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.

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.

Guided artillery shells (munitions) - M982 Excalibur, 2K25 Krasnopol, Leonardo Vulcano

Guided artillery shells (or munitions) are modern artillery projectiles equipped with an internal guidance system to change their flight direction in mid-air to hit targets with a very high degree of accuracy. Unlike conventional artillery shells, which rely on calculated firing angles and are susceptible to misses due to wind or weather factors, these smart munitions can self-correct their trajectory after being fired from the cannon barrel.

Guidance System Types

Satellite System (GPS/INS): Uses global positioning coordinates to guide the projectile directly to a predetermined stationary target.

Laser Guidance (Semi-Active Laser): Requires a ground operator or drone to "spotlight" the target using a laser beam. The bullet's sensor then tracks the laser reflection, making it highly effective against moving targets.

Self-Sensing Guidance (Infrared/Radar): Equipped with a self-contained seeker to automatically detect the heat signature (infrared) or radar of enemy armored vehicles.

Examples of Popular Guided Artillery Rounds

Some of the most well-known guided artillery munitions used in modern combat include:

M982 Excalibur

M982 Excalibur (United States/Sweden)

Caliber: 155mm.

Guidance System: GPS and Inertial Guidance.

Advantages: Compatible with modern howitzer systems such as the M777 and CAESAR, it boasts extreme accuracy with a radius of error of less than 2 meters.

2K25 Krasnopol

2K25 Krasnopol (Russia)

Caliber: 152mm or 155mm.

Guidance System: Semi-automatic laser.

Advantages: Extremely lethal against moving vehicles such as tanks because the round travels directly to the target's laser beam.

Leonardo Vulcano

Leonardo Vulcano (Italy)

Caliber: 127mm (naval) and 155mm (land artillery).

Guidance System: GPS/INS combined with optional laser guidance.

Advantages: Uses a sub-caliber, sabot-loaded design, allowing it to achieve extremely long ranges (up to 70 km).

Key Advantages in Combat

Logistical Efficiency: Drastically reduces the number of rounds fired; one smart round is often sufficient to replace dozens of conventional rounds.

Reduced Collateral Damage: High accuracy ensures military targets are destroyed without excessive damage to surrounding civilian areas.

Surprise Effect: Capable of destroying high-value enemy targets (such as command posts or radars) with the first shot.

The DONAR 10x10 - next-generation 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer

 The DONAR 10x10 is a next-generation 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) field artillery system. This weapon system integrates an Artillery Gun Module (AGM) manufactured by German defense manufacturer KNDS with a Piranha IV 10x10 Heavy Mission Carrier armored vehicle chassis manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS).

Key Characteristics & Features: This advanced artillery system is specifically designed to meet the needs of the modern battlefield, emphasizing the following advantages:

Full Automation: The AGM turret operates autonomously and automatically, from target calculation to ammunition loading.

Minimum Crew: Thanks to automated technology, this combat vehicle requires only a two-person crew to operate.

Firing on the Move: The DONAR 10x10 is one of the few artillery systems in the world capable of firing on the move.

MRSI Feature: Has Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) capability, which fires multiple projectiles with different trajectories to hit the target simultaneously.

Shoot-and-Scoot Method: Capable of firing precisely, then immediately relocating within seconds to avoid enemy counter-battery attacks.

Extensive Range: Uses a standard NATO L52 155 mm cannon capable of reaching targets up to 40 kilometers away, depending on the type of ammunition used.

High Mobility: The use of a 10x10 wheeled chassis provides high stability in rough terrain and significantly faster redeployment speeds than tracked artillery.

World's First User: This system officially gained global attention after the Swiss Army announced the purchase of 32 DONAR 10x10 units. The procurement contract was signed to modernize the Swiss military fleet and replace their legacy M109 artillery tanks, which are nearly 50 years old.

Development

2004: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (now KNDS) begins developing a self-propelled turret technology called the Artillery Gun Module (AGM).

2008: An early prototype of the DONAR system is first publicly unveiled, but at the time it was still based on the ASCOD tank battle tank chassis.

