Hello everyone.
You are watching another episode of Military TV.
In today’s session we will take a look at the 10 most effective self-propelled artillery.
If you are curious on this topic, stay tuned and watch this video till the end.
Self-propelled artillery also called locomotive artillery is artillery equipped with its own
propulsion system to move toward its firing position.
Within the terminology include the self-propelled gun, self-propelled howitzer, self-propelled
mortar, and rocket artillery.
They are high mobility vehicles, usually based on continuous tracks carrying either a large
field gun, howitzer, mortar, or some form of rocket/missile launcher.
These vehicles are usually used for long-range indirect bombardment support on the battlefield.
These artillery systems are used as combat support weapons.
Normally they provide indirect fire, however, if needed, they also have direct-fire capability.
Most modern self-propelled howitzers are fully or partially armoured.
In modern combat these artillery systems often exploit their mobility for shoot-and-scoot
type attacks in order to avoid counter-battery fire.
So, which is the most capable and effective self-propelled artillery in the world?
The following is the top 10 analysis based on firepower, rate of fire, ammunition load,
deployment and redeployment time, protection, and some other factors.
Without further due, let’s check it out!
Number one, 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV The 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV is a Russian self-propelled
gun that was first seen in public with its turret covered in 2015 during rehearsals for
the Moscow Victory Day Parade.
As a successor to the 2S19 Msta-S, this is the most recent Russian artillery system.
It was unique and had two of 152 mm guns.
In 2013 a new prototype of the Koalitsiya-SV was completed, with a different design and
only one gun.
A first batch of 12 artillery systems was delivered to the Russian Army in 2015.
Currently it is one of the most capable howitzers in the world.
It has an unmanned turret and is armed with a 152 mm ordnance.
Operated by a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver, this vehicle has a fully
automated ammunition loading and handling system and utilizes modular charge system.
Moreover, it is able to fire a wide range of munitions, including standard and rocket-assisted
HE-FRAG shells, cluster shells with anti-tank submunitions, and jammer carrying shells.
The Koalitsiya-SV is capable of firing older Krasnopol precision guided munitions with
a range of 20-25 km.
With a maximum rate of fire around 8 shells per minute, it seems that the Koalitsiya-SV
has the capacity to multiple round simultaneous impact firing.
Lastly, this artillery system carries an impressive onboard ammunition supply of around 60 to
70 shellsm and has a built-in ammunition reloading system at the rear of the turret allowing
it to load ammunition from resupply trucks.
Number two, ARCHER FH 77 BW L52 Howitzer Archer FH77 BW L52 is a 155mm self-propelled
howitzer manufactured by BAE Systems Bofors in Karlskoga, Sweden.
It is fully autonomous and mostly used in traditional warfare fire support, as well
as modern international peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions.
The howitzer comprises a 40km range using current standard ammunition, and a 60km range
with the M982 Excalibur rounds.
In regard to the armament, this artillery system has the main weapon which is the 155mm
52-calibre gun.
The gun employs the proven design of the cradle and recoil system from the current generation
FH 77B towed field howitzer.
Being equipped with a target acquisition or designation sight feature, the gun performs
a direct fire capability.
Moreover, the weapon is fitted with a fire control system, laying system and inertial
navigation and a muzzle velocity radar.
Data from the radar is downloaded to the onboard computerised fire control system.
However, Archer can use other remote weapon stations on the market.
Number three, DONAR Artillery Gun Module (AGM) The DONAR artillery gun module from Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann (KMW) is a highly advanced 155mm howitzer based on the ASCOD 2 infantry fighting vehicle
chassis supplied by General Dynamics European Land Systems.
The DONAR system takes the traditional artillery doctrine to a new level by incorporating a
fully automatic firing module on a highly mobile platform.
The 35t system carries a combat load of up to 30 projectiles and 145 charges.
It can fire six rounds a minute for a maximum range of more than 40km, which can be increased
to over 56km with the use of higher range munitions.
The armoured cabin protects the two-man crews against small arms, artillery splinters, mortar
munitions and NBC threats.
The module is fitted with hybrid inertial navigation and GPS, automatic fire control
system, as well as auto tracking and correction features.
The DONAR system can drive at a top speed of over 60km/h for a maximum range of 500km.
Number four, PzH 2000 The PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) is the
155mm self-propelled howitzer manufactured by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) together with
the main subcontractor Rheinmetall Landsysteme for the German Army.
During firing tests in October 1997 with an upgraded autoloader, the PzH 2000 fired 12
rounds in 59.74 seconds and 20 rounds in one minute 47 seconds.
In terms of design, this howitzer weighs 57 tons and carries a combat load of 60 projectiles
and 288 charges, as well as five crew members.
The PzH 2000 also integrates the built-in test equipment (BITE) system and can fire
in multiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) mode.
The self-propelled artillery system reaches a maximum range of 420km.
Additionally, A completely automatic loading system, navigation system, and fire control
computer ensure that targets are addressed at a rate of eight to ten rounds per minute
over a 56-kilometer range.
For the information, A PzH 2000 howitzer turret has been equipped on the deck of German Navy
F124 frigate, Hamburg, as a demonstration of the feasibility of the system for naval
applications.
Number five, CAESAR 155mm Howitzer CAESAR is an effective self-propelled artillery
system produced by Nexter Systems to deliver direct fire, counter-battery fire and coastal
defence in support of motorised, mechanised and armoured units.
It has the capacity to fire all regular NATO 155mm ammunition.
