CAESAR - The power of self-propelled artillery

The CAESAR self-propelled artillery can be mounted on many basic chassis, equipped with a 155mm gun with a range of 35-42km depending on the type of ammunition, and can fire smart ammunition.

In recent times, there have been many speculations that Vietnam will equip this state-of-the-art self-propelled artillery to enhance the power of its artillery. CAESAR (abbreviation of the phrase CAmion Equipe d'un Systeme d'ARTillerie/ Wheeled Self-Propelled Artillery) is a wheeled self-propelled artillery using a 155mm caliber gun, the barrel length is 52 times the caliber (52 caliber).

Using a wheeled truck chassis will help the gun have higher mobility, lighter weight and easier maintenance and repair than using a tracked chassis. There is a tire pressure adjustment system installed on the vehicle to help adjust tire pressure to suit the terrain. Depending on customer requirements, the gun can be equipped with different types of basic chassis. Regardless of the chassis used, the vehicle's cabin can carry 5 people and is armored to protect the combat crew from 7.62mm bullets and artillery fragments. A 12.7mm machine gun can be mounted on the roof of the cabin for close-range defense.

In terms of dynamics, the Renault Sherpa 5 6x6 truck chassis uses a 6-cylinder EURO 4 engine that provides 240 horsepower at 2,300 rpm. The maximum speed when moving on asphalt is 100 km / h, on dirt roads is 50 km / h, the operating range is 600 km. The unloaded weight of the entire system is 17.7 tons. With its light weight and compact size, the CAESAR self-propelled gun can be easily transported by different means, especially by medium-range transport aircraft such as C-130, C-160, A400M.

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

CAESAR can fire NATO standard 155mm shells, mainly high explosive (HE/High Explosive) shells. These shells are used to attack targets such as buildings, fortifications, airports, tunnels, etc.

In addition, CAESAR also fired a new French ammunition, called Orge, which is a cluster artillery shell, carrying 63 fragmentation submunitions, using a contact fuse. These submunitions can penetrate 90mm of armor. This type of ammunition is very effective when used to destroy dispersed targets, military convoys such as trucks, armored personnel carriers, light tanks, and commander's shelters. With 6 CAESAR guns firing a series of 6 Orge shells at a range of 35km, it can spread 378 submunitions over an area of ​​up to 3 hectares (30,000 m2).

In addition, CAESAR can fire anti-tank guided artillery 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 in the world. If equipped, the power of Vietnam's artillery will be raised to a new level.

Let's see the parameters of this dangerous self-propelled artillery through the infographic below.

According to VNN