Rheinmetall M109A3G
Notes: This is
an upgraded version of the M109A3 modified for the German Army.
The Germans basically took M109A3s which were becoming obsolete, bought
them on the cheap, then retooled and updated them so well that they were
considered quite modern until the PzH2000 was introduced.
M109A3Gs were exported to only one other country (Norway), though some of
the technology was exported to other countries using the M109.
The M109A3G has essentially become a vehicle more advanced than its
parent M109A3.
One of the first
things the Germans did with the M109A3 was to replace the gun barrel with a new
L/45 barrel, tipped with a state-of-the-art muzzle brake and with an improved
fume extractor on the barrel. The
barrel is also strengthened so that is does not wear as fast and can go a little
more between cleanings during fire missions.
This gun was paired with improved fire control, so that it can simply
receive instruction data by data-capable radio and have it fed directly into the
fire control computer, increasing the speed at which the gun can get into
action. Another fire control
computer was installed to give the M109A3G a better chance of hitting a target
in direct-fire mode. The M109A3G has an autoloader, further quickening the fire
rate, along with a two new onboard magazines storing 22 of the gun’s capacity of
36, as well as the required fuzes and powder bags for those 22 rounds.
The gun has new manual elevating and traversing gears; these are used
when fine-tuning one’s aim to a more exact solution than one gets from the
computer and electric drives. Fire
control information are displayed on an LCD screen, with another for the
commander that also displays the information from the driver’s screen and some
information about the state of the vehicle.
As with most German vehicles, the commander’s weapon has been replaced by
an MG-3, and new storage schemes for the machinegun’s ammunition allows the
M109A3G to carry massive amounts of machinegun ammunition.
The turret traversing and actuation machinery are based on that of the
Leopard 1 tank rather than the standard M109 mechanisms.
The turret of
the M109A3G, like all M109s, has a limited traverse of 30 degrees right or left.
The turret houses the commander, gunner, and the two loaders.
The turret has large doors in either side, as well as one in the back of
the turret (for ammunition resupply; it opens directly on the back of the
internal magazine). There is
another door in the rear lower hull for crew and equipment entry and for quicker
ammunition resupply if necessary. The front right deck ahead of the turret has
the driver with a hatch that has vision blocks to the front and right; one may
be removed and replaced with a night vision block.
The commander has a manually-rotating cupola with all-around vision
blocks and an elbow joint that allows him to see through the gunner’s scope and
night vision gear. The gunner has
telescopic direct fire sights, an indirect-fire sight, and some night vision
gear. The driver has conventional
controls, and the engine is a modified version of the M109A3’s engine, one that
develops 405 horsepower and is turbocharged, coupled to an automatic
transmission. The engine and
transmission are combined into a power pack, which can be removed in the field
with the appropriate equipment in 30 minutes, and installed in an hour. The
M109A3G has had a 5kW APU installed into it to run the vehicle’s systems when
the engine is off and to conserve fuel. An interesting feature is that all the
doors and hatches have locks; another one is that the commander has auxiliary
controls that allow him to drive the M109A3G.
On each side of the turret, near the top, are a bank of four smoke
grenade launchers. The smoke grenades are fired by the commander or gunner
electrically. The turret has a ventilation system that forcibly sucks out fumes
and propellant particles, simultaneously replacing with fresh air from the
outside (and can be turned off in an NBC environment).
A special
consideration is the conversion of all mechanical, gun, and computer
measurements to metric standards instead of US measurements.
M109A3G w/KUKA
AHK
In 1998, the
Germans started retrofitting the M109A3G with the KUKA AHK (Ammunition Handling
Kit). This called for the addition
of a semiautomatic autoloader to the turret of the vehicle, between the
magazines at the rear of the turret and the breech of the gun.
In addition, the two magazines were split into six, with potentially each
magazine being loaded with a different type of magazine.
Propellant charges are also autoloaded, according to what’s necessary to
achieve the required range.
However, fuzes must still be affixed and set by the loader.
The installation includes a module that takes the information from the
fire control computer and selects the required number of charges; the gunner’s
panel includes buttons to select the magazine(s) to load the gun from.
The AHK includes an electrically-driven hoist and an automatic power
rammer. The AHK can also continue
to fire while fresh rounds and charge bags are being reloaded into the back of
the turret. The two loaders
standing on the back of the turret during a fire mission to help the rounds from
the magazine to the gun are no longer required, reducing the necessary
crewmembers. Despite the seemingly
large amount of changes, the AHK can be requires only minor modifications to the
hull, turret, and electrical system. Stowage boxes for assorted gear have been
added to the turret front on either side of the gun and at the hull rear.
The AHK
retrofits began in 1998, and 262 retrofits were completed in 2000.
The German Army also has an option to buy another 262 AHK units, for
converting M109A3Gs currently in storage or for M109A3Gs that are being sold for
export (or have already been sold).
