Nora_B-52

Nora B-52

Nora B-52

Serbian 155 mm self-propelled howitzer


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.

Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...

History

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

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

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

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.

More information Designation, Type ...

Operators

Map of Nora B-52 operators in blue

Current operators

Future operators

Potential operators

See also


References

  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. "TOP 152 MM HOWITZER M84 NORA A". Archived from the original on 2015-07-20. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  4. "Yugoimport NORA B-52 155mm 52-calibre self-propelled gun". articles.janes.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012.
  5. "Jugoimport - SDPR (Report)". Archived from the original on 2016-11-27. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  6. "Kenya to receive Serbian armoured vehicles". defenceweb.co.za. 5 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 July 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  7. "155 mm M02 ERFB-BB Long Range Artillery Projectile | SDPR - Yugoimport". Archived from the original on 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  8. "Trade-Register-1971-2019.rft". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  9. "Nora B-52 155mm/52-calibre Wheeled self-propelled howitzer". Archived from the original on 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  10. "Kenya Purchases Sh2.6bn weapons from East Europe". www.businessdailyafrica.com. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  11. "NORA B-52 Self-Propelled Gun-Howitzer | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  12. "Ministarstvo odbrane poručilo nove". Ministarstvo odbrane Republike Srbije.
  13. "Samohodne haubice "nora" uvedene u Vojsku Srbije (FOTO)". Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
  14. tim, Urednički (2023-03-03). "Alžir kupuje 50 srpskih Nora B-52". Balkansec.net (in Bosnian). Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  15. "Srpske haubice za Brazil". Balkansec.net (in Bosnian). 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  16. "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-04.

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