Turkish concern ASELSAN has developed a modified 155-mm T-155 Storm “Storm” self-propelled howitzer. The self-propelled installation differs from the basic version with its modernized turret and chassis, as well as improved Turkish-made fire control, communication and navigation systems.

Self-propelled howitzer T-155 Firtina is equipped with a 155 mm cannon with a barrel length of 52 caliber (a little over 8 meters). It can shoot at targets both from closed firing positions and by aiming directly. It also fires both a standard M107 high-explosive high-explosive projectile and an actively reactive M549, and even an extended MOD 274 extended-range (ER) ammunition.

In 2019, its modernized version appeared – the T-155 Firtina II self-propelled gun, which received the designation Next Generation Storm. An advanced fire control system was installed on it, equipped with a more powerful computer. Artillery received advanced control and guidance devices.

The navigation system is capable of automatically determining the position and altitude of the Storm II ACS. This information is entered into the ballistic computer, which also receives data about the temperature of the bullet, howitzer barrel, wind speed and direction, air humidity and atmospheric pressure. Based on the received data, the computer determines the vertical and horizontal aiming angles, and then automatically aims and controls the balance of the gun.

Hydraulic drives for vertical and horizontal steering have been replaced by electric drives. There is also a semi-automatic mode of operation (guidance is carried out using gunner controllers and charging) and manual guidance.

The projectile loading system is fully automatic with ammunition type selection from the commander’s or gunner’s remote control. At the same time, the manipulator moves the projectile in the combat compartment and lowers it into a tray, which moves in a vertical plane. The tray with the bullet rises to the level of the shutter, the bullet is sent to the barrel. The modernized reloading system allows you to increase the rate of fire to 8 shots per minute.

In the turret of the advanced self-propelled gun was placed a remote-controlled SARP weapon module, which also functions as a sight during direct aiming howitzer fire. It is a stabilized platform for mounting 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine guns and 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. The module can be equipped with an automatic target tracking device that provides shooting during movement at both fixed and moving targets. In the retracted position, the module is folded back and fixed to the rear wall of the self-propelled height reduction tower.

The crew of the modernized ACS consists of four people, each with its own display control panel. Driver mechanic received front and rear view cameras and can be made in both television and thermal imaging versions.

At the same time, the length of the new version of the machine increased from 12 to 13.1 m (due to the gun module located in the rear wall of the tower), and its combat weight increased from 46.3 to 48 tons. .

The increase in the efficiency of Fırtına II self-propelled guns is achieved with the carrying and charging machine named Poyraz “North Wind”. It is equipped with a power unit from the M48A5T1 tank with a 12-cylinder V-shaped AVDS-1790 diesel engine connected to the Allison CD-850 automatic transmission.

The crew consists of three people: the commander, the operator and the driver-mechanic, who controls the operation of the mechanisms for transferring shells and charges to self-propelled guns. There are four mechanized conveyors in the lower part of the hull that provide the storage and movement of 96 shells, and the loads are stored in the upper compartment of the cabin. The curb weight of the machine is 47 tons, its length is 9.5 meters, its width is 3.4 meters, and its height is 3.49 meters.