This one is for John. I wonder if you can get Joint Credit for this thing.....
This was a joint demonstration project by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW), Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall W&M. Standing for "MOdular Naval ARtillery Concept for Naval Gun Fire," MONARC is a 155 mm/52 (6.1") PzH 2000 howitzer turret that has been mounted on the deck of the German Frigate Hamburg as a feasibility study for naval applications.What isn't to like about this? Inexpensive, plug-in, crane on-crane off. Considering the lame guns the Germans carry, they may need this option down the road. Anyway, who doesn't want an Iron Cross on their Main Gun?
The 155 mm/52 (6.1") gun was developed by Rheinmetall Industrie AG and has a chromium-plated barrel. It uses a semi-automatic wedge type breech mechanism with an integrated 32-round standard primer magazine. Gun parameters such as chamber temperature are monitored automatically. The muzzle velocity is determined automatically by means of a radar sensor and is used in the fire control computation. Modular propellant charges are used, with up to six "bags" being used per shot, depending upon the range to the target. These modular charges are said to allow faster handling, cause less wear on the gun and have a lower sensitivity to ignition hazards.
The gun positioning and laying system is produced by Honeywell Maintal and is mounted on the gun cradle. The system automatically determines gun direction, position and elevation above sea level with a built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.
By the end of 2002, general contractor Krauss-Maffei Wegmann had supplied a total of 185 Pzh 2000s to the German Army.
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By using a flexible mounting rather than rigidly fixing t he turret to the deck in the conventional manner, the impact of residual acceleration on the structure of the ship during firing is expected to remain at an acceptable level. Since the turret is essentially self-sufficient, all that is required is a 24-volt power connection and a secure link to the operations room and the bridge.
Here is the video. Of note; we have yet to see the gun for the DDG-1000, also a 155mm, make a shadow. Funny Germans....they thought.... Now, if you could find a way to put it in the empty Mk-13 launchers in the FF(not-so)G-7s we have left. But, as you will see tomorrow - that may not be a good idea.
Hat tip Byron.
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