Russian models. Russian tracked self-propelled systems are currently at a disadvantage due to a decrease in world interest in 152-mm caliber, whose ballistic characteristics are significantly inferior to the latest 155-mm weapons. Despite this, a lot of C219 Msta-S and 2S5 Hyacinth-S vehicles remain in service with many countries and can currently benefit from the appearance of guided projectiles. Modified versions with 155mm / 45 caliber (2S19M) or 155mm / 52 caliber guns are offered, but no orders have been announced.
The FH77B05 from BAE Systems Bofors is not currently in series production, but is one of two final contenders for a large Indian Army program.
Wheeled self-propelled systems
And again, the two main classes differ in combat weight (less or more than 25 tons), as well as the fact that the crew can fire while sitting in the cockpit (that is, under the protection of armor) or must dismount to work with the system.
Vehicle models over 25 tonnes that, as noted, increasingly compete directly with at least lower-end tracked systems include:
ZTS ZUZANA (Czech Republic). ZUZANA is a modified 155-mm version of the 152-mm DANA system, which, at the time of its appearance in the late 70s, was the world's first artillery system on a wheeled chassis (high-pass Tatra 815 8x8 truck). ZUZANA was delivered to Slovakia (became the first former Warsaw Pact country to adopt a 155-mm self-propelled system) and to Cyprus in a variant with a 155-mm / 45 caliber gun and a semi-automatic loading mechanism. Since then, this variant has been replaced in the company's catalog by a more advanced model with a 52 caliber cannon and an automatic loader.
Denel G6 (South Africa). The G6 became the world's first system on a wheeled chassis and, with a combat weight of 47 tons, remains the heaviest. A total of 145 systems were manufactured for three countries (43 for South Africa, 78 for the UAE and 24 for Oman) in the original version with a 45 caliber cannon. A new version with a 52 caliber barrel (G6-52) is currently being produced; the basic version with a 23-liter combustion chamber has a maximum range of 53 km. The Extended Range variant (increased range) with a 25-liter chamber has a range of up to 67 km with VLAP ammunition.
Nexter recently unveiled an improved version of the Mk2 with the well-known 105mm LG1 cannon.
Coalition-SV (modified 2S19M Msta-S) was an intriguing Russian concept with a very high rate of fire (15 - 18 rounds / min). It is achieved through a double-barreled configuration, automatic loader and 50 rounds of ammunition. The prototype was shown to the political and military leaders in 2007, but the program appears to have been stopped.
BAE Systems Bofors ARCHER (Sweden). ARCHER is an articulated vehicle with a combat weight of 30 tons, the mass of an artillery module is 13.1 tons. The gun is an elongated version (52 caliber) of the barrel of the FH77B towed howitzer, it is mounted on a Volvo A30D 6x6 truck chassis.
The ARCHER has a sophisticated autoloader with 20 ready shots that can be fired in 2.5 minutes, but unlike the ZUZANA or G6, the howitzer does not have a 360 ° turret. On the other hand, it has an important advantage - it is completely controlled from an armored cabin. Calculation of 4 people (2 people can serve in a critical situation). Work outside is only necessary when replenishing 20 rounds of ammunition.
ARCHER is currently in serial production for the Swedish and Norwegian armies, which have ordered 24 systems each.
SCG NORA B52 (Serbia). The NORA B52 is a self-propelled system with a combat weight of 31 tons, including 36 rounds of ammunition, mounted on a 155-mm / 52-caliber cargo platform. It is offered either on the Serbian FAP 2882 8x8 chassis (Mercedes license) or on the Russian Kamaz 63501. The newest version of the K1 has a fully automatic ammunition supply system, allowing a rate of fire of 6 rounds / min. Another feature is the double armored cabins to protect the crew on the march and during firing. The gun, apparently of its own design, shoots all types of NATO ammunition and has a maximum range of over 42 km when firing a projectile with an ERFB / BB bottom gas generator.
It is reported that the NORA B52 will go into service with the Serbian army, but it is not included in the latest official lists. 36 systems have been sold to Myanmar, and another recent order includes 20 systems for Kenya.
The range of lightweight (less than 25 tonnes) self-propelled wheeled systems has been constantly expanding over the past few years, although only two have actually received the status of a production model.
Nexter CAESAR (France). The trend-setting howitzer for a whole category of truck mounted artillery systems. CAESAR has a 155-mm / 52 caliber gun and an own weight of 15.8 tons (including 3 tons of recoil masses), the combat weight is 17.7 tons, so it can be transported by the C-130 transport. CAESAR is a so-called "integrated" self-propelled system, that is, it transports a gun, 18 rounds of ammunition and an MSA / command and control system (ATLAS in the version for the French army) on one chassis. A crew of 5 is housed in a protected cockpit while driving, but the implement is usually serviced outside.
