T-155 Firtina

Turkey (2004-today) 280 built

Turkey looked to replaced its now obsolete (even ugraded) T-44 and T-52 self propelled guns, by building a modified licensed K9 from Samsung Techwin designated the T-155 Firtina (Storm). Development started at MKEK in 1995 and its mostly the opposition from germany to deliver critical components that led authorities to look after South Korea instead. The T-155 Firtina is however built locally with many domestic components, including Aselsan for the fire control and many sub-systems. It capable of automatic fire, rapid fire at calaculated trajectories to fall at the same point, and the 52 caliber barrel, while compatible with a large array of NATO rounds, is capable of 40 km without assistance. So far 280 had been produced, now gradually replaced by the Firtina 2.

Development

In light of the lessons learned from previous 155mm howitzers in service in the Turkish Army such as the M-44T* and M-52T** self-propelled modernization programs, the T-155 Fırtına was planned as a more modern howitzer, which Development Program was initiated in 1995. It notably took into account the tactical and technical usage concepts and future battlefield fire support needs of the Turkish Land Forces Artillery Units.
*The M44T ws an upgraded cold war US M44 by MTU, GLS and Rheinmetall for the Turkish Army in 1986. 222 were upgraded in Turkey, with some of the component parts being made under licence in Turkey.
**The M52T was the Turkish version of the M44 with casemated gun updated with a licence built German 155mm, German MTU diesel and other perks.

Within the scope of this program, the design process started in 1995 in order to deliver a prototype, under the Project Management of the Land Forces Technical and Project Management Department for Weapons and Ammunition, a Branch of the Directorate. The first prototype with a 155mm/39 barrel, max range of 30 km, was produced in 1997. It was tested, however it appeared quickly in need of a better ranged howitzer and it was decided to fit a new 155mm/52 system.

Production of the second prototype upgraded to 155mm/52, 40 km estimated range, meeting the Land Forces needs, was initiated in 2000. The hull and turret designs as well as the mounting and setup of the howitzer were made entirely under computer using the latest design programs. Production of the hull, turret and suspension were completed in September 2000. The components integration supplied from abroad, was completed in December 2000.

During prototype production studies, Turkey planned to use subsystems of the German PzH 2000 self propelled howitzer. However, since the German Federal Security Council did not approved the export license of the PzH 2000 subsystems, it was decided to turn to the South Korean company Samsung Techwin.

The prototype howitzer was designed along the new "shoot and scout" combat doctrine, in accordance to the the Single Top-Single Battery Concept. In July 2001, a contract was signed between South Korea and Turkey to supply subsystems needed for the final prototype tests, such as the automatic loader, and full 155mm/52 gun system. Later, all of these subsystems, except the German power pack, were produced in Turkey. So, in short, the T-155 Fırtına was in great part a K9 Thunder, quite a popular model in the West, as it was adopted and also locally produced as the AHS Krab. It was produced until 2021, when scheduled for replacement by the Firtnia 2 at Adapazarı, at the 1st Maintenance Command of the Turkish Army.

Design

T-155 Fırtına had an advanced suspension system with 12 hydro-pneumatic suspension units plus ruberrized wheels to operate on all terrain. Power/Weight ratio is favourable at 21 hp/t, so it was designe dto operate at the same speed as a regular tank batallion. It is integrated digitally into the ADOP-2000 system for a highly survivable electronic warfare protection. It uses voice and data communication and rapid, through the ASELSAN 9600 series frequency hopping digital radios.

The combat systems on the howitzer coukld receive and release firing commands calculated by the Fire Control System, and from underway to be ready within 30 seconds and can complete a 8 shots volley within one minute, within the first 15 seconds, and be on the move again in 30 seconds. The automatic barrel path locking system that can be controlled from inside.

