KORNET-E

PzH-2000 155mm

The PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) is the 155mm self propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) together with the main sub-contractor Rheinmetall Landsysteme for the German Army. KMW received a contract in 1996 for production of 185 units. The first system was delivered in July 1998 and deliveries for this batch are complete. Rheinmetall (formerly MaK) delivers the complete chassis for all series vehicles. Total German Army requirement is expected to be around 450 units. PzH 2000 has also been selected by the Italian, Dutch and Greek Armies. The Greek Army has 24 systems, delivered between July 2003 and June 2004. A German / Italian co-production programme with Consorzio Iveco-Oto Melara is planned to provide the 70 units for the Italian Army, with deliveries from 2005-08. The Dutch have signed a contract for the procurement of for 57 units for delivery from 2005-09.

In May 2001, during test firings for the Hellenic Army, the PzH 2000 fired 20 rounds all to ranges exceeding 40km (41.8km maximum). The ranges were achieved using M2000BB Assegai shells from Naschem/Denel of South Africa, in combination with the Rheinmetall DM 72 modular charge system. In November 2002, in live firings in Sweden, a similar range was achieved with Rheinmetall's new long range RH 40 BB ammunition, also fired with the modular charge system.

A PzH 2000 howitzer turret has been mounted on the deck of German Navy F124 frigate, Hamburg, as a demonstration of the feasibility of the system for naval applications. The concept is called MONARC and requires a flexible elastic mounting.

ARMAMENT

The electrical gun control system, supplied by ESW Extel Systems Wedel, comprises the automatic elevating and traversing drives with semi-automatic back-up, direct laying with electrical instrument control and manual control.

The 155mm L52 gun of the PzH 2000 was developed by Rheinmetall DeTec. The barrel length is 52 calibre and chamber volume is 23 litres. The gun has a chromium-plated barrel and semiautomatic lifting breech block with integrated 32-round standard primer magazine. Gun parameters such as chamber temperature are monitored automatically. The PzH 2000 is equipped with a full automatic shell loading system with ammunition management system.

The chromium-plated barrel is 8m long and is fitted with a slotted muzzle brake which gives increased muzzle velocity and reduces the level of muzzle flash. The wedge type breech block is integrated with an exchangeable primer magazine fitted with an endless conveyer for automatic primer transportation, loading and unloading.

Rheinmetall DeTec has also developed a six-zone modular Propelling Charge System (MTLS), the DM72, which provides for faster handling, less wear on the gun, lower sensitivity to ignition hazards and improved range. In the PzH2000, up to six MTLS modules form the propelling charge. The maximum range of the L52 gun using the maximum MTLS charges is 30km with the standard L15A2 round and up to 40km with assisted projectiles.

The gun positioning and laying system is produced by Honeywell Maintal and mounted on the gun cradle. The system automatically determines gun direction, position and elevation above sea level. The integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and the vehicle's motor sensors form the hybrid navigation system of the PzH 2000.

AUTOMATIC SHELL LOADING SYSTEM

The PzH 2000 automatic shell loading system can handle 60 rounds of 155mm ammunition. The shells are picked up from the back of the vehicle and automatically stowed in the 60-round magazine in the centre of the chassis.

The shell loading system is driven by brushless electric servo motors supplied by MOOG. The automatic shell loading system has pneumatically driven flick rammer and automatic digital control, ammunition supply management and inductive fuze setting. This provides rates of fire of 3 rounds in less than 10 seconds and loading of 60 shells by two operators within 12 minutes, including the collation of ammunition data. The firing rate of the PzH 2000 was 12 rounds in 59.74 seconds, and 20 rounds in 1 minute 47 seconds, during firing tests in October 1997 with an improved autoloader. The muzzle velocity is determined automatically by means of a radar sensor and is used in the fire control computation.

FIRE CONTROL AND OBSERVATION

The PzH 2000 can use an automatic mode of operation including the data radio link with an external command and control system. The autonomous fire control functions are controlled by an on-board MICMOS computer supplied by EADS (formerly DaimlerChrysler Aerospace). Using the automatic mode, target engagements can be carried out by a crew of two. Using the fire control data provided by the ballistics computer, the gun is automatically laid and relayed during the mission.

Various backup modes are available which guarrantee system sustainability in case of a component failure. As the lowest backup mode, an optical mechanical backup sytem is available. The commander has a Leica PERI-RTNL 80 panoramic periscope, which is used in under-armour operations and for target designation in direct laying engagements. PERI-RTNL 80 has day and night vision channels and a laser rangefinder. The gunner is equipped with a Leica PzF TN 80 day and night direct fire sight for direct laying of the gun.

PROPULSION

The 736kW powerpack of the PzH 2000 is mounted at the front of the hull and consists of an 8-cylinder direct-injection, supercharged MTU MT881 Ka-500 diesel engine with a 4-speed Renk HSWL 284 C gearbox. Three fuel tanks provide a 420km cruise range

glyn

Seems like a decent bit of kit!

__________________
Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.

Archer

Its the best SPH in the world today.

__________________
Karmani Vyapurutham Dhanuhu

My bow is stretched for its task

KORNET-E

The Howitzer 2000 Tank fired the long-range V-LAP ammunition from DENEL over a distance of more than 56 kilometers during ammunitions tests in South Africa. This result was achieved with six DM72 propellant system modules. This new benchmark for the PzH2000 represents an increase of more than 40 percent compared to ranges of 40 kilometers previously achieved with base-bleed artillery projectiles. The performance