The 155mm 52 Cal. Autonomous Towed Howitzer - ATHOS is an advanced gun concept, is simple to operate yet very versatile, artillery towed independent gun, with autonomous operation and automatic laying capabilities. The ATHOS is designed for service all over the world under all climatic conditions, using all qualified 155 mm separated loaded ammunitionin use worldwide. Max achieved range, with ERFB/BB projectile is 41,000m.
The Gun imposes no limitations to the towing vehicle’s speed, capabilities and can get in and out of position, or entering / leaving Air transporters under its own power. In the towing when being towed. Equipped with an auxiliary engine and hydraulic powered road wheels the gun has self maneuvering
mode the Barrel faces the direction of travel, in the firing position, after unhooking, the Barrel is turned to the direction of fire. ATHOS Guns are friendly to drive, driver uses a single Control Lever of a “joystick” type, for steering and controlling the speed. By pushing the lever to the desired direction, the Gun moves forwards right and left, and the same to the rear. The ATHOS is operated by a squad of 6 crew members. If so required, the system can be fully operated by 4 crew members.
The loading system is of vertical swing type tray with horizontal 3 projectiles magazine. Enabling faster rate of fire and easier crew handling.
The Gun is equipped with an Inertial Navigation & Aiming system, which controls also the hydraulic powered elevation and traversing gears, enabling autonomous operation and “automatic laying”. The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is used also for handling the Ammunition Loading System including ammunition crane. It also lifts the Gun off the Wheels, on its Firing Platform, operates to hook or unhook the Gun from the Towing Vehicle, spread the trails, and undiggs the spades from the ground. Elevating and traversing mechanisms, too, get their hydraulic power from the APU and its auxiliary systems.
MOBILITY
The Gun imposes no limitations to the Towing Vehicle's speed, when being towed .
The gun’s low center of gravity, overall length and the tandem Wheels mounted on the Walking Beams, assure smooth travel at all speeds, bends and rough terrain.
The Gun can maneuver under its own power, using its APU (Axillary Power Unit), at a speed of up to 18 km/h and overcomes obstacles, which a Towing Vehicle could not manage.
The Gun can enter sheltered firing positions, which are inaccessible to a Towing Vehicle, it can climb and turn bends, which could not be taken when being towed, and if necessary it can assist the Towing Vehicle in different terrain or conditions.
The "INDEPENDENT" type Guns are friendly to drive. The Driver uses a single Control-Lever, of a "joy stick" type, for steering and for control of speed. By pushing the lever to the desired direction, the driver force the Gun to move, forwards right and left, and the same to the rear right and left .
Autonomous Mode of Operation – (Optional)
Computerized navigation and aiming system, based on Ring Laser Gyro device, can be adopted to the gun as an advanced option. This system grants the gun autonomous features and the ability to operate efficiently, without peripheral equipment or even firing direction center (F.D.D.).
|
