C3 Howitzer Replacement

[ueo]

Hand firing 120 mm leads to traumatic brain injury. Expect to see less of that weapon except breach loaded systems in turrets or with auto-loaders.

Wha? Source research pls.

 

[McG]

Wha? Source research pls.

I don’t know if the stuff being done by Canadian & US defence scientists is out on the web, but there is this: NY Times Article: Signs of Brain Injury in Mortar Soldiers: ‘Guys Are Getting Destroyed’ — Brain Trauma Foundation

 

[McG]

Repetitive Low-level Blast Exposure and Neurocognitive Effects in Army Ranger Mortarmen - PubMed

Mortarmen experienced high cumulative blast exposure coinciding with altered neurocognition that is suggestive of blast-related subconcussive injury. These neurocognitive effects occurred even in mortarmen with average BOP below the 4 psi safety threshold. While this study was limited by a small...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[McG]

Traumatic Brain Injury, the Hidden Price Paid by Artillery Military Personnel

In recent years, concerns have grown over the invisible injuries soldiers sustain not in combat, but in routine military training.

lavocedinewyork.com

Exploring Blast Exposure and the Brain

Five biomedical engineering students spent the summer working with the National Security Innovation Network

coe.gatech.edu

 

[McG]

Signs of Brain Injury in Mortar Soldiers: ‘Guys Are Getting Destroyed’

Soldiers exposed to thousands of low-level blasts from firing weapons like mortars say that they wind up with debilitating symptoms of traumatic brain injury — but no diagnosis.

www.nytimes.com

 

[KevinB]

Now keep in mind the 120mm mortar muzzle is not exactly far away from the crews head.

It is possible to reduce the pressure levels Alamed by the crew by redirecting the majority of it further way from the crew.

Longer barrels and blast deflectors are a thing…

 

[dimsum]

Yeah. I could see where 60 some odd battalions of "The Royal Canadian Regiment" might have some resistance.

And what is it with things like "2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)?"

A willingness to combine Battalions?

 

[Kirkhill]

A willingness to combine Battalions?

Not to mention combining infantry and horsemen.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I think you are going to see a gradually move away from the muzzle fed 120mm because of these studies and seeing breechloading versions, either trailered or mounted in lightweight turrets to protect the crew. I was a fan of getting these, but looking at what the Carl-G and 105 did to me and these are appear to be even worse, and multiple it by thousands of claims, that would pay for some turreted mortar SPG's in the long run.

 

[FJAG]

A willingness to combine Battalions?

So if the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers combines with the 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers it becomes the 1st/12th/15th/16th Royal New South Wales Hunter River Lancers???

 

[FJAG]

I think you are going to see a gradually move away from the muzzle fed 120mm because of these studies and seeing breechloading versions, either trailered or mounted in lightweight turrets to protect the crew. I was a fan of getting these, but looking at what the Carl-G and 105 did to me and these are appear to be even worse, and multiple it by thousands of claims, that would pay for some turreted mortar SPG's in the long run.

You either pay for the right gear up front or continue to pay later for the damage you've caused.

Don't be surprised if government (which includes military leadership) selects to save money (or more kindly - obtain more equipment for the same bucks) in the present and leave future problems to future governments. There's also the quantum of costs issue - will the future health care claims be larger in future dollars than the current cost differential between the two equipment options? That's if future damage even crosses their minds.

Sigh

 

[dapaterson]

Costs including future veterans benefits are captured when items are submitted to the Treasury Board ministers. The rates indicated on the page below have since changed.

Guidance for Drafters of Treasury Board Submissions - Canada.ca

www.canada.ca