SLWH Pegasus (Singapore Light Weight Howitzer)

History of SLWH Pegasus (Singapore Light Howitzer)

With the development of the domestic arms industry, Singapore began to develop a light 155mm howitzer to produce the SLWH (Singapore Light Howitzer) system, which was recognized as "Pegasus" and adopted in October 2005. Designed around the NATO standard 155mm howitzer shell, the system was developed as a modern battlefield tool with excellent range and tactical flexibility. SLWH Pegasis is a joint development system led by ST Kinetics with input from the Defence Science and Technology Agency and the Singapore Army. At the time of writing, Singapore is currently (2013) the only Pegasus operator (possibly sold to the Indian Army, which ultimately failed due to corruption).

Production is carried out by ST Kinetics.

Before 2005, the Singapore Army relied on the French-made 105mm GIAT LG1 system, a light towed howitzer system of similar form and function. Led by world powers, the Singapore Army switched to a more powerful standardized 155mm system entirely domestically sourced to dilute its reliance on foreign procurement. The 6-ton gun has a 19ft, 10in, 155mm barrel and carries eight standard operators (minimum of six). A trained crew can fire 155mm projectiles at 4 rounds per minute for up to 3 minutes and a reported rate of fire of 2 rounds per minute for 30 minutes to prevent barrel overheating/avoid rupture. This rate is maintained by semi-automatic action.

Standard 155mm rounds can reach targets up to 12 miles away, while rocket-assisted rounds have a range of 19 miles. A large recoil system ensures smooth operation without the need to retrain the weapon to fire continuously.

The barrel is mounted on an advanced mounting system and closed by a massive multi-port muzzle brake. The structure is made of titanium and aluminum for the required strength and weight.

The main ammunition is the standard HE (High Explosive) projectile, while shrapnel and chemical rounds can be fired on demand.

While the Pegasus was essentially a towed artillery system on the battlefield, it was equipped with an onboard engine that allowed the crew to move at close range. The mounting system is mounted on a wheeled trolley for easy traversal of open terrain in this self-propelled mode.

Powered by a 28-horsepower Lombardini 9LD625-2 series engine, the unit can reach a top speed of 7.5 mph.

As a light battlefield weapon, Pegasus can be transported to the front using fixed-wing medium transport aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules. Additionally, the Pegasus can be towed under the belly of a medium helicopter like the CH-47 Chinook using a sling.

Both aircraft are in service with the Singapore Army.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

Depends on the ammunition carrier. Conventional and Rocket Assisted Projectiles (RAPs) currently in use.

Changes