Wikipedia

Nora B-52

The Nora B-52 is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Military Technical Institute and manufactured by Yugoimport SDPR in Velika Plana, Serbia.

Nora B-52
Serbian Nora B-52 M15
TypeSelf-propelled artillery
Place of originSerbia
Production history
DesignerMilitary Technical Institute
ManufacturerYugoimport SDPR
Unit cost$0.7 million (K0)
$2.0 million (2021) [1]
$7.06 million (2024)[2]
Produced2006–present
No. built126 delivered
116 more on order
Specifications
Mass34 tonnes (K-I)
27.4 - 28 tonnes (K0, K1, M03)
Length11000 mm
Width2950 mm
Height3450 mm
Crew3-5
Elevation-3° to +65°
Traverse60°
Rate of fire6-12 projectiles per minute (depending on version)
first 3 rounds in 20 seconds
Maximum firing range56km (HE ERFB/RA-BB VLAP)[3]
ArmorSTANAG 4569 Level II on the front and back, STANAG 4569 Level I on the sides, mine protection STANAG 4569 Level 2A and 2B, NBC protection through a pressurized hull and filter-ventilation system (K-I)
Main
armament
155 mm/52-calibre (23 liter chamber) or new 155 mm/52-calibre (25 liter chamber)
Secondary
armament
7,62mm machinegun
7,62mm or 12,7mm RCWS can also be installed
Engineturbo diesel
410 hp
Suspension8x8 off-road wheels
Operational
range
1,000 km (620 mi), at speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) for K-I version
Maximum speed Paved road: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Unpaved road: 25 km/h (16 mph)
Off-road: 15 km/h (9.3 mph)

History

edit

The first self-propelled Nora B (developed on the basis of Nora C) was designed by the Military Technical Institute in 1984 with a modified 152 mm Nora M-84 howitzer mounted on an FAP 8x8 truck bed and was a third generation of artillery systems.[4] Later, in 2000s, Military Technical Institute developed new versions of 4th generation artillery systems with 52 caliber 155 mm gun for fitting on a new system of Nora family with B-52 designation.

Variants

edit
 
Nora B-52 K1 of Bangladesh Army

B-52 operation depending on version is fully automated, including a 36-round autoloader. It is made in several versions:

K0
first serial variant, open turret, manual power drive and line of sight.
K1(S)
differences from K0:semi-open turret, full automatic, independent automatic navigation, automatic fire and control system, smaller crew number.
M03
semi-open turret, automatic based on K0,K1 designs with S designation for Serbia Army.
KE
semi-open turret, full automatic export variant.
K-I
K1 with additional armored full automatic with closed turret, new stronger chassis, radar on barrel for measuring projectile trajectory and speed, NBC protected cabin and turret, automated fire-suspension system, smoke grenade launcher, intercom for crew and new software, designated M15[5] for Serbia.
MGS-25[6] Aleksandar[7]
Newest version planned since 2009 is designated as K2 (25 liter chamber, higher rate of fire, laser guided long range ammunition, smaller crew, new automated functions, smaller weight~25 tonnes, automatic leveling of gun in north direction,new smoke and light grenade) with development started later probably in 2012. As of 2017 at international arms fair Partner 2017 in Belgrade and after a few years of development it was presented newly developed prototype model named "Alexander", It has a new designation now and instead K2 it is called MGS-25 named "Alexander" and comes with 12 rounds ready for fire in a revolver type of automatic loader and has 12 additional ammunition that are stored in a storage box located at back behind the crew cabin and engine-hydraulic compartment. The automatic loading system can reloaded ammunition compartment in a back of a gun. MGS-25 has a rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute and can continue firing operations until all ammunition is used. The Aleksandar has a maximum firing range of 32,5 km with standard ammunition and 56 km with the 155 mm HE ERFB RA/BB (VLAP).[3][8] It can use all available ammunition on market for 155mm howitzers designed to withstand pressure in a new larger chamber. MGS-25 can be remotely controlled by crew via separate remote control up to 100 meters from vehicle thanks to high level of automation of all functions. As fully autonomous module it can be mounted on different trucks chassis - Kamaz and MAN versions presented until now.[6][9]

K designation stands for Kamaz chassis, number for orientation of main weapon in relationship to north and letter for level of equipment and/or export designation. It is possible on demand to equip Nora B-52 howitzer with 152 mm gun.

