Yugoimport presents its full range of artillery systems at Eurosatory 2018.

At Eurosatory 2018 defense exhibition in Paris (France), the Serbian State Defense Company YugoImport showcases its full range of artillery systems including the NORA-B52 a 155mm 52-caliber wheeled self-propelled howitzer, the Aleksander the latest generation of fully automatic 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer and the Shumadia, a multi-caliber MLRS (Multiple Launcher Rocket System).

Yugoimport NORA B-52 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer at Eurosatory 2018, the International Land and Airland Defence and Security Exhibition in Paris, France. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The NORA B-52 is a 155mm 52-calibre self-propelled howitzer fully designed and manufactured by the state defense Company Yugoimport-SDPR. The Dana is based on automotive components of the KAMAZ 8x8 truck chassis with the driver's compartment at the front and fully enclosed turret at the rear. This artillery system has been exported to Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Kenya.

The turret at the rear of the vehicle integrates the main armament which consists of one 155mm 52 caliber howitzer. The turret has a traverse of 60° and elevation from -3° to +65°. The crew cabin at the front can be protected offering protection against firing of small arms and mines blast.

The NORA B-52 has a crew of five with gunner and commander position in the turret. The NORA B-52 is fitted with a fully automatic loading system which consists of two cassettes containing 12 projectiles and 12 propellant charges, projectile and charge feeder and chain rammer controlled by PLC thus increasing firing rate and minimizing crew effort. Loader can be refilled from the container on the deck of the vehicle. Container has 8 removable cassettes each containing 6 housings (4 in the middle for storage of projectiles and 2+2 on the left and right side for propellant charges). It can carry a total of 32 projectiles.

The NORA B-52K1 can fire at a maximum range of 41.2 km and is able to fire all types of 155mm NATO standard ammunition. The NORA B-52K1 I can be ready to fire the first round in less than 60 sec and leave its firing position in the same time. The gun system is able to fire at a maximum rate of fire of 4 rounds/min.

Yugoimport Aleksandar 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer at Eurosatory 2018, the International Land and Airland Defence and Security Exhibition in Paris, France. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Aleksandar is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer armed with one 155mm 52 caliber cannon which is also used on the NORA B-52. With the new Aleksandar, the Serbian Company Yugoimport will provide a new self-propelled howitzer similar to the Archer wheeled howitzer manufactured by BAE Systems.

The layout of the Aleksandar is similar to the NORA B-52 using the same KAMAZ 8x8 military truck chassis, but the rear turret is removed and replaced by a full automatic loading system mounted at the rear of main gun which has a total of 12 rounds ready to the fire.

To increase the speed for the reload of ammunition, 12 additional ammunition are stored in a storage box located at the rear of the crew cab. In a few seconds, the automatic loading system can be reloaded and continue firing operations.

The Aleksandar has a maximum firing range of 32,5 km with standard ammunition and 52 km with the 155 mm HE ERFB RA/BB (VLAP), a new generation of very long range artillery projectiles designed for importantly improving operational range performances of a modern towed and self-propelled 155 mm gun - howitzers with 39, 45 and 52 caliber barrel length.

Yugoimport Shumadia multi-caliber MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System at Eurosatory 2018, the International Land and Airland Defence and Security Exhibition in Paris, France. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Shumadia is new generation of MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket Systems able to fire unguided rocket Jerina-2 at a maximum range of 70 km and the Jerina-1 missile at a maximum range of 285 m. The Sumadija can be configured with different types of launcher station according to the mission requirements. To fire the Jerina 1 missile, the vehicle can be fitted with two to four tube launchers each containing two missiles. With the use of the Jerina 2 unguided rocket, the vehicle can be fitted with four modules of 3 tube launchers offering the possibility to carried a total of 12 unguided rockets.

The Jerina 1 is guided ammunition using a inertial navigation system INS/GPS and a guidance system to control the fly of the missile. This missile can be fire from a range of 70 km to 285 km. The front of the missile is fitted with an HE fragmentation warhead which has a weight of 20 kg. The Jerina 2 is unguided rocket with a caliber of 267mm and an HE/fragmentation warhead with a weight of 110 kg.