User:KH-179 155 mm towed howitzer
The KH-179 155 mm howitzer is towed howitzer which was developed in south Korea aimed at the equivalent performance with the M198 155 mm howitzer.
| KH-179 155 mm Howitzer | |
|---|---|
 KH-179 155 mm towed Howitzer | |
| Type | Howitzer |
| Place of origin | South Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1983~present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai WIA |
| No. built | 1000 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6,890 kg |
| Length | 10.4 m |
| Crew | 9~13 |
| Caliber | 39 |
| Breech | Interrupted Screw |
| Recoil | Hydro-Pneumatic |
| Rate of fire | 2 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 826 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 18 km |
| Maximum firing range | 30 km(RAP) |
| Sights | Optical (C2) with Trilux illumination |
Development
[edit]The republic of Korea, Army begun development in 1979 and completed 1982. The army has deployed this howitzer since 1983 and it is currently used in field artillery along with K-55 and K-9 self-propelled artillery in South Korea. KH-179 is an advanced version of the USA M114A2. but It adopted a new 39 caliber long barrel and a muzzle brake so It is considered to be indegenously designed developed and manufactured.
Features
[edit]The KH-179 provides longer range higher reliability and easier maintenance than the medium towed 155 mm M114A2 Howitzer.
Fitted with a monoblock barrel, KH-179 Howitzer incorporates an interrupted screw breech mechanism. The tube of high strength alloy steel, heat-treated and autofrettaged to provide maximum fatigue life, has a constant 1/20 caliber twist rifling with 48 Iands and grooves. The barrel is provided with a muzzle brake to reduce recoil force and carriage load.
The recoil mechanism is a variable, hydro-pneumatic, independent design. Its core elements comprise recoil and counter-recoil system. Both systems are installed in the cylinder yoke end which supports and enables the barrel to slide horizontally during recoil and counter-recoil.
Two pneumatic equilibrators are connected between the yoke of recoil mechanism and the top carriage to balance the elevating mass and keep the handwheel load within acceptable limits.
The KH-179 is equipped with two telescopes for direct and indirect firing.
For indirect firing, the panoramic telescope of 4 magnification and 10 degree field of view is mounted on the left side. For direct firing, the elbow telescope of 3 magnification and 13.5 degree field of view is equipped on the right for effective performance in the range up to 1,500 m.
The KH-179 is a towed 155 mm field artillery howitzer, transportable by a CH-47 C/D helicopter or a C-130 carrier thank to its light weight.
Ammunition
[edit]KH-179, Its ammunition is compatible with NATO’s and the U.S.’s. Firing range is 18 km using HE ammunition and It can extend to 30 km firing range using RAP ammunition.