All versions have differences in chassis, armour, turret, loading and support system. All versions with automatic loader features multiple rounds simultaneous impact capability. Standard equipment includes a computerized fire control system and a land navigation system. Ballistic protection is provided against small arms fire, shell splinters and some mines.[10][11][12]

For training and simulation purposes special computer simulator [13] was developed by Mihajlo Pupin Institute that includes terrain maps of customer country with ability to train up to 3 battery of Nora B-52 or up to division of 18 gun, including crews for artillery designation on targets.[14][15]

Special truck chassis upgrade as resupply vehicle for ammunition reload was developed and used within battery of Nora B-52 self-propelled howitzer.

Operational history

edit
 
MGS-25 Aleksandar

Serbia has exported the Nora B-52 artillery systems (B-52 selected versions of self-propelled howitzer K1, KE, KI), reconnaissance BOV M11, command (BOV M10) and battery fire control and meteorological vehicles, ammunition loading trucks, artillery battlefield software for platoon, battery and division level) to the armed forces of Myanmar, Kenya and Bangladesh.[16][17] One fully equipped battery usually consist of 6-12 self-propelled howitzer, reconnaissance 1-2 BOV M11, three command BOV M10(1 for each platoon and 1 for battery command), 3-6 munition trucks, communication and workshop vehicle, 2-3 general supply vehicles (fuel, food, water etc.) and 1-2 fire direction and gunfire locator vehicle with radar and sound ranging. With latest order for Cyprus instead BOV M11 the new BOV M16 Miloš was delivered as artillery reconnaissance and artillery battery command vehicle.[18][19]

Ammunition

edit

There are various type of ammunition available that includes domestic and foreign 155mm projectiles as it is JBMOU-compatible. Depending on ammo used different maximum ranges and effects on target can be achieved.

Designation Type Range in m Caliber Note
M107 HE M88
32,000
 155 mm Sloboda Čačak
M04 ERFB
34,000
 Sloboda Čačak
M02 ERFB/BB
41,850
 Sloboda Čačak
M02 ERFB-BB
44,000
 in development [20]
M15 HE ERFB RA/BB
41,100
[21]		 Sloboda Čačak[3]
Krasnopol (weapon) BB
30,000
 Guided
M982 Excalibur BB
40,000
 Guided
Not designated HE V-LAP
67,000
 in development with new 25 liter chamber range is 67 km, with 23 liter chamber 52-barrel range is 56 km[22]

