The G6 -Still outgunning the competition

Kunal Biswas

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Twenty five years after it astonished the global defence community, South Africa's G6 self-propelled Gun-Howitzer still sets the standards against which all long-distance artillery are being measured.

"The G6 was ahead of its time when it was first launched in 1987," says Stephan Burger, the CEO of Denel Land Systems. "Through our continuous research and investment in the gun we have ensured it remains ahead of the pack as the most versatile and reliable artillery system in its class."

"We are still outgunning all our global competitors by a wide margin," he says.

Burger says Denel Land Systems (DLS) is undoubtedly a world leader in the design, development and manufacturing of artillery. Modern armies still requires agile and flexible artillery systems to support troops involved in both high-intensity warfare and peace-keeping operations.

Artillery is used to establish fire superiority and hit high-value targets over long distances providing armies with a tactical and operational edge against enemies. The fact that it is self-propelled enables it to keep pace with mounted infantry and armour units over extended distances.

Based on the locally-developed G5 the 155mm G6 revolutionised artillery with its ability to hit targets over exceptionally long distances with an outstanding degree of accuracy.

Mounted on a wheeled chassis the G6 is self-propelled, giving it a remarkable agility and ultra-quick reaction time. Its ability to hit targets more than 65km away at a rate of fire of six rounds per minute confirmed its reputation as one of the most versatile artillery systems ever developed.

In addition to the South African National Defence Force the G6 has also been acquired by the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Burger says Lyttelton Engineering Works – the predecessor of Denel Land Systems – initially designed the G6 to meet the need for an accurate, long-range artillery system that is highly mobile and easy to operate.

The upgraded G6-52, was first launched in 2003 and is continuously being modified to "remain at the front of the pack" in modern artillery systems.

Some of the key features of the G6-52 are:


1. Mobility and speed - Traditionally artillery pieces had to be towed, thus restricting its effective deployment in difficult terrain. The six-wheeled G6 changed the face of artillery because it is self-propelled, with the ability to reach speeds of 85km per hour on roads and 35 km per hour in off-road conditions. It can traverse terrain to a gradient of 40 degrees and cross trenches of up to one meters


2. Range – the G6-52 increased the operational range from 50 kilometres – already considered to be remarkable – to 58 kilometres making it the premier system of its kind in the world.


3. Accuracy – The gun is fitted with an accurate inertial and GPS navigation system. A ring laser gyro based gun laying system ensures accurate gun pointing to within 1mil (0.05 of a degree). Up to five rounds can be fired to impact simultaneously on the same target by means of the G6-52's advanced AS2000 artillery target engagement system. This maximises the surprise element to achieve better effect on the target.


4. Ease of operation – the G6 is served by a crew of between 3 and 5 which includes the driver, commander, gun layer, ammunition loader and breech operator. The on-board gyro-controlled navigation system enables the gun to be brought into action within 60 seconds of stopping and it can move off within 30 seconds after firing.


5. Rate of fire – the gun can fire projectiles at a rate of six rounds per minute.



6. Full-protection – the G6 is protected against counter-battery fire and its mobility makes it an extremely difficult target to locate and hit. The armoured turret and hull provide protection against small arms fire and shell splinters while the chassis can withstand multiple landmine explosions.

* Adaptability – the gun is capable of firing a wide range of 155mm ammunition including velocity-enhanced long-range projectiles (V-LAP).

* The ammunition for the G6 has been developed in South Africa and is supplied by Rheinmetall Denel Munition.


http://army-guide.com/eng/article/article_2406.html#.T2JSURBZGMs.facebook
 

Damian

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Eh? Outgunning? It is just not tested against better SPH's, for example Pzh2000... or XM2001 that was unfortunetly cancelled, but that thing was firing so fast it's 155mm weapon, that barrel needed liquid cooling, think about that! ;)
 

militarysta

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Eh? Outgunning? It is just not tested against better SPH's, for example Pzh2000... or XM2001 that was unfortunetly cancelled, but that thing was firing so fast it's 155mm weapon, that barrel needed liquid cooling, think about that! ;)
BTW: after canceled "Crusarder" SPH program Americans calim taht only PzH2000 is on that kind of "level" that it can by used as substitiute of the Crusarder.

PzH2000 performance are greate, really greate.
 

