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L-33 Ro'em



Overview


L-33 Ro'em

Forward view of L-33 in a museum.
Source: Bukvoed - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin
Israel
Type
Self-propelled howitzer
Entered service
1973
Status
Obsolete
Development
Late 1960's
Developer
Israel - Soltam
Production
1973 - ?
Producer
Israel - Soltam
Number produced
About 150 to 200 produced
Designations
Ro'em (Israeli nickname)
Hebrew for "thunder maker"

Description


Introduction

The L-33 is a Cold War era self-propelled howitzer of Israeli origin. It was developed to provide self-propelled artillery support which the Israeli army was lacking at the time. It is based on the chassis of the US World War 2 era Sherman tank. The name is derived from the barrel length of the ordnance, but it is also known under the nickname "Ro'em", which is Hebrew for "thunder maker".

Layout

The L-33 is based on the M4A3E8 Sherman tank chassis and is fitted with a very large welded casemate superstructure which provides the ordnance with limited traverse. The crew is relatively large, consisting of 8 members.

Firepower

The L-33 uses the 155mm 33-caliber ordnance of the indigenous M-68 towed gun. The maximum range is 21 km. The maximum rate of fire is about 6 rpm. A total of 60 round are carried of which 16 are ready to fire. A 7.62mm machine gun is mounted for self-defense.

Protection

The L-33 is operated from under full armor protection. The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. There are no NBC system, smoke grenade dischargers or fire extinguishing system.

Mobility

The Sherman chassis with HVSS suspension and new engine provides an all terrain mobility. The drawbacks of the Sherman chassis are a low speed and range. A Cummins 460 hp diesel engine provides propulsion.

Users

The L-33 was adopted by Israeli forces in 1973 and was immediately used during the Yom Kippur war. It was also used in subsequent conflicts. With the introduction of the US M109 howitzer it was quickly relegated to the reserve role. No L-33 have ever been exported.

Variants


L-33 Ro'em

Forward view of L-33 in a museum.
Source: Bukvoed - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

The L-33 was produced only in one version. All models use the Sherman HVSS chassis with new diesel engine. The large casemate superstructure makes the L-33 very easy to identify. A variant called L-39 with 39-caliber ordnance was developed but never produced.

Details


Facts L-33
General
Origin
Israel
Type
Self-propelled howitzer
Crew
8 (commander, driver, gunner, 5 loaders)
Dimensions
Weight
41.5 t combat load
Length
8.47 m (gun forward)
6.47 m (hull)
Width
3.5 m
Height
3.45 m
Main armament
Type
155mm Soltam 33-caliber howitzer
Ammunition
60 shells, 16 ready to fire
Elevation
-4° to +52°, manual
Traverse
30° left and 60° right, manual
Rate of fire
6 rpm max
2 rpm sustained
Range
21 km
Stabilizer
No
Secondary armament
Type
.30 M1919A4 machine gun
Mount
Flexible mount
Ammunition
1.000 rounds, 100 ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels
Tread
2.28 m
Track width
0.58 m
Track on ground
4.6 m
Suspension
HVSS
Automotive
Engine model
Cummins VT 8-460-Bi
Engine type
Diesel
Power output
460 hp at 2.600 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
820 L
Mobility
Speed
38 km/h
Range
260 km on road
Turn radius
9.5 m
Power to weight ratio
10.1 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.43 m
Wall
0.9 m
Trench
2.3 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
0.9 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
12 to 64 mm
NBC system
No
Smoke system
No
Equipment
Night vision
Yes, driver only

Media


Related articles


M-50

The L-33 supplemented and replaced the M-50 in Israeli service. Both vehicles are based on the Sherman tank chassis.

155mm Soltam M-68

The L-33 is armed with the same ordnance as the M-68 towed howitzer.

M1919

For self-defense a .30 M1919A4 machine gun is fitted.