Basic Information

Name

Firtina NG Turkish 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

Designation

Firtina NG

Alternate Designation

Firtina NG

Equipment Type

Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

Manufacturer

ASFAT, Aselsan (subcontractor for FCS and RWS), BMC for engine

Date of Introduction

2021

Description

The Firtina NG is an upgraded Turkish 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) designed to strengthen Turkey's ground forces by incorporating lessons learned from operations in Iraq and Syria. While this version retains the basic structure of the standard Firtina, it features an automatic loading system and a direct-fire capability, with the Aselsan SARP remote weapon station (RWS) as a significant external enhancement. Constructed with all-welded steel armor, the Firtina NG offers protection for its occupants against small arms fire and shell splinters. The driver is positioned on the left front side of the hull, while the crew accesses the interior through a large rear door. The turret, which houses the ordnance, is located in the center and includes a bore evacuator, a multibaffle muzzle brake, and a travel lock at the front. Notable modifications include a large grill panel at the front of the turret, an electric air conditioning system, improved fume extraction capabilities, a new auxiliary power unit (APU) located at the rear right, and a modern nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) defense system.

Ground Specifications

Crew 5

Mobility Type Tracked

Main Weapon 155mm

Engine Diesel (1000 hp)

Max Speed 65.0 km/h

Range 225.0 km

Variants

Firtina The Firtina Turkish 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) is part of an artillery system that includes an ammunition resupply vehicle and C4 systems for target detection and fire direction. Both the hull and turret are made of all-welded steel armor, providing protection for the occupants against small arms fire and shell splinters. The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left side, with the power pack compartment to the right. The crew and turret compartment extends to the rear of the hull. The driver has a single-piece hatch cover with three day periscopes positioned in front for visibility. The turret crew, consisting of four personnel, enters the vehicle through a large door located in the lower half of the hull, which opens to the right. Additionally, there is a hatch cover on the left side of the turret roof, and the commander's cupola is situated on the right side. The ordnance is mounted in the center of the turret and features a central bore evacuator and a multi-baffle muzzle brake. A travel lock is also provided, mounted at the front of the hull. The vehicle has six road wheels on each side, with the idler wheel located at the rear and the drive sprocket at the front. The tracks are supported by three return rollers.

Poyraz The Poyraz is an armored ammunition resupply vehicle designed to support the Firtina during operations. It shares the same mobility platform as the Firtina but lacks armament systems. With a combat weight of 47 tons, it is typically operated by a crew of three, with the driver located at the front left and the diesel power pack to the right. As a resupply vehicle, the Poyraz does not have primary armament but can accommodate a secondary machine gun if needed. It is powered by a VDS-1790 series V-12 diesel engine producing 750 horsepower, allowing it to reach a maximum road speed of 50 km/h and an operational range of up to 360 km. The Poyraz features armor protection against small arms fire up to 14.5 mm AP rounds and anti-personnel mines, with a maximum armor thickness of 19 mm. Its primary mission is to carry and transfer 96 rounds of 155 mm ammunition to the Firtina in two stages—automatically for projectiles and semi-automatically for charges. Equipped with a Fire Control System (FCS), Global Positioning System (GPS), and battle management system, the Poyraz can locate friendly units. It can transfer 48 complete rounds of ammunition to the Firtina in just 20 minutes, enabling quick resupply and relocation after fire missions.

E Firtina The E-Firtina is essentially the Firtina NG equipped with a hybrid electric power pack. Details about the Elektrik 2P2S Power Pack were revealed by MKEK during IDEF 2023. It is understood that the E-Firtina will maintain the same layout, structure, protection, and mission systems as the Firtina NG, but will be powered by a hybrid power pack.

System

Alternative Designation Firtina NG

Type Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

Manufacturer ASFAT, Aselsan (subcontractor for FCS and RWS), BMC for engine

Configuration Track

Caliber 155 mm

Crew 5 ea

Dimensions

Length, Overall 12 m (472.4 in)

Length, Hull 7.42 m (292.1 in)

Width 3.40 m (133.9 in)

Height to Turret Roof 2.85 m (112.2 in)

Height to Top of Roof-Mounted Weapon 3.43 m (135 in)

Ground Clearance 0.42 m (16.5 in)

Track Width 547 mm (21.54 in)

Length of Track on Ground 4.72 m (185.8 in)

