FH-2000
Encyclopedia
The FH-2000 or Field Howitzer 2000 was developed by Singapore Technologies for Singapore Army
. It is a 155 mm/52-calibre towed howitzer gun. It fires projectiles to a maximum range of 42 kilometers using special extended range ammunition, that was field tested in New Zealand
. It has a crew of eight and uses a 75 hp diesel auxiliary power unit
to give it a self propelled speed of 10 kilometers an hour movement without towing.
The FH-2000 is a development of the FH-88
gun system, which was first produced in 1983 and uses many of the same components. Development of the FH-2000 began in 1990, with the first prototype produced in 1991. The initial prototype was developed further, and acceptance tests were completed in December 1993. The gun differs in a number of ways from the earlier FH-88 most notable is the longer 52 calibre barrel as compared to the 39 calibre barrel of the FH-88.
The firing platform, when fully deployed, support the howitzer using a tripod mechanical structure. Firing loads are transmitted to the ground through this tripod, isolating the hydraulic cylinders of the platform, which provides for greater reliability. The FH2000 can be fitted with a series of sighting systems from optical to electro-optical. These sighting systems can be linked to the fire control computers. The breech mechanism is semi-automatic. The breech opens automatically during counter recoil. An electronically controlled and hydraulically powered flick rammer rams the projectile into the barrel chamber with high consistency.
Additionally, ST Kinetics assisted Turkey in the design and manufacture of its own 155mm/52calibre "PANTER" towed howitzer system, which is understood to be based on the FH-2000 design but upgraded locally with an uprated diesel Auxiliary Power Unit
(APU) of 160 hp instead of the original 75 hp, thus giving it a self propelled speed of 18 km/h as compared to 10 km/h for the FH-2000.
in the barrel of a FH-2000 gun howitzer during a live firing exercise
conducted by the 23rd Battalion of Singapore Artillery at the artillery range of Waiouru Army Camp
, near Waiouru
in New Zealand
. This resulted in the deaths of two full-time national servicemen, Third Sergeant
Ronnie Tan Han Chong and Lance Corporal
Low Yin Tit. 12 other servicemen were injured in the incident, including a Staff Sergeant
from New Zealand Army
, who was acting as the New Zealand Defence Force
liaison officer/observer to the visiting SAF battalion.
A Committee of Inquiry found that the most probable cause of this incident was a faulty artillery fuze
that was fitted to the 155 mm projectile which had been loaded into the gun howitzer that resulted in the premature
detonation
. Subsequently, Chartered Industries of Singapore conducted a X-ray
check on the same batch of fuzes from where the faulty fuze was taken from and found that approximately 1.3% of these fuzes were faulty.
The families of the two deceased SAF servicemen were compensated as well as the other injured servicemen. Various SAF and New Zealand personnel were also awarded, in recognition of their acts of bravery and professionalism during the incident. Lieutenant-Colonel Toh Boh Kwee, First Warrant Officer Mohinder Singh, First Sergeant Teo Boon Hong and Lieutenant Leroy Forrester from the NZDF received the Pingat Jasa Perwira (Tentera) for risking their lives to help injured soldiers immediately after the explosion.
Singapore Army
The Singapore Army is the branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for land operations. It is the largest of the three armed services and heavily reliant on a conscript army, comprising the majority of Singapore's Operationally Ready National Servicemen .-Capabilities:The mission of the...
. It is a 155 mm/52-calibre towed howitzer gun. It fires projectiles to a maximum range of 42 kilometers using special extended range ammunition, that was field tested in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It has a crew of eight and uses a 75 hp diesel auxiliary power unit
Auxiliary power unit
An auxiliary power unit is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are commonly found on large aircraft, as well as some large land vehicles.-Function:...
to give it a self propelled speed of 10 kilometers an hour movement without towing.
Development
FH-88
The FH-88 or Field Howitzer 88 was the first locally-designed howitzer developed for the Singapore Army. It is a 155 mm/39-calibre towed howitzer gun.-Development:...
gun system, which was first produced in 1983 and uses many of the same components. Development of the FH-2000 began in 1990, with the first prototype produced in 1991. The initial prototype was developed further, and acceptance tests were completed in December 1993. The gun differs in a number of ways from the earlier FH-88 most notable is the longer 52 calibre barrel as compared to the 39 calibre barrel of the FH-88.
