155 GH 52 APU

Infobox Weapon|is_artillery=yes


caption= The gun in Finnish Army service as the 155 K 98
name= 155 GH 52 APU
type= Support gun
origin= Finland
era=Modern
target= general
date=
prod_date=
number=
service= 1998
used_by= Finnish Army
Egyptian Army
wars= none
carriage= Split trail, sole plate, auxiliary power unit and hydraulics
caliber= 155 mm
part_length= 52
elevation= -5 to +70°
traverse= 65°
weight= 13,500
projectiles= HE, Smoke, Illuminating
cartridges= 3, giving charges 1 - 8
ammo_wt= 47 kg
velocity= 827 m/s
range= 30-40 km (depending on ammo)*
rate= 6 rounds/min
crew= |

155 GH 52 APU is a Finnish gun developed in 1998. It is an enhanced and upgraded version of the 155 K 83. The 155 GH 52 is considered to be one of most modern field artillery cannons to date and was originally made by Oy Tampella AB industries (today Patria). It has a high rate of fire ( 6 rounds per minute ) and has "all-type" including "ABC" (except the nuclear) for normal rounds similar to all other modern field guns. Gun training and usage is done by Finnish Defense Forces at Niinisalo. There was also a prototype in 2003 mounted on an old Soviet T-55 chassis for use as a self-propelled howitzer cannon. This prototype was sold to Egypt.

The gun's deployment power is 78 kW and its driven speed (in terrain, to location) is 7.5 km/h or 15 km/h when pulled by a heavy truck. The cost of one system is 500,000 euros.

On 21 May, 2007, the Finnish Yleisradio revealed some problems with the 155 GH 52 APU, dealing with reliability issues of the towing system and the barrel behavior when firing long-distance round. These facts had been withheld from the Egyptians at the time of the deal.

Operators

*FIN - 56 units, it is known as 155 K 98 in Finnish Army service.
*EGY - 400 units (Locally made - under license)

ee also

* List of artillery

External links

* [http://www.mil.fi/maavoimat/kalustoesittely/index.dsp?level=47&equipment=31 155 K 98]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM8JDYNrhPI 155 K 98 firing.]