As I said in a thread the other day, we should focus on 5 inch naval guns (127mm) with longer barrels (L60+). This allows shared R&D and ammo pools, while also giving land platforms more rounds to play with in an era where first round artillery hits are becoming common - you don't need as much blast if you're munitions are hitting closer.
this other anon
is very self assured but closer to correct, NATO countries are all doing 155 because it's what they already consider to be the optimal balance of ammo and mobility, while retaining enough punch, anon is suggesting longer barrels to compensate for the slightly smaller diameter, that is to say even he is acknowledging that 155's level of firepower per round is more appropriate than 105, or 203.
Because naval guns are higher pressure and the goal is to increase the ammunition supply of space/weight limited ground vehicles.
this is an interesting concept - for example - would an L60 105mm barrel have more range than an L52 155mm barrel?
like paradoxically, could making the round smaller allow for a longer barrel, thereby increasing range?
Smaller rounds travel further with a longer barrel and higher pressure. Naval guns also use longer projectiles which leave more space for rocket assistance.
Lol no, we should move completely to 155 for even tanks. Look at the 130mm Rheinmetall ammo capacity, only 20 rounds. A SPG can carry up to 40 and has better range and no ADS can intercept a 155 shell and even if it does, you’re unlikely to survive inside the tank. 155 has also a long upgrade path and lots of internal space inside the shell for more complex internals
Range does matter for artillery because it lets a battery service a larger front or be further back and safer from counterbattery.
You could still use differing sizes of artillery like differing sizes of mortars. But we are solidly in the computer age of very capable radars, drones, computer controlled aiming and computing power to solve those ballistic equations immediately. The diameter of an artillery shell is only a small feature of the modern war system.
Use a tool for what it's for. There's a reason I have 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 drive sockets in my toolbox. In a pinch, I'd ditch 3/8. 1/4 and 1/2 cover that range in the highs and lows. Maybe leave 3/4 aside since it's not something I use every day. But when you need it, you NEED it. Any way when you only have one tool, you can get by, but it doesn't always work best.
Tanks, ifv, aa, spg. Will all be replaced by 76mm naval guns, with radar, anti air ammo, rocket assist guided ammo.
Naval guns, water cooled or equal, with high rate of fire, can defend itself against javelins, missiles and drones. Can uses guided munitions to take out tanks, and the precision of fire when linked with drone observation means everything can be destroyed by one calibre. Putting something like Draco turret on these stupidly oversized APC like boxer actually makes the platform useful.
And instead of having 25 spg 25 tanks 25 ifv 25 AA. You have 100 76mm that can switch to all those roles instantly, it's a major power increase. And logistics streamlines.
Are they currently lacking mobility and ammo capacity?
You can always have more
US Army used them briefly in Vietnam and figured it didn't provide sufficient bang for the buck.
Right idea, wrong calibre.
As I said in a thread the other day, we should focus on 5 inch naval guns (127mm) with longer barrels (L60+). This allows shared R&D and ammo pools, while also giving land platforms more rounds to play with in an era where first round artillery hits are becoming common - you don't need as much blast if you're munitions are hitting closer.
this other anon
is very self assured but closer to correct, NATO countries are all doing 155 because it's what they already consider to be the optimal balance of ammo and mobility, while retaining enough punch, anon is suggesting longer barrels to compensate for the slightly smaller diameter, that is to say even he is acknowledging that 155's level of firepower per round is more appropriate than 105, or 203.
Why not make naval guns 155mm then.
Because naval guns are higher pressure and the goal is to increase the ammunition supply of space/weight limited ground vehicles.
Smaller rounds travel further with a longer barrel and higher pressure. Naval guns also use longer projectiles which leave more space for rocket assistance.
this is an interesting concept - for example - would an L60 105mm barrel have more range than an L52 155mm barrel?
like paradoxically, could making the round smaller allow for a longer barrel, thereby increasing range?
Yes. The S-tank had a 62 caliber 105mm barrel for instance
No point in 105mm howitzers though
No.
No.
No.
Lol no, we should move completely to 155 for even tanks. Look at the 130mm Rheinmetall ammo capacity, only 20 rounds. A SPG can carry up to 40 and has better range and no ADS can intercept a 155 shell and even if it does, you’re unlikely to survive inside the tank. 155 has also a long upgrade path and lots of internal space inside the shell for more complex internals
>we should move completely to 155 for even tanks
For what reason
Logistical commonality.
you know that SPGs can hold more ammo because they don't need armor, right?
i don't see a 105mm spg being any more 'mobile' than an m109..
however i can see a 105mm towed piece being more mobile than a 155mm towed piece.
or am I a homosexual?
Range does matter for artillery because it lets a battery service a larger front or be further back and safer from counterbattery.
You could still use differing sizes of artillery like differing sizes of mortars. But we are solidly in the computer age of very capable radars, drones, computer controlled aiming and computing power to solve those ballistic equations immediately. The diameter of an artillery shell is only a small feature of the modern war system.
i'm talking about 'mobility' - how quickly the gun can be redeployed to a new position.
That's exactly why the US has a towed 105mm howitzer but not a self-propelled one.
At this point except for ultralight air assault towed arty is suicidal. Too long to set up, too long to pack up then get outta dodge.
SP guns that can fire on the move with guided rounds will be the future, but the briefer the halt ya can get with existing tech the better.
There can be multiple standards. Much like 5.56 and 7.62 coexist.
You can mount a 105 on a HUMVEE/JLTV like the Chinese have, thats about the only benefit it has
Use a tool for what it's for. There's a reason I have 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 drive sockets in my toolbox. In a pinch, I'd ditch 3/8. 1/4 and 1/2 cover that range in the highs and lows. Maybe leave 3/4 aside since it's not something I use every day. But when you need it, you NEED it. Any way when you only have one tool, you can get by, but it doesn't always work best.
Tanks, ifv, aa, spg. Will all be replaced by 76mm naval guns, with radar, anti air ammo, rocket assist guided ammo.
Naval guns, water cooled or equal, with high rate of fire, can defend itself against javelins, missiles and drones. Can uses guided munitions to take out tanks, and the precision of fire when linked with drone observation means everything can be destroyed by one calibre. Putting something like Draco turret on these stupidly oversized APC like boxer actually makes the platform useful.
And instead of having 25 spg 25 tanks 25 ifv 25 AA. You have 100 76mm that can switch to all those roles instantly, it's a major power increase. And logistics streamlines.
Oftopic question: is 120 mm motar ammo interchageable between soviet and Nato standards?