Land Weapons

Self-Propelled Gun (1973)

Soltam

L-33 Ro'em

L-33 Ro'em

The L-33 Ro'em was one of the many post-war adaptations of the M4 Sherman tank, in this case a 155-mm self-propelled howitzer. The chassis used is that of the M4A3E8 variant of the Sherman which is notable for having a horizontal volute spring suspension as well as a Cummins VT 8-460-Bi diesel engine. The Ro'em's hull is a large superstructure that appears overlaid to the the M4 hull. The driver is seated at the front left with the commander seated behind and above the driver. The rest of the, rather extensive, crew of eight enters the fighting compartment through a single hatch on each side of the vehicle. Main armament consists of a Soltam M-68 33-caliber howitzer which has a maximum range of 21 km and a rate of fire of six rounds per minute in burst mode, achieved thanks to a pneumatic lifting/loading mechanism. A .30-in M1919A4 machine gun is also fitted for defensive armament. The Ro'em entered service sometime before the 1973 Yom Kippur War where it is believed some were used in combat. It was also used during the 1982 Lebanon Civil War. It was eventually phased out with the introduction of the US-supplied M109.

The L-33 Ro'em was developed in the early 1970s, based on the M-68 33-caliber howitzer. A longer 39-caliber weapon known as the M-71 was also produced but it is not believed to have been used in a self-propelled mount.

Preceded by:

None

Related:

M4 Sherman (1942)

Succeeded by:

None

Datafile

DesignL-33
NameRo'em
TypeSelf-Propelled Gun
Year1973
Crew8
Dimensions
Length (w/Gun)20 ft 12 in (28 ft 1 in)
Width10 ft 11½ in
Height0 ft 0½ in
Ground Clearance1 ft 5 in
Track6 ft 11 in
Track Width23 in
Track on Ground12 ft 3½ in
Weight
Combat91,492 lbs
Ground Pressure11.81 psi
SuspensionVertical volute spring
Performance
Speed (Off-Road)23 mph
Range (Off-Road)162 mi
AmphibiousNo
Fording3 ft 12 in
Vertical Obstacle2 ft 12 in
Trench8 ft 7 in
Gradient60%
Powerplant
Engine1 x 460-hp
Cummins
VT 8-460-Bi
FuelDiesel: 217 gal
Power/Weight11.08 hp/t
Armament
Main1 x 155-mm L/33
M-68

Howitzer
↑ 52° / ↓ -3° / ↔ 60°
Secondary1000:
1 x 7.62-mm
M1919A4 .30 cal
Armor
TypeSteel
Thickness12 - 64 mm
Max Effective12 - 64 mm RHAe
Production
Built200
Total200

Gallery