- Raad-2
Infobox Weapon
name=Raad-2/Thunder 2
caption=Raad 2 in travel configuration
origin=IRN
type=Self-propelled howitzer
service=1997 - present
used_by=Iran
wars=none
designer=IranianDefense Industries Organization
variants=Raad-2M
design_date=September 1997
production_date=1997 - Present
is_vehicle=yes
length=6.72 m (without the gun)
width=3.10 m
height=1.66 m (without the turret)
suspension=torsion bar
speed=70 km/h (43 mph)
primary_armament=155 mm HM44 howitzer
secondary_armament=12.7 mm HMG
engine=V-8 diesel for Raad-2 5TDF for Raad-2M
engine_power=330 hp (246 kW) for Raad-2
crew=3 (commander, driver and gunner)Raad-2 ("
Thunder -2") is anIran ianself-propelled howitzer .History
In early September 1997 it was reported that
Iran had successfully tested a locally built rapid fire mobile field gun known as Raad-2 (Thunder-2).Description
It uses a turret that has a similar layout to the M109A1 155mm/39-cal
self-propelled howitzer . The IranianDefense Industries Organization claimed that the 155 mm HM44 howitzer manufactured by the Hadid facility of the Iranian Defense Industries Organization had a high firing rate and accuracy. It was described as being able to fire five rounds per minute. The gun's range was reported as 30 km (19 miles), and it also includes features such as a laser range-finder and a semi-automatic loading system. The gun looks exactly like 155mm/39-cal M185 gun from M109A1 and is fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake, fume extractor, screw breech mechanism, hydro-pneumatic recuperator and a hydraulic recoil brake. It uses the Iranian-madeBoragh APC chassis, a conversion of the either the RussianBMP-1 or ChineseType 86 (WZ-501) IFV. It was described as being able to move with a speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) on the battlefield.Variants
*Raad-2 - basic SPG version.
**Raad-2M - Raad-2 upgraded with a Ukrainian-made 5TDF engine instead of a V-8 Diesel engine.ee also
*
Military of Iran
*Iranian military industry
*Current Equipment of the Iranian Army References
* [http://www.janes.com/defence/land_forces/news/jdw/jdw020425_1_n.shtml Iran reveals details on self-propelled howitzer]
Jane's Defence Weekly
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/thunder-2.htm Thunder 2] fas.org
* [http://www.jedsite.info/fulltrack-bravo/bravo/boragh_series/thunder2/thunder2-intro.html JED]
*"Jane's Tank Recognition Guide 2006."
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