ARMY UNVEILS LOCALLY DESIGNED AND BUILT LIGHT WEIGHT HOWITZER
1. The Army introduced the Pegasus, a 155mm Light Weight Howitzer, as the latest addition to the SAF’s artillery systems during a commissioning event officiated by Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean this afternoon. The Pegasus is the world’s first 155mm light weight howitzer that is both self-propelled and heli-portable. It was jointly developed by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics).
2. This new 155mm artillery gun, officially named the ‘Singapore Light Weight Howitzer (SLWH) Pegasus’, is heli-portable by the SAF’s CH-47D Chinook helicopters. Its independent engine unit makes the Pegasus a versatile platform that can be readily configured for ground movement and deployment for field-firing. The Pegasus guns will eventually replace the Singapore Artillery’s ageing 105mm light guns. During operations, the Pegasus will be deployed to provide responsive fires to support the Army’s heliborne forces.
3. The successful development and commissioning of the Pegasus marks another milestone in the close partnership among the SAF, DSTA and ST Kinetics in delivering advanced technological and operational solutions to enhance the SAF’s capability to defend Singapore. They had previously collaborated on artillery projects such as the Primus, or Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer 1 (SSPH1 Primus), the Field Howitzer 2000 (FH2000) and the Field Howitzer 88 (FH88).
Please visit our microsite at: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/weapons/slwh.
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THE SINGAPORE LIGHT WEIGHT HOWITZER (SLWH) PEGASUS
1. Weighing 5.4 tons, the 155mm Singapore Light Weight Howitzer Pegasus is both self-propelled and heli-portable by the CH-47D “Chinook” helicopters. This 39-calibre howitzer offers better range and firepower than the 105mm Light Guns which it will replace. The SAF’s artillery systems will all be standardised (at 155mm) after the Pegasus is fully phased into the SAF’s artillery units.
2. The Pegasus was jointly developed by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) and Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics) to meet the Army’s operational requirements. It is a highly automated and efficient system that delivers range and firepower comparable to heavier systems such as the Primus and the FH88.
3. Key Technological Features. The Pegasus incorporates several sophisticated sub-systems in its design. Some significant features are:
a. Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). The APU is an independent engine unit on the Pegasus, which provides the gun with a short-range self-propelled capability. With the APU, the system is able to manoeuvre over terrain at a speed of 12 km/h. The Pegasus is the world’s first heli-portable 155mm howitzer with a self-propelled capability.
b. Ammunition Loading System (ALS). Powered by the APU, the ALS automatically loads ammunition to reduce crew fatigue. This allows the gun crew to operate the Pegasus for a longer period while maintaining a burst rate of 3 rounds in 24 seconds.
c. Mechanical Sight. Each gun is also equipped with an advanced mechanical sight that can withstand firing shocks of up to 90Gs. This is critical for sustained operations given the system’s lightweight structure.
d. Ease of Deployment. As a complex system that needs to be readily deployed for mobility, firing and heli-lifting, the Pegasus is easy to configure without any lifting support in the field. Through a simple seesaw action that shifts the gun’s centre of gravity to suit the different missions, the Pegasus can be rapidly engaged for deployment in less than 2.5 minutes with a detachment of 8 men.
e. Lightweight Materials. The Pegasus employs lightweight materials like titanium and high alloy aluminium that provides the strength and stability required to withstand the recoil force of a 155mm system.
f. Innovative Recoil Management. The recoil of the Pegasus is a third lower than conventional 155mm howitzers. This is achieved through innovative recoil management design.
4. Technical and Performance Specifications
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CHARACTERISTIC |
PERFORMANCE |
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Range |
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Maximum Range |
19 km (Conventional); 30 km (Extended Range) |
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Rate of Fire |
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Burst Rate |
3 rounds in 24 seconds |
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Maximum Rate |
4 rounds per minute for 3 minutes |
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Sustain Rate |
2 rounds per minute for 30 minutes |
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Manpower |
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No. of crew |
6-8 |
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Mobility |
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Self-Propelled |
12 km/h (maximum) |
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Towed (Cross-country) |
50 km/h (maximum) |
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Towed (Paved) |
70 km/h (maximum) |
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Towing Vehicle Type |
5 ton; 7 ton |
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Engine |
21kW Lombardini 9LD625-2 |
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Air Transportability |
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Fixed Wing |
C130 |
Rotary Wing |
CH-47D/SD |