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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editKH-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.