Design of the T-155 centers around the power 155mm L52 main gun (in a revised turret structure when compared to the South Korean K9). The weapon is a highly effective, and accurate long-range artillery weapon utilized to lob large-caliber projectiles against enemy target areas. The 155mm projectile is a massive round (requiring multiple crew to handle) and can be equipped with a variety of payloads beyond the standard High-Explosive (HE) round and includes chemical, armor-piercing, anti-fortification, illumination and smoke types. The weapon's far reach allows the T-155 to operate well behind active frontlines and attack targets with relative impunity (assuming air superiority). The main gun lists a range of 40 kilometers though this varies based on the type of ammunition being fired and additional support granted from rocket-assisted munitions. The rear of the turret features access panels which open to accept live rounds and jettison spent shell casings. Self-defense of the T-155 against enemy infantry and low-flying aircraft (such as attack helicopters) is through a 12.7mm Browning heavy machine gun. When in transport mode, the main gun barrel is seated in the included barrel lock which prevents the barrel from moving.
Power for the T-155 is provided by a German-designed MTU-881 KA 500 diesel-fueled engine of 1,000 horsepower (as in the K9 Thunder). This results in a top road speed of 40 miles per hour and an operational range of 300 miles - specifications keeping it on par with modern Turkish mechanized forces. This makes the T-155 a tactically flexible weapon system and broadens Turkish military prowess considerably - no successful modern army is without its self-propelled 155mm gun system.
Outside of the Turkish Army, the T-155 has garnered interest from the Azerbaijani Army - they having since placed an order for as many as 40 units. Turkish authorities have planned an ammunition vehicle development based on the successful T-155 chassis (sans its turret and gun system of course). The ammunition vehicle will work in conjunction with the T-155 by directly supplying available projectiles through the rear of the turret to feed sustained fire. In this fashion, the already formidable T-155 will be made more valuable.
The Turkish Army has been actively using its T-155 inventory against Kurdish rebels since 2007 and has used T-155s to fire rounds into Syrian territory in response to attacks originating from its southern neighbor (as related to the 2011 Syrian people's uprising).
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