RWG-52 RTG-52 wheeled self-propelled howitzer 155m L/52 technical data sheet specifications pictures

: Posted On Thursday, 13 September 2012 13:48

Rheinmetall RWG-52 RTG-52 wheeled-self-propelled howitzer

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Description

The Rheinmetall RWG-52 also named RTG-52 is a 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer based on the chassis of the South African G6 Rhino armed with the 155mm L/52 Rheinmetall gun which is used for the tracked self-propelled howitzer PzH 2000. The RWG-52 is under development since 2008 for the international market. This vehicle is proposed for the Indian Army to update its artillery by replacing obsolete systems. The Indian armed forces have thus launched a programme to procure state-of-the-art artillery systems, well aware of the need to adapt their artillery capabilities to future challenges. The Rheinmetall RGW-52 can quickly get in firing position. When on the move, the system can carry out a fire mission 60 seconds after coming to a halt, and can move into a new fire position just 60seconds later. This gives the vehicle's 3- or 4-man crew the edge in evading detection and enemy counter-battery fire.

Variants

- No variants.

Technical Data

Armament

The heart of the system is the autonomous turret, equipped with the same tried-and-tested L/52 155mm Rheinmetall gun used in Germany's PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer.With its extremely stable, 52-calibre-length gun tube, the L/52 can lob standard ERFB-M1 ammunition up to 31 km. The gun's maximum effective range increases to 42 km when firing improved ERFB base-bleed projectiles and exceeds 52 km when firing the rocket-assisted V-LAP projectile. The 155mm cannon is fitted with an automatic loading which allows to fire up to six rounds a minute. The system can provide sustained fire support for an entire hour, firing 75 rounds, which equates to a rate of fire of 1.25 rounds per minute with a full charge. A bank of eight 81mm smoke-grenades discharger is mounted to each side front of the turret. In option, the hatch of the commander can be armed with a 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine gun.

Design and protection

The layout of the Rheinmetall RWG-52 is very similar to the South African G6 self-propelled howitzer , it uses the same chassis which has been redesigned by the South African company Industrial Automotive Design and now features a rear door in the hull which allows for easier entry to the fighting compartment. There are also two large doors back of the turret to have an access to the automatic ammunition handling system. Each door is fitted with one replenishment arm which are used to raise the projectiles and modular charges off the ground and load them into the two carousel magazines. The vehicle is divided into three compartments, driver at the front, power pack in the centre and the turret at the rear. The fighting compartment of the RWG-52 provides a protection against armour-piercing 7.62 caliber ammunition, TM46 mine blasts and NBC threats. The driver compartment is fitted with large bullet proof windows with an armoured shutter for the front window. When the armoured shutter is in place the driver uses a periscopic sight.

Propulsion

The RWG-52 uses a a Land Systems OMC 6×6 chassis, with one double axle at the front and two at the rear. This 48-ton vehicle has a maximum road speed of 80 km/h, and can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h when operating off-road. The RWG-52 has a maximum road range of 700 km, and 300 km in off-road. The Rheinmetall RWG-52 is motorized with an air-cooled diesel engine developing 518 hp. coupled to an automatic transmission with torque converter providing 6 forward and 1 reverse speeds.

Accessories

Standard equipment of the RWG-52 includes an automated laying and navigation system, a launcher management system facilitates operation, which is controlled from a gun firing panel. A built-in tyre pressure management system further enhances the vehicle’s excellent off-road performance.

Specifications