CAESAR 155 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer #military
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 2023-03-05

The French CAESAR truck-mounted gun-howitzer, developed by GIAT. The acronym CAESAR stands for CAmion Equipe d'un Systeme d'ARtillerie, or truck equipped with an artillery system. It is a successor to self-moving artillery guns, fitted with auxiliary power unit. It evolved from the F3 self-propelled howitzer, based on the AMX-13 light tank chassis. This artillery system was designed to meet the fire support requirements of rapid deployment forces. The CAESAR was revealed in 1994. At the time of its introduction the concept of truck-mounted artillery systems was very unusual. Initial five systems were delivered to the French Army for evaluation in 2003. First production vehicles were delivered in 2007. French Army ordered a total of 72 systems to replace the towed TR-F1 155 mm howitzers. Export operators are Morocco, Thailand and Saudi Arabia (80). French Army howitzers saw action in Afghanistan and Mali. In 2022 a total of 18 of the French CAESAR systems were delivered to Ukraine in order to defend against the Russian invasion. That was 25% of the French Army inventory. During the same year France ordered additional 18 CAESAR systems to replenish the French Army inventory. In 2023 it was announced that France will deliver another 12 CAESAR systems to Ukraine.

   The CAESAR was the first mass produced truck-mounted howitzer. This unusual concept of mounting a powerful howitzer on a military truck chassis eventually proved to be successful. Other countries followed the trend introduced their own truck-mounted artillery systems.

   The CAESAR is completed with 155 mm/L52 gun-howitzer, fitted with semi-automatic ammunition loading system. It fires all standard NATO 155 mm ammunition, including ordinary and rocket-assisted HE-FRAG shells, cargo shells with anti-tank or fragmentation bomblets, smoke and illumination shells. Maximum range of fire is 42 km with rocket-assisted HE-FRAG shells. CAESAR is also capable of direct firing at ranges of up to 2 km. This artillery system is compatible with BONUS precision-guided anti-tank munitions. Each BONUS shell carries two smart anti-tank submunitions to a range of 34 km. Maximum rate of fire is 6 shells per minute. Vehicle carries 18 shells and associated charges.

   The CAESAR has an armored cab which protects the crew members during traveling. It accommodates six crew members and provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. A 12.7 mm machine gun can be mounted on top of the roof for self-protection.

   This artillery system is fitted with the FAST-Hit computerized fire control system, muzzle velocity radar and navigation system with GPS. It provides onboard terminals for communication and firing sequence management. Coordinates for the firing mission can be prepared and set into the fire control system while the howitzer is on the move. So there is no need to waste time for that in the firing position. The CAESAR can be set into and out of action in less than one minute. Brief redeployment time allows to avoid counter-battery fire. It is well suited for shoot-and-scoot missions.

   Prototypes of this artillery system was based on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog 6x6 truck chassis. Production systems for the French Army are mounted on the Renault Sherpa 5 6x6 truck chassis. It is powered by Renault dCI 6 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 240 horsepower. Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre pressure system, which is adjusted from the driver's seat. Interestingly howitzers supplied to Saudi Arabia are also based on the Mercedes-Benz Unimog U2450L 6x6 chassis. These are operated by the Saudi National Guard. The CAESAR is fully air transportable and can be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules or A400M transport aircraft.

   A typical battery consists of eight CAESAR howitzers. It can disperse more than 1 tone of shells in one minute. A salvo of six Ogre cargo shells releases 378 bomblets and saturates area of 3 hectares. Each CAESAR howitzer is escorted by the ammunition resupply vehicle.

   The CAESAR howitzers were widely used in Ukraine during the 2022 Russian invasion. This French howitzer recommended itself extremely well. It was far superior to Russian artillery systems in terms of range, accuracy and shoot-and-scoot capabilities. Ukrainians often used these systems for counter-battery fire, as these outranged the majority of Russian artillery systems.