Norinco AH4 155mm Howitzer
The towed AH4 howitzer is a Chinese artillery 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 4,500 kg, compared to a traditional system that can weigh 18,000 kg,[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 howitzer system, it possesses a range of engagement of up to 40 km using rocket-assisted projectiles.[2]
| AH4 Lightweight Towed Howitzer | |
|---|---|
| Type | Howitzer |
| Place of origin | China |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4,500 kg (9,900 lb)[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 (15.53 mi) ERFB-Base Bleed/HE: 30 km (18.6 mi) base bleed ERFB-Rocket Assist/HE: 40 km (25 mi) LGP GP6: 25 km (15.53 mi) |
Because of its weight, the AH4 can be used in mountain warfare, which traditionally had to use pack howitzers like the OTO Melara Mod 56.[3]
Design
The body of the system has forward stabilizers as well as spades and dampers.[4] It has a cannon that can fire 155mm/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 shooting at 2 rounds per minute.
Variants
- AHS-4: a three-ton variant that is designed for mountain warfare.[5]
Export to the United Arab Emirates
According 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
References
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_security_2015_news_official_online_show_daily_coverage_report/china_presents_its_ah4_155mm_lightweight_towed_howitzer_as_counterpart_of_american_m777_10411153.html
- "China completes development of 155 mm AH4 howitzer | IHS Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- "NORINCO is ready to produce the AH4 lightweight howitzer". quwa.org. 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.
- http://www.zgjunshi.com/Article/Class38/Class39/Class150/200802/20080216151624.html
- "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.