Land 17 Candidate systems

Judging by the interest of their local agents/representatives, the following 155mm gun systems are likely to be proposed in their responses to the RFT, due for release in late 2005.

* BAE Land Systems AS90 SP and M777

* Bofors Defence FH77 BW L52

* Denel LIW G6

* Giat Industries Caesar

* Krauss-Maffei Wegman PzH 2000

* Patria Weapon Systems 155GH52 APU

* Samsung Techwin K9 & K179

* Soltam Systems ATMOS 2000

* ST Kinetics LWSPH

Proposed by BAE Land Systems the AS90 is a 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer which entered service with the British Army in 1994. Thirty six AS90 were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003, firing over 8000 rounds in the short campaign with a reported maximum reliability and availability. The AS90 is fitted with a 155mm, 39 or 52 calibre gun barrel. In trials, two AS90 howitzers were able to deliver a total payload of 261kg onto a single target in less than 10 seconds. An automated loading system enables the gun to fire with a burst rate of 3 rounds in under 10 seconds, an intense rate of 6 rounds per minute in three minutes and a sustained rate of 2 rounds per minute.

The gun, which does not require stabilising spades, is equipped with a recoil and hydrogas suspension system, which allows the turret to traverse and fire through the full 360°. A Dynamic Reference Unit (DRU) and electronic compensation for tilt of the vehicle are used for accurate orientation of the weapon system. With a 52 calibre barrel instead of the standard 39 calibre extends the range beyond 40km.

It is likely that BAE LS will also offer their Ultralightweight Field Howitzer (UFH), designated M777, selected by the US Army and US Marine Corps to replace the existing inventory of M198 155mm towed howitzers. The M777 matches the firepower of current generation 155mm towed systems for less than half the weight. The Howitzer is equipped with a 39 calibre barrel and can be supplied with the full Towed Artillery Digitisation (TAD) package incorporating XM982 Excalibur software.

The USMC is to procure 380 systems and the Army 273, with a further potential requirement of 80+ systems for the US National Guard. The first 16 guns of the 94 systems in the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phase will be delivered by the end of 2004 with an initial operational capability to follow in early 2006.

It is likely that the M777 will be also offered as the unique and innovative Portee system carried on an HMT Supacat 8x6 vehicle currently under development for the British Army.

The FH77 BW L 52 self-propelled 155mm artillery systems is integrated with a 6x6 Volvo articulated all terrain vehicle making it an extremely powerful, highly mobile artillery system. Volvo articulated haulers are widely used by the mining industry in Australia.

The howitzer is equipped with fully automatic magazines for 20 complete rounds with additional ammunition boxes. Automatic firing rate is 20 rounds in 2 minutes with a rate of 9 rounds/minute.

The FH77 BW L52 has its own land navigation system, own ballistic computer and own muzzle velocity radar giving the gun full autonomy on the battlefield. This new design includes an automated ammunition handling system, a cockpit where the crew of four can control and fire the howitzer, and upgraded ballistic protection for the crew in the cockpit. The system is envisioned to weigh roughly 27 metric tons and will hold up to 20 complete rounds of 155 mm ammunition ready to fire. Such a configuration is intended to allow very fast emplacement and displacement of the howitzer, thereby increasing artillery responsiveness and increasing crew survivability from incoming enemy fires.

The FH 77BW is designed to fire current 155 mm projectiles, including the BONUS artillery projectile developed by Bofors Defence and now in service with Sweden and France. Additionally, the howitzer will be designed to fire the new Excalibur 155 mm artillery round now in development for the US Army by Raytheon and its subcontractor Bofors Defence, and able to attack targets out to 40 miles.

Claimed to be the most advanced artillery system available, the G6 is a 155mm long-range gun developed and produced by the LIW division of Denel, mounted on a 6x6 wheeled Alvis chassis. The G6 is in service with the South African Army (43 systems) and has also been exported to the United Arab Emirates (78 systems) and Oman (24 systems).

The G6 155mm self propelled howitzer is a highly autonomous system with 700km vehicle fuel range, 50km weapon range using velocity enhanced long range projectiles and the ability to fire the first round within 60 seconds of the vehicle stopping.

The G6 achieves a range of 53 km using the new Velocity enhanced Long Range Projectile (V-LAP) and the new M64 bi-modular charge system. V-LAP combines base bleed and rocket motor technology, while the M64 charge system increases muzzle velocity to 910m/s VLAP is part of Denel's new Assegai range of 155mm ammunition. The G6 is operated by a crew of six - driver, commander, gun layer, breech operator, ammunition loader and ammunition handler.

An alternative offering may be the lighter T5-2000 Condor, a 155mm mounted gun system now under development, with similar range and rate of fire as the G6 but fewer crew.

Giat's Caesar 155 mm 52 calibre gun is mounted on a Unimog 6x6 truck and boasts a six round per minute rate of fire and maximum range of 39 km range. With five systems delivered to the French Army for technical evaluation last year, it is expected that a further 72 systems will be procured to replace towed systems with deliveries from 2006 to 2009. The system has also been demonstrated in Malaysia and in the USA.

Caesar is equipped with all the systems needed for independent operation, a cabin to protect the six man gun crew against shell fragments and small arms fire, an initial ammunition supply of 16 complete rounds and instrumentation for navigation, aiming, ballistic calculations and command aids. The system was specifically designed to meet the fire support requirements of rapid deployment forces.

