CAESAR self-propelled howitzer

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CAESAR
CAESAR-openphotonet PICT6026.JPG
CAESAR howitzer on a Unimog U2450L 6x6 chassis
Type Self-propelled howitzer
Place of origin France
Service history
Wars War in Afghanistan, Cambodian–Thai border stand-off, Operation Serval
Production history
Designer GIAT
Specifications
Weight 17.7 tonnes
Length 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Width 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)
Height 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in)
Crew 5-6 (3, emergency)
Main
armament
 155 mm/52-calibre
Secondary
armament
 none
Engine diesel
Suspension 6x6 wheel
Operational
range
 600 km (370 mi)
Speed On-road: 100 km/h (62 mph)
Off-road: 50 km/h (31 mph)

The CAESAR from CAmion Equipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie (French: Truck equipped with an artillery system)[1] is a 155 mm/52-calibre gun-howitzer installed on a 6X6 truck chassis. Examples built for the French Army use a Renault Sherpa 10 chassis, examples built for export utilize the 6x6 Unimog U2450L chassis. The CAESAR platform was developed by the former GIAT Industries (now known as Nexter) and is operated by the French, Indonesian, Saudi Arabian, and Thai militaries.

Development

Caesar was developed in the 1990s as a technology demonstrator by the French state-owned company GIAT Industries; it was first shown in public in 1994. Four years later a pre-production model underwent trials with the French Army.[2]

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, though if necessary, the CAESAR can be operated by as few as three men. It 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 integrated with a fully computerized system, providing an automatic control. During Eurosatory 2006, CAESAR was exhibited with an automated laying system based on the SIGMA 30 inertial navigation system.

Nexter is developing an armored cab for the CAESAR in response to demand for more protection from crews. The additional armor will protect against IEDs and roadside bombs, anti-vehicle mines, and 155 mm shells landing as close as five meters (16 feet) away from the vehicle. It can be added to the cabs of existing CAESARs. Heavier armor will increase its weight by 400 kg (880 pounds) and raise the price by 4-5 percent.[3]

Operators

Map of CAESAR operators in blue

Current operators

  •  France: The first order (for 5 howitzers) was passed on 20 September 2000. The first five units were delivered in 2003. Following the evaluation, the main order of 72 units were made in late 2004. In July 2008, the first cannon of the first series of 8 was delivered to the French Army.[4]
  •  Saudi Arabia: In 2006, GIAT announced a 76-unit sale plus a 4-unit option to an unspecified foreign customer, later confirmed to be Saudi Arabia.[5] The 4 optional units became firm sales on January 2007. The two first units will be assembled in France as the 78 other ones will be assembled in Saudi Arabia.[6] In March 2010, the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) accepted its first four of a projected 100 systems.[7]
  •  Indonesia: Indonesian Army also acquire 37 units of Caesars for 240 million dollars and the first two arrived on mid September 2012.[8][9]
  •  Lebanon: France has accepted to provide Lebanon with 28 CAESAR systems, financed by the Saudi grant.[10]

Potential operators

  •  Denmark: The CAESAR is competing to become the new artillery system of the Danish Army. The budget will support from 9-21 howitzers.[11]

Operational deployment

In June 2009, the French Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that 8 CAESAR would be sent to Afghanistan to support French operations. They were deployed during the summer.[12]

Three were deployed 1 August 2009[13] by the 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment (3è RAMa), followed by five others, deployed as a firebase in FOB Tora, Tagab and Nijrab. They are fitted with cabin armor add-ons, with fireport.

The French army deployed this system in southern Lebanon as part as the UNIFIL peace keeping force.

During Operation Serval in Mali 4 CAESAR were deployed by the 68e régiment d'artillerie d'Afrique (68th Artillery of Africa Regiment).[14]

In April 2011, the Royal Thai Army used the CAESAR against Cambodia's BM-21, Thai Army claimed that they destroyed more than 2 BM-21 systems.[15]

Gallery

  • On display, side profile of deployed howitzer.

  • On display, close up of system.

  • Live fire in Afghanistan, August 2009.

  • CAESAR gun line in Afghanistan, August 2009.

  • Preparing to load the breech in Afghanistan, August 2009.

  • Nexter Caesar Heavy Version

See also

References

Citations

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External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Caesar self propelled gun-www.defense-update.com; retrieved 13 February 2007
  2. ↑ "Nexter Systems CAESAR 155 mm self-propelled gun (France), Self-propelled guns and howitzers (wheeled)". Jane's Armour and Artillery. February 10, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  3. ↑ Caesar Gets Bulletproof, Just In Case - Strategypage.com, 15 June 2013
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Libération; Des canons français pour l'Arabie saoudite; 20 July 2006(in French)
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ [1]"Saudi Arabia takes delivery of first CAESARs",Jane's Information Group, 31 March 2010
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ http://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2014_global_defense_security_news_uk/lebanese_armed_forces_to_purchase_french_vbc_90_armoured_and_caesar_155mm_howitzers_2510142.html
  11. ↑ [2], (Danish).
  12. ↑ Libération; La France va envoyer des CAESAR en Afghanistan; 29 June 2009(in French)
  13. ↑ http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/afghanistan_arrivee_des_caesa
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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