Following extensive trials over several years with a testbed of a 155 mm/45 calibre 8×8 self-propelled gun (SPG), Yugoimport then commenced work on a new 155 mm/52 calibre system with the first prototype completed in 2003. This is designated the NORA B-52.

The first testbed is designated the self-propelled 155/45 mm NORA B M96 and is fitted with a 155 mm/45 calibre barrel that, firing an extended range full bore-base bleed (ERFB-BB) projectile M98, enables a maximum range of 39 km to be achieved.

Late in 2004 it was disclosed that development of the NORA B-52 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled gun had been successfully completed and an undisclosed customer had placed the first export order for an undisclosed quantity of systems.

It has been disclosed that the first batch of production systems are based on a Russian (8×8) chassis.

The platform used in the system is based on a locally designed and manufactured FAP 2882 (8×8) cross-country chassis with a forward control cab that was originally developed as a cargo truck but was subsequently used for a wide range of other applications. This includes the 262 mm (12-round) LRSV M-87 'Orkan' multiple rocket launcher, which is covered in a separate entry.

This chassis has good cross-country mobility and is fitted with a central tyre-pressure-regulation system that allows the driver to adjust the tyre pressure to suit terrain being crossed. The fully enclosed forward control two-door cab can be tilted forwards to allow access to the power pack for maintenance purposes.

Other previous applications for the FAP chassis include the 262 mm (12-round) LRSV M-87 'Orkan' multiple rocket launcher system that was developed in the late 1990s in association with Iraq. This was only built in small quantities.

Some of the SPG crew are carried in the cab with the remainder being seated in a fully enclosed pod to the immediate rear of the cab. To the rear of this is ammunition stowage that carries 36 155 mm projectiles, combustible charges and fuzes.

The 155 mm/45 mm calibre ordnance is mounted on a turntable at the very rear of the chassis with a shield, and is normally traversed to the front to reduce the overall length of the system for travelling.

When deployed in action the weapon is normally fired over the rear arc. The prototype chamber has a capacity of 22.5 litres with the ordnance having 48 grooves and maximum pressure of powder gases being 3,000 bars.

To provide a more stable firing platform, four hydraulic stabilisers are lowered to the ground by remote control, two either side of the chassis. These are positioned to the rear of the second and forth axles.

Elevation is from -3 to +51° at a maximum rate of 20 mils/s, while traverse is 30° left and right at a maximum speed of 100 mils/s. Elevation and traverse are electro-hydraulic with manual controls provided as a back up.

According to Yugoimport, the system has a maximum rate of fire of up to five rounds per minute and it takes three minutes to come into action. A burst round of three 155 mm projectiles can be fired in 20 seconds due to the installation of a semi-automatic gun hydraulic rammer.

The vehicle can be fitted with a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun on the roof for local protection and two banks of 82 mm electrically-operated smoke grenade launchers are integrated into the platform. A camouflage net is carried, which provides protection in a number of radiation bands including visible, near infra-red, thermal and radar.

The system is provided with power elevation and traverse and is fitted with a flick rammer to reduce crew fatigue. Information from the battery fire-control system is sent to the gun display unit on the weapon.

The new 155 mm/52 calibre NORA B-52 system is similar to the current testbed but incorporates a number of improvements as a result of the field trials and will be almost to production standard. This includes a new breech block with a new self-sealing system.

Yugoimport also markets this system with a flexible battery level computerised fire-control system.

For many years the former Yugoslav Army fielded the 152 mm gun-howitzer M84/M84B1/M84B1 which in turn was based on the Russian 152 mm D-20 towed system. There was also a conversion of the Russian 130 mm M-46 to a 155 mm 45 calibre system, but this never entered production.