Artillery Systems

Archer FH77 BW L52
The BAE Systems Bofors Archer FH77 BW L52 155mm self-propelled howitzer.	The Archer vehicle carries 20 150mm projectiles in the fully automatic magazine and an additional 20 projectiles for reload.	The Archer howitzer has a continuous fire rate of 75 rounds an hour, an intensive fire rate of 20 rounds in 2.5 minutes and a salvo fire rate of three rounds in 15 seconds.
The Archer system is designed for high strategic, operational and tactical mobility. The vehicle can reach road speeds of up to 70km/h.	The range of the Archer gun is extended to 60km with the precision-guided Raytheon / Bofors XM982 Excalibur round.	The Excalibur shell is corrected in flight towards a pre-programmed trajectory by a GPS guidance system.
The Archer vehicle platform is a modification of the Volvo A30D 6×6 articulated all-terrain hauler vehicle.	The Archer system is a development of the earlier 155mm towed FH77 L39, of which more than 700 were produced and are in service with the Swedish, Nigerian and Indian armed forces.

Artillery Gun Module (AGM)
The Artillery Gun Module (AGM) is a medium-weight, turreted, self-propelled howitzer based on the PzH 2000 SP howitzer in service with the German Army.	A proof-of-principle demonstrator has been built and trialled with a 52-calibre gun mounted on a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) tracked chassis.	The AGM system is fully autonomous and provides the same performance as the PzH 2000, but with significantly reduced weight.
The AGM can fire against stationary and moving targets at a rate of six to eight rounds a minute including Multiple-Round Simultaneous-Impact (MRSI) firing.	The AGM howitzer mounted on the MLRS chassis is air transportable on an Airbus A400M transport aircraft.	Using standard rounds the maximum range is 30km; with base bleed rounds the range is more than 40km.

AS90 Braveheart 155mm
The AS90 Bravehaert is the latest 52 calibre version of the British Army's 155mm AS90 self propelled howitzer	AS90 was first operational in 1993.	Desert AS90.
An automated loading system enables the gun to fire with a burst rate of 3 rounds in under 10 seconds.	Area coverage diagram, AS90 has a complete 360° arc to the full range of 24.7km.	An Automatic Gun Laying System (AGLS) and electronic elevation and traverse drives ensure laying to an accuracy of 1 mil and rapid target engagement.
AS90 maintains high average speeds across irregular terrain without compromising the safety and comfort of the crew.	A plan to fit 96 AS90s with the new 155mm / 52 calibre Extended Range Ordnance and Modular Charge System, replacing the 155mm / 39 calibre gun, has been put on hold.

Astros II
The Astros II combat proven artillery saturation rocket system.	Astros II deployed in the Gulf.	The optional electronic fire control unit (AV-UCF) – its task is to facilitate the procedures of fire direction using radar and computer.
The command and control vehicle (AV-VCC) provides the Battalion level with coordination and direction of firing missions for up to three Astros batteries.	The universal multiple launcher (AV-LMU) with SS-60/SS-80.	The AV-LMU with SS-40.
The ammunition supply vehicle (AV-RMD) for resupply of the AV-LMU carrying two complete loads for each launcher.

Atmos 2000 155mm Self-Propelled Artillery System
The Atmos 2000 52 calibre 155mm self-propelled artillery system.	The 155mm 52 calibre Atmos 2000 has demonstrated a maximum range of 41km, using an Extended Range Full Bore Base Bleed (ERFB-BB) projectile.	The Atmos system is mounted on a high mobility Tatra 6x6 truck which has a maximum road speed of 80km/h.
The high firing rate of three projectiles per 20 seconds is achieved by using a unique new load assist device.	The Atmos artillery system weighs 22,000kg and is transportable in a C-130 Hercules medium transport aircraft.	Atmos 2000 can fire all types of 155mm NATO ammunition and carries 27 projectiles and charges.

