The current focus on operations in difficult terrain has led to a growing interest in lightweight 155mm howitzers transported by helicopters, for example in the BAE Systems M777 photo. It is worth noting in this regard that the Marine Corps ordered more M777A1 / A2 (380 howitzers) than the US Army (273 howitzers)
The available material part is rapidly becoming obsolete, at the same time, many armies have gone through a radical process of reduction in number and in some cases have been completely transferred to a professional basis. In multinational operations, there is an increased emphasis on deploying missions overseas. Gradual standardization of weapons based on a single caliber (155 mm) plus several 105 mm models for special applications and remnants of 152 mm systems in the former Warsaw Pact countries and Russian / Soviet clients. The emergence of new standards (in particular artillery 155 mm / 52 caliber) and new concepts (self-propelled howitzers installed on truck chassis). The introduction of new types of "smart" long-range ammunition along with highly effective command and control systems. All these factors indicate a large-scale process of modernization of cannon artillery, including material and operational doctrines. This process is already underway; it is planned to accelerate it in the coming years through the consistent implementation of a number of important programs
At the end of the 80s, the world artillery fleet was estimated at over 122,000 guns and howitzers, but this total was divided into two parts: 78% of towed systems (mostly 105 mm, 122 mm, 130 mm, 152 mm and 155 mm) and the remaining 22% are self-propelled systems (122 mm, 152 mm, 155 mm and 203 mm, as well as a few "strange" models of smaller or larger caliber). Twenty years later, the total number has dropped by more than 20%, to about 96,000 pieces, many of which have been put into long-term storage.
It is interesting to note, however, that this reduction process was not symmetrical. Towed vehicles have taken a full blow, their numbers have dropped from 95,000 since the fall of the Berlin Wall to less than 67,000 today, while the number of self-propelled systems has actually increased by 8% (from 27,000 to more than 29,000).
Operational, technology and commercial trends
Currently, there are three main classes of cannon artillery systems on the world market and weapons of the armies of the world, and each of them is accompanied by its own operational doctrine: towed systems, tracked self-propelled systems and wheeled self-propelled systems. The respective advantages and disadvantages of the first two classes are very well known and recognized, and thus these classes are not in direct competition with each other, neither commercially nor in operational terms. Towed systems are less expensive and easier to use, they are usually deployed to provide fire support for light units (motorized rifles, mountain units, parachute troops, marines, etc.), while tracked self-propelled howitzers (SG) are usually a component of support heavy mechanized and armored troops. However, the Dutch PzH-2000 systems have shown excellent results in Afghanistan in counterinsurgency operations, which are completely different from the traditional battlefield for which these howitzers were created. At the same time, wheeled SGs are at the heart of the promised (but mostly not yet begun) revolution. On the one hand, these systems are offered as a winning replacement for towed systems (except for a few special cases where ultralight howitzers are needed), and on the other hand, they are gradually "eating off" the market share of their tracked counterparts, taking advantage of their best strategic mobility and thus, suitability for overseas deployment.
Although the vast majority of artillery systems in current inventories are still tracked, in less than 10 years the number of 155-mm wheeled systems has actually quadrupled. A confirmation of such a pronounced global trend is that more and more orders for wheeled artillery are received, while orders for heavy towed systems are decreasing. The share of the latter, apparently, is decreasing more and more in the world market, especially if they do not have an APU (auxiliary power unit), which would allow performing at least short autonomous movements.
The second important global trend is the aforementioned gradual restriction of the range of standard calibers on the market. Although obsolete calibers (75 mm, 76 mm, 85 mm, 88 mm) still have a certain share in the world's reserves, there are still a number of 170-mm and 240-mm barrels, the modern fleet is mainly based on six different calibers for towed artillery and seven calibers for self-propelled howitzers. In addition, even within each caliber, there are several different standards for chamber volume and barrel length, leading to numerous configurations and models (no less than 36 for 155mm artillery!).