The total order book includes 72 systems for France to replace 155 TRF1 towed howitzers (deliveries completed), six for Thailand (plus an option for 12-18 units) and 80-100 units for the Saudi Arabian National Guard (deliveries are in progress).
Norinco SH1 (China). The system was shown in 2007 and is designed specifically for the export market. SH1 is a 155mm / 52 caliber gun mounted on a 6x6 truck chassis. With a combat weight of 22 tons, including 20 rounds of ammunition, the SH1 has a crew of 5, which is housed in a protected cabin while driving. The gun is described as capable of firing any NATO standard ammunition, as well as an ERFB-HE with a bottom gas generator or rockets plus a 155mm variant of the Krasnopol laser-guided projectile. It is reported that approximately 90 SH1 howitzers are in service in Pakistan.
Other truck-mounted howitzers currently available on the market include Soltam ATMOS (Israel), Norinco SH2 (China) and Singapore Technologies LWSPH (Singapore). None of them has yet reached a commercial breakthrough, however, their characteristics and capabilities are subject to a constant process of change, as manufacturers constantly strive to make them more attractive.
Samsung's K9 THUNDER is mass-produced for the South Korean army, while a derivative version of the T155 FIRTINA is supplied to the Turkish army.
BONUS from BAE Systems Bofors and Nexter is a smart 155 mm projectile designed to destroy armored vehicles. Its hull contains two sub-shells with sensor fuses, and it also has a gas generator that increases the range to 35 km. Once the projectiles are fired over the target area, each one searches for and identifies a target in a circle with a diameter of 200 meters, processing the image obtained from infrared sensors operating at several frequencies, and then comparing the results with data obtained from the laser radar (LADAR). The profile of the target is determined and then it is compared with the data received from the IR sensors, thereby the combat targets can be separated from the fake ones. After detecting and identifying a target inside the zone, it is destroyed by an EFP (Explosively Formed Penetrator) warhead
Towed artillery
The list of drawbacks attributed to towed howitzers is very long. They take too long to take up and leave positions and are thus hardly suited to the "fire and run" tactics on which modern artillery doctrines are based on avoiding counter-battery fire. They have very poor tactical mobility in rough terrain. The considerable overall length of the tractor + towed howitzer impairs traffic on winding roads or in urban areas. And they have no protection whatsoever for their calculation.
Despite this, and despite the increasing competition from wheeled SGs, claims that towed artillery is dying or has already died is in fact slightly premature. Many users are still interested in the positive qualities of towed howitzers: stability and survivability in all combat conditions, ease of operation, the most modest logistic needs, and last but not least, the cost of procurement and deployment. In addition, artillery tugs are basically standard military trucks that can also be used for other purposes when they do not need to do their direct job. Needless to say, this is not at all the case with truck-mounted artillery systems. In addition, in operational terms, light towed howitzers remain indispensable in certain geographic conditions and / or for certain units, as was clearly demonstrated in Afghanistan.
Approximately 2/3 of the world's artillery fleet is represented by towed models, including about 11,000 155-mm howitzers. And at present, a certain number of programs are being carried out to modernize or replace existing samples. New developments focus on high performance 52 or 45 howitzers on the one hand and so-called ultralight models on the other. Currently active 155mm howitzers programs include:
BAE Systems Bofors FH 77B05 L52 (Sweden). The FH 77B05 L52 (NATO standard 52 barrel) is a further development of the successful FH 77B02 L39. A longer barrel and a larger chamber leads to an increase in the range of more than 40 km. The howitzer uses modular and cartridge charges and can be fired with a new generation of intelligent ammunition. The on-board ballistic computer allows you to calculate firing data, perform automatic targeting and fire control, automatic entry of ammunition data and meteorological data. The FH 77BO5 L52 has its own ground navigation system, eliminating the need for observation and sighting, which reduces operating costs.
The FH 77B05 L52 is currently not in service and has not been ordered by any country, but it is one of two contenders for a large Indian order for the purchase of 400 units and further local production of 1180 more systems. The FH 77B05 L52 is being offered for India by the new Defense Land Systems India, a joint venture between BAE Systems and Mahindra & Mahindra.
Norinco PLL01 (China). Based on the earlier GHN-45 (45 caliber barrel), the PLL01 was produced in the first batch of 54 systems to re-equip the artillery regiment of the Chinese army. It is sold for export with the APU (12 tons) or without it (9, 8 tons), as well as in a light version of the GM-45.
NIKE T155 PANTER. Developed in Turkey with some support from Singapore-based STK, the T155 PANTER is mass-produced for the Turkish army to gradually replace the old M114. The final demand is reportedly 138 pieces, but production has already exceeded 225 pieces. The first export order was also received from Pakistan for the supply of 12 PANTER howitzers.
