Slovak company Konstrukta Defence showcases its latest generation of 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer called Zuzana 2 during DEFEA 2021, the International Defense Exhibition in Athens, Greece.
Slovak Zuzana 2 155mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzer at DEFEA 2021, International Defense Exhibition in Greece. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The Zuzana 2 is an 8x8 wheeled self-propelled howitzer fully designed and developed by the Slovak company Konstrukta Defence. It is an advanced version of the Zuzana in service with the Slovak army which is based on the DANA 152mm self-propelled howitzer.
The Zuzana 2 was unveiled for the first time to the public in May 2011 during the International Exhibition of Defence and Security Technologies (IDET) in the Czech Republic. The new howitzer is based on a TATRA 8x8 truck chassis with the driver compartment and a turret mounted in the middle of the chassis.
The turret is armed with one 155mm/52 caliber gun able to fire all NATO artillery ammunition. The gun can be operated in automatic mode with a rate of fire of five rounds per minute or in manual mode with 2 rounds per minute. This artillery vehicle can fire projectiles at a minimum range of 5 km and a maximum range of 41 km with long-range artillery projectiles (ERFB-BB). The gun can be used for direct and indirect fire and the vehicle can carry up to 40 ready-to-fire projectiles and 40 powder charges.
The Zuzana 2 has a crew of four and provides ballistic protection STANAG 4569 Level against the firing of small arms 7.62mm caliber and mine protection Level 1, against fragments of artillery shells.
The Zuzana 2 is fitted with thermal weapon sight and night vision to provide an enhanced field of view during low light/night operations. The vehicle also incorporates an onboard fire control system (FCS) to enable easy operation with digital maps, as well as an inertial navigation system (INS), a muzzle velocity radar, and electronic equipment for providing target information.
The Zuzana 2 is powered by a Tatra T3D-928 8 cylinders diesel engine developing 325 kW at 1,800 rpm coupled to a Tatra 14 TS 210L-N gearbox. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 90 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 650 km.
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