KH178 105 mm Towed Howitzer
TypeHowitzer
Place of originSouth 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 length3.92 m (12 ft 10 in)
Width2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Height1.7 m (5 ft 7 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 38 caliber towed howitzer. It was designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and manufactured by Hyundai WIA.[1][2]

History

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

By the time KH178 began development, NATO members were fielding artillery 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 to support 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 production of KM101A1 rather than KH178 for cost efficiency. Since 1983, only 18 KH178 howitzers were delivered to the Army and the Marine Corps. All howitzers were retired in 2000.[1][4][5]

Design

The overall characteristic is similar to the M101A1 howitzer. KH178 is designed as a division artillery for a counter-battery role with agile positioning benefited from its light weight. The howitzer has a longer 38 caliber progressive twist rifling barrel, which provides a longer range of 14.7 km (9.1 mi) with standard ammunition and 18 km (11 mi) 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 is made of high strength alloy steel, heat-treated and autofrettaged to provide maximum life. The firing mechanism is a continuous pull (self-cocking) type. The weapon is fired by pulling a lanyard. It returns to firing position when releasing a lanyard. The carriage is single axle and split trail. The trails spread at emplacement, but draw together and lock for travel.

The carriage consists of an equilibrator, shield, elevating mechanism, cradle, traversing mechanism, top carriage, wheels and trails. The carriage traversal is a screw type. The recoil mechanism is a hydro-pneumatic system that absorbs the energy/recoils by forcing oil through orifices and returns the gun to ready by compressed gas. It is installed in the cradle of the carriage and attached to the cradle and the barrel. The gun maintains traverse of ±23° (±409 mils) for easier direct fire targeting during close combat, which frequently occurred during the Korean War.

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][6][7][8]

The howitzer has an 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. It can fire maximum of 15 rds/min or 3 to 5 rds/min for sustain.[1][2]

KH178MK1 has GPS and inertial navigation for faster operation and improved accuracy.[9]

Operators

Map of operators of KH178

Current operators

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 [첨단국가의 초석, 방위산업] 자주국방의 포문을 열다 - KH-178 개발사, retrieved 2021-12-18
  2. 1 2 3 "Hyundai Wia". Hyundai Wia.
  3. ↑ "유용원의 군사세계 국산 105mm 견인야포 KH-178". 유용원의 군사세계 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "[한국무기 디테일] ⑥ 사거리 30km인 한국형 155mm 견인곡사포, 기아기공(현 현대 위아)의 KH179". 시큐리티팩트 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  5. ↑ "[한국의 무기 이야기](15) 천자총통에서 K9 자주포까지". 세계일보 (in Korean). 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  6. ↑ "105-mm KH178".
  7. ↑ "Defense/Land KH178".
  8. ↑ "Land Warfare International". 9 (1). February–March 2018. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. 1 2 "칠레軍, 현대위아 납품 'KH-178 곡사포' 수리…노후 부품 교체". www.theguru.co.kr (in Korean). 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  10. ↑ Upgraded KH178 artillery system offers more range - Indo14-Day3 Archived 2017-06-10 at the Wayback Machine - Janes.com, 7 November 2014
Wikimedia Commons has media related to KH-178.
  1. ↑ "KH 178 105 mm Howitzer". Archived from the original on 2016-10-03. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
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