It's probably a technological advance similar to the post someone had a while ago about the new MG that shoots 1mil rounds per minute from 36 barrels. Both of these objects are impractical and, in the second case, illogical (cmon, what are you going to do with a 3 story silencer), but the army still develops it because they can. How will you ever carry the ammo for a 1mil rpm MG? It doesn't matter as long as you can say that you have one. It's in this fashion that we will eventually nuke ourselves into oblivion. "we have a bomb that can blow up earth. wanna see?"

I have a few ideas

measuring muzzle velocity?

How about high speed cameras on each side of the barrel?

A huge vacumcleaner, to suck up gasses, for inviromental reasons?

They are compensating for something?

I've never seen anything like this and don't have a clue.

However I know somebody who absolutely WILL know what it is, and if not will be able to have somebody tell him. I just emailed him the question, and with some luck, I'll hear back in a couple of days.

So like we used to say, "Wait, out."

Tom Hathaway

That does look like thick padding on the door where the barrel is sticking through. Them guns do make a lot of noise, and probably they might be next to where they got a lot of complaints from the noise.

The way they got it all braced up like every one they want to fire they do the samething, I would put my vote to reducing the noise, cause it would take something real big like that to reduce the noise, and not put drag on the shell. This way they can still practice, and not brake all the neighbors windows.

Can't wait to hear the real reason for it.

Linkage to awnser http://www.theisonews.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=108723&highlight=photochop

If it's a silencer, I could use that for my snoring!

Last month there was some speculation on the photo that started this topic.

As suggested by many it turns out that it is in fact a silencer. The message below was sent to the Commanding General of the Artillery School and Fort Sill in response to the question.

Sir,

Based on the email I received from LTC Koeser the device is essentially a "silencer" for cannons. According to the below email, the project was intended to reduce the noise associated with the firing of M109's and PzH 2000 howitzers during training. The device was designed for semi-fixed firing positions that the German Army uses for training. The initial experiment was probably conducted at Meppin Training Area in Germany in 2003. This device was intended for use in training only (too cumbersome for operational application). Apparently, the German Army did not consider this approach a worthwhile project.

Tom Hathaway

Thanks for clearing that up Tom

I can just imagine the reaction from the COL who sent that message when he orginally got question in his email.

"Why's the "old man" asking about THIS for???"" :-)

Tom Hathaway

Gary, got a "red" x. Can you send me the pic or the site?

I'll be doing a "walk-around" of the Paladin soon...like to take the pic to the Gun Bunnies for input.

Here's the photo, and it is definitely a silencer that the BW was trying out for the M109.

Red Leg 6 and I were 2LTs together back when FADAC was backup to the charts, and his staff got that info directly from the German LNO at Ft. Sill.

Tom

Tom, thanks for the pic....I checked out the link Matt left...won't go there again; flippin idiots

Heck of a silencer!

OH my god!!


That thing is huge!

What about all them people on that cussing site, that said we were stupid for trying to guess what it is. That it was just something made up. I guess that's what happens when they can't participate intelligently, they go there and hide their names, and talk about people.

Hopefully someday, they will learn that they can join in the fun, instead of criticizing it.

Kerry

It helps to know the CG personally! :-)

I wasn't sure the thing was actually real, but I knew that I could ask at the very top of the FA tree and I'd get the real answer!

Tom