KH178 105 mm Towed Howitzer

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KH178 105 mm Towed Howitzer
KH178 (Towed howitzer).jpg
TypeHowitzer
Place of origin South Korea
Service history
In service1983–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerAgency for Defense Development
Designed1978–1982
ManufacturerKia Machine Tool (1983–1996)
Kia Heavy Industry (1996–2001)
WIA (2001–2009)
Hyundai Wia (2009–present)
Produced1983–present
VariantsKH178MK1
Specifications
Mass2,650 kg (5,840 lb)
Length7.6 m (25 ft)
Barrel length38 calibers
Width2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Crew8 (including driver)
Caliber105 mm (4.1 in)
BreechHorizontal sliding block
RecoilConstant, hydropneumatic
Elevation-5° to 65°
(-89 mils to 1,156 mils)
Traverse±23° (±409 mils)
Rate of fire15 rds/min maximum
3–5 rds/min sustained
Muzzle velocity662 m/s (2,170 ft/s)
Maximum firing range14.7 km (9.1 mi) HE
18 km (11 mi) RAP

The KH178 (Korean Howitzer 1 (First) '78) is a South Korean 105 mm towed howitzer designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and manufactured by Hyundai Wia.[1][2]

Development[]

See also: M101 howitzer § South Korea

In 1976, the plan for a domestic 105 mm howitzer design was scrapped, and the factories began preparing for mass production of KM101A1 with technological assistance from the United States. South Korea however continued its development work by importing two newly introduced British 105mm L118 light guns (an air-portable towed howitzer) along with ammunition in June 1976 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 also contributed to the further development of KM101A1. After 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]

General characteristics[]

The overall characteristic is similar to M101A1 howitzer. KH178 is designed as a division artillery for counter-battery role with agile positioning benefited from its lightweight. The howitzer has longer 38 calibers progressive twist rifling barrel, which provides longer range—14.7 km with standard and 18 km 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 of high strength alloy steel, heat-treated and autofrettaged to provide maximum fatigue life. The firing mechanism is a continuous pull (self-cocking) type. The weapon is fired by pulling a lanyard and return to firing position when releasing a lanyard. The carriage is the single axle and split trail type. Spread the trails at emplacement, but draw them together and lock them for travel. The carriage consists of an equilibrator, shield, elevating mechanism, cradle, traversing mechanism, top carriage, wheels and trails. The traversing of the carriage is a screw type. The recoil mechanism is a hydro-pneumatic system that absorbs the energy or recoils by the forcing of oil through orifices and returns the gun to battery by compressed gas. It is installed in the cradle of the carriage and attached to the cradle and the barrel. 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][4][5][6]

The howitzer has a 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. The gun also maintained traverse of ±23° (±409 mils) for easier direct fire targeting during close combat, which frequently occurred during the Korean War. It can fire maximum of 15 rds/min or 3 to 5 rds/min for sustain.[1][2]

KH178MK1 has GPS and inertial navigation installed for faster operation and improvement of accuracy.[7]

Operational history[]

By the time KH178 began development, NATO members were fielding new artilleries 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 for 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 producing KM101A1 rather than KH178 for cost efficiency. Since 1983, only 18 KH178 howitzers were delivered to the Republic of Korea Army and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and all howitzers were retired in 2000.[1][8][8][9]

Howitzers are in service with the Chilean Marine Corps.[7]

Users[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f [첨단국가의 초석, 방위산업] 자주국방의 포문을 열다 - KH-178 개발사, retrieved 2021-12-18
  2. ^ a b c "Hyundai Wia". Hyundai Wia.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "유용원의 군사세계 국산 105mm 견인야포 KH-178". 유용원의 군사세계 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  4. ^ "105-mm KH178".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Defense/Land KH178".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Land Warfare International". 9 (1). February–March 2018. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ a b "칠레軍, 현대위아 납품 'KH-178 곡사포' 수리…노후 부품 교체". www.theguru.co.kr (in Korean). 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  8. ^ a b c d e "[한국무기 디테일] ⑥ 사거리 30km인 한국형 155mm 견인곡사포, 기아기공(현 현대 위아)의 KH179". 시큐리티팩트 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  9. ^ "[한국의 무기 이야기](15) 천자총통에서 K9 자주포까지". 세계일보 (in Korean). 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  10. ^ Upgraded KH178 artillery system offers more range - Indo14-Day3 Archived 2017-06-10 at the Wayback Machine - Janes.com, 7 November 2014

External links[]

  1. ^ "KH 178 105 mm Howitzer". Archived from the original on 2016-10-03. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
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