FH-88

FH-88
TypeHowitzer
Place of originSingapore
Service history
In service1988 - present
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerST Kinetics
Designed1983
ManufacturerST Kinetics
Developed intoFH-2000
Produced1987
Specifications
Mass12,800kg (12.59 tons)
Barrel length6.10m (20ft)
Crew8

Shell155 mm NATO
Caliber155 mm 39 calibre
BreechSemi-automatic Interrupted screw with electronic rammer
Carriage6 wheeled split trail
Elevation-3°/+70°
Traverse±20° from centerline
Muzzle velocity765m/sec (2510ft/sec)
Maximum firing range19,000m (20,780yds)

The FH-88 or Field Howitzer 88[1] was the first locally designed howitzer developed for the Singapore Army. It is a 155 mm/39-calibre towed howitzer gun.

Development

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Ordnance Development and Engineering of Singapore (ODE, now Singapore Technologies Kinetics) began development of the FH-88 in 1983 with five prototypes being produced over a period of four years.[2] These were followed by a preproduction batch of six 155 mm FH-88 gun-howitzers that incorporated a number of improvements as a result of trials with the prototype weapons.

First production FH-88s were completed in 1987, with the weapon becoming operational with the Singapore Army the following year, replacing the Soltam M-71.[2] The howitzer was publicly presented in 1988.[3]

Operators

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Map with FH-88 operators in blue

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Army Unveils Locally Designed and Built Light Weight Howitzer". Defense aerospace.
  2. ^ a b c d "Singapore Technologies Kinetics 155 mm FH-88 gun-howitzer (Singapore) - Jane's Armour and Artillery". www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  3. ^ http://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/publications/attachments/2016-03/070_Singapore%E2%80%99s_defence_industries_%28Canberra_papers_on_strategy_and_defence%29_Bilveer_Singh_78p_073151131X.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  4. ^ https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/27014/WP59.pdf [bare URL PDF]

Bibliography

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  • Hogg, Ian. Twentieth-Century Artillery. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2000. ISBN 0-7607-1994-2 Pg.70
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