Military Things: Artillery

Showing posts with label Artillery. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

RCH 155 (Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155 mm)

The RCH 155 (Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155 mm) is a modern wheeled self-propelled artillery gun (or howitzer) manufactured by KNDS Germany (formerly Krauss-Maffei Wegmann).

Development of the RCH 155 (Remote-Controlled Howitzer) was undertaken by the German defense company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (now KNDS Germany) between 2014 and 2024.

Prior to the RCH 155, the German manufacturer had developed an autonomous, automated artillery turret system known as the Artillery Gun Module (AGM). The AGM weapon system utilized the 155mm L52 caliber gun barrel from Germany's legendary tracked howitzer, the PzH 2000. In 2014, KMW decided to integrate this unmanned AGM module onto the chassis of the GTK Boxer 8×8 wheeled combat vehicle. This combination aimed to create an artillery system with destructive power comparable to the PzH 2000, yet offering significantly higher strategic mobility and operational speed on roads. The RCH 155 prototype was first unveiled to the global public at the Eurosatory 2016 international defense exhibition in Paris. Following years of live-fire testing and the refinement of its computerized systems, the system officially entered mass production in 2022.

The following are some of the key specifications and advantages of the RCH 155:

"Shoot-on-the-Move" Capability: This is its most revolutionary feature; the gun is capable of accurately aiming and firing rounds while the vehicle is in motion.

Full Automation: The system employs a fully automated loading mechanism (autoloader), allowing the gun within the turret to be operated remotely by a crew seated in a protected cabin. Minimal Crew: Requires a crew of only two (commander and driver) to operate the entire weapon system.

Firepower and Range: Utilizes a 155 mm L52 barrel with a firing range of approximately 40 km using standard ammunition; it can reach distances exceeding 54 km—up to 76 km—with advanced guided munitions (such as Excalibur or Volcano) and boasts a firing rate of up to 9 rounds per minute.

No Stabilizer Legs: The turret is capable of 360-degree rotation and firing in any direction without the need for additional stabilizer legs prior to engagement.

Weaknesses and drawbacks considered by military experts:

Very Heavy Weight: The Artillery Gun Module (AGM) mounted on the Boxer chassis brings the RCH 155's total weight to approximately 39 tons. This is significantly heavier than competing wheeled howitzers like the CAESAR (France), which weigh only around 18–32 tons.

Limited Air Mobility: Due to its large size and weight approaching 40 tons, the RCH 155 cannot be transported by standard NATO tactical transport aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules. It requires much larger strategic transport aircraft, such as the Airbus A400M or Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, for air transport.

Very High Cost: Given its cutting-edge automation technology, fire stabilization system, and complex Boxer chassis, the unit cost of the RCH 155 is far higher than that of other conventional self-propelled artillery systems.

High Reliance on Electronic Systems: The entire process—from ammunition loading and targeting to firing—is digitally controlled and fully automated (remote-controlled). In the event of an electronic system failure, computer damage from a cyberattack, or an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) strike, the gun system risks total incapacitation, as manual operation by the crew—who are located in a separate cabin—is difficult.

Limited Ammunition Capacity: The AGM automated turret carries only 30 ready-to-fire rounds in its magazine. During prolonged, high-intensity combat, the RCH 155 relies heavily on nearby ammunition supply vehicles.

High Vehicle Profile: The large, unmanned turret design results in a vehicle height of nearly 4 meters. This high profile makes it easier for enemy radar or reconnaissance drones to detect the vehicle in open terrain compared to lower-profile artillery systems.

User and Ordering Nations: To date, hundreds of RCH 155 units have been ordered by several countries to modernize their field artillery fleets:

- Ukraine: The first nation to operate the system. Ukraine ordered a total of 54 units, funded through German military aid. The initial units have reportedly arrived and are undergoing live battlefield testing (combat-proven).

- Germany: The Bundeswehr (German Army) conducted intensive testing and committed to ordering the system—alongside the UK—as part of strengthening the NATO alliance.

- United Kingdom: In May 2026, the UK government finalized a contract worth nearly £1 billion to purchase 72 RCH 155 units.

- Switzerland: In June 2026, the Swiss Army officially selected the RCH 155 and ordered 32 units.

- Qatar: Confirmed the purchase of the RCH 155 from Germany.

Thursday, September 3, 2026

PCL-181 - Chinese 155 mm self-propelled howitzer

The PCL-181 is a Chinese-made 155 mm self-propelled howitzer system mounted on a 6x6 truck chassis and used by the People's Liberation Army Ground Forces (PLAGF).

Key Specifications

Weapon Type: 155 mm wheeled howitzer / 52-caliber barrel.

Firing Range: Up to 40 km with conventional ammunition and up to 72 km with long-range rocket-propelled ammunition.

Mobility: Based on a Taian GM 6x6 truck chassis with a weight of approximately 25 tons, it can be loaded onto military transport aircraft such as the Shaanxi Y-9.

Features: Equipped with a semi-automatic ammunition loading system and automatic digital fire control for rapid tactical mobility (shoot-and-scoot).

Export Variant: Known as the SH-15.

The PCL-181's fire control system (FCS) is designed with a high degree of automation to support the modern shoot-and-scoot military doctrine (shoot and then immediately flee to avoid retaliation).

PCL-181 control system technology:

1. Automatic Digitalization & Computing System

Digital Ballistic Computer: Instantly calculates firing elements (elevation angle, direction, propellant type) based on received target coordinates.

Battlefield Integration (C4ISR): This system is directly connected to the tactical command network. The PCL-181 can receive real-time target data from artillery tracking radars, reconnaissance drones, or forward observers via a secure military data link.

2. Autonomous Navigation and Positioning

Inertial Navigation System (INS) & Satellite: Equipped with an integrated INS sensor combined with satellite navigation (Beidou). This system allows the vehicle to accurately determine its own coordinates and barrel direction independently, without the need for manual field surveys.

Gun Laying Automation: The gun barrel is hydraulically driven and automatically auto-lays onto the target based on ballistics computer calculations, shortening firing preparation time.

3. Ballistic Sensors & Muzzle Velocity Detection

Muzzle Velocity Radar: A small radar located above the base of the barrel detects the velocity of each bullet. This data is fed directly back to the ballistics computer to automatically correct the accuracy of subsequent shots if deviations occur due to barrel wear or external factors.

Automatic Weather Sensor: Built-in sensors measure local air temperature, pressure, and wind speed, which affect the trajectory of the bullet.

4. Semi-Automatic Ammunition Management and Loading

Computer-Aided Loading System: While loading still requires a crew, the ramming mechanism (pushing the round into the chamber) operates semi-automatically with hydraulic drives connected to the fire control system, ensuring a consistent rate of fire (approximately 4–6 rounds per minute).

Thanks to this control technology, the entire process, from stopping the vehicle, deploying the hydraulic anchor, aiming the barrel, and firing the first round, can be completed in less than a minute. After firing, the vehicle can immediately fold the system and depart in less than 30 seconds, before the enemy has time to track the source of the shot.

The PCL-181 began to be integrated into active PLA artillery units around 2018 and early 2019. It made its international debut on October 1, 2019, at China's 70th National Day Military Parade in Beijing.

The export version, designated the SH-15, has been highly successful, with several countries officially purchasing it:

Pakistan: Became the largest user outside China to modernize its artillery corps.

Ethiopia: Purchased the system to strengthen its regional defenses.