CAESAR self-propelled howitzer: Difference between revisions
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===Potential and future operators=== |
===Potential and future operators=== |
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*{{flagicon|Denmark}} The [[Danish Army]] intended to buy the Swedish [[Archer Artillery System]], but due to budget cuts under the new government, the Danish Army is now planning to purchase 18 CAESARs to replace its aging [[M109 howitzer]]s |
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} The [[Danish Army]] intended to buy the Swedish [[Archer Artillery System]], but due to budget cuts under the new government, the Danish Army is now planning to purchase 18 CAESARs to replace its aging [[M109 howitzer]]s.<ref name="">[http://www.artilleriet.dk/artikel/E4290vArtilleri.htm], (Danish).</ref> |
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==Operational deployment== |
==Operational deployment== |
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Revision as of 23:30, 31 March 2013
| CAESAR | |
|---|---|
 CAESAR howitzer on a Unimog U2450 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 | |
| Mass | 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 (3, emergency) |
Main armament | 155 mm/52-calibre |
Secondary armament | none |
| Engine | diesel |
| Suspension | 6x6 wheel |
Operational range | 600 km (370 mi) |
| Maximum 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 (Template:Lang-fr)[1] is a 155 mm/52-calibre gun-howitzer installed on a 6X6 truck chassis. The chassis is a Renault Sherpa 10 for systems delivered to the French army otherwise it is a 6x6 Unimog U2450. It was developed by GIAT (now called Nexter) and is operated by the French Army.
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 and 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 operated by a crew of 5 people, which can be reduced to 3 if necessary. 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. During Eurosatory 2006, CAESAR was exhibited with an automated laying system based on the SIGMA 30 inertial navigation system.
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.[3]
Indonesia: Indonesian Army also acquire 37 units of Caesars for 170 million dollars and the first two arrived on mid September 2012.[4][5]
Saudi Arabia: In 2006, GIAT announced a 76-unit sale plus a 4-unit option to an unspecified foreign customer which was rumoured to be Saudi Arabia.[6] 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.[7] In March 2010, the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) accepted its first four of a projected 100 systems.[8]
Thailand: The 6 CAESAR is operated by Thailand Army (RTA).[1][6]
Potential and future operators
The Danish Army intended to buy the Swedish Archer Artillery System, but due to budget cuts under the new government, the Danish Army is now planning to purchase 18 CAESARs to replace its aging M109 howitzers.[9]
Operational deployment
In June 2009, the French Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that 8 CAESAR will be sent to Afghanistan to support French operations. They should be deployed during the summer.[10]
Three have been deployed 1 August 2009[11] by the 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, followed by five others, to be place as 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.
In April 2011, the Royal Thai Army used the CAESAR against Cambodia's BM-21, Thai Army claimed that they destroyed more than 4 BM-21 systems.[citation needed]
A battery of CAESARs from the 68e Régiment d'Artillerie d'Afrique (68e RA) was deployed in Mali in support of the ongoing Operation Serval.
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.
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See also
References
- Citations
- ^ a b Caesar self propelled gun-www.defense-update.com; retrieved 13 February 2007
- ^ "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.
- ^ Daffix, Bruno. "La DGA livre le premier canon Caesar à l'armée de terre". DGA. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Défense : quand le Danemark veut du "Made in France"
- ^ Indonesia Signs Contract for 37 Self-Propelled Artillery "Caesar"
- ^ a b Libération; Des canons français pour l'Arabie saoudite; 20 July 2006(in French)
- ^ Janes.com; Déjà 163 "feuilles" de laurier à la couronne de Caesar
- ^ [1]"Saudi Arabia takes delivery of first CAESARs",Jane's Information Group, 31 March 2010
- ^ [2], (Danish).
- ^ Libération; La France va envoyer des CAESAR en Afghanistan; 29 June 2009(in French)
- ^ http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/afghanistan_arrivee_des_caesa
External links
- Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. Caesar Renault Sherpa 5 Nexter wheeled self-propelled howitzer
- Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. Caesar 155mm Artillery System, France
- Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. CAESAR page at Janes.com
- Template:Fr CAESAR description by Nexter Systems
| Armoured cavalry | |
|---|---|
| Artillery, transport and combat engineering | |
| French Army Light Aviation | |