SpGH ZUZANA 2

History

The ZUZANA 2 is a modernized version of the original 155mm self-propelled artillery platform developed in Slovakia in 1998. It features a powerful 155mm main gun mounted on an 8x8 wheeled military truck chassis. This updated design, introduced in July 2021 for the Slovak Armed Forces, maintains its predecessor's battlefield role while enhancing mobility and firepower.

Compared to the earlier version, the ZUZANA 2 boasts a more efficient design with a fully traversable 360-degree gun and a reduced crew requirement of three operators. Its versatile wheeled configuration, with two front and two rear axles, enables effective navigation on both paved roads and challenging terrains. The vehicle's robustness is further enhanced by four large rubber tire wheels on each side, ensuring ground clearance, traction, and weight distribution.

Positioned at the middle of the vehicle, the enclosed turret houses a manually operated 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun on the commander's cupola. Additionally, the turret incorporates smoke grenade launchers on both sides to enhance self-protection capabilities. The vehicle's defense is reinforced through sloped armored surfaces, supplemented by adjustable armored screens for heightened window protection. In conclusion, the ZUZANA 2 represents a technologically advanced evolution of the original platform, offering enhanced mobility, firepower, and protection for modern military operations.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service: 2021

Origins: Slovakia

Status: Active.

Crew: 3

Production: 25

Manufacturer: State Owned Factory - Slovakia

Carrier: Slovakia

Roles

Fire Support/Attack/Breakthrough

Support allied forces with direct/indirect fire, attacking forward positions and/or breaking through fortified areas of the battlefield.

Special designs developed to fulfill one or more equally special battlefield roles.

Highlights

Tire layout

The wheeled arrangement gives the system inherent road capability and improved maneuverability.

Main Tower

This vehicle is of modern tank quality and its main armament is housed in a turret.

Drive-through owner weapon

The weapon is located in the traversing module and can counter the enemy threat in all directions.

Shoot anytime, anywhere

Airborne systems of modern quality ensure the accuracy of the main weapon and allow firing on the move.

Cross-country skiing

The design includes features such as a chain linkage system or high ground clearance for better traversing of terrain.

Horn armor

Angled armor on critical faces adds inherent ballistic protection to the vehicle.

ABC Protection

Crew are protected (standard or optional) by nuclear biological and chemical agents to improve survivability in contaminated areas.

Smoke shield

The vehicle itself can generate a smoke screen either through fired projectiles or built-in engine function (raw fuel injection).

Night Vision

Night vision equipment is available to the crew to allow operation in low light conditions or at night.

Available for air defense/air defense

The system will receive an air defense component to protect itself from low-flying threats from afar.

Indirect fire possible

The capabilities of this system allow it to attack targets/target areas without reaching line of sight.

Psychological effect

Capable of firing lethal indirect fire from a distance to saturate the area; can include nuclear, biological, and chemical agents.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 42.7 feet (13m)

Width: 10.2 feet (3.1m)

Height: 11.0 feet (3.35m)

Weight: 71,650 lbs (32,500 kg)

Tonnage: 35.8 tons

POWER & PERFORMANCE

Powerplant: 1 x Diesel-fueled engine driving 8x8 all-wheel arrangement.

Speed: 46.6 mph (75 kph)

Range: 472.2 mi (760 km)

ARMAMENT

1 x 155mm main gun in turret front face.

1 x 12. 7mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) on turret roof at commander's cupola. 8 x Smoke grenade dischargers.

AMMUNITION

35 x 155mm projectiles (estimated).

500 x 12. 7mm ammunition (estimated). 8 x Smoke grenades.