History
The first self-propelled Nora B (developed on the basis of Nora C) was designed by the Military Technical Institute in 1984 with a modified 152 mm Nora M-84 howitzer mounted on an FAP 8x8 truck bed and was a third generation of artillery systems. [4] Later, in the 2000s, Military Technical Institute 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.
Serbia has exported the Nora B-52 artillery 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. [5] [6] 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. With latest order for Cyprus the new BOV M16 Miloš instead of BOV M11 was delivered as artillery reconnaissance and artillery battery command vehicle. [7] [8]
Variants
B-52 is made in following versions:
- K0 – first serial variant, open turret, manual power drive and line of sight.
- K1(S) – semi-open turret, full automatic, independent automatic navigation, automatic fire and control system, smaller crew number.
- M03 (S) – semi-open turret, automatic based on K0, K1 designs, with S designation for Serbian Army.
- KE – semi-open turret, full automatic export variant.
- K-I (M15) – 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; with M15 designation for Serbian Army. [9]
- M21 – upgraded variant featuring STANAG 4569 level 2 protection. [10]
- NG – upgraded variant with increased auto-loader capacity (30 in the auto-loader with additional 6 on the vehicle), 60 second deployment time and fully automatic fire data setting. [11]
- MGS-25 Aleksandar – newset variant featuring rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute and a maximum firing range of 32.5 km with standard ammunition and 56 km with the 155 mm HE ERFB RA/BB (VLAP), laser guided long range ammunition, smaller crew, 12 rounds ready for fire in a revolver type of automatic loader, 12 additional ammunition that are stored in a storage box located at back behind the crew cabin and engine-hydraulic compartment, smaller weight (~25 tonnes), automatic leveling of gun in north direction, new smoke and light grenade. [12] It 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. As a fully autonomous module it can be mounted on different trucks chassis (Kamaz and MAN, among others). [12] [13]
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.
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. [14] [15] [16] For training and simulation purposes special computer simulator was developed by Mihajlo Pupin Institute that includes terrain maps of customer country with ability to train up to 3 batteries or up to battalion of 18 gun, including crews for artillery designation on targets. [17] [18] [19]
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