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80 time metaphase, the United States Army put forward, the need for a new generation of field howitzer. The gun is able to use UH60 helicopter whole quickly lifting deployment, can be as easy to disassemble and assemble the parts with lifting capacity smaller other helicopters for rapid deployment.
In 1987, VSEL (Vickers British Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited of the United States of America ) this kind of demand response, provides a novel howitzer design. The design of the new design is one’s own knack in, the Howitzer with traditional 155mm howitzer fire, but its weight is only 3629kg. The weight ratio of the United States Army requirements for low weight 4) 4kg, is approximately half the weight of conventional artillery.
In order to achieve this target, the identification of a plethora of materials. The material selected is TiCr.318 titanium alloy. Select the material reason, strength / weight ratio, basically can use traditional production equipment and manufacturing technology for processing.
Perform the sample manufacturing plan, must be the same company cooperation. The company not only has the forming, manufacturing and machining this kind of special materials are required for technology, but also led to a technical organization, the organization of the knowledge of design and machining technology of knowledge may be appropriate to add a NSEL project group work.
Cutting method has very important significance. The sample preparation stage decision method the improvement must be practical, so that the production of a variety of components. Choose this project is Bunting titanium company Professional Company. The company finally for each product research a kind of component structure, so as to lay a foundation for future modifications, i.e. only minimal modification or the least expensive replacement costs can be changed parts.
By the end of 1987, Bunting titanium company manager John Ryder, with JimBone chief architect and director of ordnance ultra light field howitzer project project manager Mike Macur led VSEL project group on the project are discussed in detail.
After several months, validation of component design and main gun cradle required special fixture and tools and programs. As John Ryder said, ” we are engaged in the interactions between indeed heard of the project, especially for us, in the project entirely from scratch, is processing the designers of VSEL had never used materials ”
VSEL had to use high strength maraging steel, the material is now in the British army and the NATO army weapons of FH70 using the main structure materials. VSEL engineers know though, titanium can be used as a structural material, but they did not use titanium design experience.
Due to the requirement for a short time, according to the design engineer, project manager and the Ordnance Department Sales Manager is formed between the close relationship to form a working group. The overall design and management methods to ensure the pressing period, according to the purpose of finished product assembly.
In 1988 March, Bunting engineering company signed a two sample cradle and all about fixture, tools and equipment installation of the first contract.
In the contract, obtained after manufacture of spade, gun recoil machine yoke. Level of yoke and a full set of -CiE with order. Bunting engineering company with VSEL suspension system supply company in close cooperation, manufacturing and processing of complex cantilever, Bush and pivot.
Ultra light howitzer for a total weight of 3. 7T. Steel weapons parts of approximately 2T, titanium alloy residual structure approximately 1t.
At the beginning of 1989, signed two kind of artillery fire tray and manufacturing tools of some contracts.
In mid October 1989, the finished product show out of Washington Defense Exhibition, and to obtain an excellent evaluation. During 1989, the Cumbria Eskmeals shooting game for firing test. At the beginning of 1990, obtained a new rare test results. The United States Army and Marine Corps used a sample in the United States of America Ynman gun, shooting for test.