The retrofitted vehicles the German Army used were phased out in 2007, along
with unmodified M109A3Gs, in favor of the PzH2000.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
M109A3G |
$692,530 |
D, A |
500 kg |
25 tons |
6 |
17 |
Headlights |
Shielded |
M109A3G w/AHK |
$764,725 |
D, A |
500 kg |
26 tons |
4 |
17 |
Headlights |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
M109A3G |
133/93 |
37/26 |
511 |
150 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF8
TS4 TR4
HF10 HS3
HR3 |
M109A3G w/AHK |
129/91 |
36/25 |
511 |
153 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF8
TS4 TR4
HF10 HS3
HR3 |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
+2 |
Fair |
155mm L/45
Howitzer, MG-3 (C) |
36x155mm,
10000x7.62mm |
Rheinmetall PzH2000
Notes: Perhaps
the most advanced mobile artillery system in the world today, the PzH2000
(Panzerhaubitze 2000, or Armored Howitzer 2000) began to replace the M109A3G in
German service in 1998, and by 2007, had replaced the last M109A3G in German
service. (The M109A3G soldiers on
in Norwegian service.)
The PzH2000
evolved out of the former multinational SP70 program, which ended in 1986 after
producing only a handful of prototypes, which no one agreed on.
The PzH2000 is known for it’s lack of need for an FDC along with very
high shelling rates – as high as 3 rounds in 9 seconds and 10 rounds in 56
seconds. It is also quite adept at
MRSI fire missions. Using special
experimental rounds, the PzH2000 has been able to shell targets as far away as
60 kilometers. In addition to
Germany, the PzH2000 is used by the Netherlands, Lithuania, Greece, Italy. and
Qatar; Croatia is also negotiating for the PzH2000, and the US, Finland,
Australia, and Sweden have tested the PzH2000, but elected for other designs.
The PzH2000 was used in combat in Afghanistan by Germany and the Dutch.
The German Army’s compliment was originally 154 in active service
(reduced from an original request for 450 vehicles), but 31 are now in storage
due to the high RL cost of operating the PzH2000.
The Italians operate the next largest contingent of PzH2000, with the
Italians using 70 which are license-produced by OTO-Melara.
The Dutch originally ordered 57 units, but they had put into service only
39, demanding that Rheinmetall upgrade the remaining vehicles before they would
accept them, and this has not happened as of March 2018.
The German Navy
experimented with mounting the turret of the PzH2000 on F220 frigates (the test
ship was the Hamburg), but the recoil
was found to be too excessive and the weight of the turret too much (the turret
alone weighs slightly more than 16.5 tons).
F220 frigates were armed with 76mm guns, while the F125 class was armed
with a new OTO-Melara 127mm gun.
The PzH2000 is a huge
vehicle; this is partially the result of all the electronics, computers, and
navigational aids; for the most part, however, it is the result of the sheer
amount of ammunition carried, enough to carry on a pretty decent bombardment
before the ammo carriers arrive.
(Rheinmetall is currently working on a resupply vehicle similar in concept to
the US M992.) Down in the guts of
the gun and the turret, ammo is not only autoloaded; the proper fuze is selected
by the autoloading program and a short, narrow conveyor sends the fuze to the
loader responsible for fuze attachment.
The autoloader also retrieves the proper round in response to a touch on
an LCD panel by the gunner. The LCD is touch-capacitive, so only a bare finger
will actuate it. The gun is a Wegmann-designed L/52 155mm howitzer; the
elevation limit is +65 degrees, and the depression limit is -2.5 degrees.
This gives the PzH2000 a chance at ground targets and direct lay if
necessary, and the PzH2000 can actually engage ground targets while moving at
about half speed. The PzH2000 is
able to use any 155mm NATO-howitzer-compatible round, including Chinese copies
and the new US-made Excalibur GPS-guided round. The gun uses a new
German-designed modular propellant charge system, designed specifically for use
with the PzH2000’s autoloader and fire control computers; traditional bagged
charges may also be used, but the loaders must load them into the gun by hand
and the autoloader cannot handle them, halving fire rate. The turret can revolve
360 degrees and fire from any direction the turret is turned to; the turret
covers almost a third of the hull top.
The fire control system is capable of self-directed fire, and in response
to crew or FDC input, automatically turns the turret and trains the gun to the
correct elevation; once the magazine is loaded, only the gunner and assistant
gunner are needed if the vehicle is in automatic firing mode. The autoloader is
so fast that crews require training because when the gunning is in automatic
mode, the assistant gunner and loaders have less than five seconds to get their
hands and arms out of the way or they stand a good chance of having them
injured. The fire control system includes a laser rangefinder/designator, which
is used in direct-lay operations or when engaging vehicles. The chassis is heavy
enough that no jacks or supports are necessary when firing, regardless of turret
angle. The barrel is chrome-plated and includes an advanced muzzle brake,
modified from the M109A3G’s muzzle brake.
On the glacis is a phased array radar which measures the muzzle velocity
of each round as it exists the barrel, to allow the crew to adjust for climatic
conditions and wind, as well as barrel droop.
The commander’s cupola is armed with a medium or light machinegun; one
example is given below.
The hull
contains the driver on the front left side, behind a splashboard (the PzH2000
cannot swim, but can ford almost completely up to the level of the chassis top).
Major components were taken from the Leopard 2; when seen from the side,
the PzH2000’s Leopard 2 heritage is obvious (though it is elongated by one
roadwheel). No less than three
long-range secure data-capable radios equip the PzH2000, along with a
medium-range and short range secure radios for general communication.
To accomplish its self-FDC capability, the PzH2000 has a large amount of
computer; these computers also take care of navigational needs, providing maps,
data on enemy and friendly positions, and the state of the vehicle.
