| Bhim Self Propelled Howitzer | |
|---|---|
|
File:Bhim SPH side view.jpg Side view of the Bhim SPH prototype | |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin |
 India |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1999 |
| Unit cost | US$4.5 million |
| Produced | Not entered into production |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Combat: 54 t (60 short tons) |
| Length | 12.4 m (40 ft 8 in)[1] |
| Width | 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)[1] |
| Height | 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)[1] |
| Crew | 4 (commander,loader, driver and gunner) |
|
| |
| Traverse | 360°[1] |
| Maximum firing range | 52 km (32 mi)[1] |
|
| |
| Armor |
welded steel, 14.5 mm resistant additional bomblet protection |
Main armament |
Denel 155 mm L52 G5 howitzer 8 round/min |
Secondary armament | MAG 7.62 mm machine gun[1] |
| Engine |
MTU 838 Ka-501 1400 hp(1000 kW) |
| Power/weight | 26 hp/t |
| Suspension | hydropneumatic |
Operational range | 450 km (281 mi)[1] |
| Maximum speed |
Road: 60 km/h (38 mph)[1] Off-road: 45 km/h (28 mph) |
The Bhim self-propelled howitzer is a private venture of South African company Denel under the supervision of Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to meet the requirement of self-propelled artillery of the Indian Army.[2] The Bhim artillery system was under development by Defence Research and Development Organization in the 1990s. Trials of the Bhim artillery system were successfully conducted in 1998 and 1999, but it remained on pause for over 10 years as Denel was blacklisted by the Indian government. The Bhim artillery system has a fully automatic ammunition loading system[3] as well as a turret-mounted auxiliary power unit, which powers all systems. It consists of the Denel T6 turret, mounted on Arjun MBT chassis.[1] Secondary armament of the Bhim howitzer consists of a single 7.62-mm machine gun.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 ARG. "Bhim 155-mm Prototype Self-Propelled Howitzer". Military-Today.com. http://www.military-today.com/artillery/bhim.htm. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
- ↑ "Army assures orders for DRDO Howitzers". Zeenews.india.com. 2012-06-10. http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/army-assures-orders-for-drdo-howitzers_780954.html. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
- ↑ "Indias Self-Propelled Artillery Project Bhim To Get a New Lease of Life". Defence Now. 2012-01-04. http://www.defencenow.com/news/453/indias-self-propelled-artillery-project-bhim-to-get-a-new-lease-of-life.html. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
The original article can be found at Bhim SPH and the edit history here.