155 GH 52 APU
The 155 GH 52 APU (which stands for 155 mm gun-howitzer, 52 calibers, auxiliary power unit), Finnish designation 155 K 98 (155 mm kenttäkanuuna 1998 or "155 mm field gun 1998"; FDF terminology does not recognise gun-howitzers), is a Finnish towed artillery piece developed in 1998. It is largely based on the 155 K 83 with some major enhancements. It can be moved on the field short distances with its own auxiliary diesel engine, which is used in all 56 units used by the Finnish defence forces, is a 78-kilowatt Deutz diesel engine. The Egyptian units are not equipped with the APU.
| 155 GH 52 APU | |
|---|---|
155 K 98 | |
| Type | Gun-howitzer |
| Place of origin | Finland |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1998– |
| Used by | Finnish Army Egyptian Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Patria |
| Manufacturer | Patria Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries (licensed production) |
| Unit cost | 500,000 € |
| Produced | 1998–2005 |
| No. built | 73+ |
| Variants | 155 GH 52 155 GH 52 APU 155 K 98 155GH52-SP-T55 |
| Specifications (155 K 98) | |
| Mass | 13,500 kg (29,800 lb) (without equipment) 14,580 kg (32,140 lb) (fully equipped) |
| Barrel length | 8,060 mm (317 in) L/52 |
| Crew | 1+7 |
| Shell | 155 mm NATO, separate caseless charge bags |
| Shell weight | 43 kg (95 lb) to 47 kg (104 lb) |
| Caliber | 155 millimetres (6.1 in) |
| Breech | Horizontal semi-automatic sliding block |
| Recoil | Hydro-pneumatic |
| Carriage | Split trail, sole plate, auxiliary power unit and hydraulics |
| Elevation | −5° to +70° |
| Traverse | ±35° from centreline |
| Rate of fire | 6–10 rounds/min 3 rounds in 12 seconds |
| Muzzle velocity | over 900 m/s (3,000 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 28 kilometres (17 mi) (standard ammunition) 40 kilometres (25 mi) (base bleed ammunition) |
| Maximum firing range | 41 kilometres (25 mi) |
| Sights | Optical panoramic periscopic dial sight Telescopic direct fire sight |
| Engine | Deutz 78 kW (105 bhp) |
| Maximum speed | 15 km/h (9.3 mph) 8 km/h (5.0 mph) (terrain) |
The 155 GH 52 is considered to be one of the most modern field artillery cannons to date and was originally manufactured by Oy Tampella AB industries (today a part of Patria, Patria Vammas Systems Oy). It has a high rate of fire (6 rounds per minute) and can fire all types of 155 mm ammunition.