| Raad-2 / Thunder-2 | |
| Origin: | Iran |
| Type: | Self-propelled howitzer |
| Service: | 1997 - present |
| Used By: | Iran |
| Is Artillery: | yes |
| Wars: | none |
| Designer: | Defense Industries Organization |
| Variants: | Raad-2M |
| Design Date: | September 1997 |
| Production Date: | 1997 - Present |
| Number: | at least 36[1] |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Rate: | 5 rounds/min |
| Range: | 30km (20miles) |
| 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[2] 700 hp for Raad-2M [3] |
| Crew: | 3 (commander, driver and gunner) |
| Vehicle Range: | 500 km |
Raad-2 (Persian:رعد-۲, means Thunder-2)[4] is an Iranian self-propelled howitzer.
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).[5]
It uses a turret that has a similar layout to the M109A1 155mm/39-cal self-propelled howitzer.[4] 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.[6] The gun's range was reported as 30km (20miles), 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.[6]
The vehicle uses a chassis based on the T-72, distinctive due to the cover of the cooling fan on the chassis.[7] The hull is apparently based on the BMP-1.[4]
The Raad-2 is crewed by 5 persons, with the driver stationed at the left with the power pack at the right.[6]
The Raad-2 is operated by both the Islamic Republic of Iran Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.[1]