The M777 began as the Ultralight-weight Field Howitzer (UFH), developed by VSEL's armaments division in Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom. In 1999, VSEL was merged into the new BAE Systems RO Defence. This unit became part of BAE Systems Land Systems in 2004. Although developed by a British company, final assembly is in the USA. BAE System's original US partner was United Defense. However in 2005, BAE acquired United Defense and hence is responsible for design, construction and assembly (through its US-based Land and Armaments group). The M777 uses about 70% US built parts including the gun barrel manufactured at the Watervliet Arsenal.
The M777 is smaller and 42% lighter, at under 4,100 kg (9,000 lb), than the M198 it replaces. Most of the weight reduction is due to the use of titanium. The lighter weight and smaller size allows the M777 to be transported by USMC MV-22 Osprey, CH-47 helicopter or truck with ease, so that it can be moved in and out of the battlefield more quickly than the M198. The smaller size also improves storage and transport efficiency in military warehouses and Air/Naval Transport. The gun crew required is an Operational Minimum of 5, compared to a previous size of 9.[1]
The M777 uses a digital fire-control system similar to that found on self propelled howitzers such as the M109A6 Paladin to provide navigation, pointing and self-location, allowing it to be put into action more quickly than earlier towed and air-transported howitzers. The Canadian (CDN) M777 in conjunction with the traditional "glass and iron sights/mounts” also uses a digital fire control system called Digital Gun Management System (DGMS) produced by SELEX. This system has been proven on the British Army Artillery's L118 Light Gun over the past 3 to 4 years.
The M777 is also often combined with the new Excalibur GPS-guided munition, which allows accurate fire at a range of up to 40 km. This almost doubles the area covered by a single battery to about 5,000 km². Testing at the Yuma Proving Ground by the US Army placed 13 of 14 Excalibur rounds, fired from up to 24 km away, within 10 meters of their target,[2] suggesting a circular error probable of about 5 meters.
* * *
.jpg/250px-122-_мм_гаубица_Д-30_(1).jpg)
The D-30 is a 122 mm artillery piece developed in the former Soviet Union, with a configuration similar to designs proposed for the 10.5cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 43 during World War II. A striking feature of the gun is its tripod mounting that provides a full 360-degree arc of fire. Another interesting feature is the large tow linkage attached to the muzzle; in transport the stabilisers are folded away and the barrel of the gun serves as a trail. The D-30 uses separate cased charges (not powder charges) which are loaded after the shell. Several countries have built their own versions of the D-30. This includes a model built by Egypt which is self-propelled. A Chinese version, the Type 86, serves with the People's Liberation Army and other countries.
· 
არტილერია-3
