Note: All pics are via the IDF Flickr page (captions are embedded in the pic...you can see the caption by downloading them or by going to my Google Picaso and seeing them there)
Sidenote: Any explanation of why the IDF doesn't use towed artillery? It really does bring the "artillery raid" concept into question. If any nation would be inclined to use it then it would have to be the Israeli's.
Sidenote: Any explanation of why the IDF doesn't use towed artillery? It really does bring the "artillery raid" concept into question. If any nation would be inclined to use it then it would have to be the Israeli's.
The IDF seems to prefer self-propelled guns because of their experience in the wars of the 20th century. They often lost many towed guns during the maneuver warfare of the Six Days War and the Yom Kippur War (during the Yom Kippur War they lost about 2/3 of their towed artillery during withdrawals or to enemy fire). This is why they have 600 M-109 howitzers, but only 300 Soltam M-71 towed 155mm howitzers (which are mainly used in pre-established firebases around the borders).
ReplyDeleteI just received an article (in Hebrew) from the website Israel Defense stating that the self propelled 120 mm mortar system Cardom is used in Gaza with high effectiveness in fire support operations. It is net connected and computer controlled, able to receive target info from forward observers' digital targeting system and quickly fire rounds for great effectiveness. The system is used by the US Army and other armies.
DeleteHere is a URL describing the system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6XXBIysV5I
Towed anti-tank weapons in World War two US Army found that they usually pulled off their position too slow to escape being destroyed, captured and over run with the weapons turned around and used against them.
ReplyDeleteIt takes time to load up and hook up a towed weapon, time the enemy may not give you.