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Interested members here can use quote arrow to follow/join discussion I just started on K9A2 autoloader and artillery in general in the IN thread:
I'd like to see if there is any interest on having a solid discussion for a while on some of the mechanics and force potentials of artillery (esp SPH), especially the K9 (as it is now and the new upcoming A2 and its design trend internally).
@Baljak I hope can provide some good insight and any details/info.
Let us start with the video release (of A2) I saw some days prior:
Argument no. 1 (that a military buddy commented to me) goes along lines that this is (even considering the positive impression and track record of Korean ground tech and expertise in Mech Engg. and robotics).... that this is fairly complicated system overall and maybe bit sluggish. The components could also be fairly sensitive and maintenance intensive for field use etc.
I lean towards argument no. 2 in that it looks pretty reasonable, especially considering this is probably only way to design it while keeping the autoloader below the turret ring. Pzh2000 concept is also fundamentally the same. What we are seeing is also likely the sustained rate of fire (i.e a round fired every 10 seconds etc constrained more by barrel heating limits than anything else)....rather than a look into its peak burst rate.
IMO, simpler design basically would involve putting everything in the turret itself...like Archer and Auf1 etc.
This however creates a number of problems with ammo replenishment... and IIRC a large reason SP70 project died.
i.e Lifting up ammunition from ground level to turret level essentially means either a dedicated raised loading platform (as used with Archer) or replicating what K9 has done anyway.
My mil bud then expressed his concern a bit more (he was part of PzH2000 vs AS 90 trials in his country):
The opinion of the test crews was that the PzH2000 took some effort to keep working properly, and was sensitive to dust/gravel getting into the machinery. They also commented that the more robust AS 90 was ”conscript friendly”, but from a country with no conscripts. In contrast they felt that the PzH2000 needed to be used by career soldiers to not break down too often, and was from a country who did use conscripts (at the time.)
We then got into a longer (ongoing) convo about some force structure choices within NATO and Europe (mostly on conscription effects on raw manpower availability for system choices)....and also towed artillery....which I might get into a bit later depending how this one goes.
But I wonder if any interested members have some thoughts (direct or indirect to artillery) to share on this....
GivenK9 platform use in
and use (via Firtina) in
, this discussion might be of interest to both Indian and Turkish members as well to participate and follow.
BTW, An interesting reference buddy gave me (which likely betrays his origin) btw is this clip of the Bandkanon 1 which he told me still holds the speed record for (autoloader) burst fire in this realm at 14 rounds in 45 seconds.
@MisterLike @Anmdt @Cabatli_53 @T-123456 @Stuka @Saithan @Gessler @Yasar @what @Bogeyman @Test7 @Joe Shearer @AlphaMike @Madokafc @Vergennes et al.
