SLWH Pegasus

The Singapore Light Weight Howitzer (SLWH) Pegasus is a 155 mm/39-calibre helicopter-transportable towed howitzer developed jointly by the Singapore Armed Forces, the Defence Science and Technology Agency and ST Kinetics. It was commissioned on 28 October 2005 and replaced the GIAT LG1 105 mm howitzer in Singapore Artillery service.

The gun is normally towed, but carries an integral Lombardini 9LD625-2 auxiliary power unit giving it a short-range self-propelled capability for local repositioning and emplacement. It can be underslung from the Republic of Singapore Air Force's CH-47SD Chinook, making it the first heli-portable self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, and can also be carried internally by C-130 Hercules tactical transports.

Weight reduction was achieved through the use of titanium alloy and aluminium alloy components dimensioned to absorb the recoil forces of a full-calibre 155 mm system. A dedicated recoil management arrangement reduces recoil forces by roughly one third compared with conventional 155 mm howitzers, permitting the lighter structure and a smaller trail and platform footprint. A semi-automatic loading system raises the sustained rate of fire and reduces crew fatigue during prolonged fire missions.

The Pegasus achieves a burst rate of three rounds in 24 seconds and a maximum rate of four rounds per minute. Range with conventional ammunition is approximately 19 km, extending to 30 km with extended-range projectiles.

The Singapore Army conducted the first live firing of the SLWH Pegasus at the artillery range of Waiouru Army Camp, New Zealand, during Exercise Thunder Warrior in January 2006. Singapore remains the sole operator.

The Pegasus was the preferred candidate for the Indian Army's 145-gun ultra-light howitzer requirement. ST Kinetics was subsequently implicated in a corruption case involving the Director General of the Indian Ordnance Factory Board and was blacklisted from the competition, ending the bid.