155 K 83
The Tampella 155 K 83 is a Finnish towed 155 mm field gun (Finnish designation; technically it is a gun-howitzer), manufactured in the 1980s by Tampella.
| Tampella 155 K 83 | |
|---|---|
 Modernized 155 K 83-97 | |
| Type | Field gun Gun-howitzer |
| Place of origin | Finland |
| Production history | |
| No. built | 113[1] |
| Variants | 155 K 83 155 K 83–97 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | combat: |
| Barrel length | 6 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Caliber | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Elevation | -° to 70° |
| Traverse | ° |
| Rate of fire | 8 rpm (sustained) 3 rounds/15s (burst) |
| Muzzle velocity | 800 m/s (2,600 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 23 km (14 mi) (normal shells) |
| Maximum firing range | 30 km (19 mi) (base bleed) |
History
The development process for the 155 K 83 began in 1960 when Tampella presented their concept of a new 122 mm gun for the Finnish Army. It was a sound concept, but quite a heavy gun. It was only ordered in small numbers. In order to take advantage of the design, a decision was made to further develop this into a 155 mm gun. Through a number of development stages the 155 K 83 was born.
The drawings were also used to develop the Israeli Soltam M-68, which, after improvements, became the Soltam M-71 (designated the G4 in South Africa).[2] Some guns have been modernized to 155 K 83-97 standard.
The gun design was further modified in the late 1990s. The gun, called 155 GH 52 APU (or 155 K 98 in Finnish Army service), was given a longer, 52 calibre barrel and an auxiliary power unit, enabling it to move by its own power. The chamber was also changed to support modern NATO-standard charge bags.
References
- Toivonen, Vesa (2003). Tampellasta Patriaan: 70 vuotta suomalaista raskasta aseenvalmistusta - From Tampella to Patria: 70 years of Finnish heavy weapons production. Apali Oy. pp. 156–162. ISBN 952-5026-26-4.
- Kinard, Jeff (2007). Artillery: an illustrated history of ... - Google Books. ISBN 9781851095568. Retrieved 2010-11-08.