| AH4 Lightweight Towed Howitzer | |
|---|---|
| Type | Howitzer |
| Place of origin | China |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) |
| Crew | 7 |
|
| |
| Shell | 155mm ERFB-HB/HE, ERFB-Base Bleed/HE, ERFB-Rocket Assist/HE, Laser Guided GP6 |
| Caliber | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Carriage | split trail |
| Elevation | -3° to +72° |
| Effective firing range |
ERFB-HB/HE: 25 Km (15.53 mi) ERFB-Base Bleed/HE: 30 Km (18.6 mi) base bleed ERFB-Rocket Assist/HE: 40 Km (25 mi) LGP GP6: 25 Km (15.53 mi) |
The towed AH4 howitzer is a Chinese artillery system manufactured by Norinco.[1] Its main characteristic is that it has been designed to be lightweight, which allows greater tactical mobility. The weight of 4,500 kg, compared to a traditional system that can weigh 18,000 kg,[2] allows the system to be airlifted via heavy-lift helicopters like the CH-47 or Mi-26, or transport aircraft like a C-130 or Y-8. Also, as a modern howitzer system, it possesses a range of engagement of up to 40 km using rocket-assisted projectiles.[1]
Because of its weight, the AH4 can be used in mountain warfare, which traditionally had to use pack howitzers like the OTO Melara Mod 56, but that proved to be ineffective because of its short range, and reliability due to its light barrel.[2]
Design[]
The body of the system has forward stabilizers as well as spades and dampers.[3] It has a cannon that can fire 155mm/39 calibre shells with an elevation angle from -3° up to 72° with a traverse limit of 22°. The hydro-pneumatic suspension allows for quick deployment of around 3 minutes and packing in 2 minutes.
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "China completes development of 155 mm AH4 howitzer | IHS Jane's 360". http://www.janes.com/article/62341/china-completes-development-of-155-mm-ah4-howitzer.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "NORINCO is ready to produce the AH4 lightweight howitzer" (in en-US). http://quwa.org/2016/07/19/norinco-ready-produce-ah4-lightweight-howitzer/.
- ↑ Administrator. "China presents its AH4 155mm lightweight towed howitzer as counterpart of American M777 10411153 | Defense Security 2015 News Official Online Show Daily Coverage Report | Defence security military exhibition 2015" (in en-gb). http://armyrecognition.com/defense_security_2015_news_official_online_show_daily_coverage_report/china_presents_its_ah4_155mm_lightweight_towed_howitzer_as_counterpart_of_american_m777_10411153.html.
The original article can be found at Norinco AH4 155mm Howitzer and the edit history here.