The PANTER is the heaviest (14 tons) and longest (11.6 m in towed position) 155 mm / 52 caliber howitzer among modern models. It is also arguably one of the fastest thanks to its 160hp APU and a top speed of 18 km / h. She has a reduced crew of 5 people, she can fire 3 shots in 15 seconds.
Soltam ATHOS (Israel). Developed as a private program with no announced orders to date, ATHOS is unique in being the only modern towed howitzer with 39, 45 or 52 barrels. Barrel replacement requires minimal modification. It is also offered both with and without the APU. It is also the only 155mm towed howitzer to have a 180 ° horizontal firing sector compared to a conventional 60 - 70 ° sector.
STK FH2000 (Singapore). Developed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics for the Singapore Army, the FH2000 is based on the previous 155mm / 39 caliber FH88 and is the first 155mm / 52 towed howitzer to enter service in the world (1993). She has a crew of 8 people, a diesel APU with a capacity of 75 hp. allows you to move independently at a speed of 10 km / h. The howitzer can fire at a maximum range of 42 km using extended-range ammunition. The shutter mechanism is semi-automatic, that is, the shutter opens automatically during the roll-over. Electronically controlled, hydraulically driven, the impulse rammer sends the projectile into the chamber with a high level of consistency.
Production for the local market appears to have been completed; over 50 systems were manufactured. Several FH2000s have been sold to Indonesia. The howitzer competes with the FH77 B05 L52 in the Indian program.
DONAR by KMW / GDELS combines an AGM turret with a 155mm / 52 caliber gun on a modified ASCOD chassis. Sophisticated automation solutions allow DONAR to have a two-person calculation
The M982 EXCALIBUR guided projectile "prepares" to fire
GDSBS SIAC (Spain). The newest 155-mm / 52-caliber howitzer manufactured by General Dynamics Santa Barbara Systemas has such improvements as, for example, the APU and a semi-automatic loader mechanism, which allows a maximum rate of fire of 10 rounds / min versus 4-6 rounds / min for other systems in this class and maintains a continuous fire 60 shots for 30 minutes. The howitzer is set to position in 120 seconds and is ready to fire in 90 seconds. SIAC is in service in Spain and Colombia, and serial production continues.
The new ultralight class (HLW) includes two models:
BAE Systems M777A1 / M777A2 (UK / USA). The M777A1 / A2 155mm / 39 caliber howitzer is in service and in serial production for the US Army (273 ordered) and the Marine Corps (380 ordered), as well as Canada (37) and Australia (57).
The M777 is the world's first artillery system to make extensive use of titanium and aluminum alloys. Weighing less than 10,000 pounds (4,220 kg), it is the world's lightest 155mm howitzer, a field gun that weighs half the conventional 155mm system. The light weight allows the M777 to be quickly deployed to any theater of operations, including helicopters. The gun is currently being deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, and will also receive a new M982 EXCALIBUR guided munition developed by Raytheon and BAE Systems, it has a maximum range of 40 km and an accuracy of 10 meters. The calculation for the M777 consists of 5 people, the howitzer has a maximum rate of fire of 5 rounds / min.
STK SLWH PEGASUS (Singapore). The PEGAGUS can be described as an intriguing "semi-self-propelled" system thanks to the presence of a 21 kW engine that allows the implement to move independently at a speed of 12 km / h. The total weight of 5, 4 tons is easily compatible with transportation on the suspension of a cargo helicopter. The system has a calculation of 6 - 8 people, 3 shots are fired in 24 seconds. 54 PEGASUS systems are in service with the Singapore army.
The 155-m / 52 caliber Norinco SH1 system installed on the truck, in the photo, fires direct fire. In service with Pakistan
Serbian NORA B52 is shown in the photo. This is the newest variant with armored front and rear cabins, which provide protection to the crew while moving and firing. Before entering service with its own army, NORA B52 won two import orders
The emergence of MRSI
Until recently (and this is still the case in many countries), artillery systems could rely mainly on high-explosive or cluster shells to deliver impact to the target, with only one exception for the notoriously unreliable laser-guided shells such as COPPERHEAD. Thus, the final effectiveness of artillery fire depended, and still depends to a very large extent, on such factors as the quality of the gun, the internal and external characteristics of the ammunition and its destructive power, the training and professionalism of the artillery crew and forward observers, as well as the speed and effectiveness. the whole process of transferring and calculating data for shooting.
Taking into account the multiple influence of the above factors, organizing and conducting effective artillery fire was still (relatively) easy task against stationary / slowly moving or unarmored targets, but became almost impossible on fast-moving, well-armored, point targets, such as MBT, especially when impossibility of sighting. As a result, the firing guidelines determined, for example, the need to fire at least 30 155mm rounds to cover an area of 100 x 100 m, on which three or four heavy armored vehicles are located.
