View source for Engineering:152mm SpGH DANA

{{short description|Type of Self-propelled gun}}
{{Infobox weapon
 |name               = Vz. 77 DANA
 | image              = 131121-A-KH850-004 (11045794563).jpg
 | image_size = 300
 |caption            = ShKH vz. 77 of Czech Army during a military exercise.
 |origin             = Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
 |type               = [[Engineering:Self-propelled gun|Self-propelled gun]]
 <!-- Type selection -->
 |is_ranged          = yes
 |is_artillery       = yes
 |is_vehicle         = yes
 <!-- Service history -->
 |service            = 1981–present
 |used_by            =
 |wars               = War in Afghanistan<br>South Ossetia War<br>Libyan Civil War<br>2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
 <!-- Production history -->
 |designer           = Konštrukta Trenčín
 |design_date        = 1976
 |manufacturer       = ZTS Dubnica nad Váhom
 |unit_cost          =
 |production_date    = 1980
 |number             = 750+
 |variants           =
 <!-- General specifications -->
 |spec_label         =
 |weight             = {{convert|29.250|t|ST|abbr=on}}
 |length             = {{convert|11.156|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
 |part_length        =
 |width              = {{convert|3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
 |height             = {{convert|3.63|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<br>(with AAMG)
 |crew               = 5
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = [[Engineering:Shell (projectile)#High-explosive|HE]], [[Engineering:High-explosive anti-tank warhead|HEAT]]
| cartridge_weight   = {{convert|43.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (HE)<br/> {{convert|27.4|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (HEAT)
| caliber            = {{convert|152.4|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
| barrels            = {{convert|5580|mm|ftin|abbr=on}}
| action             =
| rate               = 4 rpm (semi-automatic)<br/>2 rpm (manual)
| velocity           = {{convert|693|m/s|0|abbr=on}} (HE)
| range              = {{convert|18.7|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| max_range          = {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| feed               =
| sights             = ZZ-73 with PG1-M-D collimator (indirect fire)<br/> OP5-38-D (direct fire)
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             = Semi-automatic, vertical sliding-wedge
| recoil             =
| carriage           =
| elevation          = -4° to +70°
| traverse           = ±220°
 <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
 |armour             =
 |primary_armament   = 152 mm howitzer (approx. 36.6 calibre)<br/> (60 rounds)
 |secondary_armament = 12.7 mm DShKM<br/> (2,000 rounds)
 |engine             = [[Company:Tatra|Tatra]] T2-930-34
 |engine_power       = {{convert|253.7|kW|hp|abbr=on}}
 |transmission       =
 |payload_capacity   =
 |fuel_capacity      =
 |pw_ratio           =
 |suspension         =
 |clearance          = {{convert|0.41|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
 |vehicle_range      = {{convert|600|km|mi|abbr=on}}
 |speed              = {{convert|80|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
}}

The '''DANA''' (the name being derived from "'''d'''ělo '''a'''utomobilní '''n'''abíjené '''a'''utomaticky" ([[Engineering:Gun|gun]] on [[Engineering:Truck|truck]] [[Engineering:Autoloader|loaded automatically]])) is a wheeled self-propelled artillery piece. It is also known as the '''S'''amo'''h'''ybná '''K'''anónová '''H'''úfnica vzor '''77''' (ShKH vz. 77) ([[Engineering:Self-propelled gun|self-propelled gun]] howitzer model 77); and was designed by Konštrukta Trenčín and built by ZTS Dubnica nad Váhom in the former [[Place:Czechoslovakia|Czechoslovakia]] (now Slovakia). Introduced in the 1970s it was the first wheeled 152&nbsp;mm [[Engineering:Self-propelled artillery|self-propelled artillery]] gun to enter service. It is based on a modified [[Engineering:Eight-wheel drive|8x8]] [[Engineering:Tatra 815|Tatra 815]] [[Engineering:Chassis|chassis]] with excellent cross-country mobility. Currently it is in service with the [[Place:Czech Republic|Czech Republic]], [[Place:Libya|Libya]], {{wipe|Poland}}, [[Place:Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Place:Azerbaijan|Azerbaijan]], and Slovakia.

Compared to tracked vehicles wheeled vehicles have the advantage of being cheaper to build and easier to maintain with greater mobility. Tire pressure can be regulated to allow good mobility off-road and there is power-assisted steering on the front four wheels. It lowers 3 hydraulic stabilizers into the ground prior to firing, and has a roof mounted crane to assist with ammunition loading.

