FH-88
{{Short description|Singaporean 155 mm towed howitzer}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name=FH-88
|image=
|caption=
|origin= Singapore
|type=Howitzer
|is_ranged=yes
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=yes
|is_vehicle=yes
|service=1988 - present
|used_by=See Users
|wars=
|designer=ST Kinetics
|design_date=1983
|manufacturer=ST Kinetics
|unit_cost=
|production_date=1987
|number=
|developed_into=FH-2000
|weight=12,800kg (12.59 tons)
|length=
|part_length=6.10m (20ft)
|width=
|height=
|diameter=
|crew=8
|cartridge=155 mm NATO
|caliber=155 mm 39 calibre
|action=
|rate=
|velocity= 765m/sec (2510ft/sec)
|range=
|max_range=19,000m (20,780yds)
|feed=
|sights=
|breech=Semi-automatic Interrupted screw with electronic rammer
|recoil=
|carriage=6 wheeled split trail
|elevation=-3°/+70°
|traverse=±20° from centerline
|armour=
|primary_armament=
|secondary_armament=
|engine=
|engine_power=
|pw_ratio=
|suspension=
|vehicle_range=
|speed=
|guidance=
}}
The FH-88 or Field Howitzer 88{{Cite web | work = Defense aerospace |url= http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/64011/s%27pore-unveils-new-lightweight-howitzer-(oct-28).html|title = Army Unveils Locally Designed and Built Light Weight Howitzer}} was the first locally designed howitzer developed for the Singapore Army. It is a 155 mm/39-calibre towed howitzer gun.
Development
Ordnance Development and Engineering of Singapore (ODE, now Singapore Technologies Kinetics) began development of the FH-88 in 1983 with five prototypes being produced over a period of four years.{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jaa/jaa_0540.html |title=Singapore Technologies Kinetics 155 mm FH-88 gun-howitzer (Singapore) - Jane's Armour and Artillery |website=www.janes.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924155322/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jaa/jaa_0540.html |archive-date=24 September 2008 |url-status=dead}} These were followed by a preproduction batch of six 155 mm FH-88 gun-howitzers that incorporated a number of improvements as a result of trials with the prototype weapons.
First production FH-88s were completed in 1987, with the weapon becoming operational with the Singapore Army the following year, replacing the Soltam M-71. The howitzer was publicly presented in 1988.http://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/publications/attachments/2016-03/070_Singapore%E2%80%99s_defence_industries_%28Canberra_papers_on_strategy_and_defence%29_Bilveer_Singh_78p_073151131X.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}
Operators
- {{flag|Singapore}}: Known to use 52 FH-88s.https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/27014/WP59.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}
- {{flag|Indonesia}}: Known to have 5 FH-88s delivered in 1997.
See also
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
=Bibliography=
- Hogg, Ian. Twentieth-Century Artillery. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2000. {{ISBN|0-7607-1994-2}} Pg.70
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071006061802/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Artillery/Equipment.html Singapore Army official site]
{{Singapore-designed weapons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fh-88}}
Category:Artillery of Singapore
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