Design
Deployment
By 1995 18 guns were deployed with the 23rd Singapore artillery battalion in three batteries of six guns. The gun has been offered for export, and the Indonesian army has taken delivery of a number of these units.Additionally, ST Kinetics assisted Turkey in the design and manufacture of its own 155mm/52calibre "PANTER" towed howitzer system, which is understood to be based on the FH-2000 design but upgraded locally with an uprated diesel Auxiliary Power Unit
Auxiliary power unit
An auxiliary power unit is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are commonly found on large aircraft, as well as some large land vehicles.-Function:...
(APU) of 160 hp instead of the original 75 hp, thus giving it a self propelled speed of 18 km/h as compared to 10 km/h for the FH-2000.
1997 Incident
On 9 March 1997, a 155mm artillery round explodedExplosion
An explosion is a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. An explosion creates a shock wave. If the shock wave is a supersonic detonation, then the source of the blast is called a "high explosive"...
in the barrel of a FH-2000 gun howitzer during a live firing exercise
Live fire exercise
A live fire exercise or LFX is any exercise in which a realistic scenario for the use of specific equipment is simulated. In the popular lexicon this is applied primarily to tests of weapons or weapon systems that are associated with the various branches of a nation's armed forces, although the...
conducted by the 23rd Battalion of Singapore Artillery at the artillery range of Waiouru Army Camp
Waiouru Army Camp
The Waiouru Army Camp is a base of the New Zealand Army in the central North Island near Waiouru.Waiouru is often referred to by soldiers as the home of the army as it houses the army marae and is the base where all New Zealand Army soldiers complete their initial basic training called All Arms...
, near Waiouru
Waiouru
Waiouru is a small town in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. It is on the North Island Volcanic Plateau, 25 kilometres south-east of Mount Ruapehu, and in the Ruapehu District....
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. This resulted in the deaths of two full-time national servicemen, Third Sergeant
Third Sergeant
Third Sergeant is a Specialist rank in the Singapore Armed Forces. Third Sergeants are the most junior of Specialists, ranking above Corporal First Class, who, in the SAF, are not considered Specialists and do not have command authority...
Ronnie Tan Han Chong and Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
Lance corporal is a military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organizations. It is below the rank of corporal, and is typically the lowest non-commissioned officer, usually equivalent to the NATO Rank Grade OR-3.- Etymology :The presumed...
Low Yin Tit. 12 other servicemen were injured in the incident, including a Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
from New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
, who was acting as the New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
liaison officer/observer to the visiting SAF battalion.
A Committee of Inquiry found that the most probable cause of this incident was a faulty artillery fuze
Artillery fuze
An artillery fuze or artillery fuse is the type of munition fuze used with artillery munitions, typically projectiles fired by guns , howitzers and mortars. A fuze is a device that initiates an explosive function in a munition, most commonly causing it to detonate or release its contents, when its...
that was fitted to the 155 mm projectile which had been loaded into the gun howitzer that resulted in the premature
Premature
Premature can refer to:*Premature aging: see Senescence*Premature birth or prematurity: see Preterm birth*Premature ejaculation*Premature menopause*Premature stop codon: see Nonsense mutation*Premature ventricular contraction...
detonation
Detonation
Detonation involves a supersonic exothermic front accelerating through a medium that eventually drives a shock front propagating directly in front of it. Detonations are observed in both conventional solid and liquid explosives, as well as in reactive gases...
. Subsequently, Chartered Industries of Singapore conducted a X-ray
X-ray
X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz and energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma...
check on the same batch of fuzes from where the faulty fuze was taken from and found that approximately 1.3% of these fuzes were faulty.
The families of the two deceased SAF servicemen were compensated as well as the other injured servicemen. Various SAF and New Zealand personnel were also awarded, in recognition of their acts of bravery and professionalism during the incident. Lieutenant-Colonel Toh Boh Kwee, First Warrant Officer Mohinder Singh, First Sergeant Teo Boon Hong and Lieutenant Leroy Forrester from the NZDF received the Pingat Jasa Perwira (Tentera) for risking their lives to help injured soldiers immediately after the explosion.