The crew of the DANA consists of the driver (operates the hydraulic stabilizers) and commander sitting in the front cabin, the gunner (aims the gun and opens fire) and loader operator (selects the appropriate amount of powder charges) are on the left side of the turret, the ammo handler (sets the shells' primers) is on the right side turret.

==Development==
The DANA was designed in the late 1970s by Konštrukta Trenčín to provide the Czechoslovak People's Army with an indigenous self-propelled indirect fire support weapon without having to resort to purchasing the [[Place:Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Engineering:2S3 Akatsiya|2S3 Akatsiya]] SPG. Design work was completed in 1976 and the DANA project was handed off to production at ZTS Dubnica nad Váhom. It was accepted into service in 1981, and by 1994 over 750 units had been built. The DANA was also exported to Poland and [[Place:Libya|Libya]].

==Design==
[[File:Vojenska prehlidka 1985k crop.jpg|thumbnail|DANAs during military parade in [[Place:Prague|Prague]], May 1985.]]

The DANA was a significant departure from contemporary self-propelled guns as it used a wheeled chassis and featured an innovative automated loading system which was the first of its kind at the time of its introduction to service. The vehicle has a driving cabin at the front, an open-topped fighting compartment at mid-length and the engine compartment in the rear. The front crew cabin seats both the driver/mechanic and vehicle commander. The armoured turret is installed on a traversable mount adapted to the Tatra 815 wheeled chassis (8x8) and is divided into two halves, divided by the howitzer's recoil mechanism and a pathway for the reciprocating action during firing. The left half of the turret is occupied by the gunner and first loader and houses the various fire control optics, electro-mechanical gun laying controls, the automatic propellant charge feeding device as well as an auxiliary ammunition magazine. The right side of the turret contains a mechanized projectile delivery system which is operated by a second loader at this position.

The DANA's primary weapon is a 152&nbsp;mm howitzer with a monolithic barrel (with a fixed rifling pitch) equipped with a single expansion chamber. The howitzer has a semi-automatic, vertically-sliding-wedge-type breech which opens to the left side. The recoil assembly consists of a hydraulic buffer, two pneumatic return cylinders and a controlling plunger which governs the displacement of the buffering system. The gun laying is carried out by an electro-hydraulic drive system or an emergency manual control.

DANA's unique feature is that its autoloader is able to load a shell and a cartridge in any elevation of the barrel.

As there is no gyroscopic or similar system for independent, automated and autonomous gun laying in the DANA, the gunner of howitzer uses a ZZ-73 panoramic telescope with a PG1-M-D collimator for indirect gun laying. This sight has a horizontal scale used to set the appropriate horizontal laying via aiming at reference points. This means that the DANA is not an autonomous system there needs to be an additional device to assist in gun laying (in fact, the firing positions of such artillery systems are usually prepared before the guns are positioned there). For direct fire engagements, the gunner uses an OP5-38-D telescopic sight.

==Ammunition==
As of 2014, there are three main shell types used by Czech Army:
# 152-EOF, which means "high-explosive" with a maximum range of {{Convert|18|km}}
# 152-EOFd, which means "high-explosive long-range" with a maximum range of {{Convert|20|km}}
# 152-EPrSv, which means "high-explosive anti-tank" used for direct-fire at armored targets

==General characteristics==
[[File:Czech Army 152mm howitzer (10958577354).jpg|thumbnail|DANA in firing position]]

* Length: {{Convert|10.5|m}}
* Width: 2.8&nbsp;m (9&nbsp;ft)
* Height: 2.6&nbsp;m (8.53&nbsp;ft)
* Weight: 23,000&nbsp;kg (50,706&nbsp;lbs)
* Performance:
** Maximum Road Speed: 80&nbsp;km/h (50&nbsp;mph)
** Range: 600&nbsp;km (373&nbsp;mi)
** Rate of Fire: 3 rpm for 30 minutes
** Maximum Gun Range: 28&nbsp;km (17&nbsp;mi)
** Fording: 1.4&nbsp;m (4.59&nbsp;ft)
** Vertical Obstacle: 1.5&nbsp;m (5&nbsp;ft)
** Trench: 1.4&nbsp;m (4.59&nbsp;ft)
* Crew: 4 to 5
* Armament:
** Primary: 152&nbsp;mm gun-howitzer, length: 5,580&nbsp;mm (37 calibers)
** Secondary: [[Engineering:12.7×108mm|12.7&nbsp;mm]] [[Engineering:Machine gun|MG]] DŠKM
* Elevation: -4° to +70°
* Traverse: ±45°
* Powerplant: one V-12 air cooled diesel Tatra T2-939-34 engine delivering 345 [[Horsepower|horsepower]] (257.27&nbsp;kW)

==Variants==
===152 mm ShKH Ondava===
[[File:Lešany, Vojenské muzeum, bojová technika IV.JPG|right|thumb|152 mm ShKH Ondava]]

The ShKH Ondava is a development step started during the late 1980s with a longer 152&nbsp;mm barrel (47 calibers), new [[Engineering:Muzzle brake|muzzle brake]] (2 chamber), new loading mechanism etc. Max range is 30&nbsp;km. The Ondava project ended with the velvet revolution and dissolution of the Czechoslovak state. Technical experience was carried over to the Zuzana project.

