LG1

Infobox Weapon
name=GIAT LG-1


caption=A single LG-1 105 mm light howitzer on static display during Singapore Army Open House.
origin=flagicon|France France
type=howitzer
is_ranged=
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is_artillery=yes
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used_by= See "users"
wars=
designer=GIAT Industries
design_date=
manufacturer=GIAT Industries
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weight=1520kg
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crew=5
cartridge=105 mm NATO
caliber=105 mm 30 calibre
action=
rate=12 rounds per minute
velocity=
range=
max_range=19,500 km
feed=
sights=
breech=horizontal block
recoil=
carriage=split trail
elevation=-3°/+70°
traverse=25° left or right from centerline
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The LG1 is a modern 105 mm/30-calibre towed howitzer designed and produced by GIAT Industries of France.

Design

The LG1 howitzer is a 105 mm towed artillery piece that features both low weight and a high level of accuracy over long distances. Its lightweight construction gives the barrel a relatively short lifespan. The EFC count is suggested to be approximately 7500; however, during fire and practice, has yielded only around 1500 EFCs. The gun was specifically designed for use by rapid deployment forces with attributes such as ruggedness, ease of operation and reduced weight. It can fire all NATO standard 105 mm ammunition up to a range of 18.5 km and 19.5 km using HE-ER G2 and US M913 rounds.

Deployment

The gun has found its way into the service of the Belgian Army, Canadian Army, Indonesian Army, Singapore Army and the Royal Thai Army.

Current service version with Canadian artillery is the LG1 Mark II, of which 28 were purchased for the RCHA (Royal Canadian Horse Artillery). Giat supplied the first howitzers in 1996 and fielding was complete by November 1997 and were delivered directly to units in Bosnia.

Planned improvements

On August 2005, DEPRO (GVB) Incorporated - a Canadian defence firm, was selected by the Canadian Forces to improve their LG-1 guns with improvements ranging from new & better muzzle brake, new-designed spades for better stability during firing and larger tires to replace the small Pirelli tires (which were found to be inadequate for proper ground clearance while on the move). It is expected that this new set of improvements will give the LG-1 howitzers a greater lifespan, reliability and increase the safety margin for the crew.

Users

*flagicon|BEL: Belgian Army - 14
*flagicon|CAN: Canadian Army - 28
*flagicon|INA: Indonesian Marine Corps - 20
*flagicon|SIN: Singapore Army - 39
*flagicon|THA: Royal Thai Army - 24

References

* [http://www.nexter-group.fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=81 GIAT website:LG-1]
* [http://www.deagel.com/Towed-Guns/105-LG1-MkII_a000584001.aspx 105 LG1 MkII - Contracts, Orders & Sales]
* [http://www.deprogvb.com/english.htm DEPRO (GVB) Inc. website]