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Canon 155mm L33 Modelo Argentino

1977 COLD WAR FALKLANDS WAR MODERN

Canon 155mm L33 model Argentina history

The 155mm L33 Modello Argentino towed gun, ostensibly a traditional large caliber gun, was being developed in the 1970s to replace the obsolete and obsolete 155mm M114 system of American origin. The original M114 was introduced to the U.S. Army during World War II in 1942 and more than 10,300 have since been produced.

However, time and technology soon forced the Argentine government to pursue modernization, which led to CITEFA's local L33 system - the government-run "Instituto de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas de las Fuerzas Armadas" (translated as "Institute for Science" and technology for the armed forces Research). Production is taken over by DGFM on-site.

While Feldkanone uses proven artillery system principles elsewhere, it is essentially an evolutionary offshoot of the 155mm barrel used in the French Mk F3 self-propelled artillery vehicle built and released by Nexter in 1962, allowing it to fire The same ammunition and the same spare parts used, which makes logistical sense given the stockpile of Mk F3 vehicles already in use by the Argentine military. The original L33 field gun was adopted in 1977, and an improved version was adopted in 1981 - so each are technically considered "Modelo 77" and "Modelo 81" respectively.

In terms of design, the L33 was developed through a more traditional arrangement, broadly in line with other existing field systems shown elsewhere in the world. The barrel is closed by a double flapper muzzle brake and placed in a large recoil reduction system. The entire unit is then attached to a heavy duty mounting assembly that provides the necessary elevator and roll controls (manually activated handwheels). Elevation is limited to -10 degrees and +67 degrees, up to 70 degrees laterally. The mounting system is placed on a two-wheeled rubber tire cart in a "split" configuration.

These arms are lowered to absorb recoil and then double as trailing arms when attached to the rear of a moving vehicle. When the gun was ready, a circular plate was lowered under the wagon, lifting the rubber tires off the ground. The L33 is breeched by an interrupted screw breech in the traditional sense, and the full functionality of the weapon requires 6 people.

The weapon has a total weight of 18,000 pounds and has a barrel length of nearly 17 feet (16.10 inches) and a diameter of 6.1 inches. The L33 mainly uses large 155mm high-explosive rounds with a range of up to 20 kilometers. The projectile was developed to engage target areas up to 15 miles away. The muzzle velocity was reported to be 2,510 feet per second.

Flares, smoke bombs and shrapnel rounds were finally added to the ammo mix.

The Argentine Army received a total of 109 L33 artillery systems, while the only other operator was Croatia, which received 8 guns.

On April 2, 1982, Argentine troops (commanded by the junta) invaded the adjacent British-held Falkland Islands. This sparked the Falklands War in 1982, which created a logistical nightmare for the British as they moved people, machinery and supplies across the Atlantic from the UK south to the Falklands. The Argentines used several Modelo 77 series guns to defend key positions around Stanley, and their bulky size limited their quick mobilization on the fluid front.

The guns were strategically placed on various ridges to counter sea fire from Royal Navy warships. Modelo 77 guns were airlifted to the island by Argentine Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. After about three and a half months of heavy fighting, the British finally wrested control of the island from the Argentines, taking some 11,300 prisoners in the process.

The Argentine army suffered a total of 649 casualties in the battle, while the British suffered 258 casualties (115 prisoners were also captured by the Argentines). The Falklands War ended on June 14, 1982 and led to the fall of the Argentine military government in 1983, while the British military, through its vast naval enterprise, demonstrated its logistical capabilities and showed the world its new VTOL (vertical take-off) unique quality.

Take off and land aircraft - Jump Jet Harrier/Sea Harrier).

The British managed to capture four complete Modelo 77 guns before the end of the battle. The L33 was designed to be the heaviest artillery piece used by the Argentine army during the conflict. Despite its age, this weapon is still an active part of the modern Argentine army to this day (2012).