T-155 Fırtına
| T-155 Fırtına | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin | South Korea, Turkey |
| Service history | |
| Wars |
Turkey-PKK conflict Turkey-PYD conflict Turkey-ISIS conflict |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1998–2001 |
| Produced | 2001–Present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | Combat: 56 tons |
| Length | 12 m (39 ft 4 in) |
| Width | 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 3.43 m (11 ft 3 in) |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, 2 Loaders) |
|
|
|
|
Main
armament |
155 mm L52 Artillery Gun |
|
Secondary
armament |
12.7 mm machine gun |
| Engine |
MTU-881 KA 500 power pack 1000+ hp |
| Power/weight | 17.85 hp/ton |
| Suspension | HSU |
|
Operational
range |
480 km (299 mi) |
| Speed | 66 km/h (41 mph) |
T-155 Fırtına (Storm) is a Turkish 155mm self-propelled howitzer based on the K9 Thunder by Samsung Techwin.
Though essentially using the subsystems of the K9 howitzer, including the South Korean designed 155/52 caliber gun system and automatic ammunition feeding mechanism, and the German designed MTU-881 KA 500 diesel engine, the T-155 has considerable differences in its turret design, parts of the chassis, the navigation system, and electronic systems (such as the radio and fire control system) which were developed in Turkey. Unlike the K9, T-155 Fırtına lacks commander's digital panoramic sight. Through the Inertial Navigation System produced by ASELSAN the howitzer is able to determine the coordinates of the targets at 17.5 meters deviation. Fırtına can open fire within 30 seconds.
According to the licence agreement with Samsung Techwin, the first eight T-155s were built in South Korea, while the remaining batch of more than 300 units would be produced in Turkey. The total reported cost of purchase and technology transfer for the Turkish government was $1 billion.
The T-155 Fırtına has a maximum firing range of 40 km, depending on the type of ammunition. It can reach a top speed of 66 km/h and has an operational range of 480 km.
The T-155 howitzers are built at the 1st Army Maintenance Center Command of the Turkish Army in Adapazarı. Cannon is produced in Kirikkale facility of MKEK. The production rate of the T-155 is 24 units per year. From 2001 to December 2009, more than 150 units have been delivered to the Turkish Army. A total of 350 T-155 Fırtına howitzers are planned to be produced.
Recent developments have been made within Turkey to develop an indigenous Ammunition Resupply Vehicle based on T-155 Fırtına, the vehicles will have an Ammunition Transfer System similar to that of the South Korean K10 ARV. This vehicle will have a boom that is extended towards the rear of the T-155 Fırtına turret where the exchange will take place. The Turkish ARV will have an Auxiliary Power Unit unlike the K10 ARV, which allows the vehicle's crew to use electronics, communication systems and an Ammunition Transfer System to run economically without the main engines being turned on.
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Wikipedia