T-155 Firtina
Encyclopedia
T-155 Fırtına is the Turkish
variant of the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer by Samsung Techwin
.
Though essentially using the main systems of the K9 howitzer, including the South Korea
n designed 155/52 caliber gun system, majority of the chassis
, 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.
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. The total reported cost of purchase and technology transfer for the Turkish government was $1 billion.
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
. 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.
unlike the K10 ARV, which allows the vehicle's crew to use electronics, communication systems and Ammunition Transfer System to run economically without the main engines being turned on.
at the end of 2007 into January 2008 to fight the PKK militans in the northern part of Iraq.
Talks are being held with the Azerbaijani side on the purchase and sale of the military equipment. The sides are expected to sign the contract by the end of 2011.
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
variant of the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer by Samsung Techwin
Samsung Techwin
Samsung Techwin is a surveillance, aeronautics, optoelectronics, automations and defense company. It is a subsidiary of Samsung Group. The company employs 4720 employees and is headquartered in South Korea. Its totals sales in 2010 was 3,198 billion won....
.
Though essentially using the main systems of the K9 howitzer, including the South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n designed 155/52 caliber gun system, majority of the chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
, automatic ammunition feeding mechanism, and the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
designed MTU-881 KA 500
MTU Friedrichshafen
MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial internal combustion engines founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl Maybach in 1909...
diesel engine, the T-155 has considerable differences in its turret
Gun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
design, parts of the chassis, the navigation system
Navigation system
A navigation system is a system that aids is navigation. Navigation systems may be entirely on board a vehicle or vessel, or they may be located elsewhere and communicate via radio or other signals with a vehicle or vessel, or they may use a combination of these methods.Navigation systems may be...
, and electronic systems
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
(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.
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. The total reported cost of purchase and technology transfer for the Turkish government was $1 billion.
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
Turkish Army
The Turkish Army or Turkish Land Forces is the main branch of the Turkish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The modern history of the army began with its formation after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire...
in Adapazarı
Adapazari
Adapazarı is a city in northwestern Turkey and the capital of Sakarya Province. The province itself was originally named Adapazarı as well. Adapazarı is a part of the densely populated region of the country, known as the Marmara Region. As of 2010, the city has a population of 560,876 ...
. 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.
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 a Ammunition Transfer System similar to that of South Korean K10 ARV. In which a boom is extended towards the rear of the T-155 Fırtına turret where the exchange happens. The Turkish ARV will have Auxiliary Power UnitAuxiliary 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:...
unlike the K10 ARV, which allows the vehicle's crew to use electronics, communication systems and Ammunition Transfer System to run economically without the main engines being turned on.
Users / Exports
The Turkish Armed Forces has placed an order to manufacture 300 vehicles in total with 24 vehicles rolling off of the assembly line every year. The T-155 Fırtına was first deployed in Operation Sun2008 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq
The 2008 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq, code-named Operation Sun by the Turkish Armed Forces, began on February 21, 2008, when the Turkish Army sent troops into northern Iraq to target the Kurdistan Workers Party . The ground offensive was preceded by Turkish Air Force aerial bombardments...
at the end of 2007 into January 2008 to fight the PKK militans in the northern part of Iraq.
Talks are being held with the Azerbaijani side on the purchase and sale of the military equipment. The sides are expected to sign the contract by the end of 2011.
Similar Vehicles
- AS-90AS-90The AS-90 is a lightly armoured self-propelled artillery piece used by the British Army. It was first delivered in 1993...
- AHS KrabAHS KrabThe AHS Krab is a 155 mm NATO-compatible self-propelled tracked howitzer designed in Poland by Centrum Produkcji Wojskowej Huta Stalowa Wola combining s UPG chassis, licensed AS-90M Braveheart turret with 52-calibre gun...
- Msta-S 2S19
- Type 99 155 mm Self-propelled howitzerType 99 155 mm Self-propelled howitzerThe is a self-propelled howitzer of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, which was developed as successor of the Type 75 155 mm Self-propelled howitzer.-Overview:...
- Panzerhaubitze 2000
See also
- K9 Thunder
- Modern equipment and uniform of the Turkish ArmyModern equipment and uniform of the Turkish Army-Small arms:- Explosives, rockets and missile systems :-Protective equipment:- Logistics and utility vehicles :- Engineering and maintenance vehicles :- Main Battle Tanks :-Armored fighting vehicles And Armored Personnel Carriers:...
- List of artillery