Türkiye successfully tests hybrid-driven 155mm Gürhan howitzer PHOTO/VIDEO

Turkish defence company Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş. (MKE A.Ş.) has successfully completed firing tests of the 155mm "Gürhan" self-propelled howitzer equipped with a hybrid drive system and national software.

The T-155 "Fırtına" howitzer, which has been in service with the Turkish Armed Forces for many years and represents the strike force of land units, manufactured by MKE A.Ş. and Anzatsan Mühendislik A.Ş., was equipped with a hybrid power group after and demonstrated at the EFES-2024 exercise, Caliber.Az reports, Defence Turk reported about it on its social media page X.

🔵155 mm obüs 🇹🇷GÜRHAN: Hibrit güçle testlerden geçti!

🔸MKE A.Ş. tarafından hibrit tahrik sistemi ve milli yazılımlar ile donatılan 155 mm obüs GÜRHAN atışlı testleri başarıyla tamamladı.@MKEgovtr
🔗https://t.co/0t1tCg07Lr pic.twitter.com/IEnb1baTc3

— Defence Turk (@Defence_Turk) August 1, 2024

The "Gürhan" howitzer completed design verification tests after conversion from a diesel power pack to a hybrid power pack.

At the Konya Karapınar firing range, the firing tests in near combat conditions with maximum firing range, conducted from 23 to 25 July, were successfully completed.

After completion, the 155mm "Fırtına" howitzer, which we depended on abroad due to engine transmission problems, was developed with software and mechanical systems and equipped with the national power group and prepared for export.

The advantages gained after conversion of the propulsion system from diesel to hybrid, as well as the technical characteristics of the weapon system are as follows:

• Low fuel consumption,
• Low maintenance costs,
• Long economic life,
• Long maintenance interval,
• Short maintenance time,
• Short engine replacement time,
• Short transmission replacement time,
• Low investment in spare parts,
• Economical operating costs,
• Significantly reduces logistical difficulties,

Addresses the shortcomings of tracked vehicles in terms of manoeuvrability and mobility,

Has standardisation, life safety, sustainability and deterrence functions,

Since the "Gürhan" howitzer is low noise and leaves no heat trail, the probability of being hit by heat-seeking missiles is less than diesel vehicles.

       Technical features:

• Combat weight: 49 tonnes.
• Power: 1300 hp.
• Battery: 387 kWh
• Maximum speed: 60 km/h
• Acceleration (0-30 km/h): 6 seconds
• Range (without load): 500 kilometres.
• Range (combat weight): 300 km.
• Fuel consumption (without load): 4.2 kWh/km
• Fuel consumption (combat mass): 7.3 kWh/km.
• Fuel consumption (generator): 21 litres/hour
• Tank capacity: 810 litres
• Generator power: 2 x 35 kW
• Steep slope: 60%
• Side slope: 30%
• Ditch crossing: 1.7 m
• Depth of ford crossing: 1.5 m.
• Height of vertical obstacle: 0.6 m.
• Charging time: 4 hours