Bkan 1A (155mm samohybný kanon)

Self-propelled gun Bandkanon 1A

155mm self-propelled gun designed by Bofors and Landsverk in the late 1950s. Landsverk first developed a prototype based on the KRV chassis, designated Artillerikanonvagn 151 (Akv 151), but it did not see series production. Instead, the Bandkanon 1A was built on a modified chassis of a tank under development, the Stridsvagn 103A, so that both machines could use the same spare parts. The gun was only produced in relatively small numbers. As soon as the series production ended, Bofors started the development of the FH 77 155 mm calibre towed howitzer for the Swedish Army.

A prototype of the Bandkanon 1A gun was built in 1960. Mass production began in 1966 and lasted another two years. Only 26 guns were produced, but they were highly appreciated by the Swedish army, so in August 1988 a contract was signed with the FMV Armaments Office for the modernization, which received the designation Bandkanon 1C. As part of the modifications to the original type, a new engine analogous to the tank Stridsvagn 103C and automatic transmission were fitted, and the fire control system was upgraded.

The powerplant is combined and consists of an internal combustion engine (during all types of driving) and a turbine (during off-road driving). At the rear of the vehicle there is a turret consisting of two parts, above which is a fully armoured loading device consisting of a magazine for 14 rounds. From here the cartridges are fed for reloading. The first cartridge is loaded manually, the others automatically. The reloading system allows 14 rounds to be fired in 48 seconds. Firing can be carried out in single shots or continuously. After emptying the magazine, it can be refilled through the hatches at the top of the magazine. The cartridges are placed in a kind of sleeves which facilitate handling and speed up reloading and filling the magazine (in 2 minutes). The barrel of the cannon is 50 rounds long and is finished with a muzzle brake.

Only one type of fragmentation ammunition, designated 15.5 cm m/60, with a maximum range of 25,600 m and the following basic parameters, was used:
- size: 155×1079 mm
- cartridge: undivided
- cartridge weight: 85 kg
- bullet weight: 47 kg

It was originally planned that Bandkanon 1A would be produced in 70 units, but due to defence budget cuts only 26 vehicles were produced for the artillery units in the Norrland region in northern Sweden, Bodens artilleriregemente (A 8) and later Norrbottens regemente (I 19). Until the late 1980s they were organized in two sections of 12 guns each. Then they were introduced into the armament of three artillery detachments of eight vehicles each. This practice continued until they were cut from the armament in 2003.

In April 1993, the FMV office awarded a contract to Bofors Defense for the development and production of two prototype Bandkanon 1C equipped with Honeywell's MAPS (Modular Azimuth Positioning System) navigation system and the new SKER integrated fire control system. Following successful trials of two prototypes, Bofors Defense subsequently moernized the entire fleet of Bandkanon 1C guns to this standard.

Bandkanon 1A.

Bandkanon 1A.

Bandkanon 1A.

Bandkanon 1A.

Bandkanon 1A.

Bandkanon 1A.

Bandkanon 1A.