Dana ShKH vz. 77 - Tatra - self-propelled howitzer

thingiverse

The DANA, a wheeled self-propelled artillery piece with the name derived from "dělo automobilní nabíjené automaticky" (gun on truck loaded automatically), rolls off the production line as a mobile force multiplier. Also known as the Samohybná Kanónová Húfnica vzor 77 (ShKH vz. 77), it's a self-propelled gun howitzer model that was designed by Konštrukta Trenčín and built by ZTS Dubnica nad Váhom in what is now Slovakia, formerly Czechoslovakia. Introduced in the 1970s, it marked the first wheeled 152 mm self-propelled artillery gun to enter service, a game-changer in its class. Riding on an 8x8 Tatra 813 chassis modified for maximum mobility, it conquers terrain with ease. Wheeled vehicles like the DANA have the distinct advantage of being built at a lower cost and requiring less maintenance than their tracked counterparts, while offering superior mobility. Tire pressure can be adjusted to ensure smooth operation off-road, and power-assisted steering on all four front wheels provides added stability. Before firing, three hydraulic stabilizers are lowered into position for maximum accuracy, and an overhead crane helps with ammunition loading. The DANA crew consists of the driver, who operates the hydraulic stabilizers from the front cabin, alongside the commander. On the left side of the turret are the gunner, responsible for aiming the gun and firing, and the loader operator, who selects the precise amount of powder charges needed. Meanwhile, on the right side turret is the ammo handler, tasked with setting the shells' primers.