This rather chaotic variety is gradually changing, at least worldwide new orders include two or three (maximum four) basic calibers. In particular, the NATO 155mm / 52 cal standard is fast becoming the preferred artillery standard. By the way, even Chinese and Russian manufacturers are currently offering artillery pieces that meet this standard.
In June 2007, the Dutch SG PzH 2000 fires at Taliban positions in Afghanistan. SG PzH 2000 has since been nicknamed "the long arm of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan"
One of the main operational advantages of the SG installed on the cargo chassis is its easy air transportability. The photo shows the first three CAESAR systems that arrived in Kabul on August 1, 2009 to support the French contingent.
Calibers in service
Towed artillery
In the world, the main weapons of this type include calibers 105 mm (in service with 83 countries), 122 mm (69 countries), 130 mm (39 countries), 152 mm (36 countries) and 155 mm (59 countries), while half a dozen countries before still have 203mm systems.
Thus, the 105-mm model remains the most widespread artillery caliber in the world, although its share in the world order book is greatly reduced due to the appearance of ultralight 155-mm howitzers, and more importantly, due to competition from modern mortars (in particular 120- mm of rifled samples). The two most common 105mm howitzers, the Italian M56 and the American M101, were created more than half a century ago and are no longer in production. More modern models with better performance, such as the British L118 Light Gun (with the Indian Light Gun clone and the American variant of the M119) and the French Nexter 105 LG1, remain in production for arming light units, but, at least for the main armies, there is a trend to replace them with ultralight 155-mm models. The South African Denel G7 is in its own class and is rather a competitor to the 155 mm / 39 caliber gun, designed for both towed and wheeled systems, in terms of equivalent range (about 30 km with a projectile with a bottom gas generator).
SG ARCHER 155mm / 52 caliber from BAE Systems Bofors. The self-propelled howitzer on a wheeled articulated chassis is equipped with an advanced automatic loader, which allows the crew to fire 20 rounds each without leaving the protected cockpit. The Swedish and Norwegian armies each ordered 24 of these systems
Caterpillar ordnance
World reserves of self-propelled tracked artillery include systems: 105 mm (in 7 countries), 122 mm (33 countries), 130 mm (2 countries, but this is a temporary provision), 152 mm (23 countries), 155 mm (46 countries), 175 mm (6 countries) and 203 mm (19 countries). It is quite obvious that 105 mm, 130 mm and 175 mm systems will disappear in the near future, while 203-mm systems may remain in service until the expiration date of ammunition for them. A large number of 122mm systems (mostly 2S1 Gvozdika) remain in service in the former Warsaw Pact countries and with Soviet / Russian customers; they are increasingly viewed as outdated and thus of interest only to countries with limited financial resources and modest operational requirements. To date, the fight is fought only between two calibers and two military concepts, between Russia and China with 152 mm on the one hand and the West with 155 mm on the other, the latter caliber is more and more widespread (155-mm systems currently represent more than a third of the world fleet tracked SG). As for specific models, the M109 family still takes the lion's share of the existing fleet, until the end of the 80s it completely dominated its sector. Currently, more and more howitzers of this family are being successfully replaced by more modern and efficient models.
Wheeled self-propelled artillery
The concept of wheeled self-propelled artillery was originally seen as some form of quirkiness (when the first systems were introduced, for example the Czechoslovakian DANA (152 mm) and later the South African G6 (155 mm / 45 cal)), but over time it became a formidable and credible competition for towed and tracked SG, albeit for different reasons. The advantages over towed guns are better survivability (personnel under the cover of armor, at least on the move, less time to move from the stowed position to the firing position and vice versa), higher tactical mobility and simplified logistics (one truck transports the gun, the crew, initial ammunition and control system), while the advantages over tracked systems are lower detection probability, lower operating costs, simplified maintenance requirements and better strategic mobility.
The systems in service are divided between 152mm (4 countries) and 155mm (9 countries) models, although there are also industrial proposals for self-propelled wheeled systems in 105mm or 122mm caliber. So far, only about 1000 systems have been ordered by ten countries and the potential market for wheel systems could be estimated at another 1000 units over the next 10 years.