Operators

edit
 
Map of Nora B-52 operators in blue

Current operators

edit

Future operators

edit

Potential operators

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Otvaranje Sajma naoružanja". Tanjug. Tanjug News Agency. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Azerbaijan to acquire 48 Serbian Nora B-52 self-propelled howitzers". armyrecognition.com. Army Recognition. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "155 mm HE ERFB RA/BB very long range artillery projectile (VLAP-Rocket Assistance/Base Bleed) | SDPR - Yugoimport". Archived from the original on 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  4. ^ "TOP 152 MM HOWITZER M84 NORA A". Archived from the original on 2015-07-20. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  5. ^ a b "NORA-B52 M15 155mm Self-Propelled Gun-Howitzer– Pride of Domestic Defence Industry". Ministry of defence Republic of Serbia.
  6. ^ a b "Aleksandar 155mm SPG to Make World Debut in 2019".
  7. ^ "Aleksandar Self Propelled Artillery Weapon cal. 155 mm | SDPR - Yugoimport". Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
  8. ^ "Aleksandar new 155mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzer Yugoimport Partner 2017 12706173 | Partner 2017 News Online Show Daily Coverage". Archived from the original on 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
  9. ^ "Partner 2019: Aleksandar 155mm self-propelled howitzer based on 8x8 MAN truck chassis | Partner 2019 News Online Show Daily defense exhibition Serbia | Defence security military exhibition 2019 daily news category".
  10. ^ "Yugoimport NORA B-52 155mm 52-calibre self-propelled gun". articles.janes.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012.
  11. ^ "Jugoimport - SDPR (Report)". Archived from the original on 2016-11-27. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  12. ^ "Hot shots from Serbia". Jane's International Defence Review. 21 Feb 2011. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  13. ^ "Special Purpose Simulators and Training aids".
  14. ^ "Dozvolite".
  15. ^ "Simulator za top haubicu Nora B-52". YouTube.
  16. ^ Serbian robots go to war Archived 2009-06-10 at the Wayback Machine (in English)
  17. ^ a b "Kenya to receive Serbian armoured vehicles". defenceweb.co.za. 5 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 July 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  18. ^ "Cyprus: Serb-made Nora-B52 and BOV M16 MILOS vehicles ready for delivery". defence-point.com. September 2, 2019.
  19. ^ "Serbian made Nora-B52 self-propelled howitzers and Milos armored vehicles parade in Cyprus | October 2019 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2019 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com.
  20. ^ "155 mm M02 ERFB-BB Long Range Artillery Projectile | SDPR - Yugoimport". Archived from the original on 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  21. ^ "155 mm, HE ERFB-BB M03 Artillery ammunition" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  22. ^ "155 mm HE ERFB RA/BB very long range artillery projectile (VLAP-Rocket Assistance/Base Bleed) | SDPR - Yugoimport".
  23. ^ "Trade-Register-1971-2019.rft". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  24. ^ "UNROCA original report Serbia 2013". Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  25. ^ "Nora B-52 155mm/52-calibre Wheeled self-propelled howitzer". Archived from the original on 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  26. ^ "Σέρβικα αυτοκινούμενα πυροβόλα NORA B-52 παραδίδονται στην Κύπρο". August 25, 2019.
  27. ^ "Kenya Purchases Sh2.6bn weapons from East Europe". www.businessdailyafrica.com. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  28. ^ "Kenya Land Forces military equipment and vehicles of Kenyan army". Archived from the original on 2013-03-25.
  29. ^ "NORA B-52 Self-Propelled Gun-Howitzer | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  30. ^ "Стефановић о набавци "корнета": Србија сада има убојито оружје".
  31. ^ "Počinje proizvodnja moćne haubice za Vojsku Srbije: Naša "nora" jača od hrvatskih "pancera"!".
  32. ^ "Ministarstvo odbrane poručilo nove". Ministarstvo odbrane Republike Srbije.
  33. ^ "Samohodne haubice "nora" uvedene u Vojsku Srbije (FOTO)". Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
  34. ^ tim, Urednički (2023-03-03). "Alžir kupuje 50 srpskih Nora B-52". Balkansec.net (in Bosnian). Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  35. ^ "Srpske haubice za Brazil". Balkansec.net (in Bosnian). 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  36. ^ "Pakistan army KH179 155mm howitzer South Korea trial tests 12106173 | June 2017 Global Defense Security news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2017 | Archive News year". Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  37. ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  38. ^ "NORA B-52 from Serbia 155mm howitzer demonstrated in UAE | November 2017 Global Defense Security news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2017 | Archive News year". Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  39. ^ "Global Ordnance, LLC is awarded contract for supplying NORA Wheeled Howitzer for the US Army 155 mm Mobile Gun System" (Press release).
  40. ^ "US Army mobile howitzer shoot-off participants emerge". 18 December 2020.
  41. ^ "Набавка нових "Лазара 3" за Војску Србије, вредност уговора 3,7 милијарди динара".


edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nora_B-52&oldid=1251890660"