Self-propelled artillery installation T-155 Fırtına (Turkey)
According to open sources, the Turkish ground forces are armed with almost 1100 self-propelled artillery units of various types. One of the most numerous examples of such equipment is the T-155 Fırtına self-propelled gun. This self-propelled gun was developed on the basis of a foreign combat vehicle, which was brought into line with the wishes of the Turkish army and the capabilities of the industry. To date, about 300 serial T-155s have been built, which makes them the most widespread modern examples of self-propelled guns. artillery in the Turkish army.
History The T-155 Fırtına (“Storm”) project began at the turn of the 1990s and 2000s. At the very end of the last century, the Turkish command came to the conclusion that it was necessary to create or purchase a new model 155-mm self-propelled howitzer. Such a combat vehicle in the future was supposed to replace hopelessly outdated samples of foreign development, created in the middle of the century. It soon became clear that the Turkish industry would not cope with the task of independently developing the required sample.
SAU T-155 Fırtına at the parade. Photo Military-today.com
A good way out of this situation was the acquisition of a license for the production of any foreign ACS. According to a study of the available proposals, the Turkish military chose a K9 Thunder self-propelled gun from the South Korean company Samsung Techwin. In this case, it was about building a modified combat vehicle. Turkey made some changes in the design of the original sample, and also replaced part of the on-board equipment. All these improvements meant the use of components of its own Turkish production.
In 2001, Turkey and South Korea signed an agreement on the launch of production of modified self-propelled guns in the interests of the Turkish army. In the same year, the first two prototypes were built and tested. The revised K9 SAU received the Turkish designation T-155 Fırtına. In 2002, this self-propelled gun was adopted by the Turkish army and put in a series. In accordance with the bilateral agreement, the first mass-produced machines were built by the Korean industry, all the rest by the Turkish side. The license for the production of machinery cost Turkey 1 billion US dollars.
South Korean self-propelled K9 Thinder. Photo Rep. of Korea, Defense Photo Magazine
Together with the self-propelled artillery gun, the Poyraz ARV ammunition transporter was put into a series. This machine is a modified version of the Korean product K10 ARV and also differs from it in some design features.
***
The T-155 Fırtına ACS, like the base model of the K9 Thunder, is built according to the scheme traditional for such equipment. At the heart of the machine is an armored tracked chassis, which is mounted full-turn tower with weapons. The hull and turret are welded from armor plates, providing protection against small arms. weapons. Declared vserakursnaya protection against rifles and machine guns; frontal projection stands bullets 14,5-mm systems. Also, the body is able to withstand the explosion of a light explosive device under the track or the bottom.
The case has a traditional layout for modern ACS. Its front end is given under the engine compartment, to the left of which is located the driver's compartment. All other hull volumes are occupied by the turret part of the combat compartment. The hull has a frontal reservation of inclined sheets, developed fenced niches and a vertical stern with a hatch for access to the fighting compartment. The welded tower has the large dimensions necessary for the installation of the installation with the 155-mm gun and the ammunition stack.
General view of the Turkish T-155. Photo Armyrecognition.com
The MTU-881 Ka 500 diesel engine of German production with 1000 hp capacity is located under the front armor plate. He is associated with an Allison X-1100-5 automatic transmission with four forward gears and two reverse gears. The chassis includes six dual road wheels on each side. An independent hydropneumatic suspension is used. The drive wheels are located in the front of the case; above the support rollers are placed three pairs of supporting rollers.
Storm’s main weapon is a South Korean-made 155-mm rifled howitzer. This gun is equipped with a 52 barrel with a caliber with a slit muzzle brake and an ejector. The breech is equipped with a semi-automatic shutter. The barrel is mounted on advanced hydropneumatic recoil devices. Unlike the basic K9 ACS, on the Turkish T-155 the recoil cylinders are not covered by a cylindrical mask.
Mechanized styling for 48 separate loading shots and a mechanical rammer are mated with a tool. The presence of these devices has a positive effect on the fighting qualities of the car. The maximum rate of fire reaches 6 shots per minute and can be maintained for 3 minutes. In the “flurry of fire” mode, three shots are executed in 15 seconds. With a long shooting rate of fire is allowed no more than 2 shots per minute. Replenishment of ammunition can be performed manually or using a conveyor Poyraz.
Back view. Photo Armyrecognition.com
The howitzer can use the entire 155-mm range of NATO standard shots. The firing range of a conventional high-explosive fragmentation projectile reaches 30 km. With the use of modern active-jet projectiles, this parameter increases to 40 km.
