Designation: | T5-52 Condor |
|
---|---|---|
Manufacturer: | DENEL LAND SYSTEMS, DLS | |
Product type: | Armoured Vehicles | |
Name: | Self-propelled howitzer |
The Denel Land Systems 155 mm/52 calibre Condor T5 self-propelled artillery system has been developed to meet the potential requirements of India.
Teamed with Denel Land Systems is the Indian company of Bharat Earth Movers Limited who are the local manufacturer for the Czech Republic Tatra 8 × 8 chassis on which the system is based.
Development of the Condor T5 is understood to have commenced in 2001, with the first prototype being completed in 2002. The system made its first public appearance at the Africa Aerospace & Defence exhibition held in Pretoria in September 2002.
Development of the baseline Denel Land Systems T5 Condor self-propelled artillery system is considered to be complete but as of late 2007 there were no confirmed sales of this system.
The T5-2000, dubbed Condor, is a new artillery system designed to provide excellent mobility and long range precision strike capability. It comprises a 155mm 52 calibers G5-2000 gun and a Tatra T815 WN 8x8 all-terrain truck or similar vehicle according to customer needs. The T5-2000 retains the same impressive features of the G5-2000 artillery gun adding outstanding mobility, reliability and ease of use.
Basically, T5 is similar to T5-2000 but equipped with a 155mm 45-caliber gun system. Its range goes from 39km using base bleed ammunition to 54km with V-LAP projectiles. The rate of fire compares badly with 4 rounds per minute versus 8 rpm of the T5-2000. The loading system is semi-automatic in the T5-2000 compared to T5's push rammer system.
The G5-2000 features multiple rounds simultaneous impact capability, self-propelled capability through the auxiliary power unit, autonomous navigation system, compatible with all NATO 155mm ammunition, high accuracy, and digital data transfer. Using base-bleed assisted projectiles the weapon system can hit targets at 40km away. V-LAP projectiles increase that figure to 54km.
Denel's T5-2000 Condor artillery system carries 22 projectiles and 26 charges on-board. This self-propelled howitzer was still under development in the early 2000s and intends to be the South African counterpart to the French Caesar truck-mounted weapon system.
|
|
|
Share... |