This information gets distributed to the LCD screens of the appropriate
crewmember, and controls if necessary.
Night vision is copious aboard the PzH2000, especially for the gunner
(and the commander through his elbow scope.
Power is provided by an MTU 881 Ka-500 turbocharged diesel developing 986
horsepower, a level of power provided or surpassing many modern main battle
tanks. The fuel tank is split into
three cells, each its own fire/explosion detection and suppression system, and
destruction of one cell does not necessarily mean the loss of the other cells.
The driver has conventional controls as well as an automatic (with a manual
backup). There are also separate fire/explosion detection and suppressions for
the turret, driver’s compartment, engine compartment, and transmission. The
gunner is in the turret, with a loader’s hatch above him; the loader’s hatch
also has a manually-rotating cupola, ringed by vision blocks, like the
commander’s cupola. He does not
have night vision devices (though in Afghanistan, many crews added a shielding
to the commander’s position and a shielded weapons mount to the loader’s
cupola). The hatches open to the rear, providing a sort of shield to the rear of
the commander or loader. Eight
smoke grenade launchers are on the PzH2000, four on each side of the turret;
they are fired by the commander or loader from a switch panel on their cupolas.
The crew has an NBC overpressure system with a collective vehicular backup, as
well as an air purifier, air conditioner, and heater.
The turret rear as well as the hull rear have large doors to allow crew
entry as well as equipment loading; the turret doors open directly into the
magazine to allow quicker replenishment of ammunition.
Finally, a 10kW APU is installed, running off vehicle fuel, which runs
the systems while the engine is off.
The PzH2000 is equipped with a full NATO-compatible BMS as well as a
vehicle state monitoring system, and another small computer module has every
tech manual or bulletin on it as well as an operator’s manual. The PzH2000 is
NBC protected, right down to the anti-chemical paint.
The PzH2000 is
equipped with lugs for ERA on the glacis, side skirts, turret front, turret
sides, and the first quarter of the turret roof.
Dutch PzH2000s
The Dutch, in
particular, have been critical about the PzH2000’s performance, particularly in
Afghanistan. They have even
mothballed most of their PzH2000s until they can find an answer to the PzH2000’s
perceived shortcomings. Their
criticism generally lies in the PzH2000 and the weather encountered in
Afghanistan; the Dutch say that the PzH2000 does not handle dust well, as well
as high temperatures and very low temperatures.
A particular problem is that Dutch crews occupying a position found they
needed to keep the gun barrel (and mind you, this is an L/52 barrel – it’s not
what you could call short) in the shade, or much of the initial shots of a
barrage would be off target. In
addition, they found that the gun barrel contracted excessively in very cold
conditions, again, initial fire from the gun would be inaccurate.
(This could be partially alleviated by applying warming packs or blankets
to the barrel for a time before shooting.)
They found the need to apply appliqué armor, especially to the turret
roof and hull floor. The NBC
system, air conditioning system, and heating system were found to be inadequate
in the Afghan conditions, as Rheinmetall designed them with Europe in mind and
didn’t think of where else they might be deployed. The Dutch are also
dissatisfied that the PzH2000 is air-transportable by only the very largest
cargo aircraft, aircraft that the Dutch don’t have in their Air Force. (This is
a limitation that stopped the PzH2000 from being chosen by several countries.)
Finally, the tracks were very hard on muddy Afghan roads, and their PzH2000s got
stuck on more than one occasion.
German PzH2000 Upgrade
In 2013, the
Germans retrofitted its PzH2000s with noise-cancellation headphones for the
crew, changing the short and medium-range radios for long-range data-capable
radios (for a total of four long-range data-capable radios). The radios have
automatic countermeasures for MIJI interference. An inertial navigation backup
was installed for the land navigation system.
Applique armor was added to the hull and turret. Engine modifications
give the PzH-2000 somewhat more horsepower, and simplifies maintenance somewhat.
Speed-wise, the increased horsepower is largely negated by the increased
weight.
Twilight 2000
Notes: Comparable to the US M109A6 Paladin, the PzH2000 was in short supply in
the Twilight War.
Merc 2000 Notes:
Budget cuts resulted in the PzH2000 production being cut by almost two-thirds.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
PzH2000 |
$1,682,226 |
D, A |
500 kg |
55.33 tons |
5 |
28 |
Passive IR (D,
G), Image Intensification (G) |
Shielded |
PzH2000 (Dutch
Upgrade) |
$1,714,274 |
D, A |
500 kg |
55.96 tons |
5 |
37 |
Passive IR (D,
G), Image Intensification (G) |
Shielded |
PzH2000 (German
Upgrade) |
$1,779,814 |
D, A |
500 kg |
55.58 tons |
5 |
34 |
Passive IR (D,
G), Image Intensification (G) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
PzH2000 |
142/100 |
40/28 |
970 |
365 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF17Sp
TS12Sp TR11
HF21Sp HS11Sp
HR8* |
PzH2000 (Dutch
Upgrade) |
141/99 |
39/27 |
970 |
369 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF20Sp
TS15Sp TR11
HF26Sp HS14Sp
HR9** |
PzH2000 (German
Upgrade) |
143/100 |
40/28 |
970 |
371 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF19Sp
TS14Sp TR11
HF25Sp HS13Sp
HR8* |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
+2 |
Fair |
155mm Wegmann
L/52 howitzer, MG3 or MAG (C) |
60x155mm,
2000x7.62mm |
*Most PzH2000s have a hull floor AV of 8Sp, and a roof AV of 6Sp.
