Russian forces have made their first public display of a video showing the use of the M1989 "Goyang" howitzer shelling Ukrainian positions. These 170mm howitzers were photographed last year being transported to Russia in large numbers by train. They pose a significant threat to Ukrainian forces, as they can reach around 45 kilometers with regular shells and potentially up to 70 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles. Even if Ukrainian anti-artillery radar detects these weapons, it is difficult to destroy them. Ukrainian forces have released videos of reconnaissance drones identifying "Goyang" artillery positions, but there are very few instances of successfully destroying these weapons. This is because their own artillery has insufficient range, and suicide drones without relay capability cannot fly such long distances.
There are two main ways to increase artillery range. The first is to lengthen the barrel to give the projectile higher initial velocity, which requires high standards for barrel machining processes. The second is to increase the charge of the propellant, but more propellant increases barrel pressure and risks detonation. The "Goyang" howitzer chose the telescoping barrel method. It is not as ineffective as some outside reports suggest; during the Yeonpyeong Island artillery battle with South Korea, it hit the South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzer position in its first salvo.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832602113874953/
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