The Serbian M46/10 155 mm / 45 cal. converted gun have been based on the famous Soviet 130mm M-46 gun, where the barrel has been replaced with new 155 mm with 45 caliber length. It is representing a modern, highly versatile and cost-effective solution of powerfull fire support weapon, boasting features like:
- combat weight of 7680 kg,
- field of action 50 degrees in azimuth and minus 2.5 Deg to 45 Deg in elevation,
- capable of firing all standard 155mm NATO ammunition including modern long range artillery projectile ERFB (range of 30 km) and ERFB-BB (max range of 39 km) with appropriate combustible cartridge cases.
Crew training, operation and maintenance, as well as weapon basic operation performances (in-action / out of action time, elevation and traverse aiming speed, rate of fire etc) are performed in the similar way as for existing 130mm M-46 gun.
Type of Ammunition that can be fired:
SHELL FUZE
HE M107 Point detonating PD 557
Illumination M118 MTSQ M501
Smoke WP M110 Point detonating PD 51A5
HE ERFB M03 Point detonating UTIU M02
HE ERFB-BB M03 Point detonating UTIU M02
Electronic time fuze M-09
Proximity fuze M-10
Scope of Upgrade
A) Under the conversion program certain gun sub-systems have been replaced or redesigned, such as:
- Replace of 130 mm barrel with new 155 mm / 45cal. barrel with new breach block assembly and new muzzle brake (twin-chamber, casted)
- Sealing system in the counter-recoil subsystem (including recoil brake and recuperator) have been redesigned
- Sealing system in the equilibrators have been redesigned
- New breach block design includes integration of self-sealing system operating with combustible powder charges
- New sighting system including the optical sight reticle and changing of sight mechanisms to NATO mils (1/6400),
- New pneumatic rammer for projectile and propellant charges (optionally)
- Integration of new FCS into converted gun battery/battalion structure, including weapon-integrated gun display
B) Breech ring, breech nut, front and back collar of the barrel and breech connecting parts have been retained.
Compared to the standard M-46, the up-gunned 155mm/45 the following advantages:
- 34% increase in range
- 260% increase in terminal effectiveness.
- 330% increase in lethal area.
- Compatibility with all standard 155mm NATO ammunition
- No crew training required.
- Small increase in total weight.
- The basic output performances are same as most current 155mm systems.
- Three to five times, less expensive than new similar systems.
Main Technical Characteristics of the Up gunned 155mm/45 M46/96 Gun:
a) Weapon Dimensions in Traveling Position:
- Length: 11170mm
- Height: 2650mm
- Width: 2400mm
- Clearance: 400mm
- Height of the Line of Fire: 1380mm
b) Weight of the Weapon:
- Combat position: 7680kg
- Traveling position: 8428kg
- Recoil parts: 2930kg
- Elevation parts: 3860kg
c) Field of Action
- In elevation: Minus 2.5 degrees to 45 degrees
- In azimuth: 50 degrees
d) Number of crew: 8+1
e) Max rate of fire; 2-3 rounds per minute *
f) Normal rate of fire: 1-2 rounds per minute
g) Sustained rate of fire: 60 rounds per first hour of fire
* 3-4 with pneumatic rammer (optionally)
Maximum range:
- 39,000 m using ERFB-BB projectile.
- 30,300 m using ERFB projectile.