**The current Dutch variant of the PzH2000 has a hull floor AV of 9Sp, and a
roof AV of 8. However, original
Dutch versions of the PzH2000 used in Afghanistan in 2009 or earlier do not have
these armor upgrades. These have the same AVs of the standard version of the
PzH2000 as well as the other stats.
Rheinmetall AGM-Derived
Vehicles
Notes: This entry is
more a loose collection of artillery vehicles based on the PzH2000’s systems and
gun, rather than a specific vehicle and variants of it.
The vehicles here are based, more or less depending upon the vehicle, on
the PzH2000’s systems and gun, but on a smaller, lighter chassis.
Though some of these vehicles are still prototypes, demonstrators, or
vehicles ready to field-test, KMW is already receiving interest from several
countries. This is because they are
much less expensive in RL cost, and because they are smaller and lighter (and
much more easily transported) then the massive PzH2000.
Artillery Gun Module
(AGM)
Actually an
acronym for Artillerie Geschutz Module, which means the above) the AGM is, as
the name indicates, a gun module which can be fitted to virtually any chassis;
the primary version Rheinmetall is using at present is on an M270 MRLS chassis.
It can be put on a tracked or wheeled chassis, the latter requiring a
heavy truck which is 6x6, 8x8, or 10x10.
KMW’s literature shows projected mountings on various MBT chassis and
heavy MAN and Iveco trucks.
Rheinmetall says they are able to tailor the AGM for almost any type of chassis
that a country may desire to be made over into an artillery vehicle.
The turret module and gun weigh 12.5 tons. The AGM is distantly-related
to the MONARC ship-based gun module mentioned above, but of course is also very
much different (especially in shape and armor protection.
Artillery Gun Module
(AGM)/M270 MLRS
The AGM uses
lightweight aluminum armor instead of steel, a smaller crew, and an advanced
autoloading system, but the same electronics and gun of the PzH2000.
The autoloader is based on the PzH2000’s autoloader. The result (at least
on the MLRS chassis) is an SP artillery vehicle over one-half the weight and
almost one-half the size of the PzH2000. The AGM can be carried in less space on
ships, carried on smaller tank transporter vehicles, used on LHC-type
hovercrafts, and even airportable in a wide selection of aircraft operating now
and air-droppable. The AGM is
armored, and the rest of the vehicle is armored at the same time. (The armor is
light, but a little better than similar-sized armored vehicles, especially on
top and the floor.) An applique armor kit has been devised. The MLRS-chassis
uses a remote gun module that is controlled by the crew inside the cab, similar
to the way the MLRS already operates, with the firing and control systems
changed to be able to control the gun remotely.
The fire control panels are derived from those of the PxH2000, which are
themselves are almost identical to the standardized NATO fire control systems.
The AGM module is in a turret, which can be completely rotated through 360
degrees. The elevation and
depression limits are the same as the PzH2000, though the depression is limited
to +3 degrees if the turret is rotated to the front.
The turret and gun are self-contained, operating by themselves once
commands from the crew are given it.
The rear of the vehicle has two doors on the front on either side of the
gun, allowing the magazines contained in the front of the turret and hull to be
replenished, and is fitted with a lifting system fitted to carry the rounds up
to the turret and put them into the magazines.
The magazines, unfortunately due to the design, cannot be continuously
replenished for a long, uninterrupted bombardment.
(I have not seen any information that would indicate whether or not the
AGM needs stabilizing jacks or spades to fire, though it seems likely that they
would be needed for such a light vehicle unless some very advanced recoil
buffering is used.)
The AGM is able
to use any 155mm NATO-howitzer-compatible round, including Chinese copies and
the new US-made Excalibur GPS-guided round. The gun uses a new German-designed
modular propellant charge system, the same as on the PzH-2000, with a modified
autoloader and fire control computers; traditional bagged charges may also be
used, with the new the autoloader able to handle them, but halving fire rate.
The turret can revolve 360 degrees and fire from any direction the turret is
turned to; the turret covers almost a half of the hull top.
The fire control system is capable of self-directed fire, and in response
to crew or FDC input, automatically turns the turret and trains the gun to the
correct elevation. The autoloader is so fast that crews require training because
when the gunning is in automatic mode, the assistant gunner and loaders, if they
are in the turret, have less than five seconds to get their hands and arms out
of the way or they stand a good chance of having them injured. The fire control
system includes a laser rangefinder/designator, which is used in direct-lay
operations or when engaging vehicles. The 155mm howitzer is the same as used on
the PzH2000, though the breech and its mechanisms are slightly modified to use
the new autoloader. The gun is
capable of firing up to eight rounds per minute for short bursts, or 2-3 rounds
per minute for a normal rate bombardment.
The AGM can fire MRSI missions, using up to five rounds for one MRSI
salvo. If necessary (usually due to
damage to the turret, autoloader, or controls), there is room in the turret for
the gunner and assistant gunner to enter the turret and conduct fire missions
manually. The gunner and assistant
gunner are the only crew needed to operate the gun and turret, whether from the
cab controls or inside the turret.
There is a door on the back of the turret so that, if necessary, the crew can
enter the turret, whether to conduct fire missions manually or to conduct
maintenance.
The MLRS chassis
is fitted with a new, more powerful engine, giving the AGM excellent speed and
maneuverability. The new engine is
a Cummins VTA-903T, a turbocharged diesel engine with 550 horsepower. The
transmission is fully automatic, and the controls are conventional with a power
boost (or functioning without it if damaged). The tracks can also be operated
using controls for pivot steering.
Fording up to 1.2 meters can be conducted. The driver has conventional controls
as well as an automatic (with a manual backup). There are also separate
fire/explosion detection and suppressions for the turret, crew compartment,
engine compartment, and transmission.
There are currently no smoke grenade launchers, though launchers on
either side of the turret may be included in a future update.
The crew is
equipped with a full NBC Overpressure suite with a vehicular NBC backup, to
which mask hoses can be attached.
The crew also has a heater and air conditioner, though again the air conditioner
is a compact model that shows up easily on IR/thermal observation.
(This is not as obvious as the APU, however, as the exhaust is at the
back of the cab between the cab and the turret.)
The cab is extended at the rear, housing the computers and electronics
(except the fire control panel) and a 30-liter drinking water tank (insulated,
though not chilled). This rear area also has room for crew personal equipment,
small arms, and ammunition and something like couple of light rockets or a small
case of grenades. The AGM is fitted with a compact APU, with 8kW of power, and
operating off the vehicle’s fuel tanks.
The APU is under armor at the rear of the vehicle. (A disadvantage of
this APU’s compact design is that it runs hotter than most under-armor APUs, and
creates a hot spot for IR/thermal detection on the point outside the armor where
it is located.) The cab is accessed through armored doors on either side of the
cab; the driver is on the left side, the gunner in the middle, and the AG on the
right side.
Currently, the
AGM is only fitted with night vision equipment in the turret, which may accessed
by the cab through a downlink panel.
Projected updates for about 2020 call for a HUD-type display similar to
the Caesar 2, HUD display, showing a thermal night vision picture, navigation
information, speed, RPMs, fuel, and a few other items reflecting on the
windshield. (See French SP Artillery.) Future updates also include a weapon
mounted in front on a power-rotating cupola above the AG’s position; the weapon
may be sighted, aimed, and fired from inside the closed cab through a downlink
viewer (though not reloaded, though the AG may link up to three belts together
with the mount). The navigation system of this upgrade has an Inertial
Positioning backup for the GPS.
Four Smoke Grenade launchers are found on either side of the turret.
AGM/Donar
The Donar is a variant
of the AGM, using the same turret as the AGM/MLRS, but mounted on the chassis of
an ASCOD 2 multiple-use fighting vehicle chassis.
Pt was introduced at Eurosatory in 2008, the same show at which the
AGM/MLRS was introduced in 2004. As
with the AGM/MLRS, the Donar is being offered for export, though Donar at
present (as of Mar 18) exists as a fully-functioning prototype and demonstrator,
and ready for field tests. However,
the IDF has shown considerable interest in the Donar, and is even participating
in its design process and contributing scientist and engineers.
They are also supplying military personnel for the field tests.
(The Israelis have already stated that if they buy the Donar, they will
seek a license for Elbit to produce the design in Israel.)
The name, “Donar”, refers to the old German pagan god of thunder.
For export purposes, especially to Scandinavian and some eastern NATO
countries, the name “Thor” is used.
As stated above,
the Donar’s turret is identical to that of the AGM/MLRS.
The crew compartment and remote control panel is also similar to the
AGM/MLRS, including downlinked night vision, telescopic vision, and sights.
The crew sits in a forward cab, with large bullet-resistant windows to
the front (which may be covered with armored shutters, and smaller windows in
the doors, which too may be covered with armored shutters.
The front shutters have vision blocks within them.
The Donar uses
the more powerful MTU 8V-199-TE22 engine used by the Ulan variant of the ASCOD,
which develops 720 horsepower. The Donar also has the same compact 8kW generator
under armor as the AGM/MLRS above.
The turret has an additional piece of night vision equipment, a thermal imager
borrowed from the ASCOD and integrated into the Donar’s fire control and
observation system. The output of
the night vision/observation suite of the turret may be fed to a downlinked
monitor in front of the gunner’s position inside the cab.
For the gun
capabilities, see the AGM/MLRS; they are nearly the same, except when the gun is
facing forward, it has a depression limit of zero degrees.
The crew also benefits from a NBC Overpressure system with vehicular
backup, a small air conditioner, a 40-liter insulated drinking water tank, and a
heater, inside an extension in the back, where the crew may also put their
personal equipment, small arms, and ancillary equipment.
For most other
specifics, see the AGM/MLRS above.
The Donar may
also benefit from the 2020 upgrades, with the same set as that of the AGM/MLRS.
KMW indicates that it is willing to mount the L39 gun on the Donar upon
request.
Boxer RCH-155
This version of
the AGM is based on the chassis of Boxer APC, new to service and just in the
past few years having been sold, topped with the Armored Gun Module turret.
