Nora B-52

The Nora B-52 is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer weapon system developed by Military Technical Institute Belgrade for export and domestic use. The first self-propelled Nora B (developed on the basis of Nora C) was designed by MTI in 1984 with a modified 152 mm gun-howitzer M84 NORA[2] mounted on an FAP 8x8 truck bed and was a third generation of artillery weapons.

Nora B-52
Nora B-52 M15
TypeSelf-propelled artillery
Place of origin Serbia
Production history
DesignerMilitary Technical Institute Belgrade
ManufacturerComplex Battle System factory in Velika Plana, Serbia
Unit cost$0.7 million 2005 estimated for K0 version
Produced2006–present
No. built4 prototypes 72 delivered and 42 more on order
Specifications
Mass34 tonnes (K-I), 27.4 - 28 tonnes (K0,K1,M03)
Length11000 mm
Width2950 mm
Height3450 mm
Crew3-5
Elevation-3° to +65°
Traverse60°
Rate of fire6-12 projectiles per minute depending on version. First 3 rounds fire in 20 seconds.
Maximum firing range56km(HE ERFB/RA-BB VLAP) [1]
ArmorDepends on version - K-I: STANAG 4569 Level II on the front and back, STANAG 4569 Level I on the sides, mine protection STANAG 4569 Level 2A and 2B, NBC protection through a pressurized hull and filter-ventilation system
Main
armament
155 mm/52-calibre (23 liter chamber) or new 155 mm/52-calibre (25 liter chamber)
Secondary
armament
7,62mm machinegun, alternatively a 7,62mm or 12,7mm RCWS can also be installed
Engineturbo diesel
410 hp
Suspension8x8 off-road wheels
Operational
range
1,000 km (620 mi), at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) for K-I version
Maximum speed On-road: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Macadam country road: 25 km/h (16 mph)
Off-road: 15 km/h (9.3 mph). Speed is given for K-I version

Later 2000 MTI developed new versions of 4th generation artillery systems with 52 caliber 155 mm gun for fitting on a new system of NORA family with B-52 designation.

Variants

B-52 operation depending on version is fully automated, including a 36-round autoloader. It is made in several versions:

K0
first serial variant, open turret, manual power drive and light of sight.
K1(S)
differences from K0:semi-open turret, full automatic, independent automatic navigation, automatic fire and control system, smaller crew number.
M03
semi-open turret, automatic based on K0,K1 designs with S designation for Serbia Army.
KE
semi-open turret, full automatic export variant.
K-I
K1 with additional armored full automatic with closed turret, new stronger chassis, radar on barrel for measuring projectile trajectory and speed, NBC protected cabin and turret, automated fire-suspension system, smoke grenade launcher, intercom for crew and new software, designated S for Serbia.
ALEKSANDAR[3]
Newest version planned since 2009 is designated as K2 (25 liter chamber, higher rate of fire, laser guided long range ammunition, smaller crew, new automated functions, smaller weight~25 tonnes, automatic leveling of gun in north direction,new smoke and light grenade) with development started later probably in 2012. As of 2017 at international arms fair Partner 2017 in Belgrade and after a few years of development it was presented newly developed prototype model named "Alexander", It has a new designation now and instead K2 it is called MGS-25 named "Alexander" and comes with 12 rounds ready for fire in a revolver type of automatic loader and has 12 additional ammunition that are stored in a storage box located at back behind the crew cabin and engine-hydraulic compartment. The automatic loading system can reloaded ammunition compartment in a back of a gun. MGS-25 has a rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute and can continue firing operations until all ammunition is used. The Aleksandar has a maximum firing range of 32,5 km with standard ammunition and 56 km with the 155 mm HE ERFB RA/BB (VLAP).[1][4] It can use all available ammunition on market for 155mm howitzers designed to withstand pressure in a new larger chamber. MGS-25 can be remotely controlled by crew via separate remote control up to 100 meters from vehicle thanks to high level of automation of all functions.

K designation stands for Kamaz chassis, number for orientation of main weapon in relationship to north and letter for level of equipment and/or export designation. It is possible on demand to equip Nora B-52 howitzer with 152 mm gun.

All versions have differences in chassis, armour, turret, loading and support system. All versions with automatic loader features Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact capability. Standard equipment includes a computerized fire control system and a land navigation system. Ballistic protection is provided against small arms fire, shell splinters and some mines.[5][6][7]

Operational history
New 155mm SP Aleksandar developed by Yugoimport SDPR

Serbia has exported the Nora B-52 artillery battlefield systems (B-52 selected versions of self-propelled howitzer K1,KE,KI), reconnaissance BOV M11, command(BOV M10) and battery fire control and meteorological vehicles, ammunition loading trucks, artillery battlefield software for platoon, battery and division level) to the armed forces of Myanmar, Kenya and Bangladesh.[8][9] One fully equipped battery usually consist of 6-12 self-propelled howitzer, reconnaissance 1-2 BOV M11, three command BOV M10(1 for each platoon and 1 for battery command), 3-6 munition trucks, communication and workshop vehicle, 2-3 general supply vehicles (fuel, food, water etc.) and 1-2 fire direction and gunfire locator vehicle with radar and sound ranging.

Ammunition

There are various type of ammunition available that includes domestic and foreign 155mm projectiles. Depending on ammo used different maximum ranges and effects on target can be achieved.

DesignationTypeRange in mCaliberNote
M107HE M8832000155mmSloboda Čačak
M04ERFB34000155mmSloboda Čačak
M02ERFB/BB41850155mmSloboda Čačak
M02ERFB-BB44000155mmIn development [10]
M15HE ERFB RA/BB56000155mmSloboda Čačak [1]
Krasnopol (weapon)BB20000155mmGuided
Not designatedHE V-LAP67000155mmIn development with new 25 liter chamber for Nora B-52

Operators
Map of Nora B-52 operators in blue

Current operators
  • Serbia: 6 in service, More to be ordered through 2020-21[11]

Potential operators

In 2017 Nora B-52 was tested in Pakistan and UAE.[18][19][20]

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2016-11-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "TOP 152 MM HOWITZER M84 NORA A". Archived from the original on 2015-07-20. Retrieved 2012-01-09.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2017-11-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2017-06-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Nora B-52 - Janes.com Archived September 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "JUGOIMPORT - SDPR (Report)". Archived from the original on 2016-11-27. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  7. "Hot shots from Serbia". Jane's International Defence Review. 21 Feb 2011. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  8. Serbian robots go to war Archived 2009-06-10 at the Wayback Machine (in English)
  9. "Kenya to receive Serbian armoured vehicles". defenceweb.co.za. 5 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 July 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2016-11-23.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2019-03-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Trade-Register-1971-2019.rft". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  13. "UNROCA original report Serbia 2013". Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  14. "Nora B-52 155mm/52-calibre Wheeled self-propelled howitzer". Archived from the original on 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  15. https://iskra.gr/%CF%83%CE%AD%CF%81%CE%B2%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%B1-%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BA%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%8D%CE%BC%CE%B5%CE%BD%CE%B1-%CF%80%CF%85%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%B2%CF%8C%CE%BB%CE%B1-nora-b-52-%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%81/
  16. "Kenya Land Forces military equipment and vehicles of Kenyan army". Archived from the original on 2013-03-25.
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2013-07-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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