Nexter (GIAT) CAESAR (CAmion Equipe d'un Systeme d'ARtillerie)

History

The international market for self-propelled artillery systems (SPA) has long been a highly competitive industry. The current global environment has identified plans to produce 4,500 self-propelled artillery systems by 2016, with sales expected to reach $13, according to a market forecast report prepared by the International Arms Group (IWG). 5 billion. There is a growing market interest in wheeled SPA systems due to their cost-effectiveness and simplicity compared to armored tracked types.

Examples of new directions are the American M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS) and the French CAESAR Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH).

The name "CAESAR" is derived from the French "CAmion Equipe d'un Systeme d'ARtillerie" (translated as "truck with artillery system").

General Instructions

CAESAR deployed a 52 caliber 155mm howitzer system mounted on the rear of a 5 ton Sherpa 5 6x6 truck chassis. While various truck chassis are capable of self-deploying cannon systems, prime contractor GIAT (now Nexter) chose the tried-and-true Daimler-Chrysler (Mercedes) General Motors Gerat - better known as " UNIMOG - CAESAR design for its local production. The CAESAR was originally designed and manufactured by the French state-owned company GIAT Industries before becoming Nexter Systems based in Versailles, France. Classified as a self-propelled gun (SPG), the design has a fully enclosed crew compartment and unrestricted firing angles from the main gun mount.

A typical operator consists of five personnel, although three may manage weapons and vehicle functions in an emergency.

Caesar's Journey

The CAESAR gun and transport platform weighed less than 18 tons. GIAT/Nexter is combining its 155m howitzer with a Renault Sherpa 5-series truck to reduce overall acquisition, operation and maintenance costs while increasing the speed of SPH. The Renault chassis is an off-road six-wheel truck with power steering. It is designed to carry payloads of up to 7 tonnes on paved roads or haul cargo off-road over rough and loose terrain.

The CAESAR chassis is completely suspended from its heavy duty chassis, using rubber tires set on steel rims rather than the steel track and wheel arrangement found in many modern SPH/SPGs. Compared to tracked vehicles, the wheeled arrangement requires a lower torque-to-power ratio, increasing overall speed. Compared to steel track systems, rubber tires also provide a higher level of maneuverability and reduce overall weight through fewer moving parts - the wheels provide fewer parts to damage in the field, reducing repair costs. A central tire pressure control system is installed in the cab, allowing the driver to adjust tire pressure according to the terrain. The Sherpa 5 is powered by a Euro 4 six-cylinder engine producing 177 kW at 2,300 rpm.

The vehicle has a range of 600 km (370 miles) and a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) on paved roads and 50 km/h (31 mph) off-road.

CAESAR artillery assemblies and weapons

The truck came to a complete stop when the CAESAR crew was notified to attack the target. A crew member turned on the hydraulics in the rear of the truck, which allowed the gun to be brought into firing position with two large shovels. The shovel was dug into the ground about 14 inches deep. This restricts vehicle movement while the main battery is firing. Meanwhile, the four rear wheels are hydraulically lifted to clear the ground, letting the two scoops take all the recoil and limit the pressure on the axles.

The captain monitors the firing through an on-board GPS computer. Overall, CAESAR can be ready to launch in seconds. One loader is loaded with high-explosive projectiles, while the other is loaded with propellant powder charges.

The fifth member screwed the fuse into the case and then helped where needed. This burn-in process takes less than a minute.

The weapon can fire six projectiles at a target or target area in less than two minutes. When the fire mission was complete, the crew reversed the program and the vehicle was allowed to move under its own power, repeating the set-firing process as needed.

This minimal "shoot and shoot" time frame increases the difficulty of the enemy engaging CAESAR with counter-artillery fire in return.

Transport minimal ammo and ammunition on actual CAESAR vehicles. They are stored in two storage compartments on either side of the truck (behind the cab). The area on the driver's side holds 18 gunpowder charges with primer, while the storage compartment on the passenger's side accommodates 18 x 155 mm projectiles - close to the automatic breech loader. To support its massive firepower, Nexter developed a supply vehicle with the same truck cab and body as the CAESAR.