This makes the RCH-155 a bit tall and top-heavy, but gives it the
mobility on roads of a wheeled vehicle, as well as the less-expensive chassis,
transmission, and drive train. As
with the AGM MLRS, the gun is contained in a special turret module, having
modifications only as necessary to mate it with the Boxer chassis.
The modifications are easily done, as the Boxer is designed to take
modular turrets and OWSs. The
Germans and the Dutch are reportedly interested in the RCH-155, but no orders
have been made yet.
In the RCH-155,
the crew is seated behind the engine and transmission, with the driver on the
right, gunner in the center, and assistant gunner on the left.
Each has a hatch to enter and exit the vehicle on the front deck (the
crew is in the front of the vehicle, behind the powerpack.)
Like the other vehicles in this family, the crew is in a sealed
compartment, and have NBC Overpressure protection with a vehicular NBC backup,
an air conditioner, a heater, and a space to the rear of the crew compartment,
containing room for their personal gear, small arms and ancillary weapons, extra
ammunition, and a 40-liter drinking water tanks that is not refrigerated, but is
insulated. The compartment also
contains most of the vehicle’s electronics, except those that are required to be
in the turret to make use of them.
The crew, like the other AGM vehicles, has a downlinked control set for the gun
and can view through the turret using a monitor that shows the view through the
turret’s night vision and telescopic sights, as well as its aiming reticule.
The 155mm
Wegmann L52 gun is capable of an elevation of +65 degrees, and a depression of
-25 degrees, when facing in any direction.
It is fed by the same advanced autoloader as the other AGMs, and the
magazines are reloaded the same way.
The turret has an access door on the back for crew entry, if needed.
The Boxer
chassis has steel armor on the outside; however internally it is actually a type
of composite armor on some of the surfaces – not as thick as found on tanks, but
helpful when hit. The turret,
however, is aluminum armor, as is standard for the AGM.
However, KMW has been experimenting with mounting MEXAS composite
applique, to give the turret armor matching the hull.
The hull armor is modular and can be replaced in the field when damaged
or by more effective armor. The
turret armor requires applique. The
shape of the vehicle, especially in the hull, present a reduced radar signature
to enemy radar detection and radar crews trying to detect the RCH-155 have a -4
chance. The RCH-155 also has a
reduced IR signature and the chance of IR detection is one level harder.
The standard 8 kW APU is buried inside the fuselage with only a cooled
exhaust pipe and air intake exposed to the outside, so it does not have the
increased heat signature of the other members of the AGM family.
The RCH-155 is
powered by an uprated version of the Boxer MRAV’s MTU 8V199 TE20 turbocharged
diesel, developing 804 horsepower and complying with EURO 3 pollution-control
standards. (This means little in
T2K terms, except that the vehicle smokes much less than most diesel-powered
vehicles). The suspension is
considerably beefed up, so that spades or blades need not be lowered to fire the
howitzer. The RCH-155 is the
heaviest of the AGM vehicles developed so far, primarily due to the size of the
RCH-155 and the steel layers or armor on the hull; however, the powerful engine
mitigates this, and the RCH-155 is quite speedy and maneuverable.
It has a central tire inflation system, allowing to cope with problem
terrain such as swamps, deep snow, sand, and mud; the vehicle also has antilock
brakes and puncture-resistant tires.
On the upgraded version, the driver has an actual thermal camera which
connects to a flat-panel inside the driver’s compartment.
AGMs that are
not upgraded with additional armor can be fitted with lugs for ERA on the
glacis, hull sides, turret sides, and turret rear.
For other
AGM-specific devices, see previous AGM entries and the PZH2000.
Other-Armed AGMs
KMW has
indicated that it is willing to replace the L/52 ordnance of the AGM with L39
ordnance; in addition, they are willing to replace the entire gun with a
longer-range 105mm gun. The 105mm
gun has not yet been announced; I have used a possible 105mm replacement below
in the stats. These variants are
found at the end of the stats. They
use the same electronics as the AGM, with fire control computers adjusted for
the new shorter howitzers, and the lesser-caliber gun if necessary.
For mocking up
the stats on a 105mm-howitzer-armed AGM, I used the stats of an M119A3/L119A3
Light Gun, and assumed that it is properly modified to be used on in the AGM
module. It turns out that, with a
little research, that little modification would actually be needed to fit the
M119/L119 gun to the AGM, and these modifications would primarily be in the
shock-absorption system, the recuperators and recoil/reloading system, and the
magazines. (And of course, the removal of the gun trails and axles and wheels
and suchlike). The A3 version
already has a digital sighting system including a rangefinding laser and a
computer to give the gun crew coordinates, so producing an interface with the
AGM module shouldn’t be too difficult.
Of course it does not have the range or throw weight of a 155mm Wegmann
L/52 gun, but it does a reasonably-long barrel that gives it decent range.
The weight of the gun itself is only 630 kilograms.
The gun can be readied to fire in as little as 1-2 minutes (and probably
ten times faster on a mobile platform like the AGM series).
