HM-41 155mm Howitzer | |
---|---|
Type | Howitzer |
Place of origin | Iran |
Service history | |
Used by | Iran |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Defense Industries Organization |
Specifications | |
Mass | 6,890 kg (15,190 lb) |
Caliber | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
Recoil | Hydro-pneumatic |
Carriage | tripod |
Elevation | 0° to 66° |
Traverse | 25° right, 23.5° left |
Rate of fire | 4 round per minute |
Effective firing range | 22 km (14 mi) |
Maximum firing range | 30–34 km (19–21 mi) (with rocket-assisted ammunition) |
The HM-41 is an Iranian 155 mm howitzer based on the KH179, which was imported from South Korea during the Iran–Iraq War.[1][2] It has a 155 mm/39 caliber barrel with a muzzle brake to lessen the recoil.[3]
The HM-41 has been offered for export, but no country is known to be using it except Iran.[4]
A wheeled self-propelled version was reported to be under development. The first prototype was finished in 2011.[5]
In 2012, Iran unveiled laser guided Basir 155 mm artillery shells which were tested by an HM 41 howitzer.[6] In 2017, a new version of the Iranian-made 155mm self-propelled howitzer dubbed (Ashura) is based on a 6x6 IVECO Trakker truck chassis using the same HM-41 towed howitzer mounted at the rear of the truck.[7]
According to Iranian sources, the HM-41 weighs 6,890 kg, the same weight as the South Korean KH179. The HM-41's main components are also very similar in appearance to the KH179's CN79 barrel, RM79 recoil buffer, and CG79 mount and firing a rocket-assisted High-Explosive (HE) projectile, a maximum range of 30 km can be achieved. Firing an unassisted HE projectile, a maximum range of 22 km can be obtained.