The FAST-Hit computerised fire management system, developed jointly by Giat and EADS Defense Electronics, an Intertechnique ROB4 muzzle velocity radar system and a SAGEM Sigma 30 navigation system and global positioning system (GPS) are fitted so there is no requirement for topographical teams and goniometers. The weapon has an automatic hydraulic laying system and the loading system is semi-automatic.

ADI Limited and Giat Industries recently signed a cooperation agreement to offer the French Caesar artillery system for Land 17. ADI says the agreement will enable the wheeled, self-propelled artillery system to be a key element of the networked system solution ADI is proposing for Land 17.

The PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) is the 155mm self propelled (tracked) howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) together with Rheinmetall Landsysteme for the German Army. KMW received a contract in 1996 for production of 185 units, now delivered. Total German Army requirement is expected to be around 450 units. PzH 2000 has also been selected by the Italian (70), Dutch (57) and Greek (24) Armies.

In May 2001, during test firings for the Hellenic Army, the PzH 2000 fired 20 rounds all to ranges exceeding 40km (41.8km maximum). The ranges were achieved using M2000BB Assegai shells from Naschem/Denel of South Africa, in combination with the Rheinmetall DM 72 modular charge system.

The gun positioning and laying system is produced by Honeywell Maintal and mounted on the gun cradle. The system automatically determines gun direction, position and elevation above sea level. The integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and the vehicle's motor sensors form the hybrid navigation system of the PzH 2000.

The PzH 2000 automatic shell loading system can handle 60 rounds of 155mm ammunition and provides rates of fire of 3 rounds in less than 10 seconds with loading of 60 shells by two operators within 12 minutes. The firing rate of the PzH 2000 was 12 rounds in 59.74 seconds, and 20 rounds in 1 minute 47 seconds, during firing tests in October 1997 with an improved autoloader. The muzzle velocity is determined automatically by means of a radar sensor and is used in the fire control computation.

The Patria 155mm field gun, which originates from the Tampella field gun, provides a range of over 42km with its 52 calibre barrel and it can be equipped with an Auxiliary Power Unit. The field gun has been designed to provide superior firepower, durability and mobility. The major advantage of this gun is its firing power; three shots in 12 seconds, and a maximum of 8-10 shots in one minute.

It can be deployed by as few as two men in case of emergency. Furthermore, design simplicity leads to reliability, low operating and life-cycle costs.

Patria´s Field Gun is mounted on a four-wheel carriage, which can include APU if desired. The APU is used to facilitate emplacement and enable self-propulsion with minimal crew power. The gun is suitable for shoot and scoot actions because of the simple construction and the rapid emplacement. The gun can also be integrated with subsystems such as a navigation system and a muzzle velocity radar to match tactical requirements.

According to the manufacturers its simple construction, ergonomic use and stable construction with wide crew space makes Patria´s Field Gun a favourite of crews. Other advantages are simple field maintenance and low life cycle costs.

Development of the South Korean designed and developed K9 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer has been underway since 1989. With a claimed a range of 40 km, it offers greater mobility, longer range and higher rate of fire, and increased battlefield survivability.

The K9 hull is of all-welded armour steel construction rated to withstand impact by 14.5mm armour piercing shells and 152mm shell fragments. The main armament consists of a 155mm/52 calibre ordnance.

In 1996 the first prototype of this new artillery system was tested. The contract for the new K9 artillery system was awarded to Samsung Aerospace Industries (SSA) in 1998 and the South Korean Army received the first production batch of K9 the following year, making it the second country to deploy such a system.

Samsung Techwin is also offering the K179 towed 155mm artillery system. Samsung was prime contractor for local production of the 155mm M109A2 self-propelled howitzer of which 1,040 were built under a co-production license with United Defense LP. Licence production of the M109A2 was completed in 1997.

Soltam has developed a new 155mm 52 Cal Artillery Truck Mounted Gun Howitzer, known as the SPWH 2052. The SPWH 2052 is an advanced concept of long range, light self propelled wheeled artillery system, with ammunition loading systems and autonomous operation capabilities.

The SPWH 2052 is a hybrid of the Tatra 6X6 wheeled truck chassis, with a 155 mm 45/52 cal long-range gun that is equipped with the latest C3 system including on board computation, inertial navigation & aiming systems, and easy ammunition handling system. The platform carries 32 projectiles and propelling charges, as well as the gun's crewmembers, their equipment and all the logistics. While firing, the SPWH 2052 is supported by rear spades. Firing loads are transferred directly to the ground, without harming the vehicle chassis.

This system can mount either a 45 cal barrel, or a 52 cal barrel to reach 39 km or 41 km respectively. All types of 155 mm ammunition in use worldwide are authorised for fire. The auxiliary engine enables easy handling for deployment and ammunition handling. As a result, the SPWH 2052 is fully operable by four crew members.
The SP Gun is equipped with inertial navigation and aiming systems, which also commands and controls the elevation & traversing gears, giving the SPWH 2052 autonomous operation and "automatic laying" capabilities. It has a total weight of 18000 kg.

Singapore Technologies Kinetics is developing the Lightweight Self Propelled Howitzer (LWSPH), a 7 ton system utilising a 39 Cal 155 gun mounted on a light, air transportable chassis which can be delivered by C-130 aircraft and heavy lift helicopters.

The system is powered by a turbocharged intercooled diesel engine, and mounted on a lightweight chassis for rapid deployment. The gun can utilise standard projectiles to a range of 19km or extended range ERFB munitions firing 2 - 6 rounds per minute to a maximum range of up to 30km.