GC-45 / FGH-155 / AH1 (Gun, Canada, 45-calibre)

The GC-45 artillery system was a private venture program of the Space Research Corporation of Canada. The FGH-155 program was sponsored by Space Research Corporation Limited with Desarrollos de Sistemas y Technologies SA. Contractors. This technology was developed and (as the GC-45) previously manufactured by the original Space Research Corporation of Canada, with the assembly of 10 pieces performed by the Voest-Alpine firm of Austria. Subsequently, SRC International SA of Brussels, Belgium, was formed jointly by Space Research Corporation of Canada, which developed and started producing the artillery piece, and the former Poudres Reunies de Belgue of Belgium.

Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Space Research Corporation (SRC, Inc.), was a weapons design consulting firm founded by global ballistics authority Gerald Gerald Vincent Bull. SRC was known for its innovative long-range for the shells and the longest range field artillery technology, such as the GC-45 155mm howitzer that had a maximum range 30km. It ensured a high hit accuracy while stretching the range with FRFB (Extend Range Full Bore) bullet-base bleed ammunition. In the 1970s Bull sold the world with this technology, carried out in Austria, the Republic of South Africa (G-5), Spain (155 / 45ST-012), Austria (GNH-45), Yugoslavia, the introduction of countries such as Iraq of SRC, Inc. technology which was.

China received the technical cooperation of the SRC, Inc., first developed a 155mm cannon howitzer (after W-88 155mm howitzer of (WA-021), and a large-caliber, long-range technology for the 203mm cannon howitzer that it decided to develop. In 1982, China signed a contract to receive the technology of the GC-45 howitzer and 155mm shells from the SRC company. NORINCO obtained the SRC's technical cooperation is a long-range 155mm howitzer it was to development. Development of the 155mm howitzer by SRC company was started in 1985, with the 155mm shells and howitzer of materials and FGC-155 (GC-45), providing a towed artillery in China.

From the fact that the 155mm gun system was a joint development carried out with support of China and SRC, in the main stage of the design, and to produce a gun to be handed over to China, each provided technicians to participate. While carrying out research and development and mutual exchange of ideas, to promote the joint development tha had been negotiated for this kind of howitzer (development of the GC-45), the FGH-155 was a reference for development in this agreement.

SRC Inc. proactively provided technical cooperation, and in doing the technical guidance Gerald Bull himself visited China many times. By the end of 1986, two prototype cannon were completed, and initial mass production was begun in 1987, with the evaluation test of each system has been carried out in November 1988. The 155mm howitzer development was given the name of "W-1988" in the internal NORINCO listing. It was exhibited at the second Beijing International BoTsutomu Expo, which was held in Beijing, its presence has been for the first time publicly.

In the W-1988, the volume of the original gun chamber was 23.548 liters. However, since the energy of the fuel gas generated in comparison with the gun barrel length was too high in the test, the gun barrel life was a problem, and also a problem with the safety becomes short, intense artillery fire and the shock wave was generated from the muzzle. It was found to be very dangerous, and as a result of study, it was found that if the volume of the chamber was reduced to 22.94 liters, the firing speed and range can be improved without adversely affecting the ballistic performance. For the W-1988 for the chamber volume was set to be 22.94 liters. Although this resolved the chamber problem, The W-1988 problems could not be completely resolved, such as accuracy and the muzzle brake, and a variety of problems occurred with recoil control.

At this point Gerald Bull was assassinated in 1990, and technical cooperation broke with SRC, Inc. From the sanctions after the Tiananmen Square incident, it was no longer possible to develop the gun with the Chinese side.

Following the demise of Space Research Corporation of Canada, SRC International held the marketing/production rights for the artillery piece, although no production was undertaken. The license was transferred to the former VoestAlpine firm of Linz, Austria, where production of a slightly modified version of the GC-45 was undertaken as the GHN-45.

In 1981, Dr. Gerald Bull formed a new Space Research Corporation Limited as a separate entity under the SRC Group of Companies in the United Kingdom. Before Dr. Bull’s murder and the breakup of the reformed Space Research Corporation, the firm was working in conjunction with several of its subsidiaries and other firms in the continued development of the Extended Range Full Bore/45 caliber technology. One piece, designated 155/45 ST-012, was fabricated in Spain under an agreement with Desarrollos de Sistemas y Technologies SA (SITECSA) in conjunction with Explosivos Rio Tinto SA of Madrid.

The People’s Republic of China was also involved in this development program, fabricating some components. Meanwhile, before its demise, the second Space Research Corporation was further developing the 155/45 ST-012 under the designation FGH-155. A number of technology transfer agreements for the Extended Range Full Bore/45 caliber technology were in effect over the years. Due to the confusion surrounding the breakup of the second Space Research Corporation and the proprietary nature of the technology, it is not known whether a license for the continued development or manufacture of the FGH-155 in itself is or was in effect. In any event, beginning in the mid-1980s, the Extended Range Full Bore/45 and greater caliber technology was being exploited by a steadily increasing number of firms and organizations in various nations. The technology has been further developed, especially in relation to the ammunition and 52 caliber ordnance.

The GC-45 as such is no longer in production; the 12 pieces produced are in service with the Royal Thai Marines. A modified version of this piece was manufactured as the GHN-45 for several state’s armed forces.