T-155 Fırtına is equipped with a fire control system built on the basis of products of the Turkish company Aselsan. Used telescopic and panoramic sights, as well as satellite navigation, ballistic computer, etc. Communication equipment compatible with other NATO equipment is available. With their help, the crew can receive third-party target designation or transmit the necessary data to other machines or command.
Armament for self-defense consists of one large-caliber machine gun M2HB on one of the roof hatches. In the first version of the project the machine gun was controlled manually, for which one of the crew members had to lean out of the hatch.
Self-propelled gun T-155 overcomes the obstacle. Photo Defence.pk
Self-propelled crew includes five people. The driver is located in front of the hull and has its own hatch. The remaining jobs are in the fighting compartment. Access to it is provided by hatches in the roof and sides of the tower, as well as in the stern of the hull. Inhabited compartments have a collective system of protection against weapons of mass destruction.
The length of the T-155 ACS with a cannon forward reaches 12 m, width - 3,5 m, height - 3,43 m. Combat weight - 56 t. Specific power slightly less 18 hp per ton provides the maximum speed on the highway 66 km / h. Power reserve - 480 km. Self-propelled gun is able to overcome obstacles and move in some columns with other armored vehicles.
The Poyraz ARV ammunition transporter is built on the same chassis, but instead of a tower it uses a fixed wheelhouse. A typical conveyor unit for the transfer of ammunition, similar to a gun, is located in the frontal cutting list. The transporter transports 96 shots (X-NUMX full T-2 ammunition). The transfer of full ammunition is carried out automatically and takes 155 min. From the basic Korean K20 transporter, the Turkish machine is distinguished by the presence of an auxiliary power unit. It can overload ammunition with the main engine off.
Poyraz ARV ammunition conveyor. The conveyor for feeding the projectile is clearly visible. Photo by Realitymod.com
***
The first production T-155 Fırtına self-propelled guns were built in 2002. In accordance with the bilateral agreement, the first 8 machines were made by Samsung Techwin. In the future, self-propelled guns were built only in Turkey. An order for the release of equipment was received by a consortium of Turkish Defense Companies, which includes several companies with different tasks. Some produce weapons, others are responsible for electronics, etc. This approach to production is still there.
In the past decade, the Ministry of Defense of Turkey has placed several orders for the production of serial self-propelled 350. To date, about 300 units have been built and transferred to the customer. On average, each year the customer received 20-25 machines. Before 2017, the new equipment was built according to the original project, after which they mastered the assembly of the updated self-propelled guns called Fırtına 2.
ACS Fırtına and Poyraz transporter in position for reloading ammunition. Photo of Esacademic.com
The Fırtına 2 modernization project was developed taking into account the exploitation and combat use of self-propelled guns during the recent conflicts. It provides for some updating of electronic systems and the introduction of a pair of new products. Due to the refinement of the MSA and the automatic loading, a certain increase in the rate of fire, range and accuracy of the fire is provided. Also increases the safety and comfort of the crew.
On the turret improved self-propelled gun appears remotely controlled combat module with a machine gun M2HB. The fighting showed that the machine gunner is exposed to significant risks when shooting and therefore should not leave the protected volume. It was also found that the climate in the habitable compartments hampers the work of the crew. To maintain a comfortable environment, the car was equipped with air conditioning. Its external unit with heat exchangers and fans is located on the front sheet of the tower, to the left of the gun.
According to known data, the new T-155 self-propelled guns are built according to an improved project. Already built cars in the future will have to go through a similar upgrade. The processing time of the entire fleet to the state of Fırtına 2 is unknown.
Upgraded SAU T-155 Fırtına 2. Photo Defence.pk
While SAU T-155 serve only as part of the ground forces of Turkey. In 2011, a contract appeared for the supply of 36 machines for the Azerbaijani army. However, the execution of this order was not possible. Germany refused to supply engines due to the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Later information appeared about the possible start of production and supply in 2014, but this did not happen. Not so long ago, assumptions about the imminent start of supplies appeared again in the Azerbaijani press. Whether it will be possible this time to resolve the engine issue is unknown.
Other countries have shown limited interest in the Turkish self-propelled gun. For example, Poland considered the issue of using the T-155 or K9 chassis in its ACS AHS Krab project. As for the original South Korean machine K9 Thunder, it enjoys a certain popularity in the arms market and is supplied to different countries. Probably, its Turkish version will not be able to repeat this success.
