Norinco AH4 155mm Howitzer

AeroEngineer

Junior Member
Guys any details about this weapon systems?

How does this Howitzer compare to the M-777 and how will it add to China's mountain warfare capabilities?

Please discuss.
 

AeroEngineer

Junior Member
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China presents its AH4 155mm lightweight towed howitzer as counterpart of American M777 10411153

Chinese defense Company NORINCO presents its new lightweight gun-howitzer AH4 as counter part of the American-made
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at the Defense and Security 2015, international exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand. This new gun system is able to fire all NATO 155mm and precision guided projectiles.

AH4_155mm_lightweight_gun-howitzer_Norinco_Defense_and_Security_2015_exhibition_Thailand_Bangkok_640_001.jpg


The Chinese-made AH4 155mm lightweight howitzer is a new towed artillery weapon that uses advanced material construction to achieve high tactical and strategic mobility. It employs a reliable hydro-pneumatic mechanism for quick deployment and operation.

The AH4 uses a 155 mm/39 calibre cannon which can have a maximum rate of fire of 4 to rounds per minute.

The 155 mm/39 calibre ordnance can be elevated to 72° and depressed to -3°. Top traverse is 22° left and right.

The carriage comprises two sub-assemblies, the body and the saddle. The body includes two forward stabilisers and two split trails fitted with self-digging spades and dampers. This new artillery system has total weight of 4,500 kg.

The AH-4 is normally operated by a crew of seven men but can be operated with a reduced detachment of five. It can be ready to fire the first rounds in less than 3 min and leave its firing position in only 2 minutes.

The AH4 can fire a wide range of ammunitions including ERFB-HB/HE, ERFB-BB/HE and ERFB-BB-RA/HE from a range of 25 to 40 km.
 

plawolf

Lieutenant General
It’s weight is 300kg more, but the most critical issue is that at 4.5t, it is too heavy for Mi-171s to airlift. Blackhawks could potentially just manage it with their 9000lb max external carry, but that’s redline territory, and will be especially problematic in the high altitude of Tibet.

The Z8 is just about the only Chinese helicopter that could sling one of these, and even they might struggle in Tibet.

If they can either shave a few hundred kg off the gun and/or get more powerful helicopters deployed in numbers, such a gun will be a major game-changing asset for Chinese mountain warfare, but in its current configuration and with available Chinese helicopters, it’s effectiveness is going to be limited somewhat by the relatively small number of PLA helicopters able to air lift this, if any could taking off at all from Tibet while slinging one of these.
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
It’s weight is 300kg more, but the most critical issue is that at 4.5t, it is too heavy for Mi-171s to airlift. Blackhawks could potentially just manage it with their 9000lb max external carry, but that’s redline territory, and will be especially problematic in the high altitude of Tibet.

The Z8 is just about the only Chinese helicopter that could sling one of these, and even they might struggle in Tibet.

If they can either shave a few hundred kg off the gun and/or get more powerful helicopters deployed in numbers, such a gun will be a major game-changing asset for Chinese mountain warfare, but in its current configuration and with available Chinese helicopters, it’s effectiveness is going to be limited somewhat by the relatively small number of PLA helicopters able to air lift this, if any could taking off at all from Tibet while slinging one of these.

A 3-ton variant called AHS-4 exists already:
f0205060_581d9fc5e88b1.jpg
 

Totoro

Major
VIP Professional
why the 72 deg elevation requirement? is near vertical impact trajectory that important?
 
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