Nora B-52

Nora B-52
Nora B-52
	Serbian Nora B-52 M15
Type	Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin	Serbia
Production history
Designer	Military Technical Institute
Manufacturer	Yugoimport SDPR
Unit cost	$0.7 million (K0) ; $2.0 million (2021) ; $7.06 million (2024)
Produced	2006–present
No. built	126 delivered; 116 more on order
Specifications
Mass	34 tonnes (K-I); 27.4 - 28 tonnes (K0, K1, M03)
Length	11000 mm
Width	2950 mm
Height	3450 mm
Crew	3-5
Elevation	-3° to +65°
Traverse	60°
Rate of fire	6-12 projectiles per minute (depending on version); first 3 rounds in 20 seconds
Maximum firing range	56km (HE ERFB/RA-BB VLAP)
Armor	STANAG 4569 Level II on the front and back, STANAG 4569 Level I on the sides, mine protection STANAG 4569 Level 2A and 2B, NBC protection through a pressurized hull and filter-ventilation system (K-I)
Main; armament	155 mm/52-calibre (23 liter chamber) or new 155 mm/52-calibre (25 liter chamber)
Secondary; armament	7,62mm machinegun; 7,62mm or 12,7mm RCWS can also be installed
Engine	turbo diesel; 410 hp
Suspension	8x8 off-road wheels
Operational; range	1,000 km (620 mi), at speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) for K-I version
Maximum speed	Paved road: 90 km/h (56 mph); Unpaved road: 25 km/h (16 mph); Off-road: 15 km/h (9.3 mph)

The Nora B-52 is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Military Technical Institute and manufactured by Yugoimport SDPR in Velika Plana, Serbia.

History

The first self-propelled Nora B (developed on the basis of Nora C) was designed by the Military Technical Institute in 1984 with a modified 152 mm Nora M-84 howitzer mounted on an FAP 8x8 truck bed and was a third generation of artillery systems.^[4] Later, in 2000s, Military Technical Institute developed new versions of 4th generation artillery systems with 52 caliber 155 mm gun for fitting on a new system of Nora family with B-52 designation.

Variants

B-52 operation depending on version is fully automated, including a 36-round autoloader. It is made in several versions:

K0: first serial variant, open turret, manual power drive and line of sight.
K1(S): differences from K0:semi-open turret, full automatic, independent automatic navigation, automatic fire and control system, smaller crew number.
M03: semi-open turret, automatic based on K0,K1 designs with S designation for Serbia Army.
KE: semi-open turret, full automatic export variant.
K-I: K1 with additional armored full automatic with closed turret, new stronger chassis, radar on barrel for measuring projectile trajectory and speed, NBC protected cabin and turret, automated fire-suspension system, smoke grenade launcher, intercom for crew and new software, designated M15^[5] for Serbia.
MGS-25^[6] Aleksandar^[7]: Newest version planned since 2009 is designated as K2 (25 liter chamber, higher rate of fire, laser guided long range ammunition, smaller crew, new automated functions, smaller weight~25 tonnes, automatic leveling of gun in north direction,new smoke and light grenade) with development started later probably in 2012. As of 2017 at international arms fair Partner 2017 in Belgrade and after a few years of development it was presented newly developed prototype model named "Alexander", It has a new designation now and instead K2 it is called MGS-25 named "Alexander" and comes with 12 rounds ready for fire in a revolver type of automatic loader and has 12 additional ammunition that are stored in a storage box located at back behind the crew cabin and engine-hydraulic compartment. The automatic loading system can reloaded ammunition compartment in a back of a gun. MGS-25 has a rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute and can continue firing operations until all ammunition is used. The Aleksandar has a maximum firing range of 32,5 km with standard ammunition and 56 km with the 155 mm HE ERFB RA/BB (VLAP).^[3]^[8] It can use all available ammunition on market for 155mm howitzers designed to withstand pressure in a new larger chamber. MGS-25 can be remotely controlled by crew via separate remote control up to 100 meters from vehicle thanks to high level of automation of all functions. As fully autonomous module it can be mounted on different trucks chassis - Kamaz and MAN versions presented until now.^[6]^[9]

K designation stands for Kamaz chassis, number for orientation of main weapon in relationship to north and letter for level of equipment and/or export designation. It is possible on demand to equip Nora B-52 howitzer with 152 mm gun.

All versions have differences in chassis, armour, turret, loading and support system. All versions with automatic loader features multiple rounds simultaneous impact capability. Standard equipment includes a computerized fire control system and a land navigation system. Ballistic protection is provided against small arms fire, shell splinters and some mines.^[10]^[11]^[12]

For training and simulation purposes special computer simulator ^[13] was developed by Mihajlo Pupin Institute that includes terrain maps of customer country with ability to train up to 3 battery of Nora B-52 or up to division of 18 gun, including crews for artillery designation on targets.^[14]^[15]

Special truck chassis upgrade as resupply vehicle for ammunition reload was developed and used within battery of Nora B-52 self-propelled howitzer.

Operational history

Serbia has exported the Nora B-52 artillery systems (B-52 selected versions of self-propelled howitzer K1, KE, KI), reconnaissance BOV M11, command (BOV M10) and battery fire control and meteorological vehicles, ammunition loading trucks, artillery battlefield software for platoon, battery and division level) to the armed forces of Myanmar, Kenya and Bangladesh.^[16]^[17] One fully equipped battery usually consist of 6-12 self-propelled howitzer, reconnaissance 1-2 BOV M11, three command BOV M10(1 for each platoon and 1 for battery command), 3-6 munition trucks, communication and workshop vehicle, 2-3 general supply vehicles (fuel, food, water etc.) and 1-2 fire direction and gunfire locator vehicle with radar and sound ranging. With latest order for Cyprus instead BOV M11 the new BOV M16 Miloš was delivered as artillery reconnaissance and artillery battery command vehicle.^[18]^[19]

Ammunition

There are various type of ammunition available that includes domestic and foreign 155mm projectiles as it is JBMOU-compatible. Depending on ammo used different maximum ranges and effects on target can be achieved.

Designation	Type	Range in m	Caliber	Note
M107	HE M88	32,000	155 mm	Sloboda Čačak
M04	ERFB	34,000		Sloboda Čačak
M02	ERFB/BB	41,850		Sloboda Čačak
M02	ERFB-BB	44,000		in development ^[20]
M15	HE ERFB RA/BB	41,100 ^[21]		Sloboda Čačak^[3]
Krasnopol (weapon)	BB	30,000		Guided
M982 Excalibur	BB	40,000		Guided
Not designated	HE V-LAP	67,000		in development with new 25 liter chamber range is 67 km, with 23 liter chamber 52-barrel range is 56 km^[22]

Operators

Current operators

Bangladesh: 56 (sources vary) in service with the Bangladesh Army (fitted with SAGEM Sigma 30 inertial navigation platform system for autonomous navigation and pointing)^[23]^[24]^[25]
Cyprus: 24 in service with the Cypriot National Guard^[26]
Kenya: 18 in service, 12 more on order^[27]^[17]^[28]
Myanmar: 30 in service with the Myanmar Army^[29]
Serbia: 18 in service + 8 on order with the Serbian Army^[30]^[31]^[32]^[5]^[33]