production of KM101 began and South Korea quickly boosted manufacturing capacity. In March 1978, South Korea obtained partial blueprints of the West German 105 mm lightweight howitzer and produced an operational sample, which contributed to the further development of the new howitzer. After a series of technical breakthroughs South Korea launched the developed KH178 105 mm howitzer to replace the M101. [1] [3]
Since KH178 is based on the technology of M101A1, South Korea requires US approval when exporting the howitzer. [1]
By the time KH178 began development, NATO members were fielding artillery such as the 155mm FH70 and M198 howitzer developed under a Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding standard—increasing maximum firing range to 30 km. Due to changing battlefield environment and to support joint operations with the US, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces started development of the KH179 155 mm towed howitzer in 1979. The decision led to continuation of mass production of KM101A1 rather than KH178 for cost efficiency. Since 1983, only 18 KH178 howitzers were delivered to the Army and the Marine Corps. All howitzers were retired in 2000. [1] [4] [5]
The overall characteristic is similar to the M101A1 howitzer. KH178 is designed as a division artillery for a counter-battery role with agile positioning benefited from its light weight. The howitzer has a longer 38 caliber progressive twist rifling barrel, which provides a longer range of 14.7 km (9.1 mi) with standard ammunition and 18 km (11 mi) with RAP ammunition—compared to 22 caliber with EFC of 7,500 rounds.
The cannon is made up of a tube, breech mechanism, muzzle brake, and locking ring. The tube is made of high strength alloy steel, heat-treated and autofrettaged to provide maximum life. The firing mechanism is a continuous pull (self-cocking) type. The weapon is fired by pulling a lanyard. It returns to firing position when releasing a lanyard. The carriage is single axle and split trail. The trails spread at emplacement, but draw together and lock for travel.
The carriage consists of an equilibrator, shield, elevating mechanism, cradle, traversing mechanism, top carriage, wheels and trails. The carriage traversal is a screw type. The recoil mechanism is a hydro-pneumatic system that absorbs the energy/recoils by forcing oil through orifices and returns the gun to ready by compressed gas. It is installed in the cradle of the carriage and attached to the cradle and the barrel. The gun maintains traverse of ±23° (±409 mils) for easier direct fire targeting during close combat, which frequently occurred during the Korean War.
Indirect fire instruments includes the panoramic telescope KM12A8 and telescope mount KM21A2. Direct fire instruments includes the elbow telescope KM16A2, and fire control range quadrant KM4A3. [1] [2] [6] [7] [8]
The howitzer has an elevation of -5° (-89 mils) to 65° (1,156 mils) to engage enemies from higher position, and can fire both anti-personnel and anti-tank ammunitions. It can fire maximum of 15 rds/min or 3 to 5 rds/min for sustain. [1] [2]
KH178MK1 has GPS and inertial navigation for faster operation and improved accuracy. [9]
The M102 is a light, towable 105 mm howitzer used by the United States Army in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War.
The LG1 is a modern 105 mm towed howitzer designed and produced by GIAT Industries of France.
The M114 is a towed howitzer developed and used by the United States Army. It was first produced in 1942 as a medium artillery piece under the designation of 155 mm Howitzer M1. It saw service with the US Army during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, before being replaced by the M198 howitzer.
The FH70 is a towed howitzer used by several nations.
The M119 howitzer is a lightweight 105 mm howitzer, used by the United States Army. It is the American licensed version of the British L119 light gun. The M119 is typically towed by the M1097 or M1152 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), and can be easily airlifted by helicopter, or airdropped by parachute.
The L118 light gun is a 105 mm towed howitzer. It was originally designed and produced in the United Kingdom for the British Army in the 1970s. It has since been widely exported. The L119 and the United States Army's M119 are variants that use a different type of ammunition.
The M101A1 howitzer is an artillery piece developed and used by the United States. It was the standard U.S. light field howitzer in World War II and saw action in both the European and Pacific theaters and during the Korean War. Entering production in 1941, it quickly gained a reputation for accuracy and a powerful punch. The M101A1 fires 105 mm high explosive (HE) semi-fixed ammunition and has a range of 12,330 yards (11,270 m), making it suitable for supporting infantry.
The 122-mm howitzer D-30 is a Soviet howitzer that first entered service in 1960. It is a robust piece that focuses on the essential features of a towed field gun suitable for all conditions. The D-30 has a maximum range of 15.4 kilometers, or over 21 km using rocket-assisted projectile ammunition.
The 155 mm gun M1 was a 155 millimeter caliber field gun developed and used by the United States military. Nicknamed "Long Tom", it was produced in M1 and M2 variants, later known as the M59. Developed to replace the Canon de 155mm GPF, the gun was deployed as a heavy field weapon during World War II and the Korean War, and also classed as secondary armament for seacoast defense. The gun could fire a 100 lb (45 kg) shell to a maximum range of 14 mi (23 km), with an estimated accuracy life of 1,500 rounds.
The 152 mm gun-howitzer M1955, also known as the D-20, is a manually loaded, towed 152 mm gun-howitzer artillery piece, manufactured in the Soviet Union during the 1950s. It was first observed by the West in 1955, at which time it was designated the M1955. Its GRAU index is 52-P-546.
The 122mm D-74 towed gun is a Soviet-built gun. Developed in the late 1950s it provided direct and indirect fire for the Soviet Army. Today it is in reserve units with the Russian Army.
The Hyundai WIA, formerly known as World Industries Ace is a member of the Hyundai Motor Group and is the second biggest automotive parts manufacturer in South Korea. As one of the core companies of Hyundai Motor Group, it is supplying automobile engines, modules, C.V Joint and 4WD systems to automobile companies such as Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In addition, it is in charge of manufacturing and selling FA facilities, various large-caliber artillery, aircraft parts, robots, and press device. The main customers who earn most of their sales are Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and the Ministry of National Defense.
The HM-41 is an Iranian 155 mm howitzer based on the KH179, which was imported from South Korea during the Iran–Iraq War. It has a 155 mm/39 caliber barrel with a muzzle brake to lessen the recoil.
Obice da 305/17 was an Italian howitzer used during World War I. Produced by the Armstrong works in Italy between 1914 and 1917, approximately 30-44 were built. Originally the Obice da 305/17 Modello 15 was a stationary coastal defense gun but was later adapted to a mobile siege artillery role. A number also served during World War II.
The M-56 Howitzer is a 105mm artillery gun from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Early towed version is comparable to the German 10.5 cm leFH 18 and the American M101 howitzer while newer M-56A1 and self propelled M-09 Soko has more improvements and greater range.
105 mm is a common NATO-standard artillery and tank gun calibre. The rifled tank round is defined by STANAG 4458. The artillery round is defined by AOP-29 part 3 with reference to STANAG 4425.
The 105mm L/65 T5 was an American rifled anti-tank gun developed in 1945. The T5E1 was the main armament for several American WWII heavy tanks designs, including the double-tracked T28 Super Heavy Tank and T29 Heavy Tank.
The KH179 is a South Korean 155 mm 39 caliber towed howitzer designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hyundai WIA.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires |journal=
(help)