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G6 Rhino South African 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

G6 Rhino, G6

Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
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Basic Information
Name
G6 Rhino South African 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Designation
G6 Rhino, G6
Alternate Designation
G6 Rhino, G6
Equipment Type
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Manufacturer
Denel Land Systems (turret) Land Systems OMC (chassis)
Date of Introduction
1988
Description

The G6, sometimes denoted as the G6 Rhino, is a South African mine-protected self-propelled howitzer. It was developed as a turreted, self-propelled variant of the G5 howitzer series, mating the gun to a six-wheeled armored chassis. Design work on the G6 began in the late 1970s to replace the obsolescent Sexton being retired from service with the artillery regiments of the South African Army. Serial production commenced between 1988 and 1999. At the time of its introduction, the G6 was considered one of the most mobile self-propelled howitzers in service. Its chassis was engineered to be mine-resistant and blast proof, allowing it to survive multiple TM-46 detonations during trials. The G6 was conceived as a wheeled rather than a tracked vehicle for this purpose, as well as to allow it to deploy long distances by road without consuming excessive quantities of fuel or requiring a tank transporter.

Ground Specifications
Crew 6
Mobility Type Wheeled (6x6)
Main Weapon 155mm Howitzer
Engine Diesel (518 hp)
Active Protection Yes
NBC Protection Yes
Max Speed 90.0 km/h
Range 700.0 km
Variants
G6 M1A3 exported UAE version
G6-52 (23 litre chamber)
G6-52 extended range (25 litre chamber)
Al-Majnoon: licensed Iraqi version Reduced crew to 3–5; can fire projectile up to 67 km at a rate of fire of eight rounds/minute; increased off-road speeds to nearly 70 km/h; implemented multiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) technology and can land six (G6-52L variant) or five (G6-52) rounds simultaneously at targets up to 25 km away; and is currently undergoing extensive trials.
G6 Marksman British SPAAG version, combining the G6's base vehicle with the Marksman turret.[
System
Alternative Designation G6 Rhino, G6
Manufacturer Denel Land Systems (turret) Land Systems OMC (chassis)
Type Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Family G6
Crew 6 ea
Chassis Purpose built 6x6 wheeled
Displacement Time 1 min
Emplacement Time 1 min
Dimensions
Length 9.2 m
Width 3.40 m
Height 3.20 m
Weight, Combat 46 tons
Ground Pressure INA kg/m
Automotive
Engine Name INA
Engine Type Diesel
Engine Power 518 hp
Cruising Range 700 km
Speed, Maximum Road 90 km/h
Speed, Average Cross 30 km/h
Speed Maximum Swim Not Amphibious
Gradient 60 deg
Side Slope 30 deg
Vertical Step 0.45 m
Trench 1 m
Fording Depth 1 m
Transmision Automatic
Note The driver of the G6 Rhino can select either fully automatic or semi-automatic drive
Communications
Gun Intercom System. Yes
Radio UHF/VHF frequency-hopping system
Radio Name INA
Radio Range 50 km
Main Gun
System
Name G5 155mm Howitzer
Type 155mm Howitzer
Manufacturer Denel Land Systems
Length, Barrel 6.97 m
Weight 13,750 kg
Width 3.3 m
Height 2.1 m
Loader Type Semi-automatic loading system, with a fume extractor
Muzzle Brake Type INA
Breech Type Semi-automatic interrupted screw
Max Rate of Fire 3 rds/min
Max Elevation +75 deg
Min Elevation -3 deg
Traverse Range 180 deg
Traverse Left 180 deg
Traverse Right 180 deg
Maximum Firing Range (Base Bleed) 40 km
Maximum Firing Range (Standard) 30 km
Maximum Firing Range (VLAP) 50 km
Feed System Breech-loaded
Barrel-Cooling Fan Yes
Note #1 The G6 Rhino is compatible with all NATO 155 mm ammunition
Note #2 Denel Land Systems reported that in 2001 that the G6 Rhino was outfitted with new Velocity enhanced Long range Artillery Projectile VLAP, which extends it's Maximum Effective Range out to 53.6km
Ammunition (Option 1)
Type High Explosive (HE)
Caliber 155 mm
Muzzle Velocity 937 m/s
Shell Type High Explosive
Projectile Weight 47.6 kg
Basic Load 47 Total of any 155mm Combination
Maximum Effective Range 24 km
Ammunition (Option 2)
Type Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB)
Caliber 155 mm
Length 938 mm
Weight 45.54 kg
Muzzle Velocity 897 m/s
Basic Load 47 Total of any 155mm Combination
Maximum Effective Range 30 km
Ammunition (Option 3)
Type Extended Range Full Bore, Hollow Base, Base Bleed (ERFB-HB-BB)
Caliber 155 mm
Length 938 mm
Weight 47.6 kg
Muzzle Velocity 903 m/s
Basic Load 47 Total of any 155mm Combination
Maximum Effective Range 39 km
Coaxial Weapon System
System
Name 1 x M2 Browning
Type Heavy Machine Gun
Caliber 12.7 mm
Max Rate of Fire (M2HB Version) 450-600 rds/min
Max Rate of Fire (AN/M2 Version) 750-850 rds/min
Max Rate of Fire (AN/M3 Version) 1,200-1,300 rds/min
Manufacturer Current: General Dynamics, Fabrique Nationale (
Proliferation Over 3 Million
Muzzle Velocity 890 m/s
Weight (Gun Only) 38 kg
Weight (Gun and Tripod) 58 kg
Length (Total) 1,654 mm
Length (Barrel) 1,143 mm
Action Short recoil-operated
Ammunition
Type Rifle
Caliber 12.7 mm
Cartridge 12.7×99mm NATO)
Muzzle Velocity 450-1,300 m/s
Basic Load 800 ea
Effective Range 1,800-2,000 km
Fire Control
Name INA
Computerized FCS Yes
Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander Yes, Type INA
Thermal Sight Gunner Yes, Type INA
Main Gun Stabilization INA
Indirect Fire Digital Panoramic Telescope
Direct Fire Trunnion Mounted Telescope
Ammunition System Yes
Meteorological Station Yes
Muzzle Velocity Analyser Yes, Muzzle Velocity Radar System (MVRS)
Artillery Helmet Radio Communications System Yes
Gun System Gun Management System (GMS)
Gun Display Unit (GDU) Yes
Navigation System Yes, Laying and Navigation System (LNS)
Ammunition Display Unit (ADU) Yes
Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) Inertial Unit Yes
Fibre Optic Gyro (FOG) Inertial Unit Available
Distance Transmitting Unit (DTU) Yes
Global Positioning System (GPS) Yes
Note Denel Land Systems reported that in 2001 that the G6 Rhino was outfitted with new Velocity enhanced Long range Artillery Projectile VLAP, which extends it's Maximum Effective Range out to 53.6km
Protection
Hull Armor All-welded steel armor, protection from small arms fire and shell splinters
Turret Armor All-welded steel armor, protection from small arms fire and shell splinters
Applique Armor Available
Explosive Reactive Armor No
Active Protection System Yes
Mine Clearing No
Self-Entrenching Blade No
NBC Protection Yes
Smoke Equipment Yes, 81 mm electrically operated grenade launchers which fire smoke grenades.
IR Signature INA
Double Armored Floor Yes
Bullet Proof Windows Yes
Firing Ports Yes, each side
Thermal Warning Device (TWD) Yes
Details
Country of Origin South Africa
Category Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Land > Artillery > Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Filter Label
G
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
9.2 m
Width
3.4 m
Height
3.2 m
Weight
46000 kg
Operators (3)
South Africa
Oman
United Arab Emirates
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