Video presentation of the Korean wheeled self-propelled howitzer EVO-105 with my subtitles
The Soltam ATHOS towed howitzer can be equipped with an APU in order to be able to move independently.
As stated, the Singapore PEGASUS light howitzer is the world's first self-propelled and helicopter-transported 155mm light gun.
BAE Systems showed the first modernized 155-mm SG M-109 PIM (PALADIN Integrated Management), the ceremony took place at the plant in New York on January 20, 2010. The company was awarded a $ 63.9 million contract in August 2009 for the production of seven PIM prototypes (five SGs and two ammunition loading vehicles). The PIM uses the existing main armament and cockpit design of the M-109A6 PALADIN, while replacing outdated chassis components with new ones from the M2 / M3 BRADLEY. The PIM upgrade also includes a state-of-the-art “digital architecture”, reliable power generation capabilities, horizontal and vertical electric drives, an electric rammer and a digital OMS. PALADIN modernization will be carried out in partnership with Anniston Army Depot in Alabama and BAE Systems
152 mm vs 155 mm
What was once a very energetic technological and commercial competition between the Russian 152mm and the Western 155mm has since made a noticeable turn in favor of the latter, especially with the emergence of the NATO 155mm / 52 caliber standard, which has ballistic characteristics that the Russian system does not. can compare.
About 40 countries around the world have already ordered or formulated requirements for modern 155-mm towed or self-propelled systems with the increasing standardization process of 52 caliber. The total number of systems already delivered, existing valid orders and options in the global market is approximately 4,500, with an estimate that at least the same number will be added over the next 10-15 years.
China, despite being the leading operator, manufacturer and exporter of 152mm artillery systems, has responded quickly to changing trends and Norinco is now offering 155mm models, both tracked PLZ45 and wheeled SH1 systems. Russian manufacturers declare that they have a 155 mm / 45 caliber gun for the export version of the 2S19M1 tracked system.
Israel and South Africa are pursuing a rather intriguing commercial policy, offering several different solutions for their 155mm wheeled howitzers to choose from. The new Denel G6 is available with both 45 and 52 caliber barrels (the latter can also have two different combustion chambers), while the Soltam ATMOS 2000 can be fitted with a 39, 45 or 52 caliber barrel.
Self-propelled tracked systems
The range of 155mm self-propelled tracked systems currently available on the market can be roughly divided into two main classes of heavy (40-60 tonnes) and medium (25-40 tonnes) vehicles. Heavy systems include:
KMW / Rheinmetall PzH 2000 (Germany). It is the heaviest (55.3 tons) and most expensive self-propelled howitzer currently available, but also of course the most advanced and efficient in terms of automatic operation, firepower and survivability. Until now, it has been adopted by Germany (185 systems), Italy (2 x 68 systems manufactured under license by OTO Melara), the Netherlands (57 systems, later the number was reduced to 24) and Greece (24).
While the potential market for systems with such capabilities and cost is inevitably limited, the PzH 2000 will definitely receive orders in the future from those armies that want (and can afford) to support their heavy armored units with the highest capacity 155mm / 52 caliber system.
K9 THUNDER from Samsung Techwin (South Korea). It weighs 47 tons in a combat-ready configuration, and the K9 howitzer is also assembled under license in Turkey under the designation T155 FIRTINA. These two countries ordered a total of 850 vehicles, that is, approximately 20% of the total current volume of SG orders, which is likely to grow in the near future due to additional orders from other export customers.
And at present, light 105-mm artillery is needed for light units, for example, airborne troops. Pictured are British soldiers serving in G Battery, 7th Airborne Parachute Division, firing direct fire from their 105mm Light Gun.
BAE Systems AS90 (UK). A total of 179 AS90 howitzers were delivered to the British Army and 96 of them were subsequently upgraded by installing a 52 caliber gun, replacing the original 39 caliber model (weight increased to 45 tons). The same BRAVEHEART turret with a 155 mm / 52 caliber cannon was to be installed by Huta Stalows Wola and XB Electronics on the Polish KRAB concept weighing 52 tons. It is a modified chassis of the T-72 main battle tank (MBT) with the AZALIA command and control system.
