The Dělo Automobilní Nabíjené Automaticky (self-propelled auto-loading gun), also known as Samohybná Kanónová Húfnica vzor 77 (ShKH-77) (self-propelled gun howitzer model 77) was designed by Konštrukta Trenčín and built by ZTS Dubnica nad Váhom in the former Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) as the first wheeled 152 mm self-propelled artillery gun to enter service. It was introduced in the 1970s. It is based on a modified 8x8 Tatra 813 chassis with excellent cross-country mobility. Currently it is in service with the Czech Republic, Libya, Poland, Georgia and Slovakia.
Wheeled vehicles have the advantage of being cheaper to build and easier to maintain with greater mobility. Tire pressure can be regulated to allow good mobility off-road and there is power-assisted steering on the front four wheels. It lowers 3 hydraulic stabilizers into the ground prior to firing, and has a roof mounted crane to assist with ammunition loading.
The crew of the DANA consists of the driver (operates the hydraulic stabilizers) and commander sitting in the front cabin, the gunner (aims the gun and opens fire) and loader operator (selects the appropriate amount of powder charges) are on the left side of the turret, the ammo handler (sets the shells' primers) is on the right side turret.
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The DANA was designed in the 1970s by Konštrukta Trenčín to fill the role of an indirect fire support weapon without buying the Soviet 2S3 Akatsiya self propelled artillery. In 1976 the team of designers finished work on the DANA project and production was passed to ZTS Dubnica nad Váhom.
It is a 152 mm gun mounted on an 8x8 Tatra T815 truck. It was a significant departure from traditional self-propelled guns as it used a wheeled carriage. It was accepted for service in 1981 and by 1994 over 750 units had been built.
DANA's unique feature is that its autoloader is able to load a shell and a cartridge in any elevation of the barrel. Although this feature is nowadays considered as standard, Dana was one of the first such artillery systems in the time of its introduction to service.
As there is no gyroscopic or similar system for independent, automated and autonomous gun laying of DANA, the gunner of DANA uses panoramic telescope with a horizontal scale to set the appropriate horizontal laying via aiming at directing points. This means there needs to be an additional device to help gun laying of DANA (in fact, the firing positions of such artillery systems are usually prepared BEFORE the guns are stationed there). After laying the gun in horizontal plane, the gunner uses bubbles to level the desired gun elevation.
Currently, there are three main shell types used by Czech Army:
1) 152-EOF, which means "high-explosive" with a maximum range of 18 km
2) 152-EOFd, which means "high-explosive long-range" with a maximum range of 20 km
3) 152-EPrSv, which means "high-explosive anti-tank" used for direct-fire at armored targets
The ShKH Ondava is a development step started during late eighties with a longer 152 mm barrel (47 calibers), new muzzle brake (2 chamber), new loading mechanism etc. Max range is 30 km. The Ondava project ended with the velvet revolution and dissolution of the Czechoslovakian state. Technical experience was carried over to the Zuzana project.
The ShKH MODAN is a Slovak upgrade of DANA with longer range, higher accuracy and rate of fire. The upgrade consists of a new on-board control system that enables higher combat efficiency and reduction of crew from 5 to 4 members.
The DANA-M1 CZ is a Czech upgrade of the DANA, developed by Excalibur Army from Prague. The upgrade package consists of a new fire control system, new navigation aids and a modified chassis with T3-930 engine.[1]
The Slovak ShKH Zuzana has been modified with a 155 mm gun (45 calibers) to conform to NATO standards. First adopted by the Slovak Army in 1998, the Slovak Army currently possesses 16 such units with plans to adopt more.[2] The M2000G is a version for the Cypriot National Guard with different signals equipment, 76mm smoke grenade launchers and an MG3 7.62mm machine gun instead of the NSVT of 12.7mm. It entered service in 2001.
The ShKH Himalaya is an adaptation of the system to a tracked chassis required by export customers. It is essentially a tracked variant of ShKH Zuzana with the same 155 mm turret mounted on a T-72 chassis with S1000 engine.[3]
Initially known as Zuzana A1 and then Zuzana XA-1, this is the latest development of the Zuzana. It was unveiled for the first time in 2004. This model is fitted with a 155/52 ordnance and has other improvements such as a reworked turret and a different engine: the Tatra T3B-928.70 of 330 kW.[4]
The DANA was used by the Georgian army during the 2008 South Ossetia war.
4-9 DANA's are thought to have been destroyed by a Russian air strike. According to Russian sources 3 were captured.
Poland has used its artillery systems in Afghanistan
"152 mm ShKH Dana vz.77". GlobalSecurity.Org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/dana.htm. Retrieved May 27, 2006.
"MODAN - 152 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer". www.kotadef.sk. http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_03.html. Retrieved October 10, 2007.
"ZUZANA - 155 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer". www.kotadef.sk. http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_04.html. Retrieved October 10, 2007.
"HIMALAYA - 155 mm Self-propelled Gun Howitzer". www.kotadef.sk. http://www.kotadef.sk/uk_04_02.html. Retrieved October 10, 2007.
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