The ability of mobility and deployment of field artillery equipment (armed) by air is now a concern for the TNI. After previously carrying out a loading/unloading test on the CAESAR 155 mm self propelled howitzer (SPH) to the cargo hold of the C-130 Hercules.
Now the Armed Armed Forces line of TNI AD is carrying out a loading/unloading test of the KH-178 caliber 105 mm howitzer along with the KIA KM250 truck as
towing vehicle.
As the carrying unit for the second defense system, the 31st Air Squadron deployed the Lockheed L-100-30 transport aircraft, which is none other than the civilian variant of the long body C-130 Hercules. Quoted from the 31st Air Squadron Instagram account, it was stated that the 105 mm caliber KH-178 howitzer and KIA KM250 truck were in the arsenal of the 8/UY-Jember Armed Battalion.
While the L-100-30 that was deployed was an aircraft with registration number A-1327. The loading/unloading test took place at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base, Malang. In the loading/unloading test on April 7, 2022, including flights carried out with payloads in the form of howitzers and trucks.
The KH-178 105 mm can be classified as a light howitzer whose initial production began in 1984. The basis for the design of this gun comes from the US origin M101 gun which was used massively in the Korean War in the 1950s.
From the specifications, the KH-178 with a weight of 2,500 kg can fire projectiles up to 15 times in one minute. The maximum firing range reaches 14,700 meters and can fire various types of 105mm caliber ammunition that are in accordance with NATO standards. Especially with firing Rocket-Assisted Projectile (RAP) it can reach 18,000 meters. KH 178 has a length of 7.6 meters and a width of 2.1 meters.
While the howitzer towing, KIA KM250 entered as a rantis (tactical vehicle) because it has a 6×6 drive and is expected to devour off road terrain. The KIA KM250 (weight 5,500 tons) is produced by Kia Military Vehicles with a capacity of 2,500 tons. KIA KM250 is supported by the KK-7.4 diesel engine which is capable of producing 180 hp.
When driving on heavy terrain (off road), the KIA KM250 can carry a payload of 2,270 kg, while when driving on the highway the payload can increase to 4,550 kg. When used as a personnel carrier, the KM250 can be loaded with 20 fully armed infantry soldiers.
For the L-100-30, according to government policy, in 1995 the Indonesian Air Force received a grant of two L-100-30 units from Merpati Nusantara Airlines, and three L-100-30 units from Pelita Air service. The five aircraft are now the 31st Air Squadron storefronts, each with the numbers A-1325, A-1326, A-1327, A-1338 and A-1329.
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