T-155 Fırtına
| T-155 Fırtına | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin | Turkey |
| Service history | |
| Wars |
Turkey-PKK conflict[1] Turkey-PYD conflict[1] Turkey-ISIS conflict[2] |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1998–2001[1] |
| Produced | 2001–Present[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | Combat: 56 tons[1] |
| Length | 12 m (39 ft 4 in)[1] |
| Width | 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)[1] |
| Height | 3.43 m (11 ft 3 in)[1] |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, 2 Loaders)[1] |
|
| |
Main armament | 155 mm L52 Artillery Gun[1] |
Secondary armament | 12.7 mm machine gun[1] |
| Engine |
MTU-881 KA 500 power pack[1] 1000+ hp[1] |
| Power/weight | 17.85 hp/ton[1] |
| Suspension | HSU[1] |
Operational range | 480 km (299 mi)[1] |
| Speed | 66 km/h (41 mph)[1] |
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.[3]
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.[4] The total reported cost of purchase and technology transfer for the Turkish government was $1 billion.[5]
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.[6] 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.[7]
Ammunition Resupply Vehicle
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.[8]
Exports
Turkey
The Turkish Armed Forces has placed an order to manufacture 350 vehicles in total with 24 vehicles rolling off of the assembly line every year.
Azerbaijan
Talks were held with the Azerbaijani government regarding the purchase and sale of the military equipment. The sides were expected to sign the contract by the end of 2011.[9] A contract for 36 T-155 howitzers was signed in 2011, but was delayed due to complications regarding the German production of the engines and an embargo on Azerbaijan connected to conflict with neighboring Armenia. It was later reported that deliveries would start in 2014.[10]
Operators
Current operators
Operational history
The T-155 Fırtına was first deployed in Operation Sun at the end of 2007 into January 2008 to fight the PKK militants in the northern part of Iraq.[12]
The T-155 was used in 2012 Syrian–Turkish border clashes and again in Jarabulus offensive (2016).
Related development
Similar vehicles
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "T-155". Military Factory. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- ↑ "CONTACT Deployment of HIMARS is both a military and political move". Turkish Weekly. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- ↑ Enginsoy, Umit. "Turkey hit Syria with S. Korean-designed howitzers". Hurriyet Daily News. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
- ↑ 삼성 테크윈: 포병장비 (in Korean). Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- ↑ John Pike. "K9 155mm self-propelled howitzer". Global Security. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- ↑ "MKEK catalogue" (PDF).
- ↑ "Korea seeks to sell tanks to Turkey". Korea Herald.
- ↑ "Mühimmat Transfer Sistemi (MTS)". aselsan.com.tr. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- ↑ "Azerbaijan interested in Turkey's Firtina Self-Propelled Howitzer". News.az. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- 1 2 "Turkey to start the delivery of T-155 Firtina 155mm self-propelled howitzer to Azerbaijan in 2014". Armyrecognition.com. 2 January 2014.
- ↑ "T-155 Firtina 155-mm Self-Propelled Howitzer". Military Today.
- ↑ "Hürriyet: Hem karadan hem havadan" (in Turkish). April 27, 2008.
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