1978 / M1989 (KOKSAN) 170mm self propelled (SP) gun (original) (raw)

The M-1978 (KOKSAN) 170mm self propelled (SP) gun, of North Korean design and manufacture, is probably mounted on a T-54 chasis, a Chinese Type 59 hull or a T62 Chassis [most soruces tend towards the Type 59 tank chassis, the CHICOM derivative of the T-54]. The 170mm gun has no superstructure, and it has 2 large spades at the rear. The 170mm (~6.69") gun itself is a previously unknown type, possibly Russian coastal-defence or ex-naval weapon. The M-1978 Koksan gun was first noted publicly in a parade in 1985. The Koksan is named after the city in North Korea where it was first seen by the West in 1978. The M-1978 version carried no on-board ammunition supply. The M1989 KOKSAN is a later version or modified M1978 which carries 12 rounds on-board ammunition supply.

The installation position of the early M1979 artillery used the rare "slide cover" technology-the artillery body is installed on the gun base, and the gun base is not It is not directly rigidly fixed to the chassis of the T-54/55, but first a layer of rails are installed on the T-54/55, and then the gun mount is placed on the rails.

This is a very strange approach, because the rail on the car body is parallel to the car body, instead of the inclined track or the track with the rear seat device of the mixed rear seat, which is common in the retreat gun, and the related From the photos taken during the military parade and inspection, we can find that the position of the M1979 artillery is not static, but sometimes in the middle and sometimes in the rear. If it is in combat, in addition to the rear hoe, the gun mount is also located in the vehicle at the back of the body.

So what artillery may be the source of reference for this country? First of all, many people think that the gun is completely copied from the Soviet-made S-23 gun, but this is just a layman. The S-23's artillery retreat and recoil machine is installed in the lower part of the barrel. Among the Gushan Cannon, the early M1978 adopts a trough-shaped cradle design, and the barrel is fixed in the trough and slides back and forth. Although both used vertical push-type balancing machines, there were too many heavy artillery of 150 or more with similar designs in that era.

Even harder to find, the arrangement of the retreat and retreat aircraft of the K-18 170mm artillery of Nazi Germany is somewhat similar to the trackless version of the Gushan Cannon exported to Iran by a certain country captured by the US military in Iraq. However, this model is a transitional model from M1978 to the final version of M1989, not an early prototype. And if the source of the M1979 version is its own guide rail, then considering that the barrel length 70 times diameter of this gun fits the design of the cannon, a special coastal fortress gun is likely to be the reference blueprint for that peculiar gun mount.

North Korea used them in batteries of 36 vehicles & supplied them to Iran when missiles became available as replacements. These foreign trade versions have complex designs. In addition to the traditional U-groove cradle version, there is also a combined cradle without back seat track. In addition, the artillery of these two types of cradles also has a variety of sub-models including at least slotted and pepper-bottle muzzle brakes. Later, the M1989 version also appeared dual-chamber brakes, which also shows from the side that the People's Army has been modifying the main gun.

It is difficult to say whether these transitional models are improved in response to customer needs or if they have found a takeover during the improvement process. However, the models delivered from these are all T-54 chassis and no auxiliary loading mechanism, and it has not been long since the appearance of M1989 at this time, perhaps the statement of cleaning up the inventory in the improvement test is more realistic.

As for M1989, it can be regarded as a complete version of the main thought cannon. The most important feature of M1989 is the comprehensive upgrade of the chassis. It uses a chassis similar to T-62 and pulls the skin. The guide rails are removed and the artillery is placed at the rear. About 12 rounds of ammunition racks were reserved, and the overall artillery cradle was changed to a combined cradle that requires higher materials but is lighter and more efficient, making the recoil curve of the artillery smoother. The overall shape is similar to the Soviet 2S7 self-propelled artillery, and the shape is more modern, and the overall center of gravity is also significantly reduced, which improves the passability.

During the Iran-Iraq War, key oil facilities of both nations were within artillery range of each other's armies. By June 1982, the Iraqis had been driven completely out of Iran. From that point on, Iraq spent most of the war on the defensive. In 1986 and the beginning of 1987, Iran launched new offensives, the last reaching the outskirts of Basra before again bogging down. Meanwhile, Iraq initiated a new tanker war in the Gulf, prompting Iran to target neutral shipping. Kuwait provided billions of dollars in loans and grants to support Iraq, and found itself in the middle of the combatants.

Iran acquired a number of M1978 Koksan guns from North Korea in 1987. "At that time, it was the longest-range field gun made anywhere in the world, capable of firing a rocket-assisted projectile to a range of almost 60 kilometers. It had been used by the Iranians to conduct harassment fire from the Al-Faw Peninsula into Kuwait's northeastern oil fields." [Ally to Adversary, page 27] With the Iran/Iraq War raging just to the north, fighting spilled over into Kuwait, and the steady pounding from the artillery barrages just to north shook the walls in Kuwait City.

Even the range advantage failed to save the reputation of the "Tanishan Cannon". Iranian gunners soon discovered that these weapons were not only inaccurate but also inconvenient to use: although the tank body was used as the chassis, it could not carry any gunner or ammunition. The rate of fire of its artillery is one round every three minutes, and manpower is required to slowly lower the barrel every time it is reloaded; not only that, because the length of the cannon exceeds 15 meters, it is difficult for the "Gushan Cannon" to even maneuver on curved roads� -This quickly diminished the interest of Iranians.

