FH77 ( Swede. F ält h aubits 77 - Field Howitzer 77 ) is a Swedish 155mm self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured by Bofors .
| Fh77 Fälthaubits 77 | |
|---|---|
 Fälthaubits 77 near the Army Museum in Stockholm | |
| Type of | Self-propelled howitzer |
| A country |  Sweden |
| Service History | |
| Years of operation | 1978-2006 |
| Adopted | |
| In service | Sweden India Iran Nigeria |
| Production history | |
| Constructor | Bofors |
| Manufacturer | Bofors |
| Years of production | 1978 - n. at. |
| Total released | 720 |
| Options | FH77A FH77B |
| Specifications | |
| Weight kg | FH77A: 11,500 FH77B: 12,200 |
| Type of tractor | Scania SBAT111 |
| Carriage speed on the highway, km / h | 70 |
| Length mm | FH77A: 11,300 FH77B: 12 010 |
| Barrel length mm | FH77A: 5890 (38 clb) FH77B: 6045 (39 clb) |
| Width mm | 2.64 |
| Height mm | 2.82 |
| Crew (calculation), people | 10-14 |
| Shell | Shell: 155 × 787 mm m / 77 (42 kg) Shot: separate-shell loading Sleeve: plastic with steel tip |
| Caliber mm | 155 |
| Gate | Vertical Wedge Lock hydraulic rammer |
| Recoil device | Perforated muzzle brake and hydropneumatic retractors |
| Carriage | Sliding bed with swivel castors |
| Elevation angle | from −5 ° to + 50 ° |
| Angle of rotation | ± 30 ° |
| Rate of fire rounds / min | 3 shots in 8 seconds 6 shots in 25 seconds continuously: 6 rounds per minute for 20 minutes |
| starting speed projectile, m / s | 300-770 m / s |
| Sighting range , m | 21000 |
| Maximum range, m | 27400 (with bottom gas generator) |
Content
Development
In the 1960s, Sweden began looking for a replacement for the French F howitzers in its arsenal. As an option for such a replacement, the American self-propelled gun M109 was proposed and tested. However, despite the proposed low procurement cost of the M109, Swedish Armed Forces found this option too costly to operate, with insufficient rate of fire and mobility, and preferred to focus on developing their own guns.
The main requirements for the new howitzer are:
- High mobility
- High rate of fire .
The result was a compromise between a more expensive self-propelled howitzer and a less mobile towed gun.
FH77 was the first howitzer equipped with its own APU to realize the possibility of independent movement within tactical limits - a self-propelled gun .
The rate of fire of the FH77 at that time was exceptionally high for a 155 mm howitzer. This howitzer is capable of firing 3 shots in 8 seconds, or 6 shots in 25 seconds. In continuous fire mode, the FH77 withstands 6 rounds every second minute for 20 minutes.
Modifications
The following implement modifications were developed:
FH77A
Basic version with a wedge shutter ,
FH77 B
An export version equipped with a piston shutter with sectional cutting.
Ammunition
For the FH77, a 155 mm m / 77 high-explosive fragmentation shell (42 kg) with a plastic sleeve containing 6 charge beams is used. Also, the FH77 can use ground gas generator ammunition designed for the FH77B.
Auxiliary power plant
The FH77 uses a Volvo B20 gasoline engine ( Eng. Volvo B18 engine ), connected to three hydraulic pumps, as the power plant (APU). Two pumps are used to drive wheels and one for vertical and horizontal guidance, sending a projectile and driving a charging crane.
Settlement
The composition of the gun crew includes from 10 to 14 people. The minimum calculation structure is 4 people:
- Commander - manages the calculation from the carrier to the gun [to clarify ] .
- Gunner - is located to the left of the gun, operating with a fire control computer and howitzer drives during self-deployment of the howitzer.
- The first loader is located to the right of the gun and is responsible for delivering shells from the feed table in front of it.
- The second and third loaders work on the ground, providing the supply of shells to the first loader using a hydraulic crane and the supply of cartridges to the charging tray.
Movement and Deployment
The Scania SBAT111 ( Scania SBAT111 ) (Tgb 40) is used as a special automotive tractor for transporting the FH77. The tractor is equipped with a compartment for placing the calculation behind the driver’s cab and a HIAB crane ( HIAB ) for loading ammunition. The howitzer APU can be started and controlled by the tractor driver, providing an increase in the traction and dynamic characteristics when driving on the road. The maximum towing speed is 70 km / h.
The FH77 is maneuvered by the torque control of the two main wheels. The speed is regulated by changing the rotational speed of the VPU crankshaft. Deployment of the howitzer is done by breeding the beds, lifting the rollers and driving the howitzer in the opposite direction [to clarify ] .
Operators
FH77 was in service with the following countries:
- Sweden - About 220 FH77 howitzers delivered to the Swedish Army between 1979 and 1984 [1] .
- Nigeria - 24 FH-77B in storage as of 2016 [2] .
- India - about 300 units of FH-77B as of 2016 [3] ; the purchase was accompanied by a grand corruption scandal .
- Iran - FH77B samples have not been tested. [to clarify ] . [one]
Indian Disputes
See also
- 2A65 Msta-B
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Mats Persson. Swedish 155mm Field Howitzers . Date of treatment July 10, 2009. Archived February 27, 2005.
- ↑ The Military Balance 2016. - P. 461
- ↑ The Military Balance 2016. - P. 251