Donar

Donar
155-mm self-propelled howitzer




The Donar 155-mm SPH is a faster, lighter and more efficient alternative to the PzH 2000

Entered service -
Crew 2 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 31.5 t
Combat weight 35 t
Length (gun forward) 10.3 m
Hull length ~ 8 m
Width 2.8 m
Height 3 m
Armament
Main gun 155-mm
Barrel length 52 calibers
Machine guns -
Maximum firing range 40 km
Maximum rate of fire 6 rpm
Elevation range 0 to + 70 degrees
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun 30 rounds
Machine guns -
Mobility
Engine MTU diesel
Engine power 720 hp
Maximum road speed 60 km/h
Range 500 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step ~ 0.9 m
Trench 2 m
Fording ~ 1.2 m


The Donar 155-mm self-propelled howitzer was jointly developed by Kraus-Maffei Wegmann and General Dynamics. It was revealed in 2008. This artillery system is named after Germanic pagan god of thunder. A more well-known Scandinavian name is Thor. This artillery system was designed as faster, lighter, more powerful and more efficient artillery system than the PzH 2000 SPH. The Donar is a further development of the Artillery Gun Module (AGM). The Donar has already completed a series of trials. Unlike the AGM this new system is aimed at the export market.

The Donar is fitted with rotating turret, armed with a 155-mm / L52 howitzer, fitted with a fully-automatic ammunition loading and handling system. This SPH is fitted with new automatic breech-block drive. Vehicle has a crew of only two men. It has similar performance to the PzH 2000, however it significantly lighter and is cheaper to build. Ammunition load of the Donar was reduced to 30 rounds. Maximum range of fire depends on projectile and charge combination. It is 30 km with standard and 40 km with rocket assisted projectile, however using the South African VLAP projectile a range of 56 km can be achieved. Maximum rate of fire is 6 rounds per minute, however this might be increased to 8 in production systems.

The Donar is capable of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) firing. This artillery system can fire four rounds that hit one target simultaneously. Vehicle is fitted with modern fire control system.

Prototype of the Donar lacks defensive weapons, however It is claimed that production variant will be fitted with secondary armament.

Armored crew cabin provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Protection can be enhanced by add-on armor kit. Mine protection kit is optional. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.

This artillery system uses modified chassis of the General Dynamics ASCOD 2 IFV. Vehicle is fitted with an MTU diesel engine, developing 720 hp and auxiliary power unit. It is worth mentioning that Donar turret can be mounted on a variety of wheeled and tracked vehicles. This artillery system can be airlifted by the Airbus A400M, however it is too large for current C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall.