The AH4 howitzer is a Chinese 155 mm towed howitzer system manufactured by Norinco.[2] Its main characteristic is that it has been designed to be lightweight, which allows greater tactical mobility. The weight of 4.5 t (4.4 long tons; 5.0 short tons), compared to a traditional system that can weigh 18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons),[3] 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 towed howitzer system, it possesses a range of engagement of up to 40 km (25 mi) using rocket-assisted projectiles.[2]
| AH4 Lightweight Towed Howitzer | |
|---|---|
| Type | Towed howitzer |
| Place of origin | China |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 2016–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.5 t (4.4 long tons; 5.0 short tons)[1] |
| 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 (16 mi) ERFB-Base Bleed/HE: 30 km (19 mi) base bleed ERFB-Rocket Assist/HE: 40 km (25 mi) LGP GP6: 25 km (16 mi) |
Because of its greatly reduced weight, the AH4 can be used in mountain warfare, which was traditionally filled by more portable howitzers such as the 76 mm mountain gun M48 or 105 mm OTO Melara Mod 56.[3]
Design
editThe body of the system has forward stabilizers as well as spades and dampers.[4] It has a cannon that can fire 155mm L/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.
AH4 has an initial rate of fire up to 5 rounds per minute, and with continuous firing at 2 rounds per minute.
Variants
edit- AHS-4: a 3.5–3.8 t (3.4–3.7 long tons; 3.9–4.2 short tons) variant that is designed for mountain warfare.[5]
Export to the United Arab Emirates
editAccording to Defense World, in 2016 Norinco's AH4-155 won its first export order from an unidentified customer from the Middle East, it beat the M-777 counterpart from BAE systems.[6] In February 2019, the United Arab Emirates confirmed it had procured the AH4 howitzers, and that it had received at least one batch of six systems.[7]
Comparable howitzers
edit- M777 howitzer – British/American 155 mm towed artillery
References
edit- ^ "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".
- ^ a b "China completes development of 155 mm AH4 howitzer | IHS Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- ^ a b "NORINCO is ready to produce the AH4 lightweight howitzer". quwa.org. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- ^ 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". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- ^ "中国Ah4型155毫米超轻型榴弹炮". www.zgjunshi.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-18.
- ^ "Chinese AH-4 Howitzer Wins First Middle-East Export Order". Defense World. 31 October 2016. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
- ^ Foss, Christpher F (28 February 2019). "UAE confirms Chinese 155 mm AH4 gun-howitzer acquisition". Jane's 360. Abu Dhabi. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.