T-155 Firtina
155mm 52 caliber tracked self-propelled howitzer - Türkiye
Description
The T-155 Firtina is a 155mm 52 caliber self-propelled howitzer manufactured in Turkey by a consortium of Turkish Defense Companies based on the South Korean-made K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured by Samsung Techwin. The program of the Firtina was launched to meet the request of the Turkish army for a new self-propelled howitzer. In 2001, two prototypes were ordered and the production was launched in 2002. According to the license 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. From 2001 to December 2009, more than 150 units have been delivered to the Turkish Army. A total of 350 T-155 Firtina howitzers are planned to be produced. In 2011 Azerbaijan ordered 36 Firtina with delivery in 2014.
T-155 Firtina variants:
- Ammunition Resupply Vehicle: based on the chassis of the T-155 Firtina without a turret and a cargo area located at the rear of the chassis. The vehicle is fitted with an Ammunition Transfer System. The reloading is done through a Munitions Bridge on the resupply vehicle that extends out to lock itself into the square hole located at the rear of the T-155 Firtina.
- Firtina 2: a new improved version with production started in 2017, featuring enhancements in terms of range and firing rate. The roof of the turret is now equipped with a remotely operated weapon station armed with a 12.7mm machine gun.
Technical Data
| Armament |
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The main armament of the T-155 Firtina consists of a 155mm 52 caliber barrel. The gun of the Firtina is compatible with standard NATO 155-mm ammunition. A standard 155 mm M107 high-explosive projectile can be fired to a maximum range of 18 km or a M549 rocket-assisted high-explosive projectile to a maximum range of 30 km. The barrel is fitted with a multi-baffle muzzle brake and fume extractor. The Firtina is fitted with an automatic ammunition loading system and the gun can fire at a maximum rate of three rounds in 15 seconds. For intense fire, a rate of six to eight rounds a minute can be achieved, while for sustained fire missions a rate of fire of two rounds a minute is possible. The automatic projectile loading system is electrically driven and electronically controlled. A total of 48 projectiles are carried inside the vehicle. The commander's cupola on the right side is armed with a 12.7 mm M2 machine which can be used against ground or aerial threats. Four smoke grenade dischargers are mounted at the front of the turret, on each side of the main gun. Turret traverse is a full 360º under power control with weapon elevation from -2.5 to + 70º also under power control. Manual controls are provided as a backup.
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| Design and protection |
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The hull and turret of the T-155 Firtina are made in all-welded steel armor which provides protection for the crew against the firing of small arms and shell splinters. According to the manufacturer, the armor protects against small arms fire up to 14.5 mm armor-piercing as well as anti-personnel mines. The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left side, with the power pack compartment to his right and the turret compartment is located at the rear of the hull. One large door is provided at the rear of the hull which is used by the crew to enter and leave the vehicle. Another small door is available at the rear of the turret for ammunition resupply.
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| Mobility |
| The T-155 Firtina is motorized with an MTU 881 Ka-500 water-cooled diesel developing 1,000 hp. coupled to an Allison X-1100-5 fully automatic transmission with 4 forward and 2 reverse gears. The hydropneumatic suspension on either side consists of six dual rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear. There are three track-return rollers. The Firtina can run at a maximum top speed of 67 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 360 km. The Firtina r is able to negotiate a gradient up to 60%, side slope to 30%, cross a water obstacle of 1.5 mm deep maximum, can climb vertical obstacles of 0.75m, and can cross a trench of 2.8m maximum. |
| Combat Equipment |
| The Turkish company Aselsan has developed the onboard computerized fire-control system (FCS) for Firtina, which allows each system to receive target information from the battery command post. The FCS includes a computer, gunner's interface unit, power control unit, power conditioning unit, inertial navigation system with embedded Global Positioning System (GPS), assistant gunner's display unit, tactical data/internet communications system, and other subsystems. Standard equipment of the T-155 Firtina includes NBC and ventilation system for each crew member, and night vision equipment. |
Specifications
| Armament | Armor |
| One 155 mm/52 caliber gun, one 12.7mm machine gun | Protection against small arms 14.5mm and shell splinters |
| Country users | Weight |
| Türkiye Azerbaijan | 47,000 kg |
| Designer Country | Speed |
| Türkiye | 67 km/h |
| Combat Equipment | Range |
| Computerized fire control, GPS, NBC protection system and night vision | 350 to 400 km |
| Crew | Dimensions |
| 5 | Length: 12.0 m; Width:3.40 m; Height: 3.43 m |
Details View
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Pictures - Video
