What can be better than an HMMWV? An HMMWV with a howitzer. Mandus Group, in a partnership with AM General, has developed an interesting platform. Hawkeye 105 mm Mobile Weapon System (MWS) is the touted to be the lightest and most highly maneuverable self-propelled howitzer in the world today. The system consists of a U.S. Army standard M20 105mm cannon mounted on an HMMWV. The Hawkeye is also referred to as a 105 mm Mobile Weapon System, or 105MWS. Though the system is currently integrated with HMMWV, this artillery system can be integrated into many types of military vehicles. The Hawkeye self-propelled howitzer is being proposed as an alternate to towed 105 mm howitzers. Let's analyze the Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Weapon System.
OVERVIEW
The Hawkeye fires standard NATO 105 mm ammunition. The maximum range of fire is 7.15 miles or 11.5 km with conventional projectile and 9.4 miles or 15.1 km with a rocket-assisted projectile. The Hawkeye can fire in indirect and direct fire modes. Another unusual feature of this lightweight system is that it offers 360 degrees field of fire. The Hawkeye has been designed to accommodate a full spectrum of barrel lengths. So the barrel length are often tailored counting on customer range requirements. The Hawkeye has a rapid rate of fire. It can launch up to 10-12 rounds per minute. The sustained rate of fire is 3 rounds per minute. This artillery system incorporates a soft recoil technology, which reduces carriage loads and allows to mount the Hawkeye on light 4x4 vehicles like the HMMWV. Readers may note that a regular 105 mm cannon can’t be mounted on a light platform like HMMWV as the recoil will break it. Hawkeye uses a technology that reduces recoil by 70%. The self-propelled howitzer features front and rear hydraulic anchors that stabilize the gun when firing. The anchors can be retracted with a touch of a button and the vehicle can start moving in about 30 seconds. The Hawkeye mobile howitzer can fire and leave the firing position much faster than the towed 105 mm howitzer. This increases its survivability to a great extent. Hawkeye is suitable for operation near the frontline. It could be used to carry out shoot and scoot type attacks. The Hawkeye has an automatic digital preparation system. It takes minimal time to fireside the primary round. It can fire a couple of projectiles and leave its firing position before the enemy opens counter fire. It requires less crew and can be quickly redeployed. This artillery system is operated by a crew of 3. Thoughjust in case of emergency the Hawkeye are often operated by 2 soldiers. The weapon includes the appliance of a digital preparation system and onboard communication, eliminating the necessity for surveyed firing points, aiming circles, and wire lines. The developer has also promised low Life Cycle Cost and easy maintenance.
ANALYSIS
Though artillery is seemingly old-fashioned, they are and will continue to play an important role in the battlefield in the foreseeable future. Artillery is both a defensive and offensive support weapon. An artillery barrage will keep the enemy’s heads down and provide opportunities for the Infantry to advance undercover. Artillery barrages have also been known to have a physiological impact by demoralizing the opponent. It is cheaper and faster than air support and is now way more accurate as compared to the old days. Today’s battlefield is fast-paced and towed artillery pieces are vulnerable. In this situation, the Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Weapon System is an excellent alternative.
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| Hawkeye Howitzer |
OVERVIEW
The Hawkeye fires standard NATO 105 mm ammunition. The maximum range of fire is 7.15 miles or 11.5 km with conventional projectile and 9.4 miles or 15.1 km with a rocket-assisted projectile. The Hawkeye can fire in indirect and direct fire modes. Another unusual feature of this lightweight system is that it offers 360 degrees field of fire. The Hawkeye has been designed to accommodate a full spectrum of barrel lengths. So the barrel length are often tailored counting on customer range requirements. The Hawkeye has a rapid rate of fire. It can launch up to 10-12 rounds per minute. The sustained rate of fire is 3 rounds per minute. This artillery system incorporates a soft recoil technology, which reduces carriage loads and allows to mount the Hawkeye on light 4x4 vehicles like the HMMWV. Readers may note that a regular 105 mm cannon can’t be mounted on a light platform like HMMWV as the recoil will break it. Hawkeye uses a technology that reduces recoil by 70%. The self-propelled howitzer features front and rear hydraulic anchors that stabilize the gun when firing. The anchors can be retracted with a touch of a button and the vehicle can start moving in about 30 seconds. The Hawkeye mobile howitzer can fire and leave the firing position much faster than the towed 105 mm howitzer. This increases its survivability to a great extent. Hawkeye is suitable for operation near the frontline. It could be used to carry out shoot and scoot type attacks. The Hawkeye has an automatic digital preparation system. It takes minimal time to fireside the primary round. It can fire a couple of projectiles and leave its firing position before the enemy opens counter fire. It requires less crew and can be quickly redeployed. This artillery system is operated by a crew of 3. Though
ANALYSIS
Though artillery is seemingly old-fashioned, they are and will continue to play an important role in the battlefield in the foreseeable future. Artillery is both a defensive and offensive support weapon. An artillery barrage will keep the enemy’s heads down and provide opportunities for the Infantry to advance undercover. Artillery barrages have also been known to have a physiological impact by demoralizing the opponent. It is cheaper and faster than air support and is now way more accurate as compared to the old days. Today’s battlefield is fast-paced and towed artillery pieces are vulnerable. In this situation, the Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Weapon System is an excellent alternative.
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