Medium systems include:
SSPH1 PRIMUS (Singapore). This system weighing 28.3 tons with a 155 mm / 39 caliber cannon was developed by Singapore Defense Science and Technology Agency and SI Kinetics based on the specific requirements of the Singapore army, which defined a total mass of less than 30 tons and a maximum width of less than 3 m to preserve compatibility with local road infrastructure (especially bridges) and terrain.
PRIMUS is in service with the Singapore Army (54 systems), and production for local needs appears to have been completed. Export orders were not reported.
Norinco PLZ45 (Type 88) (China). In 1997, the PLZ45 caused a minor sensation by defeating American and European models in the Kuwaiti army competition (51 systems). Norinco's winning bid was based on the existing 152mm model, however, it was modified to accept the same 155mm / 45 caliber barrel as found in the Type 89 (PLL01) towed cannon. The system has since been sold in Bangladesh (quantity unknown) with deliveries by 2011, while rumors of a possible sale to Saudi Arabia have not materialized.
M109 PIM by BAE Systems (formerly United Defense) (USA). The M109 PIM (PALADIN Integrated Management) is the newest (currently) version of the 'timeless' M109 series, whose original design is now over 60 years old. BAE Systems was awarded a $ 63.9 million contract in August 2009 for the production of seven prototype PIM machines, the first being manufactured in January 2010.
PRIMUS has been designed to meet the stringent off-road requirements of the Singapore Army. This was mainly the reason for choosing the 39 caliber gun, and not the more modern and high performance 52 caliber gun.
The Denel G6-52 howitzer has a 155 mm / 52 caliber cannon and is available with a 25 liter firing chamber, which allows reaching a range of 67 km with a VLAP projectile (Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile - long-range artillery projectile with increased velocity)
In PIM, the existing main armament and turret from the M109A6 PALADIN are installed (rather a radical reconstruction / modernization of existing vehicles than a new product), outdated chassis components in it are replaced with modern ones from the M2 / M3 BRADLEY infantry fighting vehicles. The PIM integrates a modern "digital architecture", increased the reliability of power generation, installed vertical and horizontal guidance drives, an electric rammer and a digital control system. The modernization of the PIM guarantees maximum uniformity with existing systems in the HBCT (Heavy Brigade Combat Team) armored brigade, reduces the logistical burden and maintenance costs by replacing obsolete components in the chassis. The PIM is also the first production vehicle to be equipped with BAE Systems' Advanced Energy Management System, representing the first implementation of the US Army's Common Modular Power System (CMPS) requirement.
The modernization of the PALADIN fleet is carried out in cooperation with Anniston Army Depot and at BAE Systems factories.
With the cancellation of the 155mm / 38 caliber XM1203 (NLOS Cannon) howitzer program, PIM is currently the only self-propelled artillery system program in the United States.
KMW Artillery Gun Model (AGM) / DONAR (Germany). The AGM is in a class of its own as an industrial proposal for a 155mm / 52-caliber autonomous turret that can be mounted on a variety of tracked and wheeled chassis in order to obtain a mid-range SG compatible with A400M air transport. The system retains the same barrel, recoil weight and hydraulic rammer as on the PzH 2000. A modified version of the automatic loader is installed in the system, using projectiles and modular propellant charges for the howitzer according to the specifications of the joint memorandum on ballistics. The demonstration model was implemented on the basis of a modified MLRS chassis (MLRS).
In 2008, KMW and General Dynamics Europe Land Systems (GDELS) joined forces and announced the creation of DONAR, a new self-propelled tracked system obtained by installing an AGM tower on a modified ASCOD 2 BMP chassis. With a combat weight of 35 tons (including ammunition from 30 shells and 145 charges), in DONAR all operations are automated (including loading shells and charges), the crew is only two people, the tower is controlled by a remote operator located in the hull. Based on these characteristics and capabilities, it was stated that DONAR "revolutionized the current understanding of artillery." To date, no orders have been reported for either AGM or DONAR.
