| Is Uk: | no |
| Santa Bárbara Sistemas 155/52 | |
| Type: | Howitzer |
| Origin: | Spain |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Artillery: | yes |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Number: | 111 |
| Service: | 2002–present |
| Used By: | Colombia Spain El Salvador |
| Caliber: | 155 mm (6.1 in) NATO |
| Length: | 10.3m (33.8feet) |
| Part Length: | 8.12m (26.64feet) L/52 |
| Width: | 2.8m (09.2feet) |
| Height: | 2.2m (07.2feet) |
| Carriage: | Split trail |
| Weight: | 13500kg (29,800lb) |
| Cartridge: | Separate loading charge and projectiles |
| Range: | 30km (20miles) conventional |
| Max Range: | 40km (30miles) rocket-assisted projectile.[1] |
| Rate: | 10 rpm |
| Action: | Hydraulic loader |
| Breech: | Interrupted screw |
| Recoil: | Hydro-pneumatic |
| Elevation: | −3° to +72° |
| Traverse: | 40° |
| Engine: | Diesel APU |
| Engine Power: | 106hp |
| Speed: | 18km/h |
The Santa Bárbara Sistemas 155/52 is a modern field howitzer designed and manufactured by the Spanish armament manufacturer Santa Bárbara Sistemas (SBS) a division of General Dynamics and was produced from 2002 to 2009 at the La Vega and Trubia factories in Asturias.
The Santa Bárbara Sistemas 155/52 has a split trail carriage, hydro-pneumatic recoil mechanism, interrupted screw breech, rifled autofretted barrel, articulated suspension with four pneumatic tires, and a muzzle brake. The barrel is produced by the German company Rheinmetall, while the gun carriage is produced by SBS.
For transport, the split trail carriage can be closed and the barrel and rotated 180° while being towed by an IVECO Pegaso 6x6 artillery tractor. There is also a 106hp diesel auxiliary power unit (APU) at the front of the carriage with a driver's station that can move the gun at 18km/h over short distances. The APU also powers the hydraulic automatic gun-laying system (AGLS) that controls elevation, traverse, spreading, and retraction. Two retractable wheels on the tail of the gun carriage can be lowered when the gun is being moved by the APU.[2]
The howitzer fires a variety of separate loading NATO standard projectiles, including extended-range base bleed and rocket-assisted projectiles up to 40km (30miles). The howitzer has a hydraulic ammunition loader that can be loaded at any angle and provides a high rate of fire.