Damian

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Pzh2000 is close to the level represented by XM2001, however it is not the same level, XM2001 was just completely new generation, high automatization of vehicle give chance to reduce crew to 3 man sitting in isolated hull compartment, enhancing their survivability, while also increasing rate of fire to the point where barrel needed liquid cooling. And hey XM2001 used if I'am correct, (I should check this in one of my books) L56 long barrel.
 
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methos

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The G6 might be good, but there are many concurrents. The AS-90 "Braveheart", the AHS Krab, the PzH 2000, the Donar, the Japanese Type 99, South Korean K-9 and even some upgrades for the M109 all feature 155 mm L/52 guns - which means that the maximum range with the same projectiles should be about the same. Only differences are the rate of fire and the accuracy, the later being also very similar on most vehicles.
Protection of most vehicles differs, AS-90 and some others are having very weak armour against small arms only, while others like the PzH 2000 have very thick armour providing all-round protection against HMG rounds and partial protection against medium caliber rounds. According to German sources the PzH 2000 was designed with the same protection level as the Leopard 1 MBT.

Here is a video about the PzH 2000 with 48V autoloader. 12 rounds per minute.

PzH 2000 was rejected by U.S. because not all parts of the ammo are stored outside the crew comparment.
 

sob

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This video gives a very good view of the auto loader in XM2001

 
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sayareakd

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This video gives a very good view of the auto loader in XM2001

The SPH main armament consists of the XM297E2 cannon, the XM200 gun mount and an automatic weapon loader. The cannon, which was specially designed for the Crusader system, is a 56 caliber tube (for large weapons, caliber is a ratio of tube length to bore diameter). A unique feature of the cannon tube is the employment of a full length cooling jacket using isopropyl glycol as the fluid medium. By dissipating gun tube heat through heat exchangers located in the turret, the active cooling system helps to provide a higher rate of fire, reduce tube wear and increase accuracy. Incorporated into the end of the tube is a pepper pot muzzle brake. This design employs a series of longitudinal rows of holes circumferentially around the tube. The holes are drilled at an angle that enables a rearwards venting of the gasses behind the expelled projectile, thereby providing a brake to the recoiling cannon (this is the backwards motion of the cannon caused by firing a projectile). Capping off the load end of the tube is a vertically sliding breech block coupled with a laser ignition system.
Crusader XM2001 Self-Propelled Howitzer


OFB and DRDO should look at this tech, this according to video works as car radiator, thereby cooling the engine.

If they can cool the barrel then more rounds can pump in.
 
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methos

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Ok, How many Guns archived the range of 73kms till today ?

Practically in service..
The gun is essentially the same on all modern SPH. Using base-bleed/RAP subcaliber projectiles (like Volcano or Denel's V-Lap) the PzH 2000 is claimed to have a range above 60 km. The problem with these rounds is that they carry far less HE than the basic base-bleed/conventional rounds. Since the gun of the PzH 2000 is derived from the SP70 project (in which among others Britain participated) it is likely that the gun on As-90 Braveheart and AS Krab is also capable of firing 60+ km.

You must also notice that a range of 73 km you will loose all advantages of a modern SPH over older models, like rapid engagement and MRSI capability. The same ammunition which is used by the G6-52 for 73 km can and has been used on the PzH 2000 (and probably also on the AS-90).
73 km is the maximum possible range, but the effective range is likely less (e.g. army-technology claims a maximum range of 68 km for this round). On KEPD 350 the Bundeswehr states the official range at 350+ km, TAURUS System GmbH and MBDA claim a maximum range of 500+ km. More than 500 km can only be achieved without much terrain following (more or less a straight flight), while the figure "350 km" is valid for much maneuvering .
 

Kunal Biswas

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You must also notice that a range of 73 km you will loose all advantages of a modern SPH over older models, like rapid engagement and MRSI capability. The same ammunition which is used by the G6-52 for 73 km can and has been used on the PzH 2000 (and probably also on the AS-90).

No, G6 of 52 cal barrel is unlike any-other, Also G6 can archive 73km with that round where as the same round in PHZ-2000 and other can archive till 68km at most..

You can research on the barrel..




Also, My aim is to archive target out at 73km, But if i need MRSI i can also do it with the same round..
 

methos

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G6 and G6-52 have the same gun design as AS-90, Krab, PzH 2000. Nothing different.
G6-52L has a new gun with more chamber volume (8-9% more volume). This gun is therefore unlikely compatible with NATO norms and has not adopted by any country yet.

