Land Weapons

Self-Propelled Gun (1955)

Detroit Tank Arsenal

M52

M52

The M52 was a post-war 105-mm self-propelled gun which shared many characteristics with that of the M44, both of which were based on the chassis and hull of the M41 Walker Bulldog light tank. Unlike the M41, the engine compartment was located at the front, and the track system was notable for lacking the rear idler. The fighting compartment featured a fully-rotating turret, the first in a US SPG, with the driver located on the left. The main armament consisted of a 105-mm M49 howitzer which had a maximum range of 11.3 km, and aside from standard high-explosive rounds, the M55 could also fire anti-tank HEAT rounds if needed. Defensive armament was provided in the form of an M2 Browning machine gun and the all-welded steel armor could also provide protection against small arms. No NPC or amphibious capability was provided. The M55 entered service too late to see action during the Korean War and was replaced by the M108 in the early 1960s, by which time there was a preference for higher caliber (155-mm and over) weapons. Export customers included Germany, Greece, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Spain, and Turkey, the latter which retains it in service (in upgraded form) to this day.

Development of the T98 began in February 1948 with an inital prototype completed in 1950 followed by the T90E1 which eventually became the M52. The M52 went through a similar upgrade process to the M44, with the M52A1 adding a fuel injection system which gave greater speed. The M52T is an upgunned version for Turkish service which features the same Rheinmetall 155-mm 39-caliber gun used on the German M109A3 as well as an MTU diesel engine. The higher recoil also necessitated the installation of a spade.

Preceded by:

M37 HMC (1950)

Succeeded by:

M108 (1962)

Datafile

DesignM52M52A1M52T
TypeSelf-Propelled GunSelf-Propelled GunSelf-Propelled Gun
Year195519561995
Crew555
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)5.80 m5.80 m5.80 m (8.80 m)
Width3.149 m3.149 m3.200 m
Height3.316 m3.316 m3.330 m
Ground Clearance0.491 m0.491 m0.490 m
Track2.602 m2.602 m2.602 m
Track Width533 mm533 mm533 mm
Track on Ground3.793 m3.793 m3.793 m
Weight
Combat24,040 kg24,040 kg29,500 kg
Ground Pressure0.60 kg/cm²0.60 kg/cm²0 kg/cm²
SuspensionTorsion barTorsion barTorsion bar
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)56 km/h68 km/h60 km/h
Range (Off-Road)160 km160 km420 km
AmphibiousNoNoNo
Fording1.22 m1.22 m1.22 m
Vertical Obstacle0.91 m0.91 m0.91 m
Trench1.83 m1.83 m1.83 m
Gradient60%60%60%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 500-hp
Continental
AOS-895-3
1 x 500-hp
Continental
AOS-895-5
1 x 450-hp
MTU
MB 833Aa 501
FuelGasoline: 678 LGasoline: 678 LDiesel: 530 L
Power/Weight20.80 hp/t20.80 hp/t15.25 hp/t
Armament
Main1 x 105-mm L/22
105-mm M49

Howitzer
↑ 65° / ↓ -10° / ↔ 120°
1 x 105-mm L/22
105-mm M49

Howitzer
↑ 65° / ↓ -10° / ↔ 120°
1 x 155-mm L/39
L39 (FH70)

Howitzer
↑ 65° / ↓ -5° / ↔ 120°
SecondaryAnti-Aircraft:
1 x 12.70-mm
M2HB .50 cal
Anti-Aircraft:
1 x 12.70-mm
M2HB .50 cal
:
1 x 12.70-mm
M2HB .50 cal
Ammo12.7-mm: 900
12.7-mm: 900
-
Armor
TypeSteelSteelSteel
Thickness13 - 13 mm13 - 13 mm13 - 13 mm
Max Effective13 - 13 mm RHAe13 - 13 mm RHAe13 - 13 mm RHAe
Hull Upper Front12.7 mm12.7 mm12.7 mm
Hull Lower Front12.7 mm12.7 mm12.7 mm
Hull Top12.7 mm12.7 mm12.7 mm
Hull Bottom12.7 mm12.7 mm12.7 mm
Turret Front12.7 mm12.7 mm12.7 mm
Turret Sides12.7 mm12.7 mm12.7 mm
Turret Rear12.7 mm12.7 mm12.7 mm
Turret Top12.7 mm12.7 mm12.7 mm
Production
Builtn/an/a(365)
Total684

Gallery