155 K 98
| 155 GH 52 APU | |
|---|---|
155 GH 52 APU
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| Type | Field gun |
| Place of origin | Finland |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1998 |
| Used by |
Finnish Army Egyptian Army |
| Wars | none |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 13,500 kg (29,800 lb) |
| Barrel length | 52 calibers |
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| Caliber | 155 millimetres (6.1 in) |
| Carriage | Split trail, sole plate, auxiliary power unit and hydraulics |
| Elevation | -5 to +70° |
| Traverse | 65° |
| Rate of fire | 6 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 827 m/s (2,710 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 30-40 km (19-25 mi) depending on ammo |
The 155 GH 52 APU is a Finnish towed artillery piece developed in 1998. It is an enhanced and upgraded version of the 155 K 83. The acronym APU stands for auxiliary power unit, which means that it can be moved on the field short distances with its own auxiliary diesel engine. The diesel engine, which is used in all 56 units used by the Finnish defence forces, is a 78-kilowatt Deutz diesel engine.
The 155 GH 52 is considered to be one of the most modern field artillery cannons to date and was originally manufactured by Oy Tampella AB industries (today a part of Patria, Patria Vammas Systems Oy). It has a high rate of fire (6 rounds per minute) and can fire all types of 155 mm ammunition.
The Kainuu Artillery Regiment of Kainuu Brigade in Vuosanka shooting range and the Artillery Brigade in Niinisalo in Pohjankangas shooting range operate the guns in Finland. The artillery units train also at Rovajärvi shooting range in Rovaniemi, Lapland.
In Finnish practice one infantry readiness brigade has one organic artillery regiment consisting of two artillery fire battalions. Both of the artillery fire battalions have 18 cannons divided in three six cannon batteries, which means that an artillery regiment, which is an organic unit for a readiness brigade, should have 36 cannons in its two artillery battalions. Finland has three readiness brigades.
In 2003 a gun was mounted on a Soviet T-55 chassis for use as a self-propelled gun prototype. This vehicle was designed primarily as a design study for the Egyptian Army. It was later sold to Egypt.
On 21 May 2007, the Finnish Yleisradio revealed some problems with the 155 GH 52 APU, dealing with reliability issues of the towing system and barrel behavior when firing long-distance rounds. These facts had been withheld from the Egyptians at the time of the deal. The major challenges have been the accuracy of fire in the longest distances and barrel wear with same distances.
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Wikipedia