M-56 Howitzer
| M-56 howitzer | |
|---|---|
 M-56А1 105 mm howitzer on display at 2011 Partner military fair | |
| Type | M56 M56A1 Howitzer |
| Place of origin | Yugoslavia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1956 |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Military Technical Institute |
| Manufacturer | Yugoimport SDPR, Bratstvo Novi Travnik |
| Produced | 1952 - still in offer new versions |
| No. built | more than 1500 towed |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 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] |
| Feed system | manual |
The M-56 Howitzer is a 105 mm artillery gun from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Early towed version is comparable to the German 10.5 cm leFH 18 and the American M101 howitzer while newer M-56A1 and self propelled M-09 Soko has more improvements and greater range.
History
[edit]The gun's design is based on the M101 and leFH 18. The gun's initial model was the SH-1, designed by the Military Technical Institute Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1951. It was produced by Crvena Zastava in Kragujevac, now Zastava Arms. Second prototype, also developed by Military Technical Institute Belgrade, in 1955 designated as SH-2 was basis for serial M-56. Serial production started in 1956 Bratstvo Novi Travnik because prior to 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 in order to develop their industries. Because of that decision in 1951 Zastava Arms factory, then called Crvena Zastava, was partially dissembled (including complete Crvena Zastava factory artillery program with calibers over 20 mm) and 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 in that time was heavy industrialized and had educated technical staff.[2] The original production version was 28 caliber with a maximum range of 13 km.
Technical data M-56
[edit]- 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
Later development
[edit]MTI developed the M56A1 version, with a longer 33 caliber barrel designed to last for at least 18,000 shots, with a stronger breechblock, with recoil systems that allow it to fire modern rounds up to 18 km and a hydro-pneumatic balancer.[3] The M-56A1 and M09 Soko Self-propelled artillery are offered by Yugoimport and the M-56 by BNT TMiH in Bosnia.[4][5]
Technical data M-56A1 105mm
[edit]- M-56A1 caliber 33
- Weight: 2,370 kg
- Min. reach: 2,000 m
- 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: 6–8 round/min
- M-56A1: 18.1 km
- Length of barrel: 3500 mm
M-09 Soko 105 mm self-propelled gun
[edit]| 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 | |
| Mass | 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) |
| Maximum 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 |
The M-09 Self propelled 105mm gun has direct and indirect shooting capabilities. It can carry up to 60 rounds. It can be mounted on various truck chassis including TAM, FAP, TATRA, KAMAZ and Mercedes models.[5]
- Range: 15.1 km M02 HE ERBT 18.4 km M02 HE ERFB/BB [7]
- Rate of fire: 6-8 rsd/min
- Armour STANAG 4569 level I
- Zastava Arms M87 - 12.7x108 mm for defense
- Integrated fire control system
- An use ammunition developed for the US M101 and M-56A1 howitzer [5]
Users
[edit]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.[8][failed verification]
Current operators
[edit]
Cyprus - 48[9]
El Salvador - 18[10]
Greece - 19[11]
Guatemala - 56[12]
India - 50[13]
Indonesia - 50[14]
Iran - 20[15]
North Macedonia - 14[16]
Mexico - 40 with the Army and 16 with the Naval Infantry Corps[17]
Myanmar - 54[18]
Nigeria - 49[19]
Pakistan - 113[20]
Peru - 60[21]
Thailand - 12[22]
Venezuela - 18[23]
Former operators
[edit]
Bangladesh - 56 as of 2016[update][24]
Bosnia and Herzegovina[25]
Croatia[25]
Iraq - fielded during the Iran-Iraq War and Persian Gulf War, former operator[25]- Macedonia
Serbia - 256 in 1998[25]
References
[edit]- ^ "Y Report Br28". Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ^ "1945 – 1970 | Zastava-arms". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Haubica 105 mm M56". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "BNT TMiH website". Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
- ^ a b c "M09 105 mm ARMORED TRUCK-MOUNTED HOWITZER | SDPR - Yugoimport". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ [1] Archived 26 January 2013 at archive.today
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 81. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298591. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 433. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298595. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 100. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298591. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 435. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298595. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 266. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 273. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 353. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298594. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 116. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298591. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. pp. 440, 442. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298595. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 296. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 510. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298597. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 302. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 447. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298595. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 319. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298593. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. 12 February 2024. p. 455. doi:10.1080/04597222.2024.2298595. ISBN 9781040051153.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. p. 235. ISBN 9781857438352.
- ^ a b c d Foss, Christopher F. (1998). "105 mm howitzer M56". Jane's Armour and Artillery (19 ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710617903.
External links
[edit]
- America Militar: Photos of the M56 in use
- Máquina de Combate: Yugo Import moderniza el howitzer M56(in Spanish)
- Partner 2013 fair in Belgrade: Soko M09
