Summary
Raad-2 (Persian:رعد-۲, means Thunder-2)[4] is an Iranian self-propelled howitzer.
| Raad-2 / Thunder-2 | |
|---|---|
 Raad-2 in 2018 | |
| Type | Self-propelled howitzer |
| Place of origin | Iran |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1997 - present |
| Used by | Iran |
| Wars | none |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defense Industries Organization |
| Designed | September 1997 |
| Produced | 1997 - Present |
| No. built | at least 36[1] |
| Variants | Raad-2M |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 36 tons |
| Length | 6.72 m (without the gun) |
| Width | 3.10 m |
| Height | 1.66 m (without the turret) |
| Crew | 3 (commander, driver and gunner) |
| Rate of fire | 5 rounds/min |
| Effective firing range | 30 km (19 mi) |
Main armament | 155 mm HM44 howitzer |
Secondary armament | 12.7 mm HMG |
| Engine | V-8 diesel for Raad-2 5TDF for Raad-2M 840 hp for Raad-2[2] 700 hp for Raad-2M [3] |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
Operational range | 500 km |
| Maximum speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
Development edit
In early September 1997, it was reported that Iran had successfully tested a locally built rapid fire mobile field gun known as Raad-2 (Thunder-2).[5]
It uses a turret that has a similar layout to the M109A1 155mm/39-cal self-propelled howitzer.[4] The Iranian Defense Industries Organization claimed that the 155 mm HM44 howitzer manufactured by the Hadid facility of the Iranian Defense Industries Organization had a high firing rate and accuracy.[6] The gun's range was reported as 30 km (19 mi), and it also includes features such as a laser range-finder and a semi-automatic loading system.
The gun looks exactly like 155mm/39-cal M185 gun from M109A1 and is fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake, fume extractor, screw breech mechanism, hydro-pneumatic recuperator and a hydraulic recoil brake. DIO says that the barrel life is around 5,000 rounds.[6]
The vehicle uses a chassis based on the T-72, distinctive due to the cover of the cooling fan on the chassis.[7] The hull is apparently based on the BMP-1.[4]
The Raad-2 is crewed by 5 persons, with the driver stationed at the left with the power pack at the right.[6]
Operators edit
The Raad-2 is operated by both the Islamic Republic of Iran Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.[1]
Variants edit
References edit
- ^ a b Galen Wright (2011) Iranian Military Capability 2011 - Ground Forces
- ^ "Modlex product: MXF04-000080 Raad 2 - Self Propelled Gun Howitzer". Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2017-03-21.
- ^ "Modlex product: MXF04-000090 Raad 2M - Self Propelled Gun Howitzer". Archived from the original on 2012-07-28. Retrieved 2017-03-21.
- ^ a b c "How Did Iran Manage to Reverse-Engineer a U.S. Howitzer with Soviet Features?". 30 June 2020.
- ^ Thunder 2
- ^ a b c "Iran reveals details on self-propelled howitzer - Jane's Defence News". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2003. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "The Mysterious Origins Of A New North Korean Howitzer". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ a b "Thunder 2".
