Nora B-52
| Nora B-52 | |
|---|---|
|
Nora B-52 | |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin | Serbia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Military Technical Institute Belgrade |
| Manufacturer | Complex Battle System factory in Velika Plana, Serbia |
| Unit cost | $0.7 million 2005 estimated for K0 version |
| Number built | 11 prototypes and more in production |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 34 tonnes(K-I), 27,4-28 tonnes(K0,K1,M03) |
| Length | 11000 mm |
| Width | 2950 mm |
| Height | 3450 mm |
| Crew | 3-5 |
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| |
| Elevation | -3° to +65° |
| Traverse | 60° |
| Rate of fire | 6-12 projectiles per minute depending on version. First 3 rounds fire in 20 seconds. |
| Maximum firing range | 31km (HE-ERFB), 42 km(HE ERFB/BB), 52km(HE ERFB/RA-BB 23 liter chamber), 58km(HE ERFB/RA-BB 25 liter chamber), 67km(HE V-LAP 23 liter chamber), 20km laser guided anti tank 30F39 Krasnopol fired from K0 |
|
| |
| Armor | Depends on version - K-I: STANAG 4569 Level II on the front and back, STANAG 4569 Level I on the sides, mine protection STANAG 4569 Level 2A and 2B, NBC protection through a pressurized hull and filter-ventilation system |
Main armament | 155 mm/52-calibre (23 liter chamber) or new 155 mm/52-calibre(25 liter chamber) |
Secondary armament | 7,62mm Machinegun, alternatively a 7,62mm or 12,7mm RCWS can also be installed |
| Engine |
turbo diesel 410 hp |
| Suspension | 8x8 off-road wheels |
Operational range | 1,000 km (620 mi) , at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) for K-I version |
| Speed |
On-road: 90 km/h (56 mph) |
The Nora B-52 is a 155 mm/52-calibre self-propelled howitzer, 4th generation artillery weapon system developed by Vojnotehnički Institut (Military Technical Institute Belgrade, Serbia) for export and domestic use. The first self-propelled Nora B(developed on basis of Nora C) was designed by MTI in 1984 (in that time no other country except SFRY had that kind of weapon today known with acronym TMG - Truck Mounted Gun) with a modified 152 mm towed gun-howitzer NORA M84 [1] with 45 caliber gun mounted on an FAP 8x8 truck bed and was 3 generation of artillery weapons.
Later after 2000 MTI developed new versions 4 generation artillery systems with 52 caliber 155 mm gun for fitting on a new system of NORA family with B-52 designation.
Variants
B-52 operation depending on version is fully automated, including a 36-round autoloader. It is made in several versions:
- K0 (first serial variant, open turret, manual power drive and light of sight)
- K1(S) (differences from K0:semi-open turret, full automatic, independent automatic navigation, automatic fire and control system, smaller crew number)
- M03 (semi-open turret, automatic based on K0,K1 designs with S designation for Serbia Army)
- KE (semi-open turret, full automatic export variant)
- K-I (K1 with additional armored full automatic with closed turret, new stronger chassis, radar on barrel for measuring projectile trajectory and speed, NBC protected cabin and turret, automated fire-suspension system, smoke grenade launcher, intercom for crew and new software) designated S for Serbia
- Newest in development K2 (25 liter chamber, higher rate of fire, laser guided long range ammunition, smaller crew, new automated functions, smaller weight~25 tonnes, automatic leveling of gun in north direction,new smoke and light grenade).
K designation stands for Kamaz chassis, number for orientation of main weapon in relationship to north and letter for level of equipment and/or export designation. It is possible on demand to equip Nora B-52 howitzer with 152 mm gun.
All versions have differences in chassis, armour, turret, loading and support system. All versions with automatic loader features MRSI capability. Standard equipment includes a computerized fire control system and a land navigation system. Ballistic protection is provided against small arms fire, shell splinters and some mines.[2][3][4]
Operational history
Serbia has exported the Nora B-52 artillery battlefield systems(included in system: B-52 selected versions of self-propelled howitzer(K1,KE,KI), reconnaissance BOV M11, command(BOV M10) and battery fire control and meteorological vehicles, ammunition loading trucks, artillery battlefield software for platoon, battery and division level) to the armed forces of Myanmar, Kenya and Bangladesh.[5][6] One fully equipped battery usually consist of 6-12 self-propelled howitzer, reconnaissance 1-2 BOV M11, 3 command BOV M10(1 for each platoon and 1 for battery cmd.), 3-6 Munition trucks, communication and workshop vehicle, 2-3 general supply vehicles(fuel, food, water etc.) and 1-2 fire direction and gunfire locator vehicle with radar and sound ranging.
Operators
Current operators
Myanmar - 36 in service with the Myanmar Army.[7][8]
Kenya - 30 ordered,6 in service .[6][9] 
Bangladesh - 18 Nora B-52 self-propelled howitzers (fitted with a SAGEM Sigma 30 inertial navigation platform system for autonomous navigation and pointing) ordered in 2011.[6][7][10] They were received in 2013. Another 12 are in order.
Serbia -18 Nora B-52 on order[11]
See also
References
- ↑ "TOP 152 MM HOWITZER M84 NORA A".
- ↑ Nora B-52 - Janes.com Archived September 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "JUGOIMPORT - SDPR (Report)".
- ↑ "Hot shots from Serbia". Jane's International Defence Review. 21 Feb 2011. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
- ↑ Serbian robots go to war (in English)
- 1 2 3 "Kenya to receive Serbian armoured vehicles". defenceweb.co.za. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- 1 2 "Nora B-52 155mm/52-calibre Wheeled self-propelled howitzer". Retrieved 2013-04-16.
- ↑ http://www.ocnus.net/artman2/publish/Defence_Arms_13/Serbia_s_Arms_Exports_to_Myanmar_Burma_Legal.shtml
- ↑ "Kenya Land Forces military equipment and vehicles of Kenyan army".
- ↑ "Armed Forces Modernisation and Upgradation". Jul 24, 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ↑ http://www.blic.rs/vesti/drustvo/naoruzavanje-dikovic-moramo-da-razvijamo-sisteme-za-udar-na-tudju-teritoriju/esfssej