SP, MLRS and SPAA Developments

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

My purpose here is the same as with the the MRAP and APC threads to inform and track new developments. But also to offer systems that came into being since about 2000 as many of these are the foundation of newer systems. So Germany is first up and will demostrate my last comment.
Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Greece/PzH 2000/C5/155mm L52 How and 7.62mm MG.
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/pzh2000/ and http://www.military-today.com/artillery/pzh_2000.htm
Army-Tech quick look:
Key Data:
Crew 5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 x ammunition loaders)
Dimensions:Hull Length 7.9m Overall Length 11.7m Barrel
Overhang 3.3m Width 3.6m Height 3.1m Combat Weight 55t Performance: Highway Speed Over 60km/h Typical Tank Cross-Country Speed Over 45km/h Radius of Action 420km Transportability STANAG 2832B Forward Slope50% Trench Crossing3m Guns:Calibre 52 Range With NATO Ammunition 30km Range With Base Bleed Ammunition 36.5km Range With Assisted Projectiles 40km Demonstrated Performance Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact capacity (MRSI) and firing on moving targets Resupply 60 rounds and 288 charges by 2 crew members in less than 10 minutes 50 seconds More than 26,300km of road and cross country driving Endurance Execution of 9 x 24-hour days, with 9 x 300 rounds from 37 different firing positions and
9 x 125km moves Firing Rate Demonstrated Using 24V Technology Automatic Loader 3 rounds in 9.2 seconds 8 rounds in
42.9 seconds 10 rounds in 59.6 seconds Sustained Firing Rate
20 rounds in 2 minutes 10 seconds Firing Rate Demonstrated Using 48V Technology Automatic Loader 3 rounds in 8.4 seconds
12 rounds in 59.74 seconds Sustained Firing Rate 20 rounds in
1 minute 47 seconds Power:Powerpack MTU type 881 Power-to-Weight Ratio 13.4kW/t Rating 736kW Transmission Renk HSWL 284C

Military-Today quick look:
Entered service 1998
Crew 5 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 55 t
Length (gun forward) 11.67 m
Hull length 7.87 m
Width 3.48 m
Height 3.4 m
Armament
Main gun 155-mm
Barrel length 52 calibers
Machine guns 1 x 7.62-mm
Projectile weight 43.5 kg
Maximum firing range 30 - 40 km
Maximum rate of fire 9 rpm
Elevation range - 2.5 to + 65 degrees
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun 60 rounds
Machine guns 1 500 - 2 000 rounds
Mobility
Engine MTU MT881 Ka-500 diesel
Engine power 1 000 hp
Maximum road speed 60 km/h
Range 420 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope ?
Vertical step 1.1 m
Trench 3 m
Fording 1.5 m
And the good stuff:

Have run out of time have to get ready for work. Next will be the tie in unit. Would in the meantime appreciate any thoughts on the "quick looks" too much? too long? etc. thanks and have a great day!
Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

As promised PzH 2000 projected replacement.
Germany and United States/2014P/Donar/C2/155mm L52 How/
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/donar.htm and http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product4206.html
Mil-Today Quick Look:
Entered service -
Crew 2 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 31.5 t
Combat weight 35 t
Length (gun forward) 10.3 m
Hull length ?
Width 2.8 m
Height 3 m
Armament
Main gun 155-mm
Barrel length 52 calibers
Machine guns -
Maximum firing range 40 km
Maximum rate of fire 6 rpm
Elevation range 0 to + 70 degrees
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun 30 rounds
Machine guns -
Mobility
Engine MTU diesel
Engine power 720 hp
Maximum road speed 60 km/h
Range 500 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step ~ 0.9 m
Trench 2 m
Fording ~ 1.2 m

Pics:
Better PzH 2000
Good Night!
Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

And now for something different SPAA, new and "tracking".
Switzerland/?/Skyranger/C2/DP 35mm/
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/skyranger.htm and
http://defense-update.com/products/a/aheadsparc.htm.
No quick look here except it's been designed to support duel purpose in a fire suppression role out to 5000m. Short articles.
Pics:

Watching end of 50km cross and getting ready for USA vs Canada hockey, so I hope you will enjoy the rest of your day!
Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Staying with Air Defence and as a reminder dates are as "fielded":
RUSSIA/PANTSYR-S1/2010/C3/Quad 30mm and 12 57E6 AA Missiles.
Article: http://www.military-today.com/missiles/pantsyr.htm
Nato designation SA-22 GREYHOUND. Has been ordered by the following: ALGERIA, SYRIA and the UAE.
Pics:



Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Let me introduce the ARCHER this could be the first SPA unit to get in the game not to incur a "movement penalty" if the code allows it.
SWEDEN & NORWAY/ARCHER/2011/C4 (Min. 2)/155mm & LEMUR Remote 12.7mm.
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/archer.htm Note:30s Stop to Fire and 30s Out of Action this could be a potential counter battery nightmare.
And it seems BAE has gotten the final production contract approved. For those of us following the BMOD FRES program take note of the last para from the following as well, the French as I reported earlier are to get the CTWS 40mm to be mounted on a new platform.
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/article/article_1639.html
Pics:


Well I have to ready my Japanese forces for an assault against the Russians, so I hope you all have a great weekend!
Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

ARCHER update SWEDEN contracts for 48 units.
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/contracts.php
Regards,
Pat

[thatguy96]

The US Army issued a stop work order for the NLOS-C on 24 July 2009 as part of the partial termination of the manned components of the FCS program and the realignment of the program under the Early BCT (E-BCT) upgrade program. I'm not sure if they've restarted work on it.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well since I like to make things "official" if possible, here's the best sources I can find to support the previous post
(And thanks again!).
http://www.defense.gov/releases/rele...eleaseid=12831 and from earlier this month, note para. 4.
http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/06/02...ge-of-command/
Well M109A6 PIM anyone? Though the Army is already considering replacement number three it looks like the PALADIN will be around until 2050! A hundred years (Though updated many times.) on one platform amazing!
Gotta get that bike ride in!!
Regards,
Pat

[Marcello]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

Well M109A6 PIM anyone? Though the Army is already considering replacement number three it looks like the PALADIN will be around until 2050! A hundred years (Though updated many times.) on one platform amazing!

Last I heard about it, B-52s were supposed to serve until 2040, at which point they would be 80 years old (the last left the assembly line in the early 60's). Probably the Abrams will last until that timeframe too.
Several tens of billions were wasted chasing the FCS pipe dream. That kind of money to throw around won't be available for a long time given the economic outlook.
Given how insanely expensive procuring new hardware has become it is likely that the current AFVs will soldier on for a very long time indeed.

[EJ]

NOT surprising to read. Yours and my tax dollars "pee'd" down the drain. What the hell are OUR leaders thinking?