Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1446249
ous decade has seen major perfecting of such solutions - the time needed to develop a firing solution is shorter than the "mechanical" performance of the self-propelled howitzer systems. The most significant changes can be implemented currently in target designation. In the case of the howitzers, or the command systems, revolution is unlikely. The willingness to increase the range of fire and level of automation is understandable, due to the spatial profile of the future battlefield, with elements working in a dispersed manner. Furthermore, the growing tempo and intensity of operations impose a major load on the troops, thus solely fully automated, autonomous and net-centric systems will be able to effectively carry out the missions. And systems of this type would be the only ones that could survive on the battlefield, especially when placed against an enemy who outnumbers the blue force. Considering these factors, conventional, precision-guided, and her armor-piercing muni- tions have become far more important in the equation. The latest German self-propelled howitzers comply with the aforesaid de- scription almost perfectly. The Past - Legacy of PzH 2000 Germany finds itself in a fairly comfortable position, as its PzH 2000 sys- tem is still the best series-manufactured self-propelled howitzer around. The German industry, meanwhile, already has a replacement of this system de- veloped. After relevant modifications to the said design are introduced, it is expected that major quantities of this system would be procured by 2032 (considering the European context). www.fragoutmag.com