DANA ZTS ShKH vz. 77 152mm

8x8 self-propelled howitzer Slovakia - Czech Republic

Dana 152 mm 8x8 wheeled self propelled gun howitzer Czech Republic army defense industry 925 001

Description

The Dana also known as the Samohybná Kanónová Húfnica vzor 77 (ShKH vz. 77), is a 152mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzer that was developed in the late 1970s to respond to a request for the Czech army for a new mobile artillery system. The vehicle was designed and manufactured by the Czech Company ZTS and entered in service with the Czech army in 1981. The vehicle is always in service with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Georgia, Poland, and Libya. A modernized version is now produced in Slovakia by ZTS Dubnica nad Váhom of the Slovak Republic under the name of Zuzana. A new upgraded version is also produced in the Czech Republic by the Company Excalibur under the name of Dana M1, using a 155m cannon. The Dana can be ready to fire from a road position within 2 minutes and can move off again 1 minute after the last round is fired. In April 2022, the Czech Republic donated 20 DANA 155mm howitzers to Ukraine. 

DANA 152mm variants:

- DANA M1: a Czech upgrade of the DANA, developed by the Excalibur Army from Prague. The upgrade package consists of a new fire control system, new navigation aids, and a modified chassis with a T3-930 engine.
- ZUZANA: modernized Slovak version of the DANA which has been modified with a 155 mm gun (45 calibers) to conform to NATO standards.
- ZUZANA 2: Initially known as Zuzana A1 and then Zuzana XA-1, this is the latest development of the Zuzana. It was unveiled for the first time in 2004. This model is fitted with a 155/52 ordnance and has other improvements such as a reworked turret and a different engine: the Tatra T3B-928.70 of 330 kW.


Technical Data

Armament
The Dana 152mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzer is fitted with a fully enclosed armored turret mounted on the center of the chassis which is armed with one 152mm with a muzzle brake and fires the same ammunition as the Russian-made 152 mm 2S3 tracked self-propelled howitzer. The turret is fitted with a fully automatic loading system which loads the projectile and then the charge using an automatic rammer. The weapon can be loaded at all angles of elevation. The automatic loading system is hydraulic and is controlled by electrical elements and the gunner can select either single shots or fully automatic fire. The turret has a traverse of 225° to each side and the cannon has an elevation of +70° and depression of -4°. The vehicle can carry a total of 60 ammunition stored inside the chassis and the turret. It has a maximum firing range of 20 km with standard ammunition and 28 km with extended range ammunition. The right side of the turret roof is fitted with one 12.7 mm NSV machine gun which can be used against land and air targets.
Design and protection
The design of the Dana 152mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer is divided into three main compartments with a crew cab at the front, the turret in the middle, and the engine at the rear. The Dana has a crew of five with the driver position on the left side in the front crew cab with the commander to his right each is equipped with a single hatch on the roof that opens forward There are two small windows at the front of the vehicle which can be covered by shutters. The other three members of the crew are located in the turret with the gunner and loader on the left and the ammunition handler on the right. There is one single door on each side of the turret. The Dana is fully protected against the firing of small arms and shell splinters.
Mobility
The Dana 152mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer is based on a Tatra 815 8x8 truck chassis powered by one Tatra 2-939-34 air-cooled diesel engine developing 345 hp. coupled to a dual-range transmission with 5 speed, plus overdrive providing 20 forward and 4 reverse speeds. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 80 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 750 km. The vehicle is able to negotiate a trench of 2.1m, a slope of 30%, and a gradient of 62%. It can climb a vertical obstacle of 60 cm and cross a water depth of 1.4m.
Accessories
Standard equipment of the Dana 152mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer includes an indirect fire system, targeting data originates with the forward observer, passing through a fire direction center command post before reaching the individual Dana via radio. The fire control suite includes a ZZ-73 rocking bar sight collimated with the PG1 MD telescope for indirect fire. An OP 5-38-D sight enables the gunner to engage targets with direct fire as well. The Dana is also equipped with night vision, NBC (Nuclear, Bacteriologic and Chemical) protection system which is provided with filter ventilation and an air conditioning system that distributes fresh air to both the cab and the turret. Pressure for the hydraulic system of the self-loading system as well as for weapon elevation and turret traverse is supplied by a pump driven from the main engine, although manual backup systems are provided for all powered elements.

Specifications

 
Dana 152 mm 8x8 wheeled self propelled gun howitzer Czech Republic army defense industry line drawing blueprint 925 001
Armament Armor
One 152mm cannon and one 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun Protection against the firing of small arms and shell splinters
Country users Weight
Czech Republic, Libya, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine 25,100 kg
Designer Country Speed
Czech Republic 80 km/h
Accessories Range
Indirect fire control system, night vision, NBC protection system 750
Crew Dimensions
5 Length: 11.15 m; Width: 3.0 m; Height: 2.85 m

Details View

Dana 152 mm 8x8 wheeled self propelled gun howitzer Czech Republic army defense industry front view 001
Dana 152 mm 8x8 wheeled self propelled gun howitzer Czech Republic army defense industry rear view 001
Dana 152 mm 8x8 wheeled self propelled gun howitzer Czech Republic army defense industry left side view 001
Dana 152 mm 8x8 wheeled self propelled gun howitzer Czech Republic army defense industry right side view 001

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