Samsung Techwin Evolved Wheeled Self-Propelled Howitzer (EVO-105).

The first truck mounted 105-millimetre howitzer was revealed to the media for the first time on 2011 at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Seoul.

The new weapon, developed by Samsung Techwin, the Samsung Group’s defence and precision machinery unit, was displayed at a weapon exhibition that was opened inside the ministry compound.

After being assigned as a project under advanced concept technology demonstration in 2009, Samsung Techwin started making the new wheeled howitzer from 2010 in an effort to enhance combat capabilities with other widely used artilleries.

“Since the 105-millimetre self-propelled artillery is being loaded on a five-tonne truck, the cost of the weapon is relatively cheap and it shows more outstanding performance than existing towed artillery,” said an executive at Samsung Techwin. “Shells have to be loaded manually. But firing control is operated automatically and radiation of heat can be selected either in automatic, manual and half automatic. The number of operating personnel can be reduced by three compared to existing towed artilleries.”

It is based on the M101 howitzer mounted on a five-tonne truck and has a crew of only three artillerymen. The crew is hosted in an armoured cabin located behind the driving cabin. A rearward-opening door allows direct access to the gun, which fires on rear arcs, probably around ±50°. The rear platform’s mid-section can be moved sideways to provide more room for the gun crew, which is protected by side walls against ballistic threats. The new system is equipped with an automatic fire control system.