Primus (self-propelled howitzer)

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SSPH Primus
SSPH at the 2005 National Day Parade

SSPH at the 2005 National Day Parade
General properties
crew 4th
length 6.6 m (10.21 m with pipe)
width 3 m
height 3.28 m
Dimensions 28.3 t combat weight
Armor and armament
Armor 25mm aluminum alloy
Main armament 155 mm L / 39 with 22 rounds
Secondary armament 7.62 mm MG
6 smoke throw systems
agility
drive Detroit Diesel 6V 92TA
550 hp
suspension Torsion bar
Top speed > 50 km / h
Power / weight 19.43 hp / t
Range 350 km

The SSPH Primus is a self-propelled howitzer of the Singapore Army . The howitzer developed by ST Kinetics entered service in 2004. The name is derived from Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer (SSPH) and the motto of the city-state's artillery troops "In Oriente Primus".

history

The idea of ​​developing its own self-propelled howitzer took shape in the early 1990s, as its own tank units were to be provided with adequate fire support. The howitzer should therefore be able to keep pace with its own armored forces. 155 mm was chosen as a suitable caliber.

The decision to build the Primus was made after a market study in which other self-propelled howitzers such as the M109 Paladin , AS90 , Type 75 and Msta were classified as either too heavy or too large. The Singapore Army needed a vehicle that was no heavier than 30 tons and no wider than 3 meters to be able to pass local bridges and to accommodate the vegetation. Therefore it was decided to develop its own vehicle.

Taking into account the experience with the development of the ODE 155 mm gun howitzer FH-88 and the FH-2000 , ST Kinetics began development in 1996, the prototype was rolled out in April 2000. For the next two years, shooting tests were carried out at the Waiouru Army Camp in New Zealand . In September 2002 the howitzer was adopted.

technology

The chassis is a modified M109 construction with a new motor (which is also used in the Bionix ) to reduce costs and logistics. The engine of the Bionix has been modified to deliver more power, as has the transmission. Air conditioning and an NBC protection system are not available, but can be retrofitted if necessary.

The turret is equipped with a 155 mm cannon with 39  caliber lengths , a muzzle brake and a smoke evacuator. All types of NATO ammunition can be fired. A range of 19 km is achieved with standard grenades , 30 km are possible with extended-range full-bore projectiles . The charging process runs semi-automatically; the projectile is automatically pushed into the barrel and the propellant is inserted manually. The gun can fire three shells in 20 seconds and a maximum of six rounds per minute. The digital fire control system with GPS makes it possible to fire the gun at the target via a data link in less than 60 seconds after receiving the fire order. The Primus takes 40 seconds to leave a firing position.

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