NORA prepares to ship out for shoot-off
NORA B-52 M21 fires in an April 2021 accuracy test. (Photo: Global Ordnance)
Serbian self-propelled howitzer will compete in US Army shoot-off.
The US Army is poised to evaluate the NORA B-52 M21 155mm howitzer, after Serbia-based manufacturer Yugoimport-SDSR and US firm Global Ordnance completed accuracy firing tests before the weapon is shipped out.
NORA will be involved against other types of mobile howitzer in a ‘shoot-off’ evaluation at the Yuma Proving Grounds, to determine which systems best fit US Army requirements.
The self-propelled howitzer was previously ordered by Bangladesh, Cyprus and Serbia, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
In 2018, the US Army announced it was seeking a more mobile, lethal and survivable replacement for its in-service towed M777 howitzers. An RfP followed in July 2020.
‘The best performers may be asked to provide proposals for the production, delivery, fielding, training, and support for use by the United States Army,’ Global Ordnance noted in a 13 April announcement.
The Serbian howitzer will compete against Elbit Systems of America (with ATMOS Iron Sabre), BAE Systems (Archer) and Nexter (Caesar) in the shoot-off.
Interest was also reported (but not confirmed) in late 2020 from South Korea (Hanwha with its K9 Thunder) and Japan (Mitsubishi Type 19 prototype), as well as South Africa (Denel G6 Rhino) and Slovakia (ZTS Dana).
The NORA B-52 M21 being prepared for the US trials has undergone upgrades to its chassis and to the fully automatic loader, to ensure compatibility with US Army propellant charges.
LTC (ret) John Summers, Global Ordnance director of programmes, said after the latest test: ‘It was an impressive system to see with the upgraded chassis and auto loader upgrade. The system performed flawlessly through the accuracy firing test.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles]()
Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
-
![Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options]()
Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.
-
![Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions]()
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
![Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs]()
Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs
The Leopard is becoming the tank of choice in central and eastern Europe as Croatia joins Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Hungary in ordering the platform. Lithuania and Croatia have also signed for CAESAR howitzers.
-
![Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)]()
Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)
A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.
