Editing G7 howitzer

{{Short description|Towed howitzer}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2012}}

{{Infobox weapon
|name=G7 105 mm howitzer
| image= Denel G7.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=G7 105 mm howitzer
|origin=South Africa <!-- WP:INFOBOXFLAG -->
|type=Towed howitzer
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_artillery=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=
|used_by=
|wars=
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=Denel Land Systems
|design_date=1995–1997
|manufacturer=Denel Land Systems
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight={{convert|3,800|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|length=Travel: {{convert|6.9|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|part_length={{convert|5.46|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} L/52 (excluding muzzle brake)
|width=Travel: {{convert|2.02|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|height=Travel: {{convert|2.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|diameter=
|crew=5
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=
|caliber={{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|action=
|rate=6 rpm
|velocity=Maximum: {{convert|950|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
|range=
|max_range={{convert|32|km|mi|abbr=on}} with [[base bleed]] projectile
|feed=
|sights=Telescopic sight for direct fire and panoramic sight for indirect fire
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=Semi-automatic swing and slide type
|recoil=Gas based with {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}} travel
|carriage=[[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|Split trail]]
|elevation=-5° to +75°
|traverse=40°
}}

The '''G7''' is a [[South Africa|South African]] [[105 mm]] howitzer, produced by [[Denel Land Systems]] (DLS). With a maximum range of {{convert|32|km|mi|abbr=on}} it outranges all existing 105&nbsp;mm howitzers, as well as most current 155&nbsp;mm howitzers (Denel's own 155's not included).<ref>{{Citation| last = Peck | first = Michael| title = An Enhanced 105mm Artillery System - Not Your Father's 105| series = 41st Annual Armament Systems: Guns and Missile Systems Conference & Exhibition 27–30 March 2006 - National Defense Industrial Association| url = http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006garm/tuesday/peck.pdf| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130719035321/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006garm/tuesday/peck.pdf| url-status = dead| archive-date = 19 July 2013| year = 2006|place = New Orleans, LA |publisher=General Dynamics Land Systems}}</ref> During development, it was known as the ''Light Experimental Ordnance'' (LEO), with the G7 label being chosen later to fit in with Denel's two existing howitzer products, the [[G5 howitzer|G5 towed 155 mm howitzer]] and the [[G6 howitzer|G6 self-propelled 155 mm howitzer]].

==Potential customers==
In 2004, DLS partnered with [[General Dynamics|General Dynamics Land Systems]] (GDLS) to offer the gun in self-propelled form to the [[United States Army]]. GDLS provided an armoured vehicle (the [[Mowag Piranha|LAV III]]), while Denel provided a G7 mounted inside a specially-designed, unmanned turret. The combined system weighs only {{convert|17,500|kg|abbr=on}} when fully loaded with ammunition, making it light enough to be transportable inside a [[C-130 Hercules]] transport aircraft. The combination took part in a number of tests for the US Army. Though currently unfunded, the US Army has indicated a requirement for such a system to equip its [[Stryker]] Brigade.  The Strykers cannot use current self-propelled and towed howitzers as their weight is a limiting factor on the brigade's mobility.

Interest in the system has also been exhibited by the militaries of South Africa, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. In addition, the [[United States Army]] (USA) and [[United States Marine Corps]] (USMC) have exhibited interest in the towed version as a possible replacement for their towed 105&nbsp;mm howitzer stocks.

In parallel with the G7's testing on the LAV-III Denel is also planning to fit it and its turret to a [[Rooikat AFV|Rooikat]] armoured vehicle for its offer to the [[South African Army]].

==AMLAGC==
In April 2007, it was reported that [[Armscor (South Africa)|Armscor]], the South African defence procurements agency, was about to award Denel a contract to develop a more advanced version of the G7, to be dubbed the Advanced Multirole Light Artillery Gun Capability (AMLAGC). Under the proposed contract, the G7 would see a "significant increase" in capability, including a weight reduction to {{convert|2,500|kg|abbr=on}} or less and the development of V-LAP ammunition to boost the range to {{convert|36|km|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=107100|title=New contract for defence group expected|last=Campbell|first=Keith|work=Engineering News|access-date=2017-09-01}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of artillery]]

== References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.denellandsystems.co.za|Denel Land Systems official website}}

{{Denel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:105 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Howitzers]]
[[Category:Post–Cold War artillery of South Africa]]
[[Category:Denel]]