Country of origin |
Italy / United Kingdom / West Germany |
Entered service |
- |
Crew |
5 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
43.52 t |
Length (gun forward) |
10.2 m |
Hull length |
? |
Width |
3.5
m |
Height |
2.8 m |
Armament |
Main gun |
155 mm |
Barrel length |
39 calibers |
Machine guns |
1 x 7.62 mm |
Projectile weight |
43.5 kg |
Maximum firing range |
24 / 30 km |
Maximum rate of fire |
6 rpm |
Elevation range |
- 2.5 to + 70 degrees |
Traverse range |
360 degrees |
Ammunition load |
Main gun |
32 rounds |
Machine guns |
2 000 rounds |
Mobility |
Engine |
MTU MB871 diesel |
Engine power |
1 000 hp |
Maximum road speed |
68 km/h |
Range |
550 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
30% |
Vertical step |
~ 1 m |
Trench |
~ 2.8 m |
Fording |
~ 2 m |
|
The SP70 was
an international project, started by West Germany and the United
Kingdom in the late 1960s. Later this it was joined by Italy. All
three countries recognized that a significant improvement had to be
made in the indirect fire support system. The main goal of this
project was to develop a new 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. The
actual development commenced in 1973. It followed the successful
FH70 towed howitzer project. Five prototypes were completed in 1976.
These passed evolutional trials, however further development of the
SP70 was cancelled in the mid 1980s. The project was shelved due to
the funding problems and technical reliability issues.
The
development was divided between the three nations to make maximum
use of existing technologies. The SP70 SPH used a number of
available components of the FH70 towed howitzer,
Leopard 1 MBT and
Marder IFV.
The SP70
self-propelled howitzer is armed with a modified FH70 gun. It is
compatible with all 155 mm ammunition, developed for the FH70 and
all 155 mm standard NATO ammunition. Maximum range of fire is 24 km
with a standard HE-FRAG projectile and 30 km with a rocket assisted
projectile. This artillery system is also compatible with the US
M712 Copperhead laser guided projectile, capable defeating of both
armored and point targets.
Ammunition
is stored inside the turret. This howitzer is fitted with an
autoloader. Maximum rate of fire is about 6 rounds per minute using
ready ammunition and about 4 rounds using ground ammunition. This
artillery system is also capable of launching 3 round burst in 10
seconds. Sustained rate is 2 rounds per minute. Barrel of this
howitzer has a service life of about 2 500 rounds.
Secondary
armament consists of a single 7.62 mm machine gun, mounted on top of
the roof.
This
artillery system has a crew of five, including commander, gunner,
two loaders and driver.
Hull of this
system is similar to that of the Leopard 1 main battle tank, however
it uses aluminum armor instead of the steel to save weight. Armor of
the SP70 provides protection against 7.62 mm armor-piercing rounds
and artillery shell splinters. Front arc withstands 14.5 mm
armor-piercing
rounds at 100 m range. This artillery system is fitted with NBC
protection and automatic fire suppression system.
Engine of
the SP70 is located at the hull rear. This artillery system is
powered by MTU MB871 turbocharged multi-fuel diesel engine,
developing 1 000 hp. Engine is completed in one module with
transmission.
This project
faced some technical problems at development stage. The main issue
was reliability of equipment in the areas of turret and ammunition
handling system. In 1985 Germany ceased development funding
following evaluation trials because of inadequate reliability of the
system.
The SP70
howitzer project was shelved in favor to the US
M109 155 mm
self-propelled howitzer, which was already in service and superior
to the SP70 in some respects.
Later
Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom used experience gained from
this international project developing indigenous self-propelled
howitzers. It resulted in the
German PzH-2000,
Italian Palmaria and the
British AS90 artillery systems.
|