The above problems are currently getting worse due to political and operational implications. On the one hand, the ban on cluster munitions virtually eliminates what could be the main tool for correcting the lack of accuracy inherent in artillery fire in the final section of the trajectory, that is, a massive strike on the target area. On the other hand, the increasing deployment of artillery assets in asymmetric and counterinsurgency scenarios makes it imperative to keep indirect losses to a minimum. Fortunately, a number of technological developments come to the rescue.
First of all, the appearance of a NATO standard 155mm / 52 caliber configuration with a 23 liter chamber represents an optimal compromise between weight and size on the one hand and ballistic performance on the other. Automatic or semi-automatic loading systems allow you to fire 3 rounds in less than 20 seconds and fire 6 rounds / min continuously for several minutes.
Secondly, and what is also important, a new generation of intelligent ammunition is being introduced, which have sub-projectiles controlled on the final trajectory or have sensor fuses (remote) or, at least, the ability to adjust the trajectory. Programs such as SMArt, BONUS, EXCALIBUR, Krasnopol, Kitolov 2 or SPACIDO currently provide the ability to destroy armored vehicles on the move, as well as destroy fast-moving targets or threats in urban environments without destroying everything that is around.
In parallel, GPS-based ground navigation systems are becoming widespread, along with command and control devices and OMS, allowing artillery to take up positions to fire much faster and then fire accurately. In this regard, it is especially important to use control systems for automatically transmitting target coordinates to artillery command posts and then transmitting orders to open fire to individual guns so that the latter already have all the necessary information about the target and the number of shells even before taking the prescribed positions for firing. This actually transforms each individual artillery system into an almost autonomous one and allows you to hit the target from the first shots without the need to shoot sighting ammunition.
The end result of all of the above is the concept of MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact - simultaneous impact of several projectiles. The angle of inclination of the barrel changes and all projectiles fired within a certain time interval arrive at the target simultaneously). Around the clock, in any weather, without zeroing in order to maximize the surprise of the strike.
The capabilities of MRSI imply a very high rate of fire (in fact, the most achievable), as well as quick means for accurately calculating small changes in propellant charge and elevation angle for each subsequent projectile to be fired along a different trajectory. In practice, and also depending on the type of gun and the ammunition used, today it is possible to achieve an MRSI salvo of three to six rounds at a range of 15 - 35 km. Accuracy in the final section ranges from 95 meters at 15 km and 275 meters at 30 km for a standard high-explosive fragmentation round, but improves dramatically (less than 10 meters) when using intelligent ammunition of the new generation.
155mm artillery with sensor fuses destroys vehicles in motion
Manufactured and marketed by GIWS (a joint venture between Rheinmetall AG and Diehl Group), the SMArt 155 155mm artillery shell is specifically designed to disrupt armored vehicle attacks.
SMArt 155 stands for Sensor-fused Munition for Artillery, Caliber 155mm. It is a reliable, highly effective fire-and-forget artillery shell. Each projectile contains two autonomous, high-performance intelligent sub-projectiles. They are capable of neutralizing stationary and moving armored vehicles, including tanks, in any environment and in any weather. SMArt 155 can stop the advance of armored vehicles with minimal ammunition consumption and with very high accuracy even at long range. The risk of indirect losses is minimized.
The shell features a thin-walled body in order to obtain maximum volume for two shells. The combination of multi-mode sensors with the Impact Core (or EFP) projectile makes these projectiles extremely effective. Excellent target identification and rejection of false targets, a large coverage area, a high probability of destruction and outstanding characteristics of the warhead guarantee maximum lethality and destruction on the ground, that is, effective neutralization of armored vehicles.
Fire missions can be completed with just a few shots in a very short period of time. This makes it possible to use the “shot and leave” tactic, significantly reducing the effectiveness of the enemy's counter-battery fire, a critical factor in protecting one's own forces.
Excessive self-destruction is a key feature of the SMArt projectile, whose creators have paid particular attention to avoiding the risk of unexploded ordnance. If the target is not found in the search area, two redundant and independent mechanisms, consisting of strong and simple components, ensure that the projectile reliably "self-destructs", allowing its troops to move in the area with more confidence. There is a target, no target, the warhead of a sub-shell suspended by a parachute is designed so that it is detonated as soon as the height above the ground becomes less than 20 meters. If this function fails and the sub-shell falls unharmed, the warhead will automatically detonate as soon as the battery voltage drops below a certain level. This mode also covers possible faults in sensors and electronics.
GIWS developed the projectile at the end of the Cold War so that the Bundeswehr could counter the threat of armored vehicles of the Warsaw Pact countries, which led to an economically beneficial form of deterrence.
Today, the armies of Germany, Switzerland, Greece and Australia are armed with SMArt 155. The SMArt projectile is constantly being modernized, it has successfully shown itself in 26 firing tests, confirming its extreme reliability.
