T-155 Firtina (Storm) Self-Propelled Gun (2002)
The Turkish T-155 Firtina is based on the South Korean K9 Thunder self-propelled gun platform.
Outwardly, the T-155 is of a highly traditional design arrangement. The chassis features a suspended track-and-wheel system fitted to each hull side. The engine is mounted to the front right of the vehicle with the turret set at the middle of the hull and overhanging to the rear (this provides the required internal maneuvering space for the ammunition and crew). This provides the needed support and clearance for the long running barrel assembly which is capped by a slotted muzzle break and supported through a heavy duty recoil system located at its base. The main gun is breech loaded in the usual fashion, though supported beyond its two manual loaders by an automatic feed mechanism. Communication antenna are fitted externally to each corner of the turret roof and an entry/exit hatch provides access to the anti-aircraft machine gun. The vehicle is crewed by five personnel with the driver seated in the front-left hull. The commander, gunner and two dedicated loaders reside in the turret. The 360-degree nature of the turret allows for engagement at all possible angles relative to hull center - this a far cry from the self-propelled guns of World War 2 which featured fixed superstructures requiring the entire vehicle to be facing the target area. As such, the T-155 can fire and relocate to another area as necessary without necessarily turning around to face front. The entire firing process (setup and action) is said to take just 30 seconds to complete, providing the Turkish Army with a expedient artillery solution.
Design of the T-155 centers around the power 155mm L52 main gun (in a revised turret structure when compared to the South Korean K9). The weapon is a highly effective, and accurate long-range artillery weapon utilized to lob large-caliber projectiles against enemy target areas. The 155mm projectile is a massive round (requiring multiple crew to handle) and can be equipped with a variety of payloads beyond the standard High-Explosive (HE) round and includes chemical, armor-piercing, anti-fortification, illumination and smoke types. The weapon's far reach allows the T-155 to operate well behind active frontlines and attack targets with relative impunity (assuming air superiority). The main gun lists a range of 40 kilometers though this varies based on the type of ammunition being fired and additional support granted from rocket-assisted munitions. The rear of the turret features access panels which open to accept live rounds and jettison spent shell casings. Self-defense of the T-155 against enemy infantry and low-flying aircraft (such as attack helicopters) is through a 12.7mm Browning heavy machine gun. When in transport mode, the main gun barrel is seated in the included barrel lock which prevents the barrel from moving.
Power for the T-155 is provided by a German-designed MTU-881 KA 500 diesel-fueled engine of 1,000 horsepower (as in the K9 Thunder). This results in a top road speed of 40 miles per hour and an operational range of 300 miles - specifications keeping it on par with modern Turkish mechanized forces. This makes the T-155 a tactically flexible weapon system and broadens Turkish military prowess considerably - no successful modern army is without its self-propelled 155mm gun system.
Outside of the Turkish Army, the T-155 has garnered interest from the Azerbaijani Army - they having since placed an order for as many as 40 units. Turkish authorities have planned an ammunition vehicle development based on the successful T-155 chassis (sans its turret and gun system of course). The ammunition vehicle will work in conjunction with the T-155 by directly supplying available projectiles through the rear of the turret to feed sustained fire. In this fashion, the already formidable T-155 will be made more valuable.
The Turkish Army has been actively using its T-155 inventory against Kurdish rebels since 2007 and has used T-155s to fire rounds into Syrian territory in response to attacks originating from its southern neighbor (as related to the 2011 Syrian people's uprising). Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
T-155 Firtina (Storm)
Self-Propelled Gun
Country of Origin: Turkey
Manufacturer: 1st Army Maintenance Center Command - Turkey
Initial Year of Service: 2002
Production: 300
Focus Model: T-155 Firtina (Storm)
Crew: 5
Overall Length: 39.37ft (12.00m)
Width: 11.48ft (3.50m)
Height: 11.25ft (3.43m)
Weight: 61.7 US Short Tons (56,000kg; 123,459lbs)
Powerplant: 1 x MTU MT 881 Ka-500 8-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine delivering 1,025 horsepower.
Maximum Speed: 41mph (66 km/h)
Maximum Range: 298 miles (480 km)
NBC Protection: Yes
Nightvision: Yes
Armament:
1 x 155mm L52 main gun
1 x 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun on turret roof.
Ammunition:
48 x 155mm projectiles
500 x 12.7mm ammunition
Variants:
T-155 - Base Series Designation; based on the South Korean K9 Thunder SPG.
Operators: Azerbaijan; Turkey
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