The Hummel ('Bumblebee') was the last major self-propelled gun built for the German Army during World War II. Similar in many respects to the Wespe (which was built in parallel), the Hummel reverted to a 150-mm gun as found in early-war SPGs, although this time using the 15cm sFH 18/1 howitzer. The chassis was that of the PzKfw III/IV, designed specifically as a self-propelled mount and which incorporated mechanical features of both Panzer III and IV tanks. This included the (slightly lengthened) hull and suspension of the Panzer IV, with the drive sprocket of the Panzer III while moving the engine forward. It also featured a crew compartment for both the driver and radio operator behind an extended glacis. The armored superstructure was also similar to that of the Wespe, featured angled sides but retained the open top. Ammunition capacity was limited and as a result, an ammunition carrier was built. Like the Wespe, the Hummel was introduced during the Battle of Kursk and was issued to the Panzerartillerie Abteilungen (armored artillery batallions) of Panzer divisions and served throughout the remainder of the war, with some captured vehicles eventually being acquired by Syria and used in combat during the various wars agianst Israel until the 1960s.

The first attempt to install a sFH 18 gun on a panzer chassis took place on 25 July 1942, with a prototype presented in October to Hitler. It entered production as the 15cm Schwere Panzerhaubitze auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III/IV (Sf) (SdKfz 165) or Hummel. The only other variant was the Munitionsträger Hummel ammunition carrier.