Factsheet – Self-Propelled Howitzer 1 Primus

Technical Specifications

Combat Weight : 28.3 ton Maximum Rate: 6 rds / min

Length: 10.21 m Burst Rate: 3 rds / 20 s

Width: 3.00 m Sustained Rate: 2 rds / min for 30 min

Height: 3.28 m Secondary : 7.62 mm GPMG

Chassis Length: 6.60 m Operating Range: 350 km

Chassis Width: 2.80 m Top Speed: 50 km/h

Ground Clearance: 0.45 m Transmission: GD HMPT-500-3EC

Ground Pressure: 180 kPa Engine: 550 HP Detroit Diesel

Calibre: 155 mm , 39 Calibre Emplacement Time: <1 min

Max. Range : 30 km with ER projectile Displacement Time: 1 min

Crew: 4 men

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The SSPH 1 Primus

The SSPH 1 Primus is a 155 mm, 39 calibre track-based, self-propelled howitzer developed jointly by the (SAF), the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) and Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics), to meet the operational requirements of the SAF.

A fusion of the range and firepower of the artillery, with the protection, speed and manoeuvrability of armoured vehicles, the Primus is a highly accurate, mobile artillery platform that will bolster the fighting capabilities of our Combined Arms Divisional forces with its 'hide, shoot, scoot' capability.

Arguably the lightest and most responsive self-propelled howitzer in its class, the Primus packs a big punch to any target within its range. Onboard, the indigenous integration of technologies allows a crew of four to effectively operate the system autonomously, affirming the Primus not only as a formidable force in the modern battlefield, but also as an invaluable asset to our technologically advanced Army.

Designed, developed and produced in Singapore , the Primus is a clear testament of our innovation and industry. An achievement that Singapore can be proud of.

Development

The realisation of six years of development, the Primus is the latest in a line of projects that the three organisations have collaborated on. Others include the Artillery's Field Howitzer 88 (FH88), the Field Howitzer 2000 (FH2000), the 'BRONCO' All Terrain Track Carrier, the 'BIONIX' Armoured Fighting Vehicle, and the 'SAR 21' .

The experience garnered from these past successes has proven beneficial in the development of this new system. The Primus is our most technologically complex product designed to date, as it includes sophisticated on-board computers and innovative automation. It is also the lightest and most responsive, fully autonomous self-propelled howitzer in its class, setting it apart from its towed predecessors and other self-propelled howitzers alike.

The genesis of a self-propelled howitzer within the SAF was conceived in the early 1990s, with the aim of providing better fire support to the Combined Arms Divisions, while providing the range, firepower and accuracy that the artillery is renowned for. The 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer was seen as the obvious choice.

Several commercial-off-the-shelf systems (COTS) such as the M109A6 Paladin (USA), Type 75 ( Japan ), 2S3M1 (Ex-Soviet) and the AS90 Braveheart ( UK ) that fulfilled the prerequisites of possessing firepower with high mobility and battlefield survivability were considered. However, none could cater to our unique requirements in terms of lightweight mobility. Hence, the decision was made by DSTA to develop a completely new SPH with ST

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Kinetics.

With that, in May 1996, the Primus development began.

From the outset, the major challenge the team encountered was in designing a platform that could satisfy all the required specifications. DSTA and ST Kinetics had to deliver an SPH that not only matched the performance of other SPHs available in the market, but one that would suit the SAF's unique operational needs.

Some of these specifications included the ability to navigate and move on paved and soft soil terrain, common in our area of operations, as well as the capability to ‘come into action' rapidly. Being lightweight would provide our SPH with this unprecedented mobility, thus emphasis was placed on limiting its weight. As a result, most of the system and its sub- components were customised to suit the SAF, and a large portion of the design work went into enhancing the weapon system performance through automation, increasing its efficiency and effectiveness.

The result is a closed loop automated fire control system (AFCS) consisting of 5 main subsystems ranging from the patented Handling System to the Laser Ring Gyroscopic Navigation & Positioning System.

In developing the Primus , DSTA was involved in assessing and reviewing the various design proposals by ST Kinetics and subsequently integrating the various components and subsystems into what it is today. ST Kinetics, meanwhile, worked on the system, bringing its technical expertise and production know-how on artillery systems, leveraging the experience it has gained through other large calibre weapon systems previously developed such as the FH88 and the FH2000.

Both agencies conducted extensive and intensive trials to test design reliability and safety as well as to prove that the SPH could deliver the desired operational performance. During the rollout phase, they looked into quality assurance issues and conducted acceptance tests on each SPH before delivery. Long term equipment maintenance, promulgation and retention of knowledge were other areas of focus.

Finally in April 2000, the first working prototype of the Primus was rolled-out by ST Kinetics. The next 2 years saw the system undergo a series of comprehensive tests to ensure that the Primus was able to withstand the rigours that were required of it. In September 2002, the Primus was officially certified to have met the SAF's stringent criteria, bringing to a close the successful evolution of an idea realised.

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SPH DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

MAY CONTRACT SIGNED 1996

SEP 1996 PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW DEC 1996

JUL 1999 CRITICAL DESIGN REVIEW DEC 1999

APR PROTOTYPE ROLL-OUT 2000

APR 2000 DEVELOPMENTAL TESTS & EVALUATION DEC 2001

JAN 2002 USER TRIAL JUNE 2002

JULY 2002 FINAL DESIGN REVIEW SEP 2002

SEP PRODUCTION 2002

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The evolution of the Primus, from drawing board to final product, is proof of Singapore's capabilities to not only operate state-of-the art equipment, but also the capacity to produce them indigenously. This speaks volumes of our home-grown industry in developing world- class systems that are on par, if not better than systems currently available in the global market. The SAF together with its partners, DSTA and ST Kinetics, has once again proven, with the development of the SSPH 1 Primus , that we need only look within our borders for solutions to our needs.

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