Rwandan Army CS/SH1 122mm 6×6 self-propelled howitzer.
The CS/SH1 also called PCL-09 in China is a 122mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured by the Chinese Company Norinco. The armament of this artillery vehicle consists of one PL-96, a Chinese version of the Soviet-made 122mm D-30 howitzer mounted at the rear of 6×6 truck chassis. For its self-protection, a 12.7 mm machine can be mounted to the roof of the crew cabin.
The CS/SH1 can fire projectiles out to a range of around 27 km with a rate of fire of eight rounds per minute. A total of 40 rounds are carried. The vehicle can be fitted with a 12.7 mm machinegun on the crew cabin for self-protection – the cab has seating for five persons. The vehicle weights around 16 500 kg and can reach a top speed of 85 km/h with a range of 600 km.
South Africa’s Denel G-6 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer
The G6 is a 155mm long-range gun developed and produced by the LIW division of Denel, mounted on a chassis made by Alvis OMC (now part of BAE Systems Land Systems). The G6 is in service with the South African Army (43 systems – GV6 Rhino) and has also been exported to the United Arab Emirates (78 systems – G6 M1A3) and Oman (24 systems).
The G6 155mm self-propelled howitzer is a highly autonomous system with 700km vehicle fuel range, 50km weapon range using velocity enhanced long range projectiles and the ability to fire the first round within 60 seconds of the vehicle stopping.
In September 2001, the G6 achieved a range of 53.6km using the new velocity-enhanced long-range projectile (V-LAP) and the new M64 bi-modular charge system. V-LAP combines base bleed and rocket motor technology, while the M64 charge system increases muzzle velocity to 910m/s VLAP is part of Denel’s new Assegai range of 155mm ammunition.
The 155mm main gun is equipped with a 45-calibre auto-frettaged barrel, a semi-automatic screw-type breech and an electrical trigger mechanism. The gun is fitted with a single-baffle open-type muzzle brake and a reinforced epoxy resin fume extractor.
The howitzer has on-board storage for 45 projectiles and 50 charges. Semi-automatic projectile loading is carried out using an electronically controlled hydraulic flick-rammer. Two loading chutes are installed at the rear of gun for direct loading from a ground ammunition pile.
Firing ports are provided for the crews’ personal weapons and a machine-gun mounting is fitted on the left turret
South Africa’s G-5 Army 155mm Artillery
The G5 is a 155 mm 45 calibre, towed gun howitzer. It has such indirect fire flexibility that it can be employed in the traditional gun, howitzer and mortar roles, and can cover an area of almost 1000 km2 from a single firing position. The gun is capable of maximum sea level ranges of 30 km with ERFB projectiles and 39 km with ERFB base bleed projectiles. The G5 is fully compatible with NATO standard 155-mm ammunition and has a direct fire range of 3000 meters (using a Frag-HE round).
The G5 is fitted with an auxiliary power unit which gives it a self-propelled speed of 16 km/h. The APU, combined with the tandem walking-beam suspension, gives the G5 excellent self-propelled mobility over short distances. The four wheels are all powered and give the gun excellent traction over most terrain. But, the APU serves purposes other than mobility.
It provides power to open and close the trails, raise and lower the trail wheels, and raise and lower the firing platform. However, there is no power traverse or elevation. Large wheels, spades and firing platform provide excellent mobility and stability in soft or sandy terrain. The gun can be transported in an aircraft such as the C-130.
Nigeria’s Palmaria 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer
The Palmaria 155 mm self-propelled howitzer was developed from 1977 by Oto Melara specifically for export and first production vehicles followed in 1982.
Nigeria ordered 25 during 1982 and a further 20 Palmaria turrets were ordered by Argentina to be fitted on locally built TAM medium tank chassis.
The chassis of the Palmaria 155 mm self-propelled howitzer is of all welded steel armour which provides the occupants with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. Many of the automotive components of the Palmaria 155 mm self-propelled howitzer are also used in the Oto Malara OF-40 Main Battle Tank
The Oto Melara-designed 155 mm barrel is 41 calibres long, is fitted with a fume extractor and a muzzle brake and is loaded semi-automatically. Using the semi-automatic loading system, the howitzer can fire one round every 15 seconds, one round every minute for 1 hour or one round every 3 minutes continuously. The semi-automatic loader is at the rear of the turret and can be loaded via a hatch in the turret side. The 155 mm barrel is loaded at an angle of +2° and the propellant charge is loaded into the chamber manually.
In 1990, Oto Melara completed a further batch of 25 155 mm Palmaria systems for an undisclosed customer. Some sources indicate that this was a repeat order from Nigeria.
The main armament is a 155mm 41-caliber howitzer for which 30 rounds are carried, including 7 stowed in the hull. The semi-automatic loading system allows for a maximum rate of fire of 4 rpm and 1 rpm for 60 minutes. A range of Italian 155mm rounds has been developed for use with the Palmaria, but all NATO standard 155mm rounds can be fired. The maximum range is 24.7 km for normal rounds and 30 km for rocket assisted rounds.
Nigeria’s FH77 Bofors 155mm Self-Propelled Artillery
The FH77 is a highly capable 155mm towed howitzer. The hydraulic crane and high level of automation allow for a high rate of fire. The FH77 is easily identified since it is one of the few single axle towed howitzers equipped with an APU. Over time a small number of variants was developed.
It was developed in the early 1970’s as highly mobile towed alternative to self-propelled howitzers, such as the M109. At the time of development the FH77 was the most sophisticated towed howitzer due to its high level of automation. It also was the first towed howitzer to feature an auxiliary power unit for autonomous movement.
The FH77 fires both its own range of 155mm shells and NATO compliant ammunition. The maximum range is 21 km with regular ammunition and over 27 km with base bleed ammunition. The high level of automation results in a high rate of fire. When using semi-fixed ammunition three rounds can be fired in 8 seconds, and six rounds can be fired in 25 seconds. NATO standard ammunition is fired at a lower rate of fire. Sustained rate of fire is 3 rpm for 20 minutes.
Egyptian Army M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer
The 155-mm M109 series, Self-propelled medium howitzers are highly mobile combat support weapons. They are air transportable in phase III of airborne operation. They have a cruising range of 220 miles at speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Combat loaded, The M109 series weighs 27.5 tons. The 155-mm projectile weights 98 pounds.
The M109 has a crew of four: the section chief/commander, the driver, the gunner, and the ammunition handler/loader. The chief or gunner aims the cannon left or right (deflection) and up and down (quadrant).
The M109 series howitzer is a vehicle that provides armored combat support, is air transportable, internally loaded, and has excellent ground mobility. It allows firing in a 360 degree circle through its primary armament, the 155mm cannon assembly, and its secondary armament, the M2 heavy barrel caliber 50 machine gun. The system is capable of both direct (line of sight) and indirect (out of the line of sight) firing.
DefenseNigeria 