Frag Out! Magazine
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2000 system. The module in question can be fitted onto most carrier platforms, even though wheeled ones require extra stabilizing outriggers to be used. Even though AGS only carries half of the PzH 2000's default ammu- nition quantity, and it offers a lower rate of fire and virtually non-existent protection against DPICM/EFPs, the full automation and limited procedures required (for the Bundeswehr suf- fering from a staffing crisis) is a major advan- tage. The turret module also has no typical disadvantages associated with truck-borne howitzers such as CAESAR, or ATMOS. It can withstand adverse weather, and the crew re- quirements are kept at a bare minimum. The avant-garde AGS solution then evolved to become RCH155 - "remotely controlled 155 mm howitzer" - initially based on Boxer APC. The performance is similar to the pre- decessor. However, officially the rate of fire was increased to 9 rounds per minute. The automated ammunition storage system still accommodates 30 projectiles and 144 mod- ular propelling charges. Although the turret alone is the pinnacle of performance, some doubts emerged when it came to the stability of the APC carrier. It is not a surprise that a modified Rheinmetall-branded derivative was showcased this year. Rheinmetall owns the MAN company - thus it has a perfectly suit- able 10x10 HX3 platform at its disposal. The new system features four deployable stabiliz- ing outriggers, taking most of the load, trans- ferring it to the ground. Thus, the platform is far more stable. However, the outriggers would penetrate the ground deeper, following the first shot. A similar design solution was proposed by the Russians for the wheeled version of the Koalitsya system, a decade ago. The HX3 carrier comes from a proven family of MAN HX trucks. The scalable family of platforms, ranging from 4x4 to 10x10 lay- outs, features a common armored and higher volume cabin, with enhanced ergonomics. The turret alone has been redesigned - when it comes to its external appearance. The inter- nals, however, remain unchanged. Summing it up, the modified RCH155 turret offering based on the MAN HX3 carrier per- fectly complies with Bundeswehr's declara- tions on the necessity to procure 108 wheeled systems. The performance is similar to the unmatched PzH 2000 system, apart from the number of rounds available. A crew of two is enough to employ the system - considering the current demographics, this is a major advantage. Unless the Bundeswehr requires some changes in the artillery system per se, the German industry has a tangible response to the requirements defined by the German artillerymen available at hand. The perfor- mance of the new system is among the best in the world. However, one should remember that so far, the wheeled howitzer systems have been globally viewed as ones of inferior performance, when compared to their tracked counterparts. The German offering seems to depart from this view. The only disadvantage is the total quantity of ammunition available. It seems that the future of artillery would be dominated by such systems - possibly even fully autonomous ones, or ones just with the driver, with the fire module being fully auton- omous, receiving firing solutions en route, via BMS. A concept as such requires logistics to be put in place - probably fully automated re- loading systems would also be required. Nev- ertheless, adoption of this approach would make it possible to diminish the artillery staffing requirements four- or five-fold. In the NATO armies, this is priceless. www.fragoutmag.com