The Rheinmetall company has launched a marketing campaign to promote the 155-mm RWG-52 (Rheinmetall Wheeled Gun) Rhino self-propelled howitzer with a 52 caliber barrel length on the world market.
The development of the ACS has been carried out since 2008 on a self-financing basis for the purpose of export sales, primarily for the Indian Armed Forces.
The production of the first prototype was completed in 2009, after which the ACS was tested in South Africa and India (as part of a tender for the supply of self-propelled wheeled howitzers).
The RWG-52 is mounted on a 6x6 chassis previously used in the South African G-6 ACS. The South African company Industrial Automotive Design took part in the design.
The combat weight of the RWG-52 is 48 tons, length - 12, 30 m, height - 3, 77 m, width - 3, 7 m. The ACS is equipped with a 6-cylinder 523 hp engine. and an automatic six-speed ZF gearbox, which allows a maximum speed of 80 km / h on the highway, 70 km / h on rough terrain. The power reserve is 700 km. ACS is equipped with a centralized tire inflation system. Installation calculation - 3-5 people. The machine is equipped with a climate control system, filter ventilation and protection against weapons of mass destruction.
Despite the fact that for testing in India, the tower was placed on a wheeled chassis, it can also be integrated on a tracked platform, including MBT T-72, T-90 or Arjun. The tracked version was designated RTG-52 (Rheinmetall Tracked Gun 52 caliber). Road speed - 60 km / h, cross country - 45 km / h.
The self-propelled gun is equipped with an autonomous turret, similar in design to the turret of the PzH-2000 self-propelled gun, with a 155-mm L / 52 gun with a barrel length of 52 clb (8060 mm) and a 23-liter charging chamber. The ammunition load is 40 rounds and the required number of modular propelling charges, located in two magazines. The time for replenishing ammunition from a transport-loading vehicle is 10 minutes.
The installation is equipped with an automatic loading system (with the possibility of a manual one) and provides a rate of fire of 6 rounds / min.
The maximum firing range of the ERFB M1 ammunition is 31 km, the ERFB with a bottom gas generator - up to 42 km, and the V-LAP special rocket ammunition - 52 km. The self-propelled guns can fire anti-tank artillery shells SMArt 155 (Suchzunder-Munition fur die Artillerie 155) with homing warheads.
The ACS armor provides all-round protection against anti-tank ammunition from a distance of 30 m, as well as protection in the front hemisphere from 14.5 mm ammunition. The self-propelled gun can withstand an explosion under any wheel on a TM-46 anti-tank mine with a charge equivalent to 5.3 kg of TNT.
