CAESAR self-propelled howitzer

CAESAR

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 for the crew. 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]

Ceasar 8x8

In 16 September 2015, Nexter has unveiled the Ceasar 8x8 at DSEI 2015 with high level of mobility ensured by a modified TATRA 8x8 chassis. The 8x8 Caesar being shown is fitted with a standard unarmoured forward control four-person cab, but one of the options is a fully armour protected cab. Gross vehicle weight would depend on the level of armour protection, but is about 30 tonnes. It is powered by a 410 hp diesel engine.[4]

Operators

Map of CAESAR operators in blue

Current operators

Potential operators

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.[14]

Three were deployed 1 August 2009[15] 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).[16]

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.[17]

Gallery

See also

References

Citations
  1. 1 2 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. ↑ http://www.janes.com/article/54396/caesar-rolls-in-on-eight-wheels-dsei15-d2
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. 1 2 Libération; Des canons français pour l'Arabie saoudite; 20 July 2006(in French)
  7. ↑ "Janes.com; Déjà 163 "feuilles" de laurier à la couronne de Caesar". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  8. ↑ "Saudi Arabia takes delivery of first CAESARs",Jane's Information Group, 31 March 2010
  9. ↑ "Défense : quand le Danemark veut du "Made in France"". La Tribune. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  10. ↑ NurW. "Indonesia Signs Contract for 37 Self-Propelled Artillery "Caesar"". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  11. ↑ 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
  12. ↑ , (Danish).
  13. ↑ de Larrinaga, Nicholas (12 April 2016). "Denmark picks five bidders for artillery procurement". IHS Jane's 360. IHS Jane's. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  14. ↑ Libération; La France va envoyer des CAESAR en Afghanistan; 29 June 2009(in French)
  15. ↑ http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/afghanistan_arrivee_des_caesa
  16. ↑ "FOB – Forces Operations Blog » Mali: VBCI et Caesar engagés dans l’opération Serval". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "Artillery : Caesar Gets Bulletproof, Just In Case - RP Defense". RP Defense. Retrieved 5 November 2014.

External links

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