Turkey’s MKEK (Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu, Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation) said it has completed company design and verification tests of its Boran 105 mm Air Transportable Light Towed Howitzer (ATLTH), which was developed to meet requirements for the Turkish Army (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri). The howitzer is taking aim at the international light howitzer market currently dominated by the BAE Systems’ M777. Boran is being prepared for mass-production and seven pilot units are set to be delivered to the Turkish Army in June this year.
According to MKEK, The Boran 105 mm features a bow type carriage, and fires 105 mm/30 calibre ordnance. It has a variable recoil system that varies from 800 mm (short) to 120 mm (long), and the barrel is provided with a muzzle brake. Weighing 1,710 kg, the ‘Boran’ LTH can be carried slung under a helicopter such as the Sikorsky S-70. The howitzer has an effective firing range of 17 km (10.56 miles) and can fire six shots in a minute, It has an onboard computerized fire control system (FCS) and a land navigation system.
The Boran 105 mm Air Transportable Light Towed Howitzer features a bow type carriage, and the saddle and 105 mm/30 calibre ordnance can be traversed to the rear and locked in position. Traverse is 8° left and right, and with elevation from -3° to 70°. A muzzle velocity radar is mounted above the 105 mm ordnance and feeds information into the FCS. The FCS is supported by GPS and a Panoramic Cannon Binocular. he weapon’s system can be used between the Celsius degrees of -32 and 44 nonstop for 8 hours.
