M-56 Howitzer

The M-56 Howitzer is a 105mm artillery gun from Serbia. Early towed version is comparable to the German 10.5 cm leFH 18 and the American M101 howitzer while newer M-56A1 and self propelled M-09 Soko has more improvements and greater range.

Not to be confused with OTO Melara Mod 56.
M-56 Howitzer
M-56А1 105 mm howitzer on display at "Partner 2011" military fair in Belgrade
TypeM56 M56A1 Howitzer
Place of originYugoslavia, Serbia
Service history
In service1956
Production history
DesignerMilitary Technical Institute Belgrade
ManufacturerYugoimport Serbia, BNT Novi Travnik SFRJ
Produced1952 - still in offer new versions
No. builtmore than 1500 towed
Specifications
Mass2,100 kg (4,600 lb) towed M56, 2370 M56A1
Crew7 towed
Shellseparate loading, cased charge
Caliber105 mm (4.1 in)
Elevation-9 to +65 degrees
Rate of fire6-8 rds/min
Maximum firing rangeM-56 with Special charge: 13.1 km (8.1 mi)
M56-A1 33 caliber HE-ER BB: 18.1 km (11.2 mi) 30km with 52 caliber gun and HE ERFB/BB projectile [1]
Main
armament
105 mm howitzer

History

The gun's design is based on the M101 and leFH 18. The gun's initial model was the SH-1, designed by the Military Technical Institute Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1951. It was produced by Crvena Zastava in Kragujevac, now Zastava Arms. Second prototype, also developed by Military Technical Institute Belgrade, in 1955 designated as SH-2 was basis for serial M-56. Serial production started in 1956 Bratstvo Novi Travnik because prior to that in 1945 decision was made by communist government of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to move factories from Serbia to other parts of newly formed Yugoslavia in order to develop their industries. Because of that decision in 1951 Zastava Arms factory, then called Crvena Zastava, was partially dissembled (including complete Crvena Zastava factory artillery program with calibers over 20 mm) and together with 250 experts was transferred to Bosnia into new Bratstvo Novi Travnik factory from then Socialist Republic of Serbia to Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to help in Bosnia development at cost of Serbia who in that time was heavy industrialized and had educated technical staff.[2] The original production version was 28 caliber with a maximum range of 13 km.

Technical data M-56
  • M-56 caliber 28
  • Weight: Between 2,190 kg
  • Min. reach: 2,000m
  • Max. reach: up to 14 km
  • Muzzle brake: Double
  • Min. elevation: -180 mils
  • Max. elevation: 1200 mils
  • Horizontal limits: 462 thousandths
  • Frequency of fire: 6 round/min
  • Range M-56: 13.1 km

Later development

MTI developed the M56A1 version, with a longer 33 caliber barrel designed to last for at least 18,000 shots, with a stronger breechblock, with recoil systems that allow it to fire modern rounds up to 18 km and a hydro-pneumatic balancer.[3] The M-56A1 and M09 Soko Self-propelled artillery are offered by Yugoimport and the M-56 by BNT TMiH in Bosnia.[4][5]

Technical data M-56A1 105mm
  • M-56A1 caliber 33
  • Weight: 2,370 kg
  • Min. reach: 2,000m
  • Max. reach: up to 18.5 km
  • Muzzle brake: Double
  • Min. elevation: -180 mils
  • Max. elevation: 1200 mils
  • Horizontal limits: 462 thousandths
  • Frequency of fire: 6-8round/min
  • M-56A1: 18.1 km
  • Length of barrel: 3500mm
M56A1 105mm howitzer in Partner 2017

M-09 Soko 105mm self-propelled gun
M09 SP
M09 SP
TypeSelf-propelled artillery
Place of originSerbia
Production history
DesignerMilitary Technical Institute Belgrade
ManufacturerComplex Battle System factory in Velika Plana, Serbia
Unit cost$0.2 million estimated
No. built2
Specifications
Mass11400 kg
Length6550 mm
Width2275 mm
Height2820 mm
Crew5
Elevation-3° to +65°
Traverse62°
Rate of fire6-8 projectiles per minute.
Maximum firing range18km(HE ER-BB) [6]
ArmorSTANAG 4569 Level I
Main
armament
105 mm/33-calibre
Secondary
armament
Zastava Arms M87 - 12.7x108 mm for M56A1 or 12,7mm RCWS can also be installed
Engineturbo diesel
150 hp
Suspension4x4 off-road wheels
Operational
range
600 km (370 mi), at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph)
Maximum speed On-road: 85 km/h (53 mph)
Macadam country road: 39 km/h (24 mph)
Off-road: 24 km/h (15 mph). Speed is given for K-I version

The M-09 Self propelled 105mm gun has direct and indirect shooting capabilities. It can carry up to 60 rounds. It can be mounted on various truck chassis including TAM, FAP, TATRA, KAMAZ and Mercedes models.[7]

  • Range: 15.1 km M02 HE ERBT 18.4 km M02 HE ERFB/BB [8]
  • Rate of fire: 6-8 rsd/min
  • Armour STANAG 4569 level I
  • Zastava Arms M87 - 12.7x108 mm for defense
  • Integrated fire control system
  • An use ammunition developed for the US M101 and M-56A1 howitzer [9]
M09 Soko 105mm howitzer in Partner 2017

Users

According to the United Nations, some 1,500 units of the M56, in its various models, have been produced and over 200 were exported between 1998 and 2004.[10]

The M56 is known to be in service with the following nations:

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "BNT TMiH website". Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. Archived 26 January 2013 at Archive.today
  11. "Future Artillery Systems: 2016 Market Report" (PDF). Tidworth: Defence IQ. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  12. Foss, Christopher F. (1998). "105 mm howitzer M56". Jane's Armour and Artillery (19 ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710617903.
  13. International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. 116. Routlegde. p. 398. ISBN 9781857438352.

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