Caesar French 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Other
Basic Information
Name
Caesar French 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Designation
—
Alternate Designation
Caesar 8x8 French 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Equipment Type
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Manufacturer
Nexter
Date of Introduction
2006
Description
The CAESAR 8x8 self-propelled howitzer was developed by Nexter. Sometimes this artillery system is referred as CAESAR 2. The acronym CAESAR stands for CAmion Equipe d'un Systeme d'ARtillerie, or truck equipped with an artillery system. It is based on the original CAESAR, which first appeared back in 1994 and was the first mass produced truck-mounted howitzer. Prototype of the CAESAR with 8x8 configuration was revealed in 2015. The new artillery system, which emerged more than 20 years after its predecessor, is based on an 8x8 chassis. Gun of the new artillery system remains without significant changes, however weapon control systems have been updated. So the CAESAR 8x8 can shoot faster and is more accurate than its predecessor. In 2017 Denmark selected this artillery system to replace their old M109 howitzers that are in service since 1965.
Ground Specifications
Crew
4
Mobility Type
Wheeled (8x8)
Main Weapon
155 mm/L52 howitzer
Engine
Diesel (400 hp)
Max Speed
100.0 km/h
Range
600.0 km
System
Alternative Designation
Caesar 8x8 French 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Manufacturer
Nexter Systems
Type
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Family
Caesar Family of SPH
Configuration
8x8
Crew
4 ea
Chassis
Mercedes-Benz (6 × 6) truck
Displacement Time
1 min
Emplacement Time
1 min
Dimensions
Length
12.3 m
Width
2.8 m
Height
3.1 m
Weight, Combat
17.7 tons
Ground Pressure
INA
Automotive
Engine Name
366 LA 6
Engine Type
Diesel
Engine Power
400 hp
Fuel Capacity
230 liters
Maximum Range
600 km
Speed, Maximum Road
100 km/h
Speed, Average Cross
50 km/h
Speed Maximum Swim
Not Amphibious
Gradient
40 %
Side Slope
30 %
Vertical Step
0.6 m
Trench
2.1 m
Fording Depth
1.2 m
Ground Clearance
0.40 m
Communications
Radio
Thales PR4G radios
Main Gun
System
Name
155 mm/L52 howitzer
Type
155 mm
Breech Type
Screw breech block
Length, Barrel
52 calibers
Loader Type
Manual
Max Rate of Fire
6 rds/min
Rate of Fire Burst
3 rds/min
Rate of Fire Sustained
6 rds/min
Muzzle Brake Type
Double baffle
Max Elevation
+72 deg
Min Elevation
-4 deg
Traverse Range
34 deg
Traverse Left
17 deg
Traverse Right
17 deg
Maximum Firing Range
42-55 km
Charge System
Conventional Bag Charges or the Modular Charge System (MCS)
Top Charge System (TCS)
Yes
Top Charge Modules (TCM)
Yes
Bottom Charge System (BCS)
Yes
Bottom Charge Modules (BCM)
Yes, 2 each
Note
In addition to firing the standard French Army LU122 high-explosive base bleed (BB) and Hollow Base (HB) projectile CAESAR has also fired the Rheinmetall Denel Munitions Velocity enhanced Long range Artillery Projectile (VLAP) which achieved a maximum range of 58 km.
Ammunition (Option 1)
Type
Frag-HE, Extended Range Full-Bore/Base Bleed
Caliber
155 mm
Muzzle Velocity
895 m/s
Fuse Type
PD
Minimum Effective Range
4,500 m
Maximum Effective Range
35,000 m ERFB, 42,000 m ERFB-BB m
Penetration
INA
Projectile Weight
43.7 kg
Basic Load
18 Total of any 155mm projectile combination
Ammunition (Option 2)
Type
Ogre, Cargo (DPICM) with 63 submunitions
Caliber
155 mm
Muzzle Velocity
897 m/s
Fuse Type
Proximity on submunitions
Minimum Effective Range
4,500 m
Maximum Effective Range
35,000 m
Penetration
90 mm
Projectile Weight
43.1 kg
Basic Load
18 Total of any 155mm projectile combination
Coaxial Weapon System
System
Name
1 x M2 HB Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun
Type
12.7 mm
In Service
1933-Present
Manufacturer
Current: General Dynamics, Fabrique Nationale
Proliferation
Over 3 Million
Max Rate of Fire (M2HB Version)
450-600
Max Rate of Fire (AN/M2 Version)
750-850
Max Rate of Fire (AN/M3 Version)
1,200-1,300
Weight (Gun Only)
38 kg
Weight (Gun and Tripod)
58 kg
Length (Total)
1,654 mm
Length (Barrel)
1,143 mm
Action
Short recoil-operated
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
12.7 mm
Muzzle Velocity
450-1,200 m/s
Effective Range
1,800-2,000 km
Basic Load
2,000 ea
Fire Control
Name
FAST-Hit computer FCS with Sagem Signal 30 and GPS navigation, aiming, and command net combined. In French forces, it will link to the Atlas artillery C2 net.
Computerized FCS
Yes
Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander
No
Thermal Sight Gunner
No
Main Gun Stabilization
Yes, large spade is hydraulically lowered at the rear to provide a more stable firing platform
Data System
SAFRAN SIGMA 30 onboard Reference Package/Position Data System (RP/PDS)
GPS
Yes
Muzzle Velocity Radar
RDB4 muzzle velocity radar
Fire Control System
CS 2002-G onboard fire-control computer
3-D Display
Yes
Ammunition Status Management System (ASMS)
Yes
Ammunition Resupply Management System (ARMS)
Yes
Gun Status Management System (GSMS)
Yes
Note
The system can fire six 155mm projectiles in under 2 minutes
Protection
Hull Armor
INA
Turret Armor
INA
Applique Armor
Available
Explosive Reactive Armor
No
Active Protection System
INA
Mine Clearing
No
Self-Entrenching Blade
No
NBC Protection
No
Smoke Equipment
INA
IR Signature
INA
Details
Country of Origin
France
Category
Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Land > Artillery > Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Filter Label
C
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
12.3 m
Width
2.8 m
Height
3.1 m
Weight
17700 kg
Operators (6)
France
Denmark
Indonesia
Lebanon
Saudi Arabia
Thailand
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