2022: The Swiss government launches a formal competition to find a replacement for its M109 artillery tank. KNDS partners with GDELS-Mowag to pair the AGM turret with the Piranha IV 10x10 Heavy Mission Carrier's wheeled chassis.

November 2024: After a series of mobility and firing trials, the integrated Piranha IV + AGM (DONAR 10x10) design is officially selected by the Swiss Army.

Contract Signing & Production Phase (2026–2031+)

June 2026: Swiss defense procurement agency, armasuisse, officially signs a multi-million-euro full purchase contract for 32 DONAR 10x10 systems.

2027: The manufacturer is expected to complete one prototype with a final configuration that meets Swiss military specifications.

2028: The prototype will enter a full qualification testing phase and intensive troop training.

2031: Mass production and first deliveries of the DONAR 10x10 system are scheduled to officially begin, strengthening Switzerland's air-to-ground defense.

The M109A4BE 155 mm self-propelled Howitzer

 The M109A4BE 155 mm is a 155 mm self-propelled, tracked howitzer field artillery system manufactured in the United States that has been modified and upgraded by Belgium. The "BE" in the name refers to the Belgian Army's standard specifications.

 

Key Features and Technical Improvements

The M109A4BE is an upgrade of previous variants, such as the M109A2/A3. Several crucial technological improvements in this variant include:

Semi-Automatic Loader: Equipped with a mechanical puller that increases the rate of fire to 3 rounds in the first 20 seconds.

NBC Protection: Integrated crew protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats.

Mechanical Reliability (RAM): Upgraded turret rotation hydraulics, 180-amp alternator electrical system, and the addition of a 1.2 kW APU.

Technical Specifications

Barrel Caliber: 155 mm / 39 caliber (M185 Barrel).

Firing Range: Effective range of approximately 18.5 km for conventional ammunition and up to 30 km for rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP).

Mobility: Powered by a Detroit Diesel Turbo engine with a maximum highway speed of 64 km/h.

Crew: Operated by 6 personnel (commander, driver, gunner, assistant gunner, and 2 loaders).

This type of artillery is highly effective for providing long-range indirect fire support to destroy enemy defenses and disable enemy armored vehicles on the battlefield.

Development History (Lineage)

The development of this defense equipment went through three important phases from the United States to Belgium:

Origins in the United States: The primary basis of this vehicle is the M109, a tracked self-propelled artillery piece first developed by the United States in the early 1960s to replace the M44 variant. The US then released improved variants, the M109A2 and M109A3, in the 1970s and 1980s, with the longer M185 barrel.

Purchase by Belgium: In 1984–1985, the Belgian government purchased a number of standard M109A2/A3 cannons from the United States to strengthen its army.

Belgian Modernization Program (2007–2008): Entering the mid-2000s, the Belgian military undertook a major modernization of its M109 fleet. This rejuvenation resulted in a special variant codenamed the M109A4BE. Upgrades include the installation of a new electrical system, engine generator (APU), Nuclear-Biological-Chemical (NBC) warfare protection, and improvements to the semi-automatic loading mechanism to increase the rate of fire.

Procurement and Use by the Indonesian Army

Along with military reorganization in Western Europe, Belgium decided to retire part of its heavy artillery fleet. Indonesia seized this opportunity to modernize its Field Artillery Corps (Armed).

The Indonesian government (2016) officially agreed to purchase surplus military equipment from the Belgian Army. The total procurement includes 36 M109A4BE cannons, along with several command post vehicles and Armored Recovery Vehicles (ARVs).

Deliveries were carried out in stages by sea to Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta:

Wave I (July 2017): 18 cannons arrived.

Wave II (July 2018): 18 additional cannons and support vehicles arrived.

Upon arrival in Indonesia, all of these cannon units immediately entered the Army's service. These weapons systems were distributed to strengthen the tactical defense strike units, including the 7th Field Artillery Battalion/Biring Galih (Yonarmed 7/155 SPH) under the command of the Jaya Military Command, and the 10th Field Artillery Battalion/Bradjamusti (Yonarmed 10/155 SPH) under the 1st Infantry Division/Kostrad.