For the first time, the Turkish army used T-155 self-propelled guns at the end of 2007 in the course of a regular operation against Kurdish armed forces. Self-propelled howitzers fired at enemy targets in northern Iraq. The gunners caused serious damage to the enemy. Losses or significant damage to their own equipment was absent.
Howitzer firing. Photo Military-today.com
Since 2012, Turkish artillery, including the T-155 self-propelled guns, has been regularly used on the border with Syria and in the northern regions of the latter. In April 2016, poor organization of combat operations and deployment in positions led to tragic results. Mistakes by the Turkish army allowed one of the local armed groups to fire at the Storm self-propelled guns with anti-tank missiles. missile complexes. Three vehicles were destroyed. Subsequently, there were repeated reports of new attempts to fire on and destroy the self-propelled guns, but there were no losses of equipment. As far as is known, there were no losses of ammunition transporters for the T-155.
***
The basis of the Turkish project T-155 Fırtına was quite successful self-propelled artillery K9 Thunder South Korean development. At the same time, a number of key components of the combat vehicle were transferred to a new project without any noticeable changes, which made it possible to preserve the desired characteristics and capabilities. In addition, the Turkish project provided for some original solutions and innovations. All this made it possible to preserve part of the characteristics at the level of the base sample, but to adapt the design to the capabilities of the Turkish industry and the requirements of the army.
To date, Turkey has built for its needs about 300 ACS "Storm", and another order of fifty such machines will appear in the coming years. After that, apparently, mass production will be stopped. Probably, the Turkish army does not need further release of the T-155, and foreign countries do not show interest in this sample. There is only one export contract, the fulfillment of which is impossible due to the special position of the subcontractor. The appearance of new orders is unlikely. Perhaps the main reason for this is the direct linking of the K9 and T-155 ACSs. Potential customers prefer the South Korean original to the Turkish copy.
Despite the well-known problems in the international market and the actual lack of exports, the T-155 Fırtına self-propelled howitzer can be considered a fairly successful model of its class. It can be considered as a decent modern model with high performance and wide capabilities that meets current requirements. Nevertheless, as the experience of recent armed conflicts shows, the effectiveness and survivability of equipment depend not only on the characteristics, but also on its competent application.
On the materials of the sites:
https://aselsan.com.tr/
http://hurriyetdailynews.com/
http://armiya.az/
http://globalsecurity.org/
https://armyrecognition.com/
http://military-today.com/
https://bmpd.livejournal.com/
History The T-155 Fırtına (“Storm”) project began at the turn of the 1990s and 2000s. At the very end of the last century, the Turkish command came to the conclusion that it was necessary to create or purchase a new model 155-mm self-propelled howitzer. Such a combat vehicle in the future was supposed to replace hopelessly outdated samples of foreign development, created in the middle of the century. It soon became clear that the Turkish industry would not cope with the task of independently developing the required sample.
SAU T-155 Fırtına at the parade. Photo Military-today.com
A good way out of this situation was the acquisition of a license for the production of any foreign ACS. According to a study of the available proposals, the Turkish military chose a K9 Thunder self-propelled gun from the South Korean company Samsung Techwin. In this case, it was about building a modified combat vehicle. Turkey made some changes in the design of the original sample, and also replaced part of the on-board equipment. All these improvements meant the use of components of its own Turkish production.
In 2001, Turkey and South Korea signed an agreement on the launch of production of modified self-propelled guns in the interests of the Turkish army. In the same year, the first two prototypes were built and tested. The revised K9 SAU received the Turkish designation T-155 Fırtına. In 2002, this self-propelled gun was adopted by the Turkish army and put in a series. In accordance with the bilateral agreement, the first mass-produced machines were built by the Korean industry, all the rest by the Turkish side. The license for the production of machinery cost Turkey 1 billion US dollars.
South Korean self-propelled K9 Thinder. Photo Rep. of Korea, Defense Photo Magazine
Together with the self-propelled artillery gun, the Poyraz ARV ammunition transporter was put into a series. This machine is a modified version of the Korean product K10 ARV and also differs from it in some design features.
***
The T-155 Fırtına ACS, like the base model of the K9 Thunder, is built according to the scheme traditional for such equipment. At the heart of the machine is an armored tracked chassis, which is mounted full-turn tower with weapons. The hull and turret are welded from armor plates, providing protection against small arms. weapons. Declared vserakursnaya protection against rifles and machine guns; frontal projection stands bullets 14,5-mm systems. Also, the body is able to withstand the explosion of a light explosive device under the track or the bottom.
