The M-71 is a 155 mm 39 caliber towed howitzer manufactured by Israeli company Soltam Systems .
6-439: The weapon was based on the earlier Soltam M-68 and uses the same recoil system, breech and carriage but had a longer gun barrel (39 calibre versus 33 calibre of M-68). It is fitted with a compressed air-driven rammer to permit rapid and easy loading at all angles of elevation as well as having a rechargeable battery mounted on the right trail for auxiliary power. It can fire a 43.7 kilograms (96 lb) high-explosive shell up to
12-427: A maximum range of 23.5 kilometers (14.6 mi) at a muzzle velocity of 820 meters per second (2,700 ft/s). In addition to Israel, this weapon is in service with Chile, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa, Slovenia and Myanmar. A version of this weapon was developed to mount on a modified Centurion chassis (M-72), but this vehicle never reached production. This article relating to artillery
18-556: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Israel Defense Forces -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Soltam M-68 The M-68 was a 155 mm L33 caliber towed gun howitzer manufactured by Soltam Systems of Israel, and used by the Israeli Defense Force . The M-68 is based on the Finnish designed 122 K 60 and 155 K 68 cannon series, first developed in
24-513: The Israeli Defense Force (IDF), who were satisfied with the performance of the howitzer. Subsequently, an order was placed with Soltam and a production line was initiated in 1970. The gun entered IDF service in time to serve IDF artillery corps during the Yom Kippur War of 1973. In addition to Israel, the M-68 has also been exported to Singapore and Thailand . The barrel of the M-68
30-413: The mid-1960s by the company Tampella Oy. Twelve Finnish cannons were built between 1970 and 1975, with more guns later built of later designs. These Tampella guns formed the basis for Soltam's production of the M-68 and later "Tampella series" guns. Before the 155 K 68 (Tampella), the 155HX prototype was shipped to Soltam for trials. The first prototype was completed in 1968 for trials and evaluations by
36-526: Was fitted with a simple muzzle brake while the recoil mechanism with its two pneumatic cylinder jacks are positioned on the back-end of the barrel. The gun mount chassis, breech and recoil system were to see further use in the next development of this gun — the Soltam M-71 , which has a slightly longer barrel (39 calibers versus 33 calibers of the M-68) and a compressed air-driven rammer to ease loading. In
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