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| General
information |
| The
Caesar (French denomination of Camion
Équipé d’un
Système d’Artillerie)
was designed and manufactured byr the French Defense
Company GIAT, now Nexter Systems. The Caesar Nexer
Systems wheeled self-propelled howitzer was shown
in public for the first time in June 1994. Following
trials with this system a decision was taken by
Giat Industries to build a pre-production CAESAR
and following company trials this was evaluated
by the French Army late in 1998. During these trials
over 120 rounds of 155 mm ammunition were fired.
Giat Industries believe that there is a significant
untouched market for a weapon of this type to bridge
the gap between 155 mm heavy self-propelled artillery
systems, tracked and wheeled, and 155 mm towed artillery
systems. The weapon system is in service and deliveries
in several countries have begun. It combines all
the essential elements of an artillery gun, enabling
intensive utilisation in any present or future conflict.
Mobility, straightforward operation, digitalisation,
continuous fire capability and survivability are
the key points of this weapon system, which is fully
interoperable with NATO 39 and 52 calibres through
its conformity with the JB MoU 52 calibre equipment.
With its mobility (strategic, operational and tactical),
its multi-role capability and its fire power, the
CAESAR® provides land forces with solutions
that meet the specific requirements related to projected
military actions. It can treat direct support fire,
counter-battery fire and in-depth action. In September
2000, the French Ministry of Defence has notified
GIAT Industries of a contract concerning the supply
of five Caesar howitzers and certain associated
services. This order falls within the scope of preparation
for the replacement of 155 mm towed howitzers now
in service in the Army. In June 2003, five Caesar
will be delivered to the French Army. In March 2004,
Giat Industries and United Defence Industries of
United-States have entered into a joint cooperative
agreement to lead marketing efforts in the United
States for the Caesar wheeled self-propelled howitzer.
The French General Delegation for Armaments (DGA)
delivered on July 16 2008 the first series production
artillery cannon CAESAR (truck equipped with an
artillery system) to the French Army. Seven additional
guns will be delivered before the end of 2008. The
contract CAESAR notified in December 2004 to Nexter
Systems, foresees the development, acquisition and
support of 77 guns with deliveries spread until
2011. CAESAR is already a success in the export
market. Two contracts were signed, one with Thailand
(6 systems), the other with an undisclosed Middle
East country (80 systems). Another Cæsar®
advantage is its economy. Cost of ownership is about
one quarter of that of a self-propelled track-laying
armoured vehicle, or two fifths of that of a wheeled
armoured vehicle, and is equivalent to that of a
towed gun with its hauler. |
| Variants
:
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-
Caesar Nexter Systems with Unimog chassis U2450 6x6
- Caesar Nexter Systems with Renault Trucks Defense
Sherpa 5 chassis 6x6 |
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| Armament |
| At
the rear of the CAESAR is mounted the gun,
it’s a complete upper part of the
155 mm 52 calibre upgraded version of the
TRF1 towed artillery system. The 155 mm
52 calibre ordnance is fitted with a double
baffle muzzle brake and when travelling
the ordnance is held in position by a clamp,
located to the immediate rear of the cab,
which is operated by remote control. The
52 calibre gun gives a range of 25 miles
when firing standard shells. The CAESAR®
can fire six rounds, shut down the battery
configuration and leave its firing position,
all in less than two minutes, thus avoiding
counter-battery fire. |
| Protection |
A fully enclosed cab has been mounted at
the front of the Caesar Nexter Systems and
has individual seats for the crew of six.
The cab is of welded steel armour and provides
protection from small arms fire up to 7.62
mm in calibre and shell splinters. The cab
windows are 26 mm thick and the cab is fitted
with an air conditioning system.
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| Propulsion |
The
CAESAR® gun is built on a Soframe-Unimog
6x6 U2450 crosscountry truck chassis. UNIMOG
trucks are used by many armed forces and
spare parts and logistic support are available
in most parts of the world. The engine of
the Caesar is a Mercedes-Benz LA 6 cylinder
turbo charged diesel developing 240 hp at
2,600 rpm. The transmission is manual, with
8 forward and 1 reverse gear. Mobility of
the CAESAR is further improved by the installation
of a central tyre pressure regulation system.
This allows the driver to adjust the tyre
pressure to suit the terrain being crossed.
All tyres are of the run-flat type and power-assisted
steering is fitted as standard to reduce
driver fatigue.
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| Accessories |
The
Caesar wheeled self-propelled howitzer Nexter
Systems is equipped for the firing with,
an artillery gun fire control system, with
a computer in the cab and a remote information
display at the rear of the gun, a three-axis
gyrolaser inertial navigation unit, facilitating
the setting up of the battery configuration
and enabling automatic aiming and an automatic
shell loading system..
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| Operational
Capacities |
When
compared with a towed gun and its hauler,
the CAESAR® is shorter and requires
less space, is far more mobile and manoeuvrable,
both cross-country and on the road, and
requires fewer gun crew members (5 operators
instead of at least 7). When on the move,
gun crew survival is ensured by an armoured
cab, and the time spent stationary at the
firing position is now very short.
The CAESAR® meets the command requirements
of precision, a fast fire capability and
crew safety, while avoiding collateral damage.
To achieve these requirements, the CAESAR®
works in a network with the higher command
systems (battery, battalion, regiment, brigade,
etc.). It can be integrated into a C3I firing
control system. The CAESAR® also has
automatic systems to ensure simple and safe
operation. The CAESAR® is air transportable
in a single load by a C130 Hercules, and
has a road driving range of up to 370 miles. |
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| Specifications |
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Armament |
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One
155 mm / 52 calibre gun
a
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Country
users |
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France |
Designer
Company |
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GIAT
Nexter Systems
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Accessories |
Gun
fire control system, navigation
unit system, firing control
computer system. |
Crew |
5
soldiers |
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Armor |
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Medium-caliber
weapons fire and artillery
shell splinters. |
Weight |
18,000
kg |
Speed |
80
km/h on road, 50 km/h off-road |
Range |
600
km
a
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Dimensions |
Lenght,
10,0 m; Width, 3,7 m; Height,
2,55 m |
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| Pictures
/ Video |
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Vidéo
Caesar Nexter Systems Wheeled self-propelled howitzer |
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