The six magazines in the AGM’s turret hold seven rounds apiece instead of
five, due to their smaller size.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
AGM/MLRS |
$998,172 |
D, A |
565 kg |
27 tons |
3 |
17 |
Passive IR (AG,
Downlink to Cab), Image Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
AGM/MLRS
(Upgraded) |
$1,104,619 |
D, A |
418 kg |
28.06 tons |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(D), Passive IR (AG, Cab), Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G,
AG, Turret; Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
Donar |
$1,054,278 |
D, A |
645 kg |
31.5 tons |
3 |
18 |
Passive IR (AG,
Downlink to Cab), Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG, Turret;
Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
Donar (Upgraded) |
$1,219,872 |
D, A |
498 kg |
32.56 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(D), Passive IR (AG, Downlink to Cab), Thermal Imaging, Image
Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
RCH-155 |
$1,086,112 |
D, A |
797 kg |
35 tons |
3 |
24 |
Passive IR (AG,
Downlink to Crew), Image Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to
Crew), LLTV Backup Camera (D) |
Shielded |
RCH-155
(Upgraded) |
$1,221,715 |
D, A |
650 kg |
36.17 tons |
3 |
25 |
Thermal Imaging
(D), Passive IR (AG, Downlink to Crew), Thermal Imaging, Image
Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to Crew), LLTV Backup Camera
(D) |
Shielded |
AGM/MLRS (L39
Gun) |
$974,778 |
D, A |
703 kg |
26.45 tons |
3 |
17 |
Passive IR (AG,
Downlink to Cab), Image Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
AGM/MLRS
(Upgrade, L39) |
$1,081,225 |
D, A |
556 kg |
27.51 tons |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(D), Passive IR (AG, Cab), Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G,
AG, Turret; Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
Donar (L39 Gun) |
$1,030,884 |
D, A |
783 kg |
30.95 tons |
3 |
18 |
Passive IR (AG,
Downlink to Cab), Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG, Turret;
Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
Donar (Upgraded,
L39 Gun) |
$1,196,478 |
D, A |
518 kg |
32.01 tons |
3 |
19 |
Thermal Imaging
(D), Passive IR (AG, Downlink to Cab), Thermal Imaging, Image
Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
RCH-155 (L39
Gun) |
$1,062,718 |
D, A |
935 kg |
34.45 tons |
3 |
24 |
Passive IR (AG,
Downlink to Crew), Image Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to
Crew), LLTV Backup Camera (D) |
Shielded |
RCH-155
(Upgraded, L39 Gun) |
$1,198,321 |
D, A |
670 kg |
35.62 tons |
3 |
25 |
Thermal Imaging
(D), Passive IR (AG, Downlink to Crew), Thermal Imaging, Image
Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to Crew), LLTV Backup Camera
(D) |
Shielded |
AGM/MLRS (105mm
Gun) |
$780,641 |
D, A |
1.05 tons |
24.15 tons |
3 |
15 |
Passive IR (AG,
Downlink to Cab), Image Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
AGM/MLRS (105mm
Gun, Upgraded) |
$887,088 |
D, A |
903 kg |
25.21 tons |
3 |
16 |
Thermal Imaging
(D), Passive IR (AG, Cab), Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G,
AG, Turret; Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
Donar (105mm
Gun) |
$836,747 |
D, A |
1.13 tons |
28.65 tons |
3 |
16 |
Passive IR (AG,
Downlink to Cab), Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG, Turret;
Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
Donar (105mm,
Upgraded) |
$943,194 |
D, A |
983 kg |
29.71 tons |
3 |
17 |
Thermal Imaging
(D), Passive IR (AG, Downlink to Cab), Thermal Imaging, Image
Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to Cab) |
Shielded |
RCH-105 |
$868,581 |
D, A |
1.28 tons |
32.15 tons |
3 |
23 |
Passive IR (AG,
Downlink to Crew), Image Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to
Crew), LLTV Backup Camera (D) |
Shielded |
RCH-105
(Upgraded) |
$975,028 |
D, A |
1.13 tons |
33.21 tons |
3 |
24 |
Thermal Imaging
(D), Passive IR (AG, Downlink to Crew), Thermal Imaging, Image
Intensification (G, AG, Turret; Downlink to Crew), LLTV Backup Camera
(D) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr
Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
