G6 Rhino G6-45 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer data | South Africa African artillery vehicles systems UK | South Africa African army military equipment UK

: 18 November 2018

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G6 Rhino 155mm G6-45 wheeled self-propelled howitzer

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Description

The G6 is a South African-made 155m wheeled self-propelled howitzer designed and developed by the Defence Company manufacturer Denel. In the South African army the vehicle is known with the nickname of Rhino. The first prototype of the G6 Rhino was completed in 1981 and shown for the first time in public in September 1982. By late 1986, four complete G6s had been built plus one additional turret. Of these four, two can be considered as prototypes and two advanced development vehicles, for they incorporated many improvements as the result of user trials and changes in operational requirements. The first production G6s were completed during 1988, with Denel being the prime contractor. The G6 Rhino howitzer was the first vehicle of this type with a full autonomous laying and navigation capability.

Variants

- G6-52: armed with a new longer 155-mm /L52 howitzer comparing with it's predecessor.

Technical Data

Armament

The G6 Rhino is armed with 155 mm 45 caliber gun. It has a single-baffle muzzle brake, a semi-automatic screw and swing breech mechanism and an electrical firing system. A steel fume extractor is fitted. The recoil system consists of a single buffer and single recuperator. Two banks of two smoke grenade discharger are mounted each side at the front of the turret. A fully automatic gun laying capability in both traverse and elevation directions is provided. This automatic gun laying system enables rapid and accurate relaying of the 155 mm ordnance between rounds at high rates of fire. The turret can be traversed through 180º (90º left and right) under electrohydraulic control with manual controls provided for maintenance, although for practical purposes the firing arc of the turret is 40º left and right. The 155 mm ordnance can be elevated from -5 to +75º under electrohydraulic servo control. A rate of 4 rds/min is achieved when firing with the maximum charge and can be continued for a period of 15 minutes, after which chamber temperatures have to be monitored. A rate of 5 rds/min is achieved when firing charge 2. A burst capability of 3 rounds in 25 seconds can be achieved. The G6 Rhino can fired a full range of ammunition as the HE, Smoke, Illuminating, RP, Sub-monition and Leaflet. The G6 Rhino carries 45 ammunitions of 155mm. A 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun can be mounted on the loader hatch top of the turret.

Design and protection

The hull and turret of the G6 Rhino are made with all-welded steel armour which provides a protection against the firing of small arms and shell splinters. The G6 has a double armoured floor for increased protection against mines. The G6 has a specific layout with a single driver compartment at the front, power pack in the center back of the driver and the turret at the rear. The driver compartment is fitted with three bullet-proof windows, one at the front and one to each side which affords excellent visibility through the front in excess of 180º, the front window can be covered by an armoured shutter. One single bullet-proof window is mounted to the right side of the turret and two to the left side. There is a single door to the rear right side of the turret.

Propulsion

The G6 uses an OMC 6x6 chassis with one simple axle at the front and two at the rear. The suspension is independent with torsion bars and hydro-pneumatic damping system. The G6 is motorized with an air-cooled diesel engine developing 518 hp. coupled to an automatic transmission with torque converter providing 6 forward and 1 reverse speeds. The G6 Rhino can run at a maximum speed of 90 km/h on road with a maximum range of 700 km. The maximum gradient is 40%, trench crossing 1m and the fording depth is 1m.

Accessories

The G6 Rhino is equipped with Gun Management System (GMS) is provided to assist the commander with command, control, communication and information functions in and around the G6. The GMS contains a Gun Display Unit (GDU) situated at the commander station which is used for sorting and displaying navigation data, gun laying data and fire orders received via radio data communication link to each G6 from a Battery Command Post (BCP). Data transmission is also performed when the gun is mobile, ensuring an in action time of 1 minute and out of action time of 30 seconds. A land navigation system completes the standard equipment of the G6 Rhino who is in charge to transmit navigation and gun laying data. The standard equipment of G6 Rhino includes NBC protection system and in option the vehicle can be fitted with night vision equipment.

Specifications