Weight, Combat 48,500 kg (106,924.2 lb) (48.5 t)

Automotive

Engine Name MTU-881 Ka-500

Engine Type Diesel

Engine Power 1,000 hp (735 kW)

Fuel Capacity 850 litre (224.55 US gal)

Power-to-Weight Ratio: 20.61 hp/t

Electrical System 28 V

Maximum Speed 65 km/h (40.4 mph)

Maximum Range 225 km (139.80 miles)

Amphibious No

Fording 1.50 m (59.1 in)

Gradient 60%

Side Slope 30%

Vertical Obstacle 0.75 m (29.5 in)

Trench 2.8 m (110.2 in)

Main Weapon System

Note The Firtina NG is equipped with a 155 mm/L52 artillery system developed by MKEK. It features an automatic ammunition loading system that retrieves rounds from a chain-type magazine based on the gunner's selection. This allows the gunner to choose from four types of ammunition at any time. The system includes temperature-controlled storage and a vacuum mechanism for enhanced safety. Additionally, the propellant temperature is monitored by the Aselsan Fire Control System (FCS) to improve ballistic accuracy. The turret is capable of continuous traversal and has an elevation range of -2.5° to +70°. The control systems have been upgraded to all-electric technology, enhancing both crew safety and maintenance. The autofrettaged barrel has a chamber volume of 23 liters, features a vertically sliding breech, and includes an automatic primer mechanism. The Firtina NG has a higher rate of fire than its predecessor, achieving an initial three-round firing time of 15 seconds and sustained fire rates of 7 to 8 rounds per minute. Furthermore, it can execute Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) missions. The artillery complies with NATO standards, allowing a standard 155 mm high-explosive projectile to reach distances of up to 18 km, while a rocket-assisted projectile can travel up to 30 km. The Extended-Range Full-Bore Base-Bleed (ERFB-BB) projectile has a claimed range of over 40 km. The Turkish armed forces primarily use a high-explosive round from MKEK, which has a maximum range of 39 km and an initial muzzle velocity of approximately 945 m/s. Conventional bag-type and modular charges can be utilized, although Türkiye does not manufacture modular charges.

Basic Load 48 ea

Auxiliary Weapon System

Note The Aselsan SARP remote weapon station (RWS) is located on the roof of the vehicle in the left corner. According to Aselsan, this RWS serves a dual purpose: it is designed for close-range engagements against infantry and also functions as a direct-fire sight for the 155 mm main ordnance. The SARP offers multiple weapon configuration options, including a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun (MG), or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher (AGL) as primary armament choices. The available options for the 7.62 mm MG include the FN MAG58, MG3, or the 12.7 mm M2HB or NSV MGs, as well as the MK19 Mod for the AGL. These weapons can be mounted interchangeably in the field without the need for specialized tools. Typically, the system carries 1,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 400 rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, or 96 rounds of 40 mm grenades.

Basic Load 500 ea

Fire Control System

Note The new system features the Next Generation Fire Control Systems from Aselsan, which enable fully autonomous target engagement. The software was developed using the NATO Artillery Ballistic Kernel (NABK) and includes a graphical user interface (GUI). Additionally, there are propellant conditioning gauges that measure temperature and automatically transmit this data to the fire control computer. This system aims to automate the target engagement process as much as possible, thereby reducing user errors. Situational awareness for the crew of four is enhanced by the inclusion of personal consoles and a driver's vision system that incorporates both thermal and daylight channels. Most other systems described in the Firtina are maintained. The SARP Remote Weapon Station (RWS) features the gyrostabilized Aselsan ATS 60 sensor suite, which is equipped with a day CCD TV camera and a cooled thermal imager.

Protection

Armor According to the Turkish Army, the steel armor provides protection against penetration from small arms fire, including up to 14.5 mm armor-piercing (AP) rounds, as well as against anti-personnel mines. The maximum armor thickness is estimated to be 19 mm.

Applique Armor INA

NBC Protection An NBC system is fitted as standard.

Smoke Equipment INA

Image Sources

Note https://www.edrmagazine.eu/idef-19-t-155-firtina-sp-howitzer-moves-to-new-generation; https://x.com/RyszardJonski/status/1731039464762327272; https://defence.pk/threads/turkey-to-fields-firtina-ii-self-propelled-howitzers.547973/page-3#post-11439534