G7 howitzer

G7 105 mm howitzer
G7 105 mm howitzer
TypeTowed howitzer
Place of originSouth Africa
Production history
DesignerDenel Land Systems
Designed1995–1997
ManufacturerDenel Land Systems
Specifications
Mass3,800 kg (8,400 lb)
LengthTravel: 6.9 m (22 ft 8 in)
Barrel length5.46 m (17 ft 11 in) L/52 (excluding muzzle brake)
WidthTravel: 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in)
HeightTravel: 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Crew5

Caliber105 mm (4.1 in)
BreechSemi-automatic swing and slide type
RecoilGas based with 1 m (3 ft 3 in) travel
CarriageSplit trail
Elevation-5° to +75°
Traverse40°
Rate of fire6 rpm
Muzzle velocityMaximum: 950 m/s (3,100 ft/s)
Maximum firing range32 km (20 mi) with base bleed projectile
SightsTelescopic sight for direct fire and panoramic sight for indirect fire

The G7 is a South African 105 mm howitzer, produced by Denel Land Systems (DLS). With a maximum range of 32 km (20 mi) it outranges all existing 105 mm howitzers, as well as most current 155 mm howitzers (Denel's own 155's not included).[1] During development, it was known as the Light Experimental Ordnance (LEO), with the G7 label being chosen later to fit in with Denel's two existing howitzer products, the G5 towed 155 mm howitzer and the G6 self-propelled 155 mm howitzer.

  1. ^ Peck, Michael (2006), An Enhanced 105mm Artillery System - Not Your Father's 105 (PDF), 41st Annual Armament Systems: Guns and Missile Systems Conference & Exhibition 27–30 March 2006 - National Defense Industrial Association, New Orleans, LA: General Dynamics Land Systems, archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2013