===152 mm ShKH MODAN vz.77/99===
The ShKH MODAN is a Slovak upgrade of DANA with longer range, higher accuracy and rate of fire. The upgrade consists of a new on-board control system that enables higher combat efficiency and reduction of crew from 5 to 4 members.

===152 mm ShKH DANA-M1 CZ===
The DANA-M1 CZ is a Czech upgrade of the DANA, developed by Excalibur Army from Prague. The upgrade package consists of a new fire control system, new navigation aids and a modified chassis with T3-930 engine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/idet_2011_daily_news_actualites_pictures_video/the_new_upgraded_czech_wheeled_self-propelled_howitzer_152_mm_dana-m1_cz_at_idet_2011_1205116.html|title = The new upgraded czech wheeled self-propelled howitzer 152 mm DANA-M1 CZ at IDET 2011 1205116 &#124; IDET 2011 daily news actualites pictures video &#124; Defense exhibition 2011 daily news category}}</ref>

===152 mm ShKH DANA M2===
[[File:Dana SPG, Kyiv 2019, 02.jpg|right|thumb|ShKH DANA M2]]

Further modernization by Excalibur Army which features a new more resistant cabin and the NBC filtration system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.excaliburarmy.cz/news/ea-introduced-latest-modernization-of-dana-m2-152-mm-howitzer-10|title = EA INTRODUCED LATEST MODERNIZATION OF DANA M2 152 mm HOWITZER &#124; Military vehicles & equipment}}</ref>

===155 mm ShKH M2000 Zuzana===
The Slovak ShKH Zuzana has been modified with a 155&nbsp;mm gun (45 calibers) to conform to NATO standards. First adopted by the Slovak Army in 1998, the Slovak Army currently possesses 16 such units with plans to adopt more.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kerametal.sk/en/commercial-division-1/zuzana/8x8-45-cal/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=December 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125053300/http://www.kerametal.sk/en/commercial-division-1/zuzana/8x8-45-cal/ |archive-date=January 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The '''M2000G''' is a version for the Cypriot National Guard with different signals equipment, 76mm smoke grenade launchers and an MG3 7.62mm machine gun instead of the NSVT of 12.7mm. It entered service in 2001.

===155 mm ShKH A40 Himalaya===
The ShKH Himalaya is an adaptation of the system to a tracked chassis required by export customers. It is essentially a tracked variant of ShKH Zuzana with the same 155&nbsp;mm turret mounted on a [[Engineering:T-72|T-72]] chassis with S1000 engine.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kerametal.sk/en/commercial-division-1/zuzana/a-40/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=December 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525011141/http://www.kerametal.sk/en/commercial-division-1/zuzana/a-40/ |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===155 mm ShKH Zuzana 2===
Initially known as '''Zuzana A1''' and then '''Zuzana XA-1''', this is the latest development of the Zuzana. It was unveiled for the first time in 2004. This model is fitted with a 155/52 ordnance and has other improvements such as a reworked turret and a different engine: the Tatra T3B-928.70 of 330&nbsp;kW.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kerametal.sk/en/commercial-division-1/zuzana/8x8-52-cal/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=December 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125060432/http://www.kerametal.sk/en/commercial-division-1/zuzana/8x8-52-cal/ |archive-date=January 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==Combat history==
[[File:Samobieżna armatohaubica wzór 1977 Dana self-propelled howitzer in Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|right|Polish artillery supporting Polish, US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan]]

Two DANAs were destroyed and two captured in the 2008 Russo-Georgian War.{{sfn|Tanks|2010|p=110}}

Five Polish guns had been used in Afghanistan in Ghazni Province since 2008.