According to the updates, the CAESAR artillery system is currently in use by several armies
including France, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Indonesia.
It is to note that the French Army successfully deployed CAESAR howitzers in Afghanistan and
Lebanon.
The system has a rate of fire of six rounds a minute and can fire extended range full
bore (ERFB) ammunition for 42km and rocket shells for a maximum distance of over 50km.
In regard to the design, the CAESAR is a wheeled, 155mm 52-caliber self-propelled howitzer.
It holds 18 rounds and is typically operated by a crew of five.
The CAESAR can also be operated by as few as three personnel.
This vehicle can be transported by C-130 or A400M and has a firing range of approximately
42 km using an Extended Range, Full Bore (ERFB) shell, and more than 50 km using rocket assisted
shells.
The system is linked with a fully computerized system, providing automatic control.
During Eurosatory 2006, CAESAR was exhibited with an automated laying system based on the
SIGMA 30 inertial navigation system.
Number six, K9 Thunder The K9 Thunder refers to a South Korean 155
mm self-propelled howitzer design.
It was developed by the Agency for Defence Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries
for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and is now manufactured by Hanwha Defence.
K9 howitzers operate in groups with the K10 automatic ammunition resupply vehicle variant.
The entire K9 fleet operated by the ROK Armed Forces is currently undergoing upgrades to
K9A1, and further upgrade variant K9A2 is being tested for production.
Furthermore, the K9's 155mm/52-calibre gun has excellent firepower, firing projectiles
at a rate of six rounds per minute for a maximum range of 41 kilometers.
This howitzer is complemented by K10 fully automatic ammunition resupply vehicle (ARV)
and is powered by an MTU MT 881 Ka-500 eight-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine, developing 1,000hp.
The propulsion system ensures a top speed of 67km/h and an operational range of 480km.
Number seven, NORA-B/52 Self Propelled Gun-Howitzer The NORA B-52 is a 155mm, 52-calibre self-propelled
gun-howitzer produced by Yugoimport-SDPR designed primarily for the Serbian Army.
In 2003, the first prototype of the NORA B-52 was released.
Followed by the development of the system which was finished in 2004 and the first 12
systems entered into service with the Serbian Army in 2007.
Meanwhile, the 11 SP Regiment of Bangladesh Army formally received the NORA B-52 K1 guns
in December 2013, and the Myanmar Army operates 30 NORA B-52 howitzers.
In regard to the design, the NORA B-52 howitzer weighs 28,000kg, and is capable of firing
all standard NATO’s 155mm ammunition at a rate of six rounds per minute.
It can strike targets within the range of 42km using extended range full-bore-base bleed
(ERFB-BB) projectiles.
The first system was built on FAP 2832 truck chassis, while the most recent versions are
mounted on KamAZ 8×8 truck chassis.
Number eight, KRAB 155mm SPH The KRAB 155mm self-propelled howitzer was
developed by Huta Stalowa Wola for the Polish Armed Forces.
The howitzer is intended to destroy batteries of artillery and anti-aircraft missiles, command
posts, as well as enemy fortifications and mechanised detachments.
This artillery system uses a modified chassis of the Polish PT-91 Twardy main battle tank.
The Krab won international competition and was selected by the Polish Army.
First of these howitzers were delivered to the Polish Army in 2012.
However, the future of this artillery system seems uncertain due to various problems.
The Krab is equipped with 155 mm/L52 howitzer, which is compatible with all standard NATO
155 mm ammunition.
It has an automatic shell loading system and modular charge system with a maximum range
of fire of 30 km, having standard HE-FRAG shell and 40 km with rocket assisted shell
and able to carry a total of 60 shells.
The Krab is also fitted with a Polish fire control system, intercom and radios.
This artillery system is completed with a Danish muzzle reference system, which tracks
outgoing projectiles and adjusts the next shot.
The Krab also uses modified chassis of the PT-91 Twardy man battle tank.
However, since 2012 production of the engine for this chassis stopped.
Eventually Poland acquired the tracked chassis of the South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzer
for the Krab.
Number nine, ATMOS 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer The ATMOS or Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer
System, is a computerised 155mm self-propelled artillery system produced by Elbit Systems.
It’s a light, long-range, highly mobile artillery system that meets today’s land
forces crucial needs.
The ATMOS' modular design allows it to be installed on a wide range of certified in-service
trucks.
The system includes the most sophisticated NATO standard 52-calibre gun system with a
range of 41 kilometres.
When fed with an autoloader, it can fire at a rapid rate of five rounds per minute.
The ATMOS artillery system is also equipped with an in-built electronic suite that provides
enhanced firepower and accuracy.
With a modified shielded cabin and specific layout, it may be fitted on any 666 or 868
in-service high-mobility trucks.
Number ten, Singapore Self Propelled Howitzer 1 (SSPH 1) Primus
The Singapore Self Propelled Howitzer 1 Primus is a 155mm, 39 calibre tracked howitzer operated
by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Developed in collaboration with the SAF, Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Singapore
Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics), Primus is the first self-propelled heavy artillery
gun that entered service with the SAF.
Primus uses the modified armoured hull of the proven United Defence (now BAE Systems)
M109 155mm self-propelled howitzer.
The vehicle accommodates four crew members including a commander, driver, ammo loader
and a charge loader.
This vehicle was designed to carry high volumes of payload to targets within a short time.
The high automation technology used in the Primus enables the minimal four-man crew to
operate the system effectively.
The howitzer shares several automotive components with the Bionix infantry fighting vehicle
(IFV) operated by the SAF.
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