G5 howitzer

Infobox Weapon
name=G5 155 mm Howitzer


caption= G5 on display
origin=flag|South Africa
type=Howitzer
is_ranged=yes
is_artillery=yes
service=1983–
used_by=Operators
wars=South African Border War, Iran–Iraq War
designer=Lyttelton Engineering Works
design_date=1976–1983
manufacturer=Denel
production_date=1982–Present
number=
variants=
weight=13,750 kg (30,313 lbs)
length=9.5 m (31 ft)
width=3.3 m (11 ft)
height=2.1 m (7 ft)
part_length=6.975 m (45 calibers)
crew=8 soldiers
cartridge=high explosive
caliber=155 mm (6.10 in)
action=
rate=3 rounds/minute
velocity=convert|897|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on
range=
max_range=30,000 m (standard) 39,000 m (base bleed) 50,000 m (VLAP) [cite press release|url=http://www.denel.co.za/Landsystems/LS_ArtillerySysG5.pdf|title=G5 155mm Towed Gun/Howitzer|date=2004-09-03|publisher=Denel]
feed=Breech-loaded
sights=
breech=Semi-automatic interrupted-screw type
recoil=
carriage=split trail
elevation=-3° to +75°
traverse=Up to 15°: 82° Above 15°: 65°

The G5 is a South African towed howitzer of 155 mm calibre manufactured by Denel. Initial versions of it were based on the 45-calibre GC-45 howitzer designed by Gerald Bull, though it has gone through many modifications and variations to reach its latest model: the 52-calibre G5-2000.

It is mounted on a slightly-modified version of a towed chassis design by NORICUM, which also includes a small APU to allow it to dig itself in and move short distances at up to 16 km/h. Using the normal Extended Range, Full Bore ammunition the normal range is 39 km, which can be extended to about 53 km with the use of base bleed or rocket assisted rounds. It is regarded as one of the most potent artillery pieces on the modern battlefield.

The G5 gun has been placed on an OMC 6×6 chassis to produce the fully self-propelled G6 howitzer, and won major export sales in this form to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. In response to a request from India it has also been tested on the back of a 4×4 wheeled truck, a combination known as the T5-2000. It has also been fitted into a turret that can be placed on any suitable vehicle. The turret is marketed as the T6 which has already been fitted on the T-72.

Production history

The South African Army at the start of the Angolan conflict was equipped with WW2-era artillery pieces, notable the G1 (25pdr) and the G2 (5.5 inch or 140 mm). With the help of the Canadian scientist Gerald Bull and his company, Space Research Corporation, they developed the GC-45 howitzer. As a stopgap the G3 155 mm gun (American WWII vintage M-2 "Long Tom") and the G4 155 mm gun (Israeli SOLTAM M-68) was secretly operated. Deliveries of the G5 (developed from the GC-45) started in 1982.

In 2002, Denel unveiled a 52-calibre version known as the G5-2000, which featured greatly enhanced range and accuracy over the 45-calibre version.

Variants

*G5 Mk I
*G5 Mk II
*G5 Mk III
*G5-2000: 52-calibre gun

Operators

*flag|South Africa
*flag|Israel
*flag|Iraq: Saddam Hussein's army operated about 100 G5's, but these have probably all been destroyed or abandoned since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
*flag|Iran
*flag|Malaysia
*flag|Mexico
*flag|Oman

Combat history

*Angola: 1982–1987
*Israel: Beqaa Valley, 1986
*Iran–Iraq War: 1980–1988

ee also

*List of artillery
*G6 howitzer

References

External links

* [http://www.denel.co.za/Landsystems/LS_ArtillerySysG5.pdf Denel G5 brochure]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/g5-52.htm G5 at globalsecurity.org]
* [http://www.geocities.com/sadf_association/topgun.html G5 is battle ready]
* [http://armyreco.ifrance.com/afrique/afrique_du_sud/armes/obusier_canon_g5/g5_obusier_canon.htm G5 at armyreco.ifrance.com]