How does the 105mm howitzer work?

Summary

The 105mm howitzer is a key artillery piece used in modern warfare, classified by its mobility and firing format. It features a cannon tube, recoil and counter recoil mechanisms, and a cradle for support. The recoil system uses oil and nitrogen gas to control movement, while the equilibrator helps maintain balance. The howitzer's firing mechanism includes a breech block that loads shells into the powder chamber. Originally developed in the 1920s, the 105mm howitzer has been used in multiple major conflicts and continues to be in service today, despite technological advancements in mobile artillery.

Takeaways

• 😀 A howitzer is a type of cannon that is typically mobilized by vehicles, as it is immovable on its own.
• 😀 Artillery is classified into guns, mortars, and howitzers based on firing angle: guns fire at low angles, mortars at high angles, and howitzers at mid-angles.
• 😀 Howitzers are also classified by mobility: fixed cannons, towed guns, and self-propelled cannons. Most modern howitzers are towed.
• 😀 A 105mm howitzer consists of multiple parts including the cannon tube, breech mechanism, recoil mechanism, cradle, and carriage.
• 😀 The cannon tube features a powder chamber, rifled bore, breech ring, and breech block that work together to fire shells.
• 😀 The firing mechanism ignites the shell's primer, using a firing pin and spring to create an explosion that propels the shell forward.
• 😀 The recoil mechanism absorbs the force from firing, while the counter recoil mechanism returns the cannon to its original position.
• 😀 The recoil process involves oil and gas systems that control the movement and energy absorption, ensuring smooth operation.
• 😀 The cradle, sleigh, top carriage, and bottom carriage are key components that support and stabilize the cannon during operation.
• 😀 To ensure balance, an equilibrator with a spring system helps maintain stability, particularly when the cannon is angled.
• 😀 The howitzer uses elevating and traversing mechanisms for precise aiming, allowing movement up-down-left-right for targeting.

Q & A

What is a howitzer and how is it classified?

A howitzer is a type of cannon that is mobilized with the use of vehicles and is classified based on its firing format. It has a relatively shorter barrel than a gun and fires at mid-angles, positioned between a gun and a mortar.

How does the mobility of artillery types differ?

Artillery can be classified by mobility into three types: fixed cannon (immovable, used for defense), towed gun (dragged by vehicles), and self-propelled cannon (has its own power source and can move independently).

What makes a towed howitzer different from other types of howitzers?

A towed howitzer requires a vehicle for mobilization, unlike self-propelled howitzers which have their own mobility mechanisms.

What is the role of the cannon tube in a 105mm howitzer?

The cannon tube is the long, cylindrical part at the front of the howitzer through which shells are fired. It consists of a barrel, a breech mechanism, and accessories such as a muzzle brake.

How does the breech mechanism function in a 105mm howitzer?

The breech mechanism holds the shell casing in place, and when fired, it opens to allow the spent casing to be removed and a new shell to be loaded. The breech block moves horizontally and is controlled by the operating handle.

What is the firing mechanism of a 105mm howitzer?

The firing mechanism consists of a firing pin, a firing spring, and a trigger assembly. When the trigger is pulled, it releases the firing pin, igniting the primer of the shell and initiating the explosion.

How does the recoil mechanism work in a 105mm howitzer?

The recoil mechanism absorbs the force from firing a shell by using oil inside a recoil cylinder. This allows the cannon assembly to move backward slowly, reducing the impact of the explosion.

What is the role of the counter recoil mechanism in a howitzer?

The counter recoil mechanism helps return the cannon tube to its original position after recoil. It uses compressed nitrogen gas to push the cannon tube forward after it has moved back.

How does the equilibrator function in maintaining the balance of the howitzer?

The equilibrator, using a spring, helps maintain the balance of the cannon. As the cannon tilts, the spring compresses and supports the weight, making it easier to stabilize the cannon when it is in different positions.

What components allow for the movement and aiming of the 105mm howitzer?

The elevating mechanism allows for vertical movement (up and down), while the traversing mechanism allows for horizontal rotation (left and right). Both are controlled by handwheels to adjust the cannon's direction precisely.