GCT-45
| GCT-45 | |
|---|---|
 A GCT-45 | |
| Type | Self-Propelled Artillery |
| Place of origin |  Sieuxerr |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1983-Present |
| Used by | Sieuxerr |
| Production history | |
| Designer | GIAT Industries |
| Designed | 1982 |
| Manufacturer | GIAT Industries |
| Produced | 1983- |
| Specifications (GCT-45 AUF2) | |
| Weight | 45.6 tonnes (Basic) 49.3 tonnes (Combat) |
| Length | 6.8 m (w/o gun) 10.35 m (w/ gun) |
| Width | 3.3 m |
| Height | 3.29 m |
| Crew | 4 (Commander, gunner, driver, loader) |
| Shell | 155 mm |
| Shell weight | 44.5 kg (M1734 HE) |
| Caliber | 155 mm 52 caliber |
| Breech | Full automatic Interrupted screw with automated rammer and loader |
| Elevation | -4°/+68° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | Burst: 8 rounds for 40 seconds Sustained: 10 rounds per minute for 2 minutes Maximum: 6 rounds per minute for 60 seconds |
| Effective firing range | 34 km with M1734 HE |
| Maximum firing range | 50 km with M1693 RAP |
| Armor | Laminated steel |
Main armament | GIAT AC155/52 (43 rounds) |
Secondary armament | TPz-4 w/ M26 LHMG (500 rounds) |
| Engine | 8-cylinder diesel engine 1,200 horsepower (894 kW) |
| Power/weight | 24.3 hp/t (18.1 kW/t) |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
| Ground clearance | .4 meters |
| Fuel capacity | 1,300 ℓ |
Operational range | 550 km |
| Speed | 60 km/h |
The GCT-45 is a modern self-propelled artillery gun fielded by the Sieuxerrian Army. It replaced artillery systems built on the R52 and the AMX-13 platforms, and supplements the Skan-1 as the primary brigade level self-propelled artillery gun for mechanized and armored formations, with the Skan-1 being used as divisional level artillery support due to its highly impressive rate of fire.
Design
The GCT-45 has a 43-round magazine. It includes 43 rounds and 43 charges. The 155mm ammunition used by the GCT-45 is separate loading, meaning that charge and shell are loaded separate, unlike conventional ammunition which is fixed loading as it is sat in a case. The gun produces no spent casing after firing, allowing for rapid follow up loading to sustain barrages.
It has a max rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute for two minutes, or 6 rounds per minute for sixty minutes for sustained fire. It is capable of a 6 round burst in 40 seconds, allowing for multiple rounds, simultaneous impact capabilities.
Most rounds can be fitted with new, guided fuzes which had been tested to drop the CEP of many shells from over 200 meters to under 40 meters.
From 1999 onward, a new modular charge system was introduced to replace all other charges used by towed and self-propelled 155mm howitzers. Not only did these charges decrease the logistical demand, these charges also out performed the older charge systems by noticeable margins.
Ammunition
- M1732 HE
- First improved 155mm ammunition. Capable of being fired ranges up to 24 kilometers.
- M1732A1 HE
- Improved ammunition and current production model. Fires up to 30 kilometers.
- M1734 HE
- Brand new designed HE shell. Can be fired to ranges of 34 kilometers.
- M1287 FB-ER
- Full-bore extended range shell with a range of 42 kilometers.
- M1693 RAP
- Rocket assisted projectile with a range of 50 kilometers.
- M932 HICON-SMK
- High concentrated smoke round. Used for defensive and offensive fire support.
- M1013 WP-SMK
- White phosphorous munition widely used for anti-infantry purposes. Also has defensive smoke capabilities.
- M1382 ILLUM
- Illumination round. Used for night-time target acquisition and also adjustment of fire.
- M1928 DPICM
- Dual-purpose, improved conventional munition for engagement of both armor and infantry vehicles.
- M2018 CEM
- Chemical round, production only to replace outdated stocks.
- M1472 APERS-T
- Artillery munition used for engage exposed infantry. Carriers 12,000 8-grain steel flechettes.
- Mk. 239
- Nuclear artillery munition, no longer produced.
- Mk. 239 II
- Current production munition. Can be used with smart artillery fuzes.
- M2017A1 CAPEM
- CAPteur amorcéEs Munitions d'artillerie. Sensor fuzed 'smart' guided munition that uses top-down attack CE munitions. Used for counter-battery and anti-armor roles. Has a max range of 35 kilometers.
- M2017A1 CAPEM
- Secondary improvement model. Range extended to 40 kilometers.
- M2017A1/II CAPEM
- HE variant, used to strike targets where collateral damage needs to be kept to a minimum. Has been demonstrated both in test and combat with a CEP of less than 4 meters.
- M2017A2 CAPEM
- Latest development of CAPEM. Has a max range of 55 kilometers.