| G6 | |
|---|---|
 G6 howitzer |
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| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin |  South Africa |
| Service history | |
| Used by | South Africa, Oman, United Arab Emirates |
| Wars | South African Border War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Denel |
| Produced | 1987– |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 46,500 kg (46.5 t)[1] |
| Length | 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)[1][2] |
| Width | 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)[1] |
| Height | 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)[1] |
| Crew | 6 3–5 (G6-52 Extended Range) |
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|
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| Caliber | 155 mm[2] |
| Rate of fire | G6-52: 8 rpm G6 M1A3: 6 rpm Sustained: 2 rpm |
| Effective range | Standard: 30 km (19 mi) Base bleed: 39 km (24 mi) V-LAP: 52.5 km (32.6 mi) M9703A1: 67 km (42 mi) |
| Maximum range | 70 km (43 mi) |
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|
|
| Main armament |
1 x 155mm T6 L/52 (Caliber: 155mm - Scope estimated 33Km to 42Km) |
| Engine | air-cooled diesel 525 hp (391.49 kW) |
| Suspension | 6×6 |
| Operational range |
Road: 700 km (430 mi) Off-road: 350 km (220 mi)[1] |
| Speed | Road: 85 km/h (53 mph) Off-road: 30 km/h (19 mph)[2] |
The G6 self-propelled howitzer is a South African artillery piece, developed around the ordnance of the G5 howitzer. It is one of the most powerful self-propelled guns on a wheeled chassis.
In addition to the logistical mobility afforded by a wheeled chassis, the G6 is protected against counter battery fire and is able to defend itself in an unsecured area.
The chassis is mine-protected. The G6 is produced in South Africa by the Land Systems division of Denel. It entered production in 1987.
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Contents
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Ammunition characteristics
- Maximum range:
- 30,000 m with standard HE rounds,
- 39,000 m with HE base bleed rounds, and
- 42,000 m with HE base bleed rounds (BB—fired from G6-52)
- 50,000 m with HE base bleed rounds (BB—fired from G6-52 Extended Range)
- 52,500 m with a special velocity-enhanced Long Range Projectile (V-LAP—fired from G6).
- 58,000 m with a special velocity-enhanced Long Range Projectile (V-LAP—fired from G6-52).
- 67,450 m M9703A1 V-LAP round (tested successfully to 73,000 m by Denel in G6-52 Extended Range platform)
- Minimum range: 3,000 m.
- Rate of fire: 4 round/min, 2 round/min sustained.
- Ammunition: 155 mm ERFB. 47 rounds, 50 charges, 64 primers and fuzes.
- Accuracy: 0.1 % of range in azimuth, 0.48 % of range in range.
Variants
- G6
- G6 M1A3: Exported UAE version
- G6-52 (23 litre chamber)
- G6-52 Extended Range (25 litre chamber)
- Reduced crew to 3–5;
- can fire projectile up to 67 km at a rate of fire of eight rounds/minute;
- increased off-road speeds to nearly 70 km/h;
- implemented Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) technology and can land six (G6-52L variant) or five (G6-52) rounds simultaneously at targets up to 25 km away; and
- is currently undergoing extensive trials.
- G6 Marksman: a British SPAAG version, equipped with the Marksman turret.[3]
Operators
- South Africa: 43 systems.[4] Also known as the GV6 Rhino within the South African National Defence Force[5]
United Arab Emirates: 78 systems[4]
Oman: 24 systems[4]
Combat history
The G6 saw limited action in 1987/88 during the South African Border War, notably in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
See also
- List of artillery
- G5 howitzer
- Al-Fao (Iraqi supergun)
References
- ^ a b c d e "Weapon systems: Artillery - GV6". South African Army. http://www.army.mil.za/equipment/weaponsystems/artillery/GV6_115mm_MK1_Gun_Howitzer_Propelled.htm. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ a b c Greeff, I.B. (June 1992). "South Africa's Modern Long Tom". Military History Journal (The South African Military History Society) 9 (1). ISSN 00264016. http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol091ig.html.
- ^ "Denel in UK gun link-up". Flight International (Flightglobal.com) (14–20 September 2004): 10. September 2004. ISSN 00153710.
- ^ a b c "G6 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer, South Africa". army-technology.com. http://www.army-technology.com/projects/g6/. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "G6 Rhino 155mm SELF-PROPELLED GUN-HOWITZER". GlobalSecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/g6.htm. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
External links
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