ENTER THE PEGASUS
PHOTO // Lum Ngia and Chua Soon Lye
Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean commissioned the world's first self-propelled and heli-portable 155mm light weight howitzer on 28 Oct.
The Singapore Light Weight Howizter (SLWH) Pegasus, the newest addition to the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) Artillery formation, is in a class of its own.
An independent engine unit mounted on the gun gives it short-range self-propelled capability, making the Pegasus a versatile platform that can be quickly configured for ground movement.
It can also be deployed for field firing in less than three minutes.
Made from strong but lightweight materials, the gun can be comfortably airlifted by the CH-47D Chinook helicopter or flown in the C130 Hercules plane.
Jointly developed by the SAF, the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) and Singapore Technologies (Kinetics) (ST Kinetics), the 39-calibre howitzer delivers range and firepower comparable to heavier systems like the Primus and the FH-88.
Weighing 5.4 tonnes, the Pegasus is slated to replace the older 105mm light guns in the SAF.
Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean learns more about the capabilities of the Pegasus, the world's first heli-portable 155 mm howitzer with a self-propelled capability.
Speaking to the media after he launched the gun, Mr Teo said that with the Pegasus, the SAF can bring heavy firepower further into the field, to support the troops more quickly.
"This is a very unique howitzer because it has its own power unit which gives it self-mobility in the field. This is something other light weight howitzers of its class, do not have."
"This unusual degree of mobility makes it very survivable, and more able to support our forces in the field," he added.
The minister also highlighted the healthy tripartite relationship of the SAF, DSTA and ST Kinetics.
"The Pegasus is an indication of how we can combine the knowledge of good people in the technology and combat fields, to build something that will enable us to develop a 3G SAF," he said.
The men of the 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery (23 SA) will be the first to use the Pegasus. It will be fully phased into other artillery units over the next few years.
1. Auxillary Power Unit (APU) An independent engine unit provides it with a short-range self-propelled capability, up to a speed of 12 km/hr.
2. Ammunition Loading System With the APU, ammunition is automatically loaded into the gun, reducing fatigue on the crew and increasing their sustainability on the battlefield.
3. Mechanical Sight An advanced mechanical sight withstands firing shocks of up to 90 times the force of gravity (or 90G), critical for sustained operations given the system's lightweight structure.
4. Innovative Recoil Management A unique design system brings the recoil of the gun down a third lower than conventional 155mm howitzers.
5. Ease of deployment The Pegasus is easily configured for mobility, firing and heli-lifting. With just eight men, it takes less than three minutes to quickly engage the gun for deployment.
The flight of the Pegasus - The new light weight howizter can be easily lifted by a Chinook helicopter.
Maximum Range: 19 km (conventional); 30 km (extended range)
Rate of fire:
Burst rate: 3 rounds in 24 seconds
Maximum rate: 4 rounds per minute for 3 minutes
Sustain rate: 2 rounds per minute for 30 minutes
Number of crew: 6 - 8
Mobility:
Self-propelled: 12 km/hr (maximum)
Towed (cross-country): 50 km/hr (maximum)
Towed (paved): 70 km/hr (maximum)
Towing vehicle type: 5 tonnes; 7 tonnes
Engine: 21 kW Lombardini 9LD625-2
Air transportability:
Fixed wing: C-130
Rotary Wing: CH-47D
Find out more at Singapore Light Weight Howitzer Pegasus microsite.
