M-56 Howitzer should not be confused with OTO Melara Mod 56.
| M-56 howitzer | |
| Origin: | Yugoslavia |
| Type: | M56 M56A1 Howitzer |
| Is Ranged: | Yes |
| Is Artillery: | yes |
| Service: | 1956 |
| Designer: | Military Technical Institute |
| Manufacturer: | Yugoimport SDPR, Bratstvo Novi Travnik |
| Production Date: | 1952 - still in offer new versions |
| Number: | more than 1500 towed |
| Weight: | 2100kg (4,600lb) towed M56, 2370 M56A1 |
| Crew: | 7 towed |
| Cartridge: | separate loading, cased charge |
| Caliber: | 105mm |
| Rate: | 6-8 rds/min |
| Max Range: | M-56 with Special charge: 13.1km (08.1miles) M56-A1 33 caliber HE-ER BB: 18.1km (11.2miles)30km with 52 caliber gun and HE ERFB/BB projectile [1] |
| Feed: | manual |
| Elevation: | -9 to +65 degrees |
The M-56 Howitzer is a 105 mm artillery gun from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Early towed version is comparable to the German 10.5 cm leFH 18 and the American M101 howitzer while newer M-56A1 and self propelled M-09 Soko has more improvements and greater range.
The gun's design is based on the M101 and leFH 18. The gun's initial model was the SH-1, designed by the Military Technical Institute Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1951. It was produced by Crvena Zastava in Kragujevac, now Zastava Arms. Second prototype, also developed by Military Technical Institute Belgrade, in 1955 designated as SH-2 was basis for serial M-56. Serial production started in 1956 Bratstvo Novi Travnik because prior to that in 1945 decision was made by communist government of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to move factories from Serbia to other parts of newly formed Yugoslavia in order to develop their industries. Because of that decision in 1951 Zastava Arms factory, then called Crvena Zastava, was partially dissembled (including complete Crvena Zastava factory artillery program with calibers over 20 mm) and together with 250 experts was transferred to Bosnia into new Bratstvo Novi Travnik factory from then Socialist Republic of Serbia to Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to help in Bosnia development at cost of Serbia who in that time was heavy industrialized and had educated technical staff.[2] The original production version was 28 caliber with a maximum range of 13 km.
MTI developed the M56A1 version, with a longer 33 caliber barrel designed to last for at least 18,000 shots, with a stronger breechblock, with recoil systems that allow it to fire modern rounds up to 18 km and a hydro-pneumatic balancer.[3] The M-56A1 and M09 Soko Self-propelled artillery are offered by Yugoimport and the M-56 by BNT TMiH in Bosnia.[4] [5]
| M09 SP | |
| Origin: | Serbia |
| Type: | Self-propelled artillery |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Is Artillery: | yes |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Number: | 2 |
| Unit Cost: | $0.2 million estimated |
| Designer: | Military Technical Institute Belgrade |
| Manufacturer: | Complex Battle System factory in Velika Plana, Serbia |
| Length: | 6550 mm |
| Width: | 2275 mm |
| Height: | 2820 mm |
| Weight: | 11400 kg |
| Vehicle Range: | 600km (400miles), at a speed of 80km/h |
| Suspension: | 4x4 off-road wheels |
| Speed: | On-road: 85km/h Macadam country road: 39km/h Off-road: 24km/h. Speed is given for K-I version |
| Elevation: | -3° to +65° |
| Max Range: | 18km(HE ER-BB) [6] |
| Rate: | 6-8 projectiles per minute. |
| Traverse: | 62° |
| Engine Power: | 150 hp |
| Primary Armament: | 105 mm/33-calibre |
| Secondary Armament: | Zastava Arms M87 - 12.7x108 mm for M56A1 or 12,7mm RCWS can also be installed |
| Armour: | STANAG 4569 Level I |
| Crew: | 5 |
| Engine: | turbo diesel |
The M-09 Self propelled 105mm gun has direct and indirect shooting capabilities. It can carry up to 60 rounds. It can be mounted on various truck chassis including TAM, FAP, TATRA, KAMAZ and Mercedes models.[5]
According to the United Nations, some 1,500 units of the M56, in its various models, have been produced and over 200 were exported between 1998 and 2004.[8]
The M56 is known to be in service with the following nations:
Bangladesh - 56 [9]
Bosnia and Herzegovina[10]
Croatia[10]
Cyprus - 72 in 1998[10]
El Salvador - 14 in reserve in 1998.[10] 18 [11]
Guatemala - 56 in 1998[10]
Indonesia - 10 in 1998[10]
Iraq - fielded during the Iran-Iraq War and Persian Gulf War, former operator[10]
Mexico - 24 with the Army and 8 with the Naval Infantry Corps in 1998[10]
Myanmar - unknown number in used with the Army[13]
Serbia - 256 in 1998[10]