SVK - Zuzana A 40 Himalaya (155mm samohybná kanónová houfnice)

ZUZANA A 40 - 155 mm Self-propelled cannon howitzer, model T-72

The possibility of installing a SHKH Zuzana 8x8 tower with minimal modifications to a heavy wheeled armored chassis or a combat tank chassis is a very significant advantage of the self-propelled cannon howitzer Zuzana. This is made possible by the fully autonomous and light construction of the tower. A verified prototype of the tower was installed and tested on the tank chassis T-72.
The SHKH Zuzana A 40 turret was adapted to carry forty complete rounds ready to fire in magazines to use the higher carrying capacity of the tank chassis. The mobility of the track version of the SHKH Zuzana A 40 was significantly increased by the installation of an engine with an output of 1000 horsepower and a new gearbox in the chassis T-72.

Source: www.kerametal.sk

Unique construction 155 mm/45 cal. ZUZANA tower allows its integration into many existing tank and heavy wheeled chassis. HIMALAYA is a track modification of the ZUZANA system, which is integrated on the chassis of the T-72 tank. Due to the higher load capacity of this chassis compared to the wheel version, it was possible to extend the tower and ammunition magazine and thus increase its capacity.


The SHKH Zuzana A 40 turret was adapted to carry forty complete rounds ready for firing in magazines to use the higher carrying capacity of the tank chassis. The mobility of the track version of the SHKH Zuzana A 40 was significantly increased by the installation of an engine with an output of 1000 horsepower and a new gearbox in the T-72 chassis.


Technical parameters:
Caliber: 155 mm
Barrel length: 45 cal.
Firing diameter in the charging machine: 40 projectiles/40 rounds
Maximum range: 39.6 km
Minimum range: 5.6 km
Shooting speed: 6 rounds in the first minute
5 shots/min
Charging of projectiles and cartridges: automatic
Measure: 360 °
Aim: + 70 °/-3.5 °
Chassis: T-72
Vehicle length: 11405 mm
Vehicle width: 3600 mm
Overall height: 3300 mm
Obstacles:
Trench: 2600 mm
Vertical degree: 850 mm
Wading: 1400 mm
Total system weight: 42600 kg
Top speed: 60 km/h
Maximum range: 480 km
Crew: 4

Characteristics and uses


In order to increase the tactical and technical characteristics of terrain and maneuverability, a variant of the 155 mm ZUZANA weapon system was developed on a T - 72 M1 crawler chassis manufactured in Slovakia (license identical to the Indian one). This chassis increases the possibilities of using the weapon in the demanding conditions of the jungle, desert and mountainous terrain. Thanks to the low weight of the turret and the optimal location of the center of gravity, the weapon has good shooting stability.


155 mm self-propelled cannon howitzer ZUZANA is an autonomous weapon for the use of 155 mm ammunition introduced in the armament of NATO countries. It is one of the most modern in the world with long range, cadence, shooting accuracy, mechanization of service work, fire control system and maneuverability. It is designed to destroy tactical nuclear assets and silence the enemy's reconnaissance and firepower. It is capable of destroying permanent and field defense projects, tanks and other armored targets by direct and indirect fire. It is equipped with a modern fire control system, connecting means, terrain navigation and calculation means for ballistics calculation and diagnostics. It is built on a T - 72 M1 chassis.


Tactical and technical data
caliber ................................................. .155 mm
barrel length .......................................... 6975 mm
maximum range ................................. 39600 m
firing rate ......................................... 6 rounds/min
guided ammunition ...................................... 40 pcs
elevation range ......................................- 3.5 ° to + 70 °
measuring range ...................................... 60 °
weight of the set ................................ 38,000 kg
maximum speed ................................ 60 km/h
number of service members ........................... 4
radius of action .......................................... 650 km
specific pressure on the soil ........................... 0.72 kg/cm2
chassis ............................................... T - 72 M1
engine type ............................................. V - 46.6
engine power at 2000 rpm .................. 573 kW


Tactical and technical characteristics of weapons ZUZANA
-ensures the fire at any time of the year, day and night, from prepared and unprepared firing positions having a different surface with an inclination of -5 °
-fire speed (automatic charging) in the 1st minute 5 to 6 rounds in 10 minutes 40 rounds
-probability of hitting a target measuring 3.22 x 2.48 m (target no. 12) at a distance of better than 0.6
-passage from combat position and vice versa within 1 minute (time is calculated from stopping the weapon in firing position)
-loading time of the carried ammunition supply within 12 minutes
-image range mainly from -3.5 ° to + 70 °
-measuring range mainly & # 61617; 60 °
-guidance speed, mainly motorized in terms of range and rate from 15 °/s to 5 °/s
-road speed up to 60 km/h, off-road 20 km/h
-mobile range up to 650 km
-climbability max.58% (30 °)
-total combat weight of the complete object maximum 30,000 kg
-accuracy of aiming mainly at the target in direct shooting & # 61617; 1 dc
for indirect shooting & # 61617; 2 dc
- number of ammunition carried 40
- the composition of the equipment and armament of the operator is reliable and accessible


in ShKH is stored:
- 2 pcs submachine gun for operator's equipment
- 600 rounds for submachine guns
- 2 pcs 68 mm RPG - 75
- 10 hand grenades
- 300 pcs of 12.7 mm rounds in strips
- basic field equipment of the operator
- sets of spare parts, tools and accessories
- first aid kit
- drinking water container
- food box
- OS - 3 demolition kit
- camouflage net
- operating areas are hermetically sealed and provide protection against the effects of combat poisons, biological agents and radioactive dust
- the equipment of the building working during driving and firing is resistant to vibrations, accelerations and mechanical shocks
- the weapon part retains its combat and operational characteristics even under the following conditions:
- in the temperature range -30 ° C to + 50 ° C
- at a rainfall intensity of 300 mm/h
- at a dust (sand) concentration of 2 g/m3
- the construction of ShKH allows special cleaning by means of military mass special cleaning
- the building without dismantling allows rail, water and air transport without restrictions
- has special nodes (eyelets, hooks) for rescue to the rear, for loading and fastening during transport
- the towing and coupling devices of the vehicle meet the requirements of the relevant standards
- the gauge dimensions do not exceed the gauge for railways with a gauge of 1435 mm
- safety requirements:
- the building is equipped with fire extinguishers and a first aid kit
- the construction and function of the weapon's mechanisms ensures the safety of the operators and their own troops during operation.


Operational parameters and features


The 155 mm self-propelled cannon howitzer is a weapon with high range, high accuracy and firing speed, short preparation time for shooting and good maneuverability. It consists of a weapon superstructure, chassis and connection between them.


The main part of the weapon superstructure is a proven 155 mm weapon system. The tower is a welded construction of armor plates in the shape of a double trapezoid. The cannon is located in the middle between two independent air-conditioned pressurized cabins, in which the crew is protected by a special lining (PALPORON) of the cabin against the effects of thermal, acoustic, radioactive radiation.


The weapon system allows great maneuverability and mobility in the field and with a large firing cadence, a sufficiently fast change of firing position before a retaliatory strike. The charging mechanisms have a manual spare control in the event of a hydraulic fault. The crew consists of 4 crew members, including the driver, who are housed in air-conditioned pressurized cabins separated from the weapon. The staff is equipped with a computer fire control system, terrain navigation system, sight for indirect fire, radio station, voice equipment and other equipment. The weapon system includes subsystems providing all required weapon functions:
- fire control system
- fully automatic ammunition charging system (i.e. grenades and ammunition)
- night vision devices
- toponavigation system
- car navigation
- power steering
- aiming devices for direct fire
- aiming devices for indirect fire
- filter ventilation and air conditioning.

Himalaya

ShKH Zuzana A 40 Himalaya

niekde v arabských krajinách ...

...

Streľby ...

Na vystave...

...

Source: ZTS - Dubnica nad Váhom - promotional material

Tests ... (photos - forgery)

Does anyone know if Himalayas were ever introduced into the armament of the USSR? ... or did they serve only as an export version?

They have not been introduced into armament anywhere - neither in Slovakia nor anywhere in the world. The version was created only for the sake of participation in a tender in India, which was eventually won by howitzers produced in Poland (under British license).


Although it is possible that the Indians will eventually manage to sell another version - Zuzana A1 (prototype also referred to as Zuzana XA-1) which has been shown at various exhibitions since about 2007/2008 and this year it was decided to introduce it to the Slovak Armed Forces (One of the designations is also Zuzana 2).

The photo titled TESTS is a hoax because only 1 piece was made. who passed the exams but failed in India and found no further use.