Also, My aim is to archive target out at 73km, But if i need MRSI i can also do it with the same round..
SPHs are not operated at their maximum limit, no weapon system should be operated in such a manner. 73 km is nice, but it will not be used effectively in combat at such a range.
MRSI is limited to ranges below 40 km on all current weapon systems (at least for a 5 round burst), even the G6 claims no higher range for MRSI. For MRSI, where the aim is to get as much as explosive at the target in a timeframe as short as possible you also won't use subcaliber ammunition.
 

Kunal Biswas

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G6 and G6-52 have the same gun design as AS-90, Krab, PzH 2000. Nothing different.
No, The breech is entierly different in G6 turret, It deign is not the same as AS-90 or KRAB / Phz 2000..


SPHs are not operated at their maximum limit, no weapon system should be operated in such a manner. 73 km is nice, but it will not be used effectively in combat at such a range.
SPH or Towed Operational reqirment needed for such actions, And these rounds does the job..

MRSI is limited to ranges below 40 km on all current weapon systems (at least for a 5 round burst), even the G6 claims no higher range for MRSI. For MRSI, where the aim is to get as much as explosive at the target in a timeframe as short as possible you also won't use subcaliber ammunition.
G6-52 has an automated and fuse handling system and the Thales AS2000 artillery target engagement system which can be linked to UAV observation systems like ATE Aerospace's Vulture UAV which is in service with the SA Army and receive data linked data from other C2 systems. That's what allows it to have a six-round MRSI capability at far ranges..
 

methos

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No, The breech is entierly different in G6 turret, It deign is not the same as AS-90 or KRAB / Phz 2000..
The breech design is irrelevant for the performance. Fact is that G6 and G6-52 use NATO standarized ammuniton, while G6-52L does not. The gun of the G6 has the same rifling, barrel length as the German and British counterparts and must sustain the same chamber pressure.

G6-52 has an automated and fuse handling system and the Thales AS2000 artillery target engagement system which can be linked to UAV observation systems like ATE Aerospace's Vulture UAV which is in service with the SA Army and receive data linked data from other C2 systems. That's what allows it to have a six-round MRSI capability at far ranges..
You are saying this like this would be something special about the G6, which makes it better than the other vehicles. But other SPHs also have links to UAV and foreward artillery observers (like the Fennek) and have automated loading/fuse handling.
Firing range is depending on elevation and powder charge. MRSI requires using different barrel evelations so that all rounds will hit the same area at the same time.
The range for MRSI is not depending on FCS or reconnaissance, but on the barrel elevation used, because the elevation influences the effective range. This practical limits the effective range for a five-round burst to ranges below 40 km.
 

Kunal Biswas

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The breech design is irrelevant for the performance. Fact is that G6 and G6-52 use NATO standarized ammuniton, while G6-52L does not. The gun of the G6 has the same rifling, barrel length as the German and British counterparts and must sustain the same chamber pressure.
1. Breech degin is related to barrel thickness hence more ability to sustain charges.

2. Yes, But not the same way the charges used for G6 barrel

3.

G6 155mm Barrel on static display.



You are saying this like this would be something special about the G6.
No just the info abt G6 and 6 rnds MRSI capability..
 

Damian

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Ok but important question... it is really good idea to put such gun on wheeled platform? AFAIK 155mm artillery should be able to keep up with MBT's and IFV's, also SPH's with 155mm gun-howitzer should be able to manouver also in hard terrain and be able to quickly change positions in such terrain.

IMHO tracked platform is better than wheeled, while of course wheeled platforms also have their own place in armed forces structure.
 

shuvo@y2k10

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the g-6 denel will continue to rule the 52cal sph artillery for a long time.it is a pity that because of the fools in defence ministry indian army was never able to get these guns.
 

Kunal Biswas

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Ok but important question... it is really good idea to put such gun on wheeled platform? AFAIK 155mm artillery should be able to keep up with MBT's and IFV's, also SPH's with 155mm gun-howitzer should be able to manouver also in hard terrain and be able to quickly change positions in such terrain.

IMHO tracked platform is better than wheeled, while of course wheeled platforms also have their own place in armed forces structure.
G6 is deigned as per South African demands and there surroundings, they prefer wheel as there terrain demand so..

For track India ordered T6 turret on Arjun Chassis but the Project halted as Indian GOV ban the company for middleman charges..



 

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