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155mm Modèle 50



Overview


155mm Obusier Modèle 50

Ex-Israeli 155mm Modèle 50 towed howitzer in firing configuration on display in a musuem.
Source: Bukvoed - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin
France
Type
Towed howitzer
Entered service
1952
Status
Obsolete
Development
1950
Developer
France
Production
1952 - ? in France
1955 - 1958 in Sweden
Producer
France
Sweden - Bofors
Number produced
980 in France
100 in Sweden
Designations
OB 155-50 BF (French service)
Obusier de 155 mm modèle 1950 biflèche
French for "155mm howitzer model 1950 split trail"
15,5 cm Haubits F (Swedish service)
Notable users
Sweden
France
Israel
Morocco

Description


Introduction

The Obusier 155mm Modèle 1950 is an early Cold War era towed howitzer of French origin. It was developed after World War 2 for both export sales and to replace (pre-)World War 2 era towed howitzers in French service. The Modèle 50 proved to be a rugged and reliable design. Although having an increased range over many World War 2 era designs, from the 1960's onward the Modèle 50 was found to be lacking in range.

Design

The Modèle 50 is a towed howitzer using a four wheel split trail carriage. The wheels are mounted on bogies that are attached to the trails instead of the chassis. In the firing position the front of the Modèle 50 rests on a turntable. The 155mm ordnance is 23 or 28 calibers long, depending on whether the large multi-slotted muzzle brake is excluded or included in the measurement.

Firepower

The Modèle 50 has an effective range of 17.7 km using French high explosive shells. Using the NATO standard American M107 shell the range drops to 14.8 km. A rocket assisted shell with a 23 km range was also developed, possibly to meet an Israeli request. The Modèle 50 is of a rugged design and can keep up its normal rate of fire of 3 to 4 rpm for

Mobility

The Modèle 50 is a heavy piece of artillery and needs to be towed by a 6x6 5-ton truck. In French service the Berliet GBU-15 was used. This carried the crew and ammunition. The Modèle 50 doesn't use a limber.

Users

Sweden was the first user of the Modèle 50, using it as the Haubits F. French models were acquired and a subsequent batch was produced in Sweden by Bofors. France use the Modèle 50 in large numbers, some remaining in service well into the 1990's. Israel was the most notable user with the Modèle 50 making up the core of the artillery in both the 1967 and 1973 conflicts. A self-propelled version was developed using extensively modified Sherman tank hulls. Today the Modèle 50 is considered obsolete. Most have been replaced decades ago by self-propelled howitzer, sometimes supplemented by modern towed howitzers with APU.

Details


Facts Modèle 50
General
Origin
France
Type
Towed howitzer
Crew
11
Dimensions - Travel configuration
Weight
8.5 t
Length
7.8 m
Width
2.75 m
Height
2.5 m
Dimensions - Firing configuration
Weight
8.155 kg
Length
7.15 m
Width
6.8 m
Height
1.65 m with barrel horizontal
Ordnance
Type
155mm 28-caliber howitzer
Barrel length
4.41 m including muzzle brake
Muzzle brake
Yes, multi-slotted
Muzzle velocity
647 m/s withe Mle 1956 shell
Elevation
-4° to +69°
Traverse
42° right and 34° left
Firepower
Rate of fire
4 rpm burst
3 rpm normal
1 - 2 rpm sustained
Range
18.0 km with French Mle 1956 shell
14.8 km with US M107 shell
23.3 km with rocked assisted ammunition
Carriage
Type
Four wheel split trail carriage
Limber
No
Gun shield
No
Tread
2.31 m
Ground clearance
0.25 m
Mobility
Towing vehicle
6x6 truck
Autonomous mobility
No, too heavy for manhandling
APU
No

Media


Related articles


M-50

Sherman tank chassis rebuilt to self-propelled howitzer using the 155m Modèle 50 ordnance. Features a large open roof rear area with the howitzer and a center mounted engine.

155mm TR-F1

In French service the Modèle 50 was replaced by the more capable 155mm TR-F1.

155mm Bofors FH77

In Swedish service the Modèle 50 was replaced by the 155mm FH-77B.