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how powerful is the Polish AHS crab self-propelled Howitzer delivered to Ukraine [Music]
the AHS crab is a self-propelled Howitzer developed into a NATO friendly standard
for the Polish Army the project was at one point a wholly indigenous initiative set
to rely on proven components borrowed from the pt-91 torti main battle tank a highly
modified Russian t-72 and to sport a powered turret based on the British as-90 Braveheart
self-propelled artillery vehicle utilizing the barrel of the french-based nexter gun system
design work on the vehicle began in 2000 and saw a prolonged development period eventually
producing at least three prototypes the first being completed in 2008.
the effort was headed up the polished concerns of obrum Australia ursads and mechanics niche
Centrum production logically feudus de loaola
the initiative has since been evolved to become a combination of the South Korean
K-9 thunderous Spa with the track chassis of the British as-90 platform completed
with localized Fire Control System this has resulted in an early production batch sporting
the nexter systems gun barrel with UPG track chassis while those forms from 2016 offer have
the K-9 chassis with German reinmet hall Gun Barrel the Polish Army has received 32 crabs
with the intention to procure a total of 120 systems final deliveries are expected in 2024.
guided and homing missiles tend to receive much play on the modern Battlefield ranged artillery
support is still called upon but all armies of the world the self-propelled gun or self-propelled
artillery system has long held a place in Warren systems such as the American M109 Paladin British
as-90 Braveheart and the German Panzer how bits 2000 carry the tradition of long-range bearish
support to further offensive ground actions at distance when used collectively self-propelled
guns can provide relatively accuracy fire of large caliber rounds high explosive chemical
fragmentation or otherwise against enemy positions to soften resistance or dislodge
enemy concentrations in essence self-propelled guns are nothing more than self-transporting
versions of field artillery systems the 155 millimeters being the standard caliber of choice
such systems either tracked or wield in nature rely in multiple crew ammunition
vehicles and coordinated Firepower to Showcase their true Effectiveness
usually helped by specialized command Vehicles Fielding extra Communications
design of the AHS crab centers around its 155 millimeters main Gun Barrel which depending
on production batch was completed by CPW hsw the barrels were installed into as90 turrets
supplied by the British concern of BAE Systems firing trials were undertaking in 2011. initially
the Polish Army was intending to build up an inventory of 72 crab gun systems divided into
three 24 strong squadrons development proved the costly and ponderous affair
crab exhibits a completely conventional design though no less intimidating compared to her
contemporaries the design is essentially a turret mounting a large caliber main gun
with attractive chassis there are seven road wheels to a track site with the drive sprocket
at the front and the track idler at the rear the glasses plate is shallow and sloped to the whole
roof line for basic ballistics protection the sides of the hull are vertical with the whole
roof being completely horizontal the driver is situated in the front left Hull with the
power pack to his right while the turret is set to the rear of the whole roof with full
360 degree Traverse the turret showcases well-sloped facings and along its forward
plate Sports The Heavy Duty gun mount and recoil mechanism to manage the 155 millimeters main Gun
Barrel the Gunnery crew and vehicle Commander take their place in the turret which features
a flat roof and rounded access hatches storage compartments are fitted to the
turret's sides while Pioneer tools can be affixed to the whole roof and sides the
upper track sections are lightly protected over in armor skirts there is a travel lock
at the extreme front edge of the glasses plate for containing the main gun during travel the
crew of five consists of the driver vehicle Commander Gunner and two ammunition handlers
NBC nuclear biological chemical protection is standard as is night vision equipment
the primary crab form is powered by a single MTU Mt 881 car 508-cylinder water cooler diesel fueled
engine of 1000 horsepower quite different from the original s12u diesel fueled engine of 850
horsepower the same is on the pt-91 towardi MPT the engine is aspirated through the whole
roof while it exhausts along the right side of the vehicle maximum speed is listed at
42 miles per hour up from the original 37 miles per hour with an average Road speed of up to 20
miles per hour under ideal conditions operational range is estimated to be in the vicinity of 250
450 kilometers expansion is of the high drop pneumatic variety which
allows for good cross-country Mobility forwarding is up to one meter of water
all told the crab weighs in at 106 thousand pounds down from the estimated 115
000 pounds in early development and sports are running length of over
39 feet with a width in excess of 11 feet and a height to the turret roof of 10 feet
primary Armament of the crab is its 155 millimeters or 52 caliber twin baffled main
Gun Barrel that is designed to fire all manner of nato-cleared projectiles a trained Gunnery crew
can let off some 6 to 10 rounds per minute and smart Munitions are currently in development that
will increase range Effectiveness and accuracy on the modern Battlefield sustained rates of fire are
approximately 18 rounds in three minutes range of the 155 millimeters main gun is just under
20 miles while assisted projectiles can reach out to 25 miles which put her on par with her
contemporaries there is to be a 60 round storage capacity for the 155 millimeters ammunition
throughout the turret and Hull self-defense against both infantry and low-flying enemy
aircraft will be via a single 12.7 millimeters wknmb heavy machine gun also firing NATO standard
ammunition and mounted to the turret roof there are two Banks of four electrically
operated 81 millimeters smoke grenade dischargers to either side of the main gun mount on the turret