Artillery / Self-propelled howitzers / Bandkanon
Bandkanon
General Facts
- TYPE
Self-propelled howitzer - ORIGIN
Sweden - NICKNAMES
- - DESIGNED
1960 - 1965 - DESIGNER
Bofors - PRODUCTION
1966 - 1968 - PRODUCERS Sweden
- QUANTITY
A total of 26 vehicles built, production complete. - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Exceptional high rate of fire
Well armored
Very low speed
Introduction
The Bandkanon is a self-propelled howitzer of Swedish origin. It was developed in the early 1960's and at its time was one of the heaviest self-propelled howitzers in existence.
Layout
The Bandkanon uses a layout similar to early post World War 2 US self-propelled howitzers. The engine and drive train mounted in the front use similar components as the S-tank. The fixed superstructure in the rear houses the 155mm howitzer and allows for a limited traverse. The 155mm howitzer is connected to an automatic loading system and magazine that holds two clips of 7 rounds.
Firepower
The main armament is a 155mm 50-caliber howitzer with a maximum range of 25.6 km. The automatic loading system provides an exceptional maximum rate of fire of 14 rounds in 48 seconds. Reloading 14 rounds takes 2 minutes. A 7.62mm MAG machine gun is installed on the roof for self-defense.
Protection
The steel hull protects the five crewmembers from 12.7mm rounds, small arms fire and shell splinters. The Bandkanon is operated under full armor protection, except for reloading.
Mobility
The tracked chassis provides a good cross country performance. Due to its very low power to weight ratio both the road and cross country speed is very low, being 28 km/h at most. Power is provided by a combination of a diesel engine and gas turbine.
Users
The Bandkanon was used by Sweden from 1966 to 2003. A total of 70 units were planned, but due to budget cuts only 26 units were produced.
Bandkanon
The Bandkanon is a tracked self-propelled howitzer armed with a 155mm 50-caliber gun. It was produced in only one version, the Bandkanon 1A. In the late 1980's it was upgraded with a new engine and other automotive components and designated Bandkanon 1C.
| Type | Self-propelled howitzer |
|---|---|
| Crew | 5 (commander, gunner, driver, radio operator, loader) |
| Length | 6.55 m (hull), 11 m (gun forward) |
| Width | 3.37 m |
| Height | 3.25 m (turret top), 3.85 m (with MG) |
| Ground clearance | 0.37 m |
| Weight | 53.0 t combat load |
| Ground pressure | ? |
| Wheelbase | Tracks 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front 4.3 m length, 0.67 m width |
| Turn radius | 13 m |
| Engine | Boeing Model 502/10MA gas turbine, 300 hp at 38.000 rpm Rolls-Royce K60 diesel, 240hp at 3.750 rpm |
| Power ratio | 10.2 hp/t |
|---|---|
| Transmission | 1 direct gear, 1 cross country gear |
| Speed | 28 km/h on road, 9 km/h cross country |
| Fuel | ? |
| Range | ? |
| Wall | ? |
| Trench | 2 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | 1 m |
| Armor | Steel, 10 to 20 mm |
| NBC equipment | ? |
| Night vision | ? |
|---|---|
| Smoke | - |
| Remarks | - |
| Armament | 155mm L/50 howitzer 7.62mm MAG machine gun |
| Weapon1 | 155mm L/50 howitzer 18 rounds in magazine -3 to +40 degrees elevation 15 degrees left and right traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | 7.62mm MAG machine gun pintle mount at turret roof manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
| Type | Self-propelled howitzer |
|---|---|
| Crew | 5 (commander, gunner, driver, radio operator, loader) |
| Length | 6.55 m (hull), 11 m (gun forward) |
| Width | 3.37 m |
| Height | 3.25 m (turret top), 3.85 m (with MG) |
| Ground clearance | 0.37 m |
| Weight | 53.0 t combat load |
| Ground pressure | ? |
| Wheelbase | Tracks 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front 4.3 m length, 0.67 m width |
| Turn radius | 13 m |
| Engine | Boeing Model 502/10MA gas turbine, 300 hp at 38.000 rpm Detroit Diesel 6V53T diesel, 290 hp at 2.800 rpm |
| Power ratio | 11.1 hp/t |
|---|---|
| Transmission | 1 direct gear, 1 cross country gear |
| Speed | 28 km/h on road, 9 km/h cross country |
| Fuel | ? |
| Range | ? |
| Wall | ? |
| Trench | 2 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | 1 m |
| Armor | Steel, 10 to 20 mm |
| NBC equipment | ? |
| Night vision | ? |
|---|---|
| Smoke | - |
| Remarks | - |
| Armament | 155mm L/50 howitzer 7.62mm MAG machine gun |
| Weapon1 | 155mm L/50 howitzer 18 rounds in magazine -3 to +40 degrees elevation 15 degrees left and right traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | 7.62mm MAG machine gun pintle mount at turret roof manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |