CAESAR - The power of self-propelled artillery

The CAESAR self-propelled howitzer can be mounted on various chassis, equipped with a 155mm cannon with a range of 35-42km depending on the type of ammunition, and capable of firing smart rounds.

Recently, there has been much speculation that Vietnam will equip itself with this advanced self-propelled artillery to enhance its artillery capabilities. CAESAR (an acronym for CAmion Equipe d'un Systeme d'ARtillerie/Wheeled Self-Propelled Artillery) is a wheeled self-propelled artillery piece using a 155mm caliber cannon, with a barrel length 52 times the caliber (52 caliber).

Using a wheeled truck chassis provides the artillery with greater mobility, lighter weight, and easier maintenance and repair compared to a tracked chassis. A tire pressure adjustment system is installed on the vehicle to regulate tire pressure to suit the terrain. Depending on customer requirements, the artillery can be equipped with various basic chassis. Regardless of the chassis, the cabin can carry five people and is armored to protect the crew from 7.62mm rounds and shrapnel. A 12.7mm machine gun can be mounted on the cabin roof for close-range defense.

In terms of propulsion, the Renault Sherpa 5 6x6 truck chassis uses a EURO 4 6-cylinder engine providing 240 horsepower at 2,300 rpm. Maximum speed on paved roads is 100 km/h, on unpaved roads is 50 km/h, with a range of 600 km. The unladen weight of the entire system is 17.7 tons. With its light weight and compact size, the CAESAR self-propelled artillery can be easily transported by various means, especially by medium-sized transport aircraft such as the C-130, C-160, and A400M.

In terms of firepower, the CAESAR uses a 155mm L52 howitzer, firing at a rate of 6-8 rounds per minute, capable of firing bursts of 3 rounds in 18 seconds. A CAESAR regiment of 8 vehicles can drop 1 ton of ammunition on a target within 1 minute. The aiming and angle adjustment mechanism is automated with a control panel located on the left side of the gun mount. The gun elevation angle ranges from -3 degrees to +66 degrees, and the azimuth angle is from -17 degrees to +17 degrees. The deployment/retraction time is approximately 1 minute.

CAESAR can fire NATO standard 155mm artillery rounds, primarily high-explosive (HE) rounds. These rounds are used to attack targets such as buildings, fortifications, airfields, tunnels, etc.

In addition, CAESAR also fires a new French projectile called Orge, a cluster munition carrying 63 fragmentation submunitions with contact fuses. These submunitions are capable of penetrating 90mm of armor. This type of projectile is very effective for destroying dispersed targets, military convoys such as trucks, armored personnel carriers, light tanks, and commander's bunkers. Six CAESARs firing a salvo of six Orge projectiles at a range of 35km can scatter 378 submunitions over an area of ​​up to 3 hectares (30,000 m²).

Furthermore, the CAESAR can fire guided anti-tank rounds from the BAE System/Nexter BONUS with a range of up to 42km. It can be said that the French CAESAR self-propelled artillery is one of the most modern self-propelled artillery systems in the world. If equipped, the power of the Vietnamese artillery would be elevated to a new level.

Let's take a look at the specifications of this dangerous self-propelled artillery piece through the infographic below.

According to VNN