The case has a traditional layout for modern ACS. Its front end is given under the engine compartment, to the left of which is located the driver's compartment. All other hull volumes are occupied by the turret part of the combat compartment. The hull has a frontal reservation of inclined sheets, developed fenced niches and a vertical stern with a hatch for access to the fighting compartment. The welded tower has the large dimensions necessary for the installation of the installation with the 155-mm gun and the ammunition stack.
General view of the Turkish T-155. Photo Armyrecognition.com
The MTU-881 Ka 500 diesel engine of German production with 1000 hp capacity is located under the front armor plate. He is associated with an Allison X-1100-5 automatic transmission with four forward gears and two reverse gears. The chassis includes six dual road wheels on each side. An independent hydropneumatic suspension is used. The drive wheels are located in the front of the case; above the support rollers are placed three pairs of supporting rollers.
Storm’s main weapon is a South Korean-made 155-mm rifled howitzer. This gun is equipped with a 52 barrel with a caliber with a slit muzzle brake and an ejector. The breech is equipped with a semi-automatic shutter. The barrel is mounted on advanced hydropneumatic recoil devices. Unlike the basic K9 ACS, on the Turkish T-155 the recoil cylinders are not covered by a cylindrical mask.
Mechanized styling for 48 separate loading shots and a mechanical rammer are mated with a tool. The presence of these devices has a positive effect on the fighting qualities of the car. The maximum rate of fire reaches 6 shots per minute and can be maintained for 3 minutes. In the “flurry of fire” mode, three shots are executed in 15 seconds. With a long shooting rate of fire is allowed no more than 2 shots per minute. Replenishment of ammunition can be performed manually or using a conveyor Poyraz.
Back view. Photo Armyrecognition.com
The howitzer can use the entire 155-mm range of NATO standard shots. The firing range of a conventional high-explosive fragmentation projectile reaches 30 km. With the use of modern active-jet projectiles, this parameter increases to 40 km.
T-155 Fırtına is equipped with a fire control system built on the basis of products of the Turkish company Aselsan. Used telescopic and panoramic sights, as well as satellite navigation, ballistic computer, etc. Communication equipment compatible with other NATO equipment is available. With their help, the crew can receive third-party target designation or transmit the necessary data to other machines or command.
Armament for self-defense consists of one large-caliber machine gun M2HB on one of the roof hatches. In the first version of the project the machine gun was controlled manually, for which one of the crew members had to lean out of the hatch.
Self-propelled gun T-155 overcomes the obstacle. Photo Defence.pk
Self-propelled crew includes five people. The driver is located in front of the hull and has its own hatch. The remaining jobs are in the fighting compartment. Access to it is provided by hatches in the roof and sides of the tower, as well as in the stern of the hull. Inhabited compartments have a collective system of protection against weapons of mass destruction.
The length of the T-155 ACS with a cannon forward reaches 12 m, width - 3,5 m, height - 3,43 m. Combat weight - 56 t. Specific power slightly less 18 hp per ton provides the maximum speed on the highway 66 km / h. Power reserve - 480 km. Self-propelled gun is able to overcome obstacles and move in some columns with other armored vehicles.
The Poyraz ARV ammunition transporter is built on the same chassis, but instead of a tower it uses a fixed wheelhouse. A typical conveyor unit for the transfer of ammunition, similar to a gun, is located in the frontal cutting list. The transporter transports 96 shots (X-NUMX full T-2 ammunition). The transfer of full ammunition is carried out automatically and takes 155 min. From the basic Korean K20 transporter, the Turkish machine is distinguished by the presence of an auxiliary power unit. It can overload ammunition with the main engine off.
Poyraz ARV ammunition conveyor. The conveyor for feeding the projectile is clearly visible. Photo by Realitymod.com
***
The first production T-155 Fırtına self-propelled guns were built in 2002. In accordance with the bilateral agreement, the first 8 machines were made by Samsung Techwin. In the future, self-propelled guns were built only in Turkey. An order for the release of equipment was received by a consortium of Turkish Defense Companies, which includes several companies with different tasks. Some produce weapons, others are responsible for electronics, etc. This approach to production is still there.
In the past decade, the Ministry of Defense of Turkey has placed several orders for the production of serial self-propelled 350. To date, about 300 units have been built and transferred to the customer. On average, each year the customer received 20-25 machines. Before 2017, the new equipment was built according to the original project, after which they mastered the assembly of the updated self-propelled guns called Fırtına 2.