The ammunition transporter is equipped with a hydraulic crane at the rear end of the truck chassis. This leaves most of the trailer's loading area to six containers of 12 rounds or propellant (or charge) for a total of 72 x 155mm bullets and charges. The supply truck has a crew of three - a driver, a crane operator and an assistant - and also delivers spare vehicle parts, such as tires.

Cranes are used to quickly unload containers with ammunition projectiles and charges.

CAESAR Modular

The cab of the truck is available in several modular versions. The nacelle is the nerve center for the main fire control computer and all related systems required for autonomous mission support.

The cabin is air-conditioned and has six-inch-thick bulletproof glass windows for protection against shrapnel and small arms fire. These computers provide targeting, ballistic calculation, navigation and command assistance. An optional 12.7mm heavy machine gun (as a secondary weapon) can be mounted on a ring turret on top of the nacelle.

The modular design of the cabin allows customers to choose from a variety of features to meet mission requirements - Newsteel and fiberglass, closed or open, desert environments, three- or five-seat models, and more.

The swap cab concept developed by Renault for its Kerax 8x8 truck range of rigid logistic and tactical vehicles. These come with an armored cab and self-defense weapon kit and will be incorporated into the Sherpa 5's design. A "top-up" cab protection kit is also planned, which includes armoured door upgrades, a mine-resistant floor, an armoured roof and new armoured front windshield flaps. The upgraded C-type chassis features upgraded axles and leaf spring suspension.

The brakes can be disc or drum, both with anti-lock protection. Customers can choose between axle locks or a full lateral differential.

Mission, operator and combat missions to date

In June 2003, the first order of five CAESARs was delivered to the French Army. The limited delivery schedule serves two purposes: first, to establish a standard engagement sequence for future gunners, and second, to test for malfunctions of the weapon system and report any improvements that may be needed.

By the end of 2004, the tests were completed, and the French Army had purchased 72 CAESARs. In April 2007, the French Army received the first firing test units. CAESAR is currently (2013) used quantitatively by the French Army.

To date (November 2013), the French Army has purchased 77 Caesars and 77 ammunition supply trucks. The next logical development was to obtain a reserve stockpile of all types of 155mm projectiles and their applicable propellants. In 2012, the French Army signed a multi-year ammunition contract for its CAESAR unit. This commitment from the French Army has persuaded customers around the world to invest in CAESAR as well.

So far (2013) export sales have been made to Saudi Arabia, 132 units have been ordered, Indonesia (2 units), Thailand (6 units) and Denmark (18 units). The average cost of all export contracts is $5. Includes 5 million per CAESAR unit and one supply truck per vehicle.

In 2009, France dispatched eight CAESARs to Afghanistan to support French troops at the Torah, Tagab and Nijrabut firebases - the first time the weapon system was used in an official combat capability. On Afghanistan's roads - mostly goat trails - CAESAR has proven itself up to the task.

In 2011, the French Foreign Legion took part in Operation Marisel Waring in four CAESAR vehicles.

On the other side of the world, Thailand deployed six CAESARs in 2011, when they claimed to have a pair of Cambodian BM-21 122mm Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) from the Soviet Union. In December 2012, France provided troops to the UNIFIL peacekeeping force in Lebanon and took two CAESARs with them.

Renault is using the CAESAR concept to develop future prototypes - the larger Sherpa 10 on a UNIMOG 6x6 chassis is one such move. The Sherpa 10 will have a payload in the 8 to 10 ton range, with a platform setup capable of handling 20ft ISO containers almost twice as much as the Sherpa 5, which has a payload in the 5 to 7 ton range.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

18 x 155mm projectile on base vehicle, but supplemented with included ammo rack.

800 x 12.7mm ammo (if equipped with MG)

Changes