Sora 122mm

Self-propelled howitzer 122mm SORA is intended for general fire support of brigade level units. It has been designed to fulfill requirements of the modern battlefield, which means that shoot-and-scoot principle is adopted as the main mode of operation. Sora belongs to TMG - Truck Mounted Gun category of weapons. Self-propelled howitzer SORA features whole upper part of 122mm howitzer D-30J mounted on the rear end of modified FAP 2026 BS/AV truck chassis. Main functions of the weapon system, such as navigation, gun lying, automatic loading of ammunition and deployment, are fully automatic.

Development
The project, which began in 2004, is being undertaken in three phases by the Serbian military technical institute VTI (Vojnotehnicki Institut), responding to requirements set out by the Serbian Ministry of Defence's Planning and Development Directorate.

Fase1
During the first phase the VTI designers undertook studies and embarked on the construction of a functional model of the weapon. After its March roll-out, it underwent a series of initial firing trials, involving about 18 rounds, the first three of which were conducted with reduced charges and the remainder with full charges. In Phase 1 the ammunition is to be loaded by hand. Improvements were subsequently made to the stabilisation system, whose forward-facing stabilisers proved unable to adequately absorb the recoil forces during firing. Another goal was to demonstrate loading of the weapon at all elevation angles, and this was successfully achieved, according to VTI.

Fase2
Automation of most systems including:semi-automatic loader, electro-hydraulic system for barrel, automatic sight automatic deployment. Introducing navigation system and modern fire system. New prototype is made based on development in fase 2 with different cabin and systems armed with 12,7mm RCWS as Secondary armament.

Fase3
Introducing full automatic loader. Possibilities to make other versions and use other guns like 105 mm with 45 calibers barrel.