ACS Fırtına and Poyraz transporter in position for reloading ammunition. Photo of Esacademic.com
The Fırtına 2 modernization project was developed taking into account the exploitation and combat use of self-propelled guns during the recent conflicts. It provides for some updating of electronic systems and the introduction of a pair of new products. Due to the refinement of the MSA and the automatic loading, a certain increase in the rate of fire, range and accuracy of the fire is provided. Also increases the safety and comfort of the crew.
On the turret improved self-propelled gun appears remotely controlled combat module with a machine gun M2HB. The fighting showed that the machine gunner is exposed to significant risks when shooting and therefore should not leave the protected volume. It was also found that the climate in the habitable compartments hampers the work of the crew. To maintain a comfortable environment, the car was equipped with air conditioning. Its external unit with heat exchangers and fans is located on the front sheet of the tower, to the left of the gun.
According to known data, the new T-155 self-propelled guns are built according to an improved project. Already built cars in the future will have to go through a similar upgrade. The processing time of the entire fleet to the state of Fırtına 2 is unknown.
Upgraded SAU T-155 Fırtına 2. Photo Defence.pk
While SAU T-155 serve only as part of the ground forces of Turkey. In 2011, a contract appeared for the supply of 36 machines for the Azerbaijani army. However, the execution of this order was not possible. Germany refused to supply engines due to the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Later information appeared about the possible start of production and supply in 2014, but this did not happen. Not so long ago, assumptions about the imminent start of supplies appeared again in the Azerbaijani press. Whether it will be possible this time to resolve the engine issue is unknown.
Other countries have shown limited interest in the Turkish self-propelled gun. For example, Poland considered the issue of using the T-155 or K9 chassis in its ACS AHS Krab project. As for the original South Korean machine K9 Thunder, it enjoys a certain popularity in the arms market and is supplied to different countries. Probably, its Turkish version will not be able to repeat this success.
For the first time, the Turkish army used T-155 self-propelled guns at the end of 2007 in the course of a regular operation against Kurdish armed forces. Self-propelled howitzers fired at enemy targets in northern Iraq. The gunners caused serious damage to the enemy. Losses or significant damage to their own equipment was absent.
Howitzer firing. Photo Military-today.com
Since 2012, Turkish artillery, including the T-155 self-propelled guns, has been regularly used on the border with Syria and in the northern regions of the latter. In April 2016, poor organization of combat operations and deployment in positions led to tragic results. Mistakes by the Turkish army allowed one of the local armed groups to fire at the Storm self-propelled guns with anti-tank missiles. missile complexes. Three vehicles were destroyed. Subsequently, there were repeated reports of new attempts to fire on and destroy the self-propelled guns, but there were no losses of equipment. As far as is known, there were no losses of ammunition transporters for the T-155.
***
The basis of the Turkish project T-155 Fırtına was quite successful self-propelled artillery K9 Thunder South Korean development. At the same time, a number of key components of the combat vehicle were transferred to a new project without any noticeable changes, which made it possible to preserve the desired characteristics and capabilities. In addition, the Turkish project provided for some original solutions and innovations. All this made it possible to preserve part of the characteristics at the level of the base sample, but to adapt the design to the capabilities of the Turkish industry and the requirements of the army.
To date, Turkey has built for its needs about 300 ACS "Storm", and another order of fifty such machines will appear in the coming years. After that, apparently, mass production will be stopped. Probably, the Turkish army does not need further release of the T-155, and foreign countries do not show interest in this sample. There is only one export contract, the fulfillment of which is impossible due to the special position of the subcontractor. The appearance of new orders is unlikely. Perhaps the main reason for this is the direct linking of the K9 and T-155 ACSs. Potential customers prefer the South Korean original to the Turkish copy.
Despite the well-known problems in the international market and the actual lack of exports, the T-155 Fırtına self-propelled howitzer can be considered a fairly successful model of its class. It can be considered as a decent modern model with high performance and wide capabilities that meets current requirements. Nevertheless, as the experience of recent armed conflicts shows, the effectiveness and survivability of equipment depend not only on the characteristics, but also on its competent application.
On the materials of the sites:
https://aselsan.com.tr/
http://hurriyetdailynews.com/
http://armiya.az/
http://globalsecurity.org/
https://armyrecognition.com/
http://military-today.com/
https://bmpd.livejournal.com/
Information