Hull & General Layout

The T-155 Firtina hull is very similar to the one of K2, with the same drivetrain and similar roadwheels. It is divided from left to right, with the driver seated to the left, with his own sliding hatch and three periscopes. The sloped nose has a sta just in front of the driver position and comprised the transmission and drive sprocket axle. On the left is located tne engine compartment. The turret is closer in design to the German PzH 2000, three faceted on the upper sides. There are no flat surfaced, neither on the side or front, three-faceted. Only the turret back plate is flat.

There is a hatch door at the rear of the turret, and two ejection ports on either side with spent cartridge panniers. Above these are located the two whip antenna supports. There are four additional hatches on the turret sides for maintenance. There os a single hatch and commander position on the right side, with two vision blocks and a support for a M2HB heavy machine-gun, only armament aftert the Howitzer and small arms. The gunner is located forward of the commander (no hatch) and the loaders are seated at the middle and back right side, but has a large side-opening hatch.

Protection

It is equivalent to the K9 Thunder protection, with up to 19 mm on the frontal arc and protection against up to 14.5 mm AP rounds also on the frontal arc. The vehicle also had a ful collective NBC protection with overpressure and full sealing. There is an interior anti-shrapnel lining, and fire extinguishers in the engine and main combat compartment. For active protection the vehicle is equipped with a laser detection warning and automatic smoke projectors, three either side of the main howitzer mantlet on the front plates.

Mobility

The vehicle still uses a German MTU MT 881 Ka-500 8-cylinder water-cooled diesel, rated for 1000hp at 2700 rpm. It is coupled with an S&T Dynamics X1100-5A3 transmission with 4 forward and 2 reverse gears. The tracked system rests on 6 doubled rubber-clad roadwheels (single pin track) suspended on hydropneumatic axles, with a front drive sprocket and rear idler, three return rollers. The vehicle had a ground clearnace of 0.4l. It has a very favourable power-to weight ratio of 17.9hp/t, being capable of 66-67 kph on flat, c50 off-road, with an operational range of 480 down to 360 km depending on the terrain. It could climb a 0.75 m wall, gap a 2.8 m trench, climb a 60 % gradient and stay stable on a 30% slope, ford 1.5 m of water.

Armament

The Fırtına uses all types of NATO standard 155 mm howitzer ammunition, with 48 rounds in store, 30 in the turret. There is an electrically operated and electronically controlled automatic loading system to fire 3 shots in 15 seconds in rapid fire mode, 2 shots per minute in continuous fire. Elevation is -2.5 to +70°, powered Maximum rate for fire is 6-8 rounds per minute, 2-3 rounds per minute sustained. The barrel is 52 diameter long, manufactured as a monoblock tube with a combustion chamber volume of 23 liters, produced in Turkish MKE facilities. It uses Ammunition such as the M107 (HE) capable of a 18 km range the M549A1 (RAP/HE) with 30 km range and the ERFB/BB with a +40 km range. The latter is a local develooment of the Korean K307 HE round. This main armament is completed by a standard NATO 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun, with a pintle mount on the turret roof supplied with 800 rounds in boxes of 100 rounds and with manual traverse and elevation. On the Firtina 2 it is replaced by a rear RWS turret.

Fire Control System

The original fire control system was developed by ASELSAN. It comprises the Fire Control Computer, Automatic Barrel Orientation System and Initial Velocity Measurement Radar. With the Inertial Navigation System, the accuracy is of 0.3 millimeters for its own firing position, with a target coordination with an accuracy of 17.5 meters and position altitude within 10 meters. Ulike existing systems, it could be positioned in a very short time without the need entrenchment equipment and does not need an aiming rod. In coordonate parabolic fire, it is the equivalent of three howitzers fired from different angles reaching the target at the same time from 8 and 25 km.