==Operators==
[[File:SpGH DANA operators.png|thumb|300px|Map of SpGH DANA operators in blue with former operators in red]]

===Current operators===
*{{AZE}} - unknown quantity of DANA M1<ref>{{cite web|title=Czech Dana M1 152mm 8x8 howitzers RM-70 Vampir MLRS in service with Azerbaijan army|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2017_global_defense_security_news_industry/czech_dana_m1_152mm_8x8_howitzers_rm-70_vampir_mlrs_in_service_with_azerbaijan_army.html|website=Army Recognition|accessdate=23 September 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170923105225/https://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2017_global_defense_security_news_industry/czech_dana_m1_152mm_8x8_howitzers_rm-70_vampir_mlrs_in_service_with_azerbaijan_army.html|archivedate=23 September 2017|date=21 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Nakra|first1=Daksh|title=Exercise reveals Azerbaijani Army Dana SPH and RM-70 MRL|url=http://www.janes.com/article/74290/|website=IHS Jane's 360|accessdate=23 September 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170923105108/http://www.janes.com/article/74290/exercise-reveals-azerbaijani-army-dana-sph-and-rm-70-mrl|archivedate=23 September 2017|date=21 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Large-scale military exercises started in Azerbaijan – PHOTO/VİDEO|url=http://en.azeridefence.com/large-scale-military-exercises-started-in-azerbaijan-photo-video/|website=Azeri Defence|accessdate=23 September 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170923105032/http://en.azeridefence.com/large-scale-military-exercises-started-in-azerbaijan-photo-video/|archivedate=23 September 2017|date=18 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Azərbaycan yeni artilleriya sistemlərini təlimdə sınaqdan çıxarır – FOTO|url=http://az.azeridefence.com/azerbaycan-yeni-artilleriya-sistemlerini-telimde-sinaqdan-cixarir-foto/|website=Azeri Defence|accessdate=23 September 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170923104750/http://az.azeridefence.com/azerbaycan-yeni-artilleriya-sistemlerini-telimde-sinaqdan-cixarir-foto/|archivedate=23 September 2017|language=Azerbaijani|date=18 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Чехия: это не мы. Кто поставил Азербайджану "Вампиры" и "Даны"?|url=http://vestnik-rm.ru/news-4-21409.htm|date=2017-09-20|work=Вестник Мордовии|accessdate=2017-09-21|language=ru}}</ref>
*{{CZE}} - 164 M-77 (to 1 July 2008) of original 273
*{{LBY}} - 120 M-77
*{{POL}} - 111 M-77<ref>[http://www.militarium.net/wojsko_polskie/uzbrojenie.php MILITARIUM - Wojsko Polskie - Uzbrojenie<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826233723/http://www.militarium.net/wojsko_polskie/uzbrojenie.php |date=August 26, 2013 }}</ref>
*{{SVK}} - 135 M-77 and 16 M2000
*{{GEO}} - 47 M-77 delivered by the Czech Republic from 2004
*{{CYP}} - 12 M2000G Zuzana via Greece
*{{UKR}} - ordered 26 DANA M2 152 mm self-propelled artillery guns <ref>{{cite web |last1=Grohmann |first1=Jan |title=Ukrajina nakoupí 26 českých samohybných houfnic DANA |url=https://www.armadninoviny.cz/ukrajina-nakoupi-26-ceskych-samohybnych-houfnic-dana.html |website=armadninoviny.cz |accessdate=14 November 2020 |language=cs}}</ref>

===Former operators===
*{{CZS}} - 408, passed on to successor states.
*{{USSR}} - 108<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/army-equipment.htm|title = Russian Army Equipment}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Hogg, Ian (2000). ''Twentieth-Century Artillery''. Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. {{ISBN|1-58663-299-X}}
*{{cite web|title=The Tanks of August|url=http://www.cast.ru/files/The_Tanks_of_August_sm_eng.pdf|year=2010|publisher=Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies|ref={{sfnref|Tanks|2010}}}}

== External links ==
{{cite web|work=GlobalSecurity.Org|title=152 mm ShKH Dana vz.77|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/dana.htm|accessdate=May 27, 2006 }}<br />
{{cite web|work=www.kotadef.sk|title=MODAN - 152 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer|url=http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_03.html|accessdate=October 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813141658/http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_03.html|archive-date=August 13, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}<br />
{{cite web|work=www.kotadef.sk|title=ZUZANA - 155 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer|url=http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_04.html|accessdate=October 10, 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071027100926/http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_04.html| archivedate=October 27, 2007 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}<br />
{{cite web|work=www.kotadef.sk|title=HIMALAYA - 155 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer|url=http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_02.html|accessdate=October 10, 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071027100921/http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_02.html| archivedate=October 27, 2007 <!--Added by DASHBot-->}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:152mm Spgh Dana}}
[[Category:Eight-wheeled vehicles]]

{{Sourceattribution|152mm SpGH DANA|1}}