G7 howitzer
Encyclopedia
The G7 is a South African 105 mm howitzer, produced by Denel
. With a maximum range of 32 km (19.9 mi) it outranges all existing 105 mm howitzers, as well as most current 155 mm howitzers (Denel's own 155's not included). During development, it was known as the Light Experimental Ordnance (LEO), with the G7 label being chosen later to fit in with Denel's two existing howitzer products, the G5 towed 155 mm howitzer
and the G6 self-propelled 155 mm howitzer
.
In 2004 Denel partnered with General Dynamics Land Systems
(GDLS) to offer the gun in self-propelled form to the United States Army
. GDLS provided an armoured vehicle (the LAV III
), while Denel provided a G7 mounted inside a specially-designed, unmanned turret. The combined system weighs only 17.5 tons when fully loaded with ammunition, making it light enough to be transportable inside a C-130 Hercules
transport aircraft. The combination took part in a number of successful tests for the US Army, with more currently planned for 2005. Though currently unfunded, the US Army has indicated a requirement for such a system to equip its Stryker
Brigade, as due to weight limits the Strykers cannot use current self-propelled howitzers and the towed howitzers it uses at present are a limiting factor on its mobility.
Interest in the system has also been exhibited by the militaries of South Africa
, Canada
, the United Kingdom
and Australia
. In addition, the US Army and United States Marine Corps
(USMC) have exhibited interest in the towed version as a possible replacement for their towed 105 mm howitzer stocks.
In parallel with the G7's testing on the LAV-III Denel is also planning to fit it and its turret to a Rooikat
armoured vehicle for its offer to the South African Army
.
, the South African defence procurements agency, was about to award Denel a contract to develop a more advanced version of the G7, to be dubbed the Advanced Multirole Light Artillery Gun Capability (AMLAGC). Under the proposed contract, the G7 would see a "significant increase" in capability, including a weight reduction to 2,500 kg or less and the development of V-LAP ammunition to boost the range to 36km. 1
Denel
Denel Ltd is a South African state owned aerospace and defence technology conglomerate established in 1991. It was created when the manufacturing subsidiaries of Armscor were split off in order for Armscor to become the procurement agency for South African Defence Force , now known as the South...
. With a maximum range of 32 km (19.9 mi) it outranges all existing 105 mm howitzers, as well as most current 155 mm howitzers (Denel's own 155's not included). During development, it was known as the Light Experimental Ordnance (LEO), with the G7 label being chosen later to fit in with Denel's two existing howitzer products, the G5 towed 155 mm howitzer
G5 howitzer
The G5 is a South African towed howitzer of 155 mm calibre designed with the help of the Canadian scientist Gerald Bull and his company, Space Research Corporation and manufactured by Denel Land Systems.-Production history:...
and the G6 self-propelled 155 mm howitzer
G6 howitzer
The G6 self-propelled howitzer is a South African artillery piece, developed around the ordnance of the G5 howitzer. It is one of the most powerful self-propelled guns on a wheeled chassis....
.
In 2004 Denel partnered with General Dynamics Land Systems
General Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has...
(GDLS) to offer the gun in self-propelled form to the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. GDLS provided an armoured vehicle (the LAV III
Mowag Piranha
The MOWAG Piranha is a family of armoured fighting vehicles designed by the Swiss MOWAG , corporation....
), while Denel provided a G7 mounted inside a specially-designed, unmanned turret. The combined system weighs only 17.5 tons when fully loaded with ammunition, making it light enough to be transportable inside a C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
transport aircraft. The combination took part in a number of successful tests for the US Army, with more currently planned for 2005. Though currently unfunded, the US Army has indicated a requirement for such a system to equip its Stryker
Stryker
The IAV Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled, 4-wheel-drive , armored fighting vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III and produced by General Dynamics Land Systems, in use by the United States Army. The vehicle is named for two American servicemen who posthumously received the Medal of Honor:...
Brigade, as due to weight limits the Strykers cannot use current self-propelled howitzers and the towed howitzers it uses at present are a limiting factor on its mobility.
Interest in the system has also been exhibited by the militaries of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In addition, the US Army and United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
(USMC) have exhibited interest in the towed version as a possible replacement for their towed 105 mm howitzer stocks.
In parallel with the G7's testing on the LAV-III Denel is also planning to fit it and its turret to a Rooikat
Rooikat AFV
The Rooikat is a wheeled armoured fighting vehicle built in South Africa for the South African Army. It was designed for combat reconnaissance and seek and destroy operations. Its secondary roles include combat support, anti-armour and anti-guerrilla operations...
armoured vehicle for its offer to the South African Army
South African Army
The South African Army is the army of South Africa, first formed after the Union of South Africa was created in 1910.The South African military evolved within the tradition of frontier warfare fought by commando forces, reinforced by the Afrikaners' historical distrust of large standing armies...
.
AMLAGC
In April 2007, it was reported that ArmscorArmscor
Armscor refers to either:*Armscor , the South African arms acquisition and sales agency*Armscor , the Philippines-based manufacturer of weapons...
, the South African defence procurements agency, was about to award Denel a contract to develop a more advanced version of the G7, to be dubbed the Advanced Multirole Light Artillery Gun Capability (AMLAGC). Under the proposed contract, the G7 would see a "significant increase" in capability, including a weight reduction to 2,500 kg or less and the development of V-LAP ammunition to boost the range to 36km. 1