South African Army lines up Denel T5-45 howitzers
Helmoed-Römer Heitman, Pretoria - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
15 July 2016
A Denel 155 mm T5-45 self-propelled howitzer seen on the range. Source: Denel Land Systems
The South African Army is discussing with Denel Land Systems the possible acquisition of six 155 mm T5-45 self-propelled howitzers, a source in the Denel group has revealed.
The T5-45 is comprised of a 155 mm 45 calibre gun mounted on an 8x8 Tatra T815-7 truck that has a road speed of 85 km/h and a range of some 600 km. The complete system weighs 28 tonnes.
The truck is powered by a 300 kW turbo-charged diesel, coupled to a seven-speed manual gearbox with a two-speed transfer gearbox. A central tyre inflation system aids mobility over soft ground.
The gun has an elevation of -3° to +72°, a 60° unrestricted arc of fire at all elevations, 360° at 48° elevation, can engage targets with direct fire over a 180° arc out to 3,000 m, and can fire a five-round time-on-target mission to ranges between 13 and 30 km.
It uses the same ammunition family as the army's existing G5-45 towed and G6-45 self-propelled howitzers.
An auxiliary power unit (APU) provides hydraulic and electrical power for deployment, loading and firing of the gun, with a truck-mounted hydraulic pump for back-up hydraulic power.
It can be brought into action within one minute of stopping in its firing position and can be taken out of action within one minute to avoid counter-battery fire. There is on-board stowage for 24 projectiles and 24 charges. A power-operated projectile loading arm simplifies loading ammunition from the ground next to the vehicle.
The integral command-and-control system is comprised of an automatic laying and navigation system, muzzle velocity radar, gun management computer, and a communications system, as well as a back-up optical/mechanical panoramic sight with cant compensation. A telescopic sight allows self-defence direct fire.
The army could upgrade to a 52 calibre gun by changing just the barrel and acquiring the new M2000 Assegaai or M9 ERFB projectiles.
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