It has turn out to be well-known that U.S. Military Yuma Proving Floor (YPG) testing actively helps six of the Military Futures Command’s Cross Practical Groups (CFTs) constructing the Military’s future power. In mid-September, YPG hosted an indication showcasing using the USA’ most innovative 155mm artillery munitions with the South Korean K9A1 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer and K10 Ammunition Resupply Automobile. Each platforms are manufactured by Hanwha Protection Company (HDC), South Korea’s largest protection contractor. Not too long ago, the U.S. Military Fight Capabilities Improvement Command Armaments Heart signed a Cooperative Analysis and Improvement Settlement (CRADA) with HDC to evaluate the feasibility, efficiency and capabilities of carrying and firing the American munitions by the 2 platforms. Getting ready for the demonstration took months of take a look at planning and coordination, even previous to a pre-demonstration take a look at in July that concerned each situation the guests noticed in September. Weapons operators from YPG and South Korea each participated.
“We did some security testing main as much as this demonstration occasion to gather information to show out the compatibility and security for the crew since they’re doing on-board operations. It’s not straightforward to work on the technical take a look at aspect with the planning and preparations concerned in that on prime of the logistics of many guests coming collectively at a gun place,” stated Jered Ford, YPG Artillery and Mine Department Chief.
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“These are the issues throughout the scope of labor of the CRADA with Hanwha that they wished to reveal when it comes to the capabilities. Whereas the methods have been right here, in addition they wished to have the chance to point out the US and different overseas nations the potential of their system. What’s actually vital is that Yuma Proving Floor and the entire take a look at websites underneath ATEC have procedures for security in order that we may guarantee we had a secure demonstration for the take a look at crews and all these concerned. They’ve been very well timed to permit this to come back off on schedule,” stated Anthony Sebasto, Appearing Director of Fight Capabilities Improvement Command’s Armaments Heart at Picatinny Arsenal.
“The aim of our partnership is to verify the compatibility of our munitions with these two autos. We’ve been engaged on this effort for the final 12 months and a half to make sure we will safely fireplace the munitions from these two autos. We acquired nice assist from YPG personnel within the planning of this demonstration. We actually respect the capabilities of YPG in all totally different type of munitions testing. YPG is the prime testing floor for us for oblique fireplace munitions. There will likely be alternatives for international locations which can be buying the K9A1 to see that the U.S. munitions are appropriate with the system. That is just the start of our collaborative efforts. There may be the potential for extra demonstrations like this sooner or later at Yuma Proving Floor,” stated Sam Perez, who serves as principal investigator for the CRADA.
“There have been a number of assessments that we needed to do exactly to make sure the protection of the South Korean crew that did the man-firing. There was plenty of pre-demo work that needed to be completed to perform the precise demonstration safely. You’ve obtained to get plenty of small particulars proper to make every little thing work,” stated Jonathan Bazua, the YPG take a look at officer who ran the occasion.
On the demonstration day, about 60 guests from throughout the Military and several other pleasant overseas nations noticed the K9A1 endure loading from the K10 after which embark on a number of practical fireplace missions throughout two adjoining gun positions. The K9A1 demonstrated its potential to shoot and scoot, by which a self-propelled howitzer fires artillery, then instantly departs to a unique location to evade attainable counter-fire from an adversary. Weapons operators on board the howitzer additionally demonstrated the platform’s potential to burst fireplace three rounds inside 16 seconds, and fireplace six rounds inside 45 seconds. The K9A1 fired each XM1113 and M795 155 mm rounds, the previous of which with rocket help. The testers additionally demonstrated the K10 functionality of transferring the US Artillery munitions and inert Korean Modular Cost System to the K9A1. Following the demonstration, the DEVCOM personnel gave excessive marks to the assist they acquired from YPG. The K9A1 is utilized by 9 different nations along with South Korea, and extra might purchase the platform sooner or later.
