Raad-2
{{distinguish|text=Pakistani air-launched cruise missile Ra'ad-II}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name=Raad-2 / Thunder-2
| image= 2018 Sacred Defence Week parade (185).jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=Raad-2 in 2018
|origin=Iran
|type=Self-propelled howitzer
|service=1997 - present
|used_by=Iran
|is_artillery=yes
|wars=not yet
|designer=Defense Industries Organization
|variants=Raad-2M
|design_date=September 1997
|production_date=1997 - Present
|number= at least 36Galen Wright (2011) Iranian Military Capability 2011 - Ground Forces
|is_vehicle=yes
|rate=5 rounds/min
|range={{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|length=6.72 m (without the gun)
|width=3.10 m
|height=1.66 m (without the turret)
|weight=36 tons
|suspension=Torsion bar
|speed=70 km/h (43 mph)
|primary_armament=155 mm HM44 howitzer
|secondary_armament=12.7 mm HMG
|engine=V-8 diesel for Raad-2
5TDF for Raad-2M
|engine_power=840 hp for Raad-2{{cite web |url=http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=product.html/pid=MXF04-000080 |title=Modlex product: MXF04-000080 Raad 2 - Self Propelled Gun Howitzer |accessdate=2017-03-21 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120717104511/http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=product.html/pid=MXF04-000080 |archivedate=2012-07-17 }}
700 hp for Raad-2M {{cite web |url=http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=product.html/pid=MXF04-000090 |title=Modlex product: MXF04-000090 Raad 2M - Self Propelled Gun Howitzer |accessdate=2017-03-21 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120728165359/http://modlex.ir/cgi-bin/store.pl/page=product.html/pid=MXF04-000090 |archivedate=2012-07-28 }}
|crew=3 (commander, driver and gunner)
|vehicle_range=500 km
}}
Raad-2 (Persian:رعد-۲ 'Thunder-2'){{cite web | url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/how-did-iran-manage-reverse-engineer-us-howitzer-soviet-features-163739 | title=How Did Iran Manage to Reverse-Engineer a U.S. Howitzer with Soviet Features? | date=30 June 2020 }} is an Iranian self-propelled howitzer.
Development
In early September 1997, it was reported that Iran had successfully tested a locally built rapid fire mobile field gun known as Raad-2 (Thunder-2).[https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/thunder-2.htm Thunder 2]
It uses a turret that has a similar layout to the M109A1 155mm/39-cal self-propelled howitzer. The Iranian Defense Industries Organization claimed that the 155 mm HM44 howitzer manufactured by the Hadid facility of the Iranian Defense Industries Organization had a high firing rate and accuracy.{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/defence/land_forces/news/jdw/jdw020425_1_n.shtml |title=Iran reveals details on self-propelled howitzer - Jane's Defence News |website=www.janes.com |access-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030122111713/http://www.janes.com/defence/land_forces/news/jdw/jdw020425_1_n.shtml |archive-date=22 January 2003 |url-status=dead}} The gun's range was reported as {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}}, and it also includes features such as a laser range-finder and a semi-automatic loading system.
The gun looks exactly like 155mm/39-cal M185 gun from M109A1 and is fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake, fume extractor, screw breech mechanism, hydro-pneumatic recuperator and a hydraulic recoil brake. DIO says that the barrel life is around 5,000 rounds.
The vehicle uses a chassis based on the T-72, distinctive due to the cover of the cooling fan on the chassis.{{Cite web|date=2018-10-26|title=The Mysterious Origins Of A New North Korean Howitzer|url=https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2018/10/26/the-mysterious-origins-of-a-new-north-korean-howitzer/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028191439/https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2018/10/26/the-mysterious-origins-of-a-new-north-korean-howitzer/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 28, 2018|access-date=2020-12-03|website=21st Century Asian Arms Race|language=en}} The hull is apparently based on the BMP-1.
The Raad-2 is crewed by 5 persons, with the driver stationed at the left with the power pack at the right.
Operators
Variants
- Raad-2 - basic SPG version with a Russian V12-type V-84MS diesel engine{{cite web | url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/thunder-2-specs.htm | title=Thunder 2 }}
- File:Holy Defence Week Expo - Simorgh Culture House - Nishapur 148.jpgRaad-2M - Raad-2 upgraded with a Ukrainian-made 5TDF engine instead of a V-8 Diesel engine.