Caesar 155mm
The Caesar truck mounted artillery system is a 155mm 52-calibre self-propelled gun.	72 Caesar artillery systems have been ordered by the French Army.	Caeser has been demonstrated in France, Malaysia and the USA.
Caeser was designed to meet the fire support requirements of rapid deployment forces.	Caesar fires conventional High-Explosive (HE) or new-generation cargo rounds.	The weapon system configuration and the provision of hydraulic drives give a very short time, approximately 30 seconds, to take the Caesar out of battery.
The Caesar prototype relied on a Sagem Sigma 30 laser gyro for navigation and aiming.

Crusader 155mm
The Crusader cannon tube is Integral Midwall Cooled (IMC) which enables extremely high rates of fire.	The XM2002 ammunition re-supply vehicle, equipped with a fully automated ammunition handling system automatically transfers 48 rounds of ammunition and fuel to the howitzer in less than 12 minutes.	The XM2002 resupply vehicle itself can be fully loaded with fuel and 110 rounds of ammunition in less than 60 minutes.
The Crusader Howitzer XM 2001 schematic. The howitzer and the resupply vehicles contain 60 percent common components.	One Crusader vehicle can fire up to 8 rounds to strike a single target at the same time. The digital fire control system calculates separate firing solutions for each of the 8 projectiles.	Two Crusader vehicles can be transported on a single C-5 or C-17 aircraft.
Live firing trials of the Crusader began in February 2000 at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona.

G6 155mm
The G6 is operated by a crew of six - driver, commander, gun layer, breech operator, ammunition loader and ammunition handler.	The G6 Self Propelled Howitzer has a maximum range of 50km using velocity enhanced long range projectiles.	The G6 Self Propelled Howitzer is capable of carrying out strike missions co-operatively or as a separate combat arm without involving other forces.
G6 is a highly manouverable howitzer.	As an example of the gun's accuracy, at 75% of the maximum range the probable error specification is 0.48% of the range value and 1 mil in deflection.	The crew are protected against landmines, gunfire and bombardment fragments.

HIMARS
The high-mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) firing ATACMS missiles.	HIMARS entered service with the 27th Field Artillery, 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in June 2005.	HIMARS carries a single six-pack of rockets on the Army's family of medium tactical vehicles (FMTV) 6x6 all-wheel drive 5t truck by Armor Holdings (formerly Stewart and Stevenson).
The HIMARS vehicle weighs 24,000lb, half as much as the MLRS.	HIMARS can fire the range of MLRS rockets including the new GPS-guided extended range GMLRS.	The improved fire control system (IFCS) upgrade for MLRS launchers will be standard equipment on production HIMARS vehicles.
HIMARS is a highly-mobile artillery rocket system offering the firepower of MLRS on a wheeled chassis.	HIMARS being fired.	HIMARS fires entire suite of MLRS munitions from RRPR to 300km ATACMS.

LIMAWS(R) Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System – Rocket
The LIMAWS(R) system, was to provide the Royal Artillery's fire support to the British Army light and rapid reaction forces.	LIMAWS(R) consists of a six-wheeled four-wheel-drive Supacat vehicle and a Lockheed Martin self-loading launcher.	LIMAWS(R) is fitted with a new lightweight launcher which is pivoted at the rear of the vehicle chassis.
The LIMAWS(R) vehicle is based on a 6x4 six-wheeled four wheel drive Supacat chassis.	Trials of LIMAWS(R) during the assessment phase demonstrated the vehicle's mobility across country and its fording capabilities.	LIMAWS(R) can launch six precision GPS-guided GMLRS rockets to a range of more than 60km.
LIMAWS(R) has a hydraulically powered elevation system and a boom reloading system.

M777 155mm Ultralightweight Field Howitzer
M777 is a 155mm 39 calibre towed howitzer that weighs less than 10,000lb (4,218kg).	The M777 has been selected by the US Marine Corps and the US Army as their next-generation medium-force weapon. It entered low-rate production in November 2002.	The M777 being transported by a US Marine Corps SuperStallion helicopter.
M777 matches the firepower of current generation 155mm towed systems at less than half the weight.	The maximum firing range is 24.7km with unassisted rounds and 30km with assisted rounds.	M777 prior to elevation.

MLRS
MLRS firing a basic M26 rocket.	MLRS deployed in the Desert Storm theatre.	MLRS on the move.
The rockets can be fired individually or in ripples of two to 12.	MLRS and its family of munitions.	MLRS firing an ATACMS block I missile.
MLRS firing a reduced range practice rocket.	MLRS earns its nickname - 'Steel Rain'.	MLRS firing an ATACMS block 2 missile.

MSTA-S 2S19 152mm
MSTA-S entered service with the Russian Army in 1989.	The MSTA-S ready to fire from a gun emplacement.	Separate conveyors in the rear of the turret allow the loading of ground ammunition.
The MSTA-S self-propelled Howitzer went into service with the Russian Army in 1989.	The gunner's station.	A battery of MSTA-S self-propelled howitzers firing.
This illustration shows the combination of both the Howitzer and laser designator engaging a target.

Paladin 155mm
Paladin M109A6 achieves a maximum firing rate of up to eight rounds a minute and a sustained firing rate of one round in three minutes.	An M109A6 Paladin SPH.	Paladin M109A6 and support vehicle.
The M109A6 Paladin has been selected by the Kuwaiti Defence Ministry.	The M284 cannon which is fitted with an M182 gun mount, has a range of 24km using unassisted rounds or 30km using assisted rounds.

PzH 2000 155mm
The PzH 2000 is in service with the German Army.	PzH 2000 has been selected by the Dutch, Greek and Italian armies.	The PzH 2000 during firing trials in Germany using Denel Assegai shells in May 2001.
PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery systems relocate to different firing positions.	The PzH 2000 155mm self-propelled howitzer.	The 155mm L52 gun of the PzH 2000 was developed by Rheinmetall Industrie AG.
PzH 2000 has a 40km range with assisted projectiles.	The PzH 2000 magazine compartment with the feed mechanism.	The PzH 2000 fire control computer provides full ballistics computation
The high performance capabilities of the PzH 2000 provide excellent mobility.

Rascal
The Rascal Light Self Propelled Gun Howitzer is a highly mobile, long range, high speed, lightweight artillery system.	To prepare the vehicle for firing, two hydraulically operated spades are lowered into position to stabilise the vehicle.	Rascal is available with a 39 or 45 calibre 155 mm gun.
The hull of the Rascal is of all-welded steel armour construction.	The driver's station is located at the front of the vehicle on the left.	A loader assist device is pneumatically energised. The gun is fitted with a pneumatic rammer.
Soltam has developed a new 155mm 52 Cal Artillery Truck Mounted Gun Howitzer, known as the SPWH 2052, based on the "Rascal".

Smerch 9K58
The 9K58 Smerch is designed to defeat soft and hard skin targets, artillery and missile systems.	Smerch fires the 300 mm 9M55K rocket. This has a solid propellant rocket motor. Firing range is from 20 km to 70 km.	The Transloader re-arming a Smerch MLRS of the Army of Kuwait.
The launch vehicle is based on the MAZ-543M 8 x 8 wheeled truck chassis on which is mounted a 12 tube launcher.	Smerch 9K58 firing a 300mm 9M55K rocket.

Uragan 9K57
The Uragan launch vehicle.	The reloading truck.	The 9M27F rocket projectile is fitted with a 100kg high explosive fragmentation warhead.
The Uragan MLRS is battle proven and can fire one rocket per 0.5 seconds.	The 9M59 rocket projectile is equipped with an 89.5kg cluster warhead with nine anti-tank mines.

WS 1B
The WS-1B Multiple Launch Rocket System firing.	The QY-88B transport and loading truck.	The HF-4 launch truck.
The WS 1B free rocket consists of fuze, warhead, FG-43 rocket motor and tail section.	The DZ-88B firing command truck.	The loading of the rockets into the launching tubes.
The WS 1B rocket is provided with alternative warheads. ZDB-2B blasting or SZB-1 submunition for different targets.

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