M-56 Howitzer

M-56 Howitzer
M-56А1 105 mm howitzer on display at "Partner 2011" military fair in Belgrade
Type M56 M56A1 Howitzer
Place of origin Yugoslavia, Serbia
Service history
In service 1956
Production history
Designer Military Technical Institute Belgrade
Manufacturer Yugoimport, BNT Novi Travnik, BiH
Produced 1952 - still in offer new versions
No. built more than 1500 towed
Specifications
Weight 2,100 kg (4,600 lb) towed M56, 2370 M56A1
Crew 7 towed
Shell separate loading, cased charge
Caliber 105 mm (4.1 in)
Elevation -9 to +65 degrees
Rate of fire 6-8 rds/min
Maximum firing range

M-56 with Special charge: 13.1 km (8.1 mi)
M56-A1 33 caliber HE-ER BB: 18.1 km (11.2 mi)

30km with 52 caliber gun and HE ERFB/BB projectile [1]
Main
armament
 105 mm howitzer

The M-56 Howitzer was a Yugoslav and now Serbia designed 105mm artillery gun similar to German 10.5 cm leFH 18 and later improved 10.5 cm leFH 18M and also American M101 (m2A1). New versions offer more range, new ammunition and one of them is self propelled.

History

Design was based on details from the M101 and leFH 18, with many technical improvements to increase its capacity and range. First prototype was designated as SH-1 and designed by Military Technical Institute Belgrade in 1951 and produced by then Crvena Zastava Kragujevac today Zastava Arms Kragujevac . Second prototype was developed by Military Technical Institute Belgrade in 1955 designated as SH-2 and he was basis for serial M-56. Serial production started in 1956 Bratstvo Novi Travnik because prior that in 1945 decision was made by communist government of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to move factories from Serbia to other parts of newly formed Yugoslavia to help them to develop industries. Because of that decision in 1951 Zastava Arms factory then called Crvena Zastava was partial dissemble and among other parts of Crvena Zastava factory complete artillery program (calibers over 20 mm) together with 250 experts was transferred to Bosnia into new Bratstvo Novi Travnik factory from then Socialist Republic of Serbia to Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to help in Bosnia development at cost of Serbia who was in that time was heavy industrialized and had educated technical staff.[2] It was originally manufactured in Yugoslavia in a 28 caliber version that had the capability to reach up to 13 km.

Technical data M-56

  • M-56 caliber 28
  • Weight: Between 2,190 kg
  • Min. reach: 2,000m
  • Max. reach: up to 14 km
  • Muzzle brake: Double
  • Min. elevation: -180 mils
  • Max. elevation: 1200 mils
  • Horizontal limits: 462 thousandths
  • Frequency of fire: 6 round/min
  • Range M-56: 13.1 km

Latest development

Through the years, M56A1 version is developed by MTI with new longer 33 caliber barrel made from new better materials designed for a life cycle of at least 18,000 shots of ammunition and with a stronger breechblock and new recoil systems that allow it to fire modern rounds up to 18+ km with better stability thanks to hydro-pneumatic balancer to compensate for the increased weight as it was able to handle higher pressure in the chamber and counterweights in each support legs.[3] Today M-56A1 and M09 Soko Self-propelled artillery it is in offer by Yugoimport,and M-56 by BNT TMiH in Bosnia.[4][5]

Technical data M-56A1 105mm

  • M-56A1 caliber 33
  • Weight: 2,370 kg
  • Min. reach: 2,000m
  • Max. reach: up to 18.5 km
  • Muzzle brake: Double
  • Min. elevation: -180 mils
  • Max. elevation: 1200 mils
  • Horizontal limits: 462 thousandths
  • Frequency of fire: 6-8round/min
  • M-56A1: 18.1 km
  • Length of barrel: 3500mm
M56A1 105mm howitzer in Partner 2017

M-09 Soko 105mm self-propelled

M09 SP
M09 SP
Type Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin Serbia
Production history
Designer Military Technical Institute Belgrade
Manufacturer Complex Battle System factory in Velika Plana, Serbia
Unit cost $0.2 million estimated
No. built 2
Specifications
Weight 11400 kg
Length 6550 mm
Width 2275 mm
Height 2820 mm
Crew 5
Elevation -3° to +65°
Traverse 62°
Rate of fire 6-8 projectiles per minute.
Maximum firing range 18km(HE ER-BB) [6]
Armor STANAG 4569 Level I
Main
armament
 105 mm/33-calibre
Secondary
armament
 Zastava Arms M87 - 12.7x108 mm for M56A1 or 12,7mm RCWS can also be installed
Engine turbo diesel
150 hp
Suspension 4x4 off-road wheels
Operational
range
 600 km (370 mi), at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph)
Speed

On-road: 85 km/h (53 mph)
Macadam country road: 39 km/h (24 mph)
Off-road: 24 km/h (15 mph).

Speed is given for K-I version

Self propelled M-09 105mm gun has direct and indirect shooting capability. It carries 60 rounds ready for use. It can be produced on different types of truck including TAM,FAP,TATRA,KAMAZ,Mercedes and others. New modern FCS is developed for better and precise use, it is easy integrated with higher level commands.[7]

  • Range: 15.1 km M02 HE ERBT 18.4 km M02 HE ERFB/BB [8]
  • Rate of fire: 6-8 rsd/min
  • Armour STANAG 4569 level I
  • Zastava Arms M87 - 12.7x108 mm for defense
  • Integrated fire control system
  • Use all ammunition developed for the US M101 and M-56A1 howitzer [9]
M09 Soko 105mm howitzer in Partner 2017

Users

Map of M-56 Howitzer operators in blue

According to the United Nations, some 1,500 units of the M56, in its various models, have been produced and over 200 were exported between 1998 and 2004.[10]

Outside of the former territory of Yugoslavia, the M56 is known to be in service with:

  • Bangladesh
  • Cyprus
  • El Salvador
  • Iraq
  • Guatemala
  • Nigeria, likely the largest export user (200)
  • Indonesia
  • Myanmar
  • Mexico
  • Pakistan, which has one of the most in use (113).[11]
  • Perú

References

  1. ↑ https://www.scribd.com/doc/25851850/y-Report-Br28
  2. ↑ http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/imagetext/1945-%E2%80%93-1970
  3. ↑ http://www.paluba.info/smf/index.php?topic=13685.0
  4. ↑ BNT TMiH website
  5. ↑ http://www.yugoimport.com/en/proizvodi/m09-105-mm-armored-truck-mounted-howitzer
  6. ↑ http://www.vti.mod.gov.rs/index.php?view=actuality&type=reference&category=1&id=107
  7. ↑ http://www.yugoimport.com/en/proizvodi/m09-105-mm-armored-truck-mounted-howitzer
  8. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2015-05-12.
  9. ↑ http://www.yugoimport.com/en/proizvodi/m09-105-mm-armored-truck-mounted-howitzer
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ John Pike. "Pakistan Army Equipment". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 5 May 2013.

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