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155mm Soltam M-71


Soltam M-68


Overview


M-71

Israeli Soltam M-71 in firing position.
Source: Ido Stern - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin
Israel
Type
Towed howitzer
Entered service
Early 1970's for M-68
Mid 1970's for M-71
Status
Limited service
Development
1968 for M-68
1974 for M-71
Developer
Israel - Soltam
Production
1970 - ? (M-68)
1975 - ? (M-71)
Producer
Israel - Soltam
Number produced
Over 200
Designations
G4 (M-71 in South African service)
Notable users
South Africa
Israel

Description


Introduction

The M-68 is a late Cold War era towed howitzer of Israeli origin. It was the first indigenous towed howitzer produced in Israel. The M-68 may have been partially or fully designed by Tampella of Finland. The M-68 was developed into the M-71, which in turn forms the basis of the newer M845 and TIG towed howitzers developed in Israel.

Design


The M-68 uses a split trail carriage with four roadwheels fitted on two bogeys. In transport configuration the ordnance is rotated rearwards to align with the trails. A direct and indirect fire sight are located on the left side of the cradle. The 33-caliber ordnance is fitted with a fume extractor and single baffle muzzle brake. The M-71 is an improved model with 39-caliber ordnance and compressed air rammer. A crew of 8 is required to operate the weapon. There is no gun shield.

Firepower

The M-68 and M-71 fire NATO standard 155mm ammunition. The M-68 has a maximum range of 21 km with NATO standard shells and 23.5 km with Tampella ammunition. The longer barrel of the M-71 increases the maximum range to 30 km with base bleed ammunition. The rate of fire is 4 rpm for short periods and 2 rpm sustained. The compressed air rammer on the M-71 increases the maximum rate of fire to 5 rpm.

Mobility

The M-68 is towed by a 6x6 5-ton truck. The four wheel chassis and large tires allow for a high cross country speed. The weight distribution of the ordnance in travel configuration results in a high maximum road speed of 100 km/h. There is no APU and the M-68 is too heavy to transport by hand.

Users

The M-68 and M-71 have been sold to various nations in Africa and Asia. Both models also saw service in Israel and are reported to remain in storage. The M-71 was actively used by South African forces during the various conflicts in Southern Africa.

Variants


M-68

The M-68 is the baseline production model and was the first towed howitzer to be produced in Israel. The M-68 combines the Tampella designed split trail chassis with the indigenious 155mm 33-caliber ordnance. The M-68 can be identified by the limited space between the muzzle brake and fume extractor.

M-71

The M-71 is an improved model of the M-68. It differs from the M-68 in having a longer 39-caliber barrel with associated improved range. The M-71 also has a compressed air rammer that increases loading speed, especially at elevation. The M-71 was produced in larger numbers than the M-68.

Details


Facts M-68 M-71
General
Origin
Israel
Type
Towed howitzer
Crew
8
Dimensions
Weight
8.5 t (firing position)
9.5 t (travelling)
Length
7.2 m (travelling)
Width
2.58 m (travelling)
Height
2 m (travelling)
Ordnance
Type
155mm L/33 howitzer
Barrel length
5.18 m barrel
Muzzle brake
Single baffle
Elevation
-5 to +52°
Traverse
84° total
Firepower
Rate of fire
4 rpm (max)
2 rpm (sustained)
Range
21.0 km with NATO standard ammunition
23.5 km with Tampella ammunition
Carriage
Type
4 wheel split trail carriage, 0.38 m ground clearance
Limber
No
Gun shield
No
Tread
2.2 m
Ground clearance
0.38 m
Mobility
Towing vehicle
6x6 truck
Towed speed
100 km/h on roads
Autonomous mobility
Too heavy for manhandling
APU
No

Media


Related articles


L-33 Ro'em

The Soltam M-68 uses the same ordnance as the L-33 self-propelled howitzer on M4 Sherman chassis.