Field howitzers

A field howitzer which comprises:

• (i) a howitzer barrel having a barrel axis;
• (ii) a cradle supporting the barrel and having a rearward end;
• (iii) a chassis;
• (iv) a trunnion support structure secured to the chassis and including a trunnion bearing about which the rearward end of the cradle is pivotally mounted to provide a firing position which varies from the horizontal to higher angles of elevation, said howitzer barrel being displaceable, as a consequence of recoil on firing, from a ready-to-fire position to a maximum recoil position and said trunnion bearing lying on the barrel axis and being positioned beyond the maximum recoil position;
• (v) front stabilizers operable to spread the load of the howitzer over a large area of ground when not being fired;
• (vi) rear trail support legs operable to spread the load of the howitzer over a large area of ground and to assist with the absorbing of recoil energy while providing overturning and lateral stability, wherein the rear trail support legs are hingedly mounted to the chassis and hydraulic dampers are provided at, or near, attachment points of the rear trail support legs to the chassis to assist with the absorbing of recoil energy;
• and
• (vii) spades located at ends of the rear trail support legs.