The G6-52 is a further development of the basic version of the G6 Rhino which was designed and manufactured by the South African defence Company Denel Land Systems. The G6 Rhino, is a South African mine-protected self-propelled howitzer. It was developed as a turreted, self-propelled variant of the G5 howitzer series, mating the gun to a six-wheeled armoured chassis. At the time of its introduction, the G6 was considered one of the most mobile self-propelled howitzers in service. The G6-52 version is armed with a new gun of 155mm/52 calibers to increase firing range and rate of fire. The G6-52 is offered with the Somchem modular charge system (MCS) which can fire the Naschem M2000 Assegai system which includes the V-LAP projectile. With the V-LAP projectile, the system has a range of 67km and a rate of fire of eight rounds a minute.
Welded steel armor of the G6-52 protects against 14.5-mm armor-piercing rounds at the front arc. The general layout of the G6-52 is similar to the current in-service G6 with the driver in the fully enclosed compartment at the front, diesel power pack in the centre and the crew compartment and turret at the very rear of the chassis. Several features distinguish it from the standard G6 Rhino, there is now one single door to each side of the turret, and tow at the rear. Over the frontal arc, protection is provided against firing from 14.5 mm armour piercing fired from a range of 1,000 m. The G6-52 can withstand the detonation of a Russian TN-46 anti-tank mine or an equivalent landmine under each wheels.
The G6-52 was originally developed with 23 and 25 liter chambers, however marketing is now concentrated on the 23 liter chamber, which meets the NATO Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding. The barrel is longer than the standard G6 howitzer. It is also fitted with a fully-automatic ammunition loading and handling system. This artillery system comes with a modular charge system and is compatible with a Denel developed V-LAP rocket assisted projectiles, as well as standard NATO 155-mm ammunition. The G6-52 has a range of 58 km with V-LAP projectile. When firing a high-explosive extended-range full bore projectile maximum range is 33 km. The G6-52 is capable of multiple round simultaneous impact firing. It can fire 5 rounds at 25 km range to hit target simultaneously.
When firing a High Explosive Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB) projectile, a maximum range of 33 km can be obtained. While firing a ERFB Base Bleed (ERFB-BB) projectile, range is increased to 42 km. Firing the latest Velocity enhanced Long range Artillery Projectile (V-LAP), the range increases to 58 km. As well as a complete family of South African Denel Munitions 155 mm projectiles and charges, the G6-52 can also fire more advanced projectiles such as the French/Swedish BONUS top attack smart projectile and the Russian Krasnopol-M laser-guided projectile which has already been successfully test fired. With the appropriate modifications the G6-52 could also fire the recently deployed Raytheon Excalibur 155 mm precision-guided munition that has already been used in Afghanistan.
