Soltam M-68

Infobox Weapon
name=Soltam M-68


caption=
origin=Israel
type=howitzer
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=
is_UK=
service=
used_by=See "users"
wars=
designer=Soltam
design_date=1968
manufacturer=Soltam
production_date=1970
number=
variants=Soltam M-71
weight=9,500 kgs
length=
part_length=5115mm (33 calibre)
width=
height=
crew=8
cartridge=155 mm NATO
caliber=155 mm 33 calibre
action=
rate=
velocity=
range=
max_range=21,000 meters
feed=
sights=
breech=horizontal block
recoil=
carriage=split trail
elevation=-5°/75°
traverse=20° left or right from centerline
blade_type=
hilt_type=
sheath_type=
head_type=
haft_type=
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine=
engine_power=
pw_ratio=
suspension=
vehicle_range=
speed=

The M-68 is a 155 mm 33 calibre towed howitzer manufactured by Soltam, Israel. The gun barrel of the M-68 is 5.18 m long and comes with a simple muzzle brake at the mouth of the barrel, the recoil mechanism of the two pneumatic cylinder jacks is positioned on the back-end of the gun barrel.

Design

Based on the French designed Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50 howitzer, it was first developed in the mid 1960s with no order forthcoming from the Israeli Defense Force. The first prototype was completed in 1968 for trials and evaluations by the 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.

The gun mount chassis, cylinder head and recoil system was to see further use in the next development of this gun - the Soltam M-71, which has a slightly longer barrel (39 calibre) and a compressed air-driven rammer to ease loading.

Deployment

In addition to Israel, this weapon is also in service with Chile [cite web| url=http://www.mundoandino.com/Chile/Chilean-Army |title =Chilean Army Profile |publisher =www.mundoandino.com/Chile] , Philippines, Singapore [cite web| url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/singapore/sg_appen.html |title =Singapore artillery pieces |publisher =United States, Library Of Congress] , South Africa (where it is known as the G-4 howitzer locally) and Thailand.

Users

*flagicon|ISR: Israel Defense Forces
*flagicon|CHI: Chilean Army
*flagicon|PHI: Philippine Army
*flagicon|SIN: Singapore Army
*flagicon|RSA: South African Army
*flagicon|THA: Royal Thai Army
*flagicon|MYA: Myanmar Army

ee also

*Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50
*Soltam M-71
*"L-33 / Ro'em" - A M4 Sherman chassis based self-propelled artillery piece mounting the Soltam M-68 155 mm L/33 howitzer in large enclosed superstructure.

References

External links

* [http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/artillery/towed_guns/m-68/M-68.html Israeli-weapons.com]
* [http://www.mundoandino.com/Chile/Chilean-Army Chilean Army Profile]
* [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/singapore/sg_appen.html Singapore Artillery Pieces]
* [http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/ai/weapons.htm Weapons of the Arab-Israeli Wars]