During the Iran-Iraq War, Iraq captured more than a dozen North Korean "Gushan Cannons" from Iran. In the Gulf War in 1991, some of these artillery were seized by the U.S. Army. The U.S. military made detailed information about the North Korean "Gushan Cannons". The test gave an accurate understanding of the performance of "Gushan Cannon".

U.S. military tests have proved that although the "Tanishan Cannon" has a maximum range of 45 kilometers when using a rocket extended-range projectile, the rate of fire is very low due to the complicated design, and the normal rate of fire can only reach one round in 5 minutes. At present, the mainstream 152/155 self-propelled howitzers in the world can usually reach 50 kilometers using rocket extended-range projectiles, and the Chinese 05 can even reach 55 kilometers; today�s mainstream self-propelled howitzers are equipped with semi-automatic loader, and the average rate of fire is 5-6 rounds per minute, 8 rounds per minute can be fired quickly, and the firepower density is at least 25 times that of the "Gushan Cannon".

Since 1993, the North has reinforced its artillery capability in the forward area. As of 1998 the South Korean military estimated that the DPRK had finished deploying 170mm self-propelled artillery with their range of over 50km and 240mm MRLS in the central and western areas, and was in the process of increasing deployment of these two weapons systems in the eastern area.

North Korea continues to improve its military. Highlighting these enhancements is an ambitious program to improve ground forces capabilities. A key component of this initiative involves the deployment of large numbers of long-range 240mm multiple rocket launcher systems and 170mm self-propelled guns to hardened sites located near the Demilitarized Zone. With the exception of the 170mm M-1978 Koksan gun, a new turreted self-propelled gun observed in a 1992 parade, and perhaps a few other systems, most artillery was developed from older Soviet and Chinese designs.

The M1989 Koksan was a further development of the M1978 Koksan. It carries the same 170mm Soviet Costal Gun mounted on a new chassis which can carry 12 on-board rounds. Both M1989 and M1978 are located over the DMZ these vehicles were designed to hit Seoul from the DMZ. The M1989 was introduced in 1983 and presented a lengthened chassis with a front cabin reminiscent of the Soviet 2S7 Pion.

According to one report, a South Korean security analyst suggested that DPRK artillery pieces of calibers 170mm and 240mm "could fire 10,000 rounds per minute to Seoul and its environs." The number of Koksan guns is not publicly reported, but it is reliably reported that North Korea has about 500 long-range artillery tubes within range of Seoul, double the levels of a the mid-1990s. Large caliber self propelled artillery pieces typically have a sustained rate of fire of between four and eight rounds per minute. This suggests a total rate of fire of artillery alone of between 2,000 and 4,000 rounds per minute. The DPRK's two hundred 240mm MRLs fire either 12 or 22 rounds, providing a maximum single salvo of no more than 4,400 rounds.

North Korea is establishing a host of antitank defensive positions on the eastern and western fronts of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that bisects the two Koreas. The North Korean army has been building antitank defensive positions north of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in Kangwon Province since March 2001, and in early 2002 such positions were going up along the western front as well. It is exceptional for the North to build defensive facilities as its strategy has always centered on an offensive posture. The North has demanded that South Korea abolish its defensive concrete walls, designed to deter advancing North Korean tanks, south of the MDL. By January 2002 fifty more positions had reportedly been spotted on flat land and roads, which ensure that tanks and other vehicles can be conveniently maneuvered. The positions are reportedly five meter-high concrete structures with holes at the front, left and right for antitank guns. The structures are camouflaged by earth and sand after completion.

Given North Korea's reliance on artillery as the foundation of their combat power and the size of these positions, they are likely designed for self-propelled artillery pieces such as North Korea's Koksan Gun. The height of the positions is much more then is required to provide protection for either tanks or anti-tank guns. Tanks are usually employed "hull down" in which only the turret is exposed and anti-tank guns which have little use against modern armor, normally seek to fire at the flank of armored vehicles at close range in restricted terrain. Anti-tank guns are of little value against the K-1 and M-60s of south Korea's military. North Korea's only realistic chance to take out modern armor is with the use of anti-tank missiles, mines, or close infantry assault.

On 07 March 2016, South Korea and the United States began joint annual war games "Key Resolve" and "Foal Eagle," which Pyongyang claimed were rehearsals for northward invasion. On 26 March 2016 the DPRK threatened to fire long-range artillery at Seoul unless South Korean President Park Geun-hye apologizes and punishes those who planned striking the DPRK leadership. Pyongyang issued the warning in an ultimatum sent to the Park administration by the artillery force of the Korean People's Army(KPA). The ultimatum urged Park to offer "an official apology" to all Korean people for "dare attempts to slander and do harm to the sun of Songun," which refers to the DPRK's top leader, Kim Jong Un.

Korean Central News Agency reported that "The recent simultaneous firings conducted by the long-range artillery force of the Korean People's Army, rocking the earth and sky, turned the imaginary enemy bases of provocation into a sea of flames in a flash. This was a great eruption of its irrepressible hatred and wrath at the enemy which committed the thrice-cursed act of daring attempt to hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK. It was, at the same time, the beginning of the merciless retaliatory campaign to put the most miserable end to the Park Geun Hye group of south Korea."

Korean Central News Agency reported 27 March 2016 that "Citizens in the DPRK fully support the ultimatum to the south Korean puppet group recently issued by the long-range artillery force of the Korean People's Army. Kim Han Il, manager of the Chollima Steel Complex, told KCNA: "The KPA's ultimatum is as good as the last warning to those provokers by the workers of my complex. The respected Marshal Kim Jong Un is the great sun of Songun Korea representing the destiny and future of the Korean nation. It is a never-to-be-condoned crime to point an accusing finger at the sun.""