- G6 howitzer
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G6
G6 howitzerType Self-propelled artillery Place of origin South Africa Service history Used by South Africa, Oman, United Arab Emirates Wars South African Border War Production history Manufacturer Denel Produced 1987– Specifications Weight 46,500 kg (46.5 t)[1] Length 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)[1][2] Width 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)[1] Height 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)[1] Crew 6
3–5 (G6-52 Extended Range)Caliber 155 mm[2] Rate of fire G6-52: 8 rpm
G6 M1A3: 6 rpm
Sustained: 2 rpmEffective range Standard: 30 km (19 mi)
Base bleed: 39 km (24 mi)
V-LAP: 52.5 km (32.6 mi)
M9703A1: 67 km (42 mi)Maximum range 70 km (43 mi) Main
armament1 x 155mm T6 L/52 (Caliber: 155mm - Scope estimated 33Km to 42Km) Engine air-cooled diesel
525 hp (391.49 kW)Suspension 6×6 Operational
rangeRoad: 700 km (430 mi)
Off-road: 350 km (220 mi)[1]Speed Road: 85 km/h (53 mph)
Off-road: 30 km/h (19 mph)[2]The G6 self-propelled howitzer is a South African artillery piece, developed around the ordnance of the G5 howitzer. It is one of the most powerful self-propelled guns on a wheeled chassis.
In addition to the logistical mobility afforded by a wheeled chassis, the G6 is protected against counter battery fire and is able to defend itself in an unsecured area.
The chassis is mine-protected. The G6 is produced in South Africa by the Land Systems division of Denel. It entered production in 1987.
Contents
Ammunition characteristics
- Maximum range:
- 30,000 m with standard HE rounds,
- 39,000 m with HE base bleed rounds, and
- 42,000 m with HE base bleed rounds (BB—fired from G6-52)
- 50,000 m with HE base bleed rounds (BB—fired from G6-52 Extended Range)
- 52,500 m with a special velocity-enhanced Long Range Projectile (V-LAP—fired from G6).
- 58,000 m with a special velocity-enhanced Long Range Projectile (V-LAP—fired from G6-52).
- 67,450 m M9703A1 V-LAP round (tested successfully to 73,000 m by Denel in G6-52 Extended Range platform)
- Minimum range: 3,000 m.
- Rate of fire: 4 round/min, 2 round/min sustained.
- Ammunition: 155 mm ERFB. 47 rounds, 50 charges, 64 primers and fuzes.
- Accuracy: 0.1 % of range in azimuth, 0.48 % of range in range.
Variants
- G6
- G6 M1A3: Exported UAE version
- G6-52 (23 litre chamber)
- G6-52 Extended Range (25 litre chamber)
- Reduced crew to 3–5;
- can fire projectile up to 67 km at a rate of fire of eight rounds/minute;
- increased off-road speeds to nearly 70 km/h;
- implemented Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) technology and can land six (G6-52L variant) or five (G6-52) rounds simultaneously at targets up to 25 km away; and
- is currently undergoing extensive trials.
- G6 Marksman: a British SPAAG version, equipped with the Marksman turret.[3]
Operators
- South Africa: 43 systems.[4] Also known as the GV6 Rhino within the South African National Defence Force[5]
- United Arab Emirates: 78 systems[4]
- Oman: 24 systems[4]
Combat history
The G6 saw limited action in 1987/88 during the South African Border War, notably in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
See also
- List of artillery
- G5 howitzer
- Al-Fao (Iraqi supergun)
References
- ^ a b c d e "Weapon systems: Artillery - GV6". South African Army. http://www.army.mil.za/equipment/weaponsystems/artillery/GV6_115mm_MK1_Gun_Howitzer_Propelled.htm. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ a b c Greeff, I.B. (June 1992). "South Africa's Modern Long Tom". Military History Journal (The South African Military History Society) 9 (1). ISSN 00264016. http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol091ig.html.
- ^ "Denel in UK gun link-up". Flight International (Flightglobal.com) (14–20 September 2004): 10. September 2004. ISSN 00153710.
- ^ a b c "G6 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer, South Africa". army-technology.com. http://www.army-technology.com/projects/g6/. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "G6 Rhino 155mm SELF-PROPELLED GUN-HOWITZER". GlobalSecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/g6.htm. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
External links
Categories:- Wheeled self-propelled howitzers
- Modern artillery of South Africa
- 155 mm artillery
- Maximum range:
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