Variants

Poyraz Ammunition Resupply Vehicle

As the name implied, the Poyraz ("north wind") is the T-155 dedicated supply vehicle, derived from the South Korean equivalent. Developed by the 1st Main Maintenance Center Command of the KKK, it shared the same chassis as the T-155 (47 tons, 9.5m long, 3.76m wide). Its powerplant is recycled from te M48A5T1, the V12 750 hp AVDS-1790 diesel engine coupled with an Allison CD-850 automatic transmission, range 360 km). The casemate above is fixed, holding a crane-like chain apparatus for quick reload. Its servo control system, electronic systems and software, are developed by ASELSAN. It can carry 96 155mm shells, and 96 modular powder charges, transfer 48 shells and 48 modular powder charges in less than 20 minutes on the battlefield. The prototype was unveiled in 2011 at IDEF 11, 70 vehicles were ordered in 2013.

Fırtına 2

This vehicle was developed as a massively updated version of the T-155 Fırtına. The Turkish MoD authorized the 1st Main Maintenance Factory in Sakarya Arifiye to start serial production, with 140 orders so far and an expansion to deliver at least thirty Fırtına 2 within a year. Thius vehicle showcases many new features. The turret and barrel guidance system are fully electricn servo-controlled, and all electronic units are brand new. There is also a gunpowder conditioning unit. Firing accuracy and speed have been improved, with no a fully automated loading. A remote-controlled weapon system is integrated onto the turret to deal with threats encountered at close range, including drones, with automatic detection and targeting. ASELSAN signed a contract for a new 40 km range Howitzer Fire Control System.

Main differences between Fırtına and Fırtına 2:

Electrically driven turret
Remote Control Stabilized Weapon System
New generation Fire Control System
Enhanced, auto-adapted Air Conditioning
Shorter firing time capability
One less crew member (now 3)

E-Fırtına

It was developed as an electric version of the T-155 Fırtına, produced with 100% domestic systems. Its main feature is not to be eco-friendly but its silent operation and low signature in thermal cameras on the battlefield, which is relevant today with small drones. The project was completed and implemented with MKEK as a subcontractor, from the Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation.

Prominent Features of E-Fırtına:

Hybrid, electric motor driven by a diesel generator, local power and drive System
Domestic software and hardware for all sub-systems
A modified powerplacj to reach 1300 horsepower
350 kWh capacity lithium-based modular battery pack
Industrial task processor
360° double track rotation, right and left pivot for agility
Fully computerized Fault Tracking and Notification System
5 driving modes: Vehicle Parking, Transportation, Driving, Training/Drill and Combat.
Energy Management System programming energy consumption in the most efficient way
Amphibious with preparation under 5m, crossing a 0.6 m vertical obstacle and 1.7 m ditch.

Users and Operations

Turkey - 280 units out of 350 initially planned, 70 potential for export (none sold).

Azerbaijan: Order was signed for 36 vehicles in 2011 but Germany blocked the delivery of MTU engines.

In February 2019, Turkish DM Hulusi Akar declared an export deal with Qatar but it was not signed by September 2023.

A deal was broken due to Germany's embargo on its MTU engine (Saudi Arabian is on its blacklist).

Ukraine tested it in 2013, but it did not pass requirements. It was reconsidered in April 2024.

T155 used on the Syrian border in 2012

Operational History: The T-155 Fırtına saw action in Operation Güneş carried out against PKK militants in Northern Iraq, from the end of 2007 to January 2008. In addition it was deployed in the Syria-Turkey border conflicts of 2012, as well as taking part in Operation Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch and Peace Spring operations.

specifications
Dimensions	12 m (gun forward)/7.5 m hull x 3.5 m x 3.43 m including MG
Total weight	56 t combat loaded
Crew	5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 loaders)
Propulsion	MTU MT 881 Ka-500 diesel 1.000 hp. p/w 17.9 hp/t
Suspension	6 Hydropneumatic axles, 3 return rollers
Speed (road)	66 km/h
Range	480 km road, 360 km off road
Armament	155mm L/52 howitzer (48 rds), 12.7mm M2HB HMG
Protection	19mm max RHA, smoke grenade dischargers
Total production	280