AGM/MLRS |
158/111 |
44/31 |
617 |
204 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF6
TS4 TR3
HF6 HS4
HR3* |
AGM/MLRS
(Upgraded) |
155/109 |
43/30 |
617 |
212 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF10Sp
TS7Sp TR4
HF13Sp HS5Sp
HR4** |
Donar |
158/111 |
44/31 |
860 |
267 |
Trtd |
T3 |
TF6
TS4 TR3
HF17Sp HS10Sp
HR7** |
Donar (Upgraded) |
154/108 |
43/30 |
860 |
276 |
Trtd |
T3 |
TF10Sp
TS7Sp TR4
HF24Sp 11Sp
HR8*** |
RCH-155 |
177/89 |
49/25 |
614 |
294 |
Trtd |
W(4) |
TF6
TS4 TR4
HF25Cp HS15Cp
HS8Sp**** |
RCH-155
(Upgraded) |
172/86 |
48/24 |
614 |
304 |
Trtd |
W(4) |
TF10Cp
TS8Cp TR6Sp
HF31Cp HS19Cp
HR11Sp***** |
AGM/MLRS (L39
Gun) |
160/82 |
40/28 |
617 |
202 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF6
TS4 TR3
HF6 HS4
HR3* |
AGM/MLRS
(Upgrade, L39) |
157/79 |
40/28 |
617 |
205 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF10Sp
TS7Sp TR4
HF13Sp HS5Sp
HR4** |
Donar (L39 Gun) |
160/112 |
45/31 |
860 |
264 |
Trtd |
T3 |
TF6
TS4 TR3
HF17Sp HS10Sp
HR7** |
Donar (Upgraded,
L39 Gun |
158/111 |
44/31 |
860 |
261 |
Trtd |
T3 |
TF10Sp
TS7Sp TR4
HF24Sp 11Sp
HR8*** |
RCH-155 (L39
Gun) |
179/90 |
50/26 |
614 |
291 |
Trtd |
W(4) |
TF6
TS4 TR4
HF25Cp HS15Cp
HS8Sp**** |
RCH-155
(Upgraded, L39 Gun) |
174/87 |
49/25 |
614 |
301 |
Trtd |
W(4) |
TF10Cp
TS8Cp TR6Sp
HF31Cp HS19Cp
HR11Sp***** |
AGM/MLRS (105mm
Gun) |
158/111 |
44/31 |
617 |
193 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF6
TS4 TR3
HF6 HS4
HR3* |
AGM/MLRS (105mm
Gun, Upgraded) |
155/109 |
43/30 |
617 |
197 |
Trtd |
T4 |
TF10Sp
TS7Sp TR4
HF13Sp HS5Sp
HR4** |
Donar (105mm
Gun) |
160/112 |
45/32 |
860 |
264 |
Trtd |
T3 |
TF6
TS4 TR3
HF17Sp HS10Sp
HR7** |
Donar (105mm,
Upgraded) |
156/109 |
44/31 |
860
|
272 |
Trtd |
T3 |
TF10Sp
TS7Sp TR4
HF24Sp 11Sp
HR8*** |
RCH-105 |
179/90 |
50/26 |
614 |
290 |
Trtd |
W(4) |
TF6
TS4 TR4
HF25Cp HS15Cp
HS8Sp**** |
RCH-105
(Upgraded) |
174/87 |
49/24 |
614 |
300 |
Trtd |
W(4) |
TF10Cp
TS8Cp TR6Sp
HF31Cp HS19Cp
HR11Sp***** |
Vehicles |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
AGM (MLRS)/Donar |
+2 |
Fair |
155mm L/52
Wegmann Howitzer |
30x155mm |
AGM (MLRS)
Upgraded |
+2 |
Fair |
155mm L/52
Wegmann Howitzer, MG3 (AG) |
30x155mmm
2000x7.62mm |
Donar (Upgraded) |
+3 |
Fair |
155mm L/52
Wegmann Howitzer, MG3 (AG) |
30x155mmm
2000x7.62mm |
RCH-155 |
+2 |
Fair |
155mm L/52
Wegmann Howitzer |
30x155mm |
RCH-155
(Upgraded) |
+3 |
Fair |
155mm L/52
Wegmann Howitzer, MG3 (AG) |
30x155mmm
2000x7.62mm |
AGM/MLRS (L/39) |
+2 |
Fair |
155mm L/39
Howitzer |
30x155mm |
AGM/MLRS
(Upgraded, L39) |
+2 |
Fair |
155mm L/39
Howitzer, MG3 (AG) |
30x155mmm
2000x7.62mm |
Donar (L/39 Gun) |
+2 |
Fair |
155mm L/39
Howitzer |
30x155mm |
Donar (Upgraded,
L39) |
+3 |
Fair |
155mm L/39
Howitzer, MG3 (AG) |
30x155mmm
2000x7.62mm |
RCH-155 (L39
Gun) |
+2 |
Fair |
155mm L/39
Howitzer |
30x155mm |
RCH-155
(Upgrade, L39 Gun) |
+3 |
Fair |
155mm L/39
Howitzer, MG3 (AG) |
30x155mmm
2000x7.62mm |
AGM/MLRS/Donar
(105mm Gun) |
+2 |
Fair |
105mm L/40
L119A3 Howitzer |
42x105mm |
Donar (105mm,
Upgraded) |
+3 |
Fair |
105mm L/40
L119A3 Howitzer, MG3 (AG) |
42x105mmm
2000x7.62mm |
RCH-105 |
+2 |
Fair |
105mm L/40
L119A3 Howitzer |
42x105mm |
RCH-105
(Upgraded) |
+3 |
Fair |
105mm L/40
L119A3 Howitzer, MG3 (AG) |
30x155mmm
2000x7.62mm |
*Floor and roof AVs, for the cab as well as the turret, are AV4Sp for the roof
and 6Sp for the floor.
**Roof AV is 5Sp, and floor AV is 7Sp, including the top of the cab and turret.
***Roof AV is 6Sp, and floor AV is 8Sp, including the top of the cab and turret.
****Roof AV is 6Sp, and floor AV is 8Sp, including the top of the hull and
turret. The hull roof area in front
of the turret but before the glacis, however, has an AV of 15Sp. The rear hull
face has an AV of 8Sp, except for the door, which is 5Sp (25% chance of hitting
the door from a rear-quartering shot).
*****Roof AV is 7Sp, and floor AV is 9Sp. Including the top of the turret and
hull. The hull roof area in front of the turret but before the glacis, however,
has an AV of 15Sp. The rear hull face has an AV of 11Sp, except for the door,
which is 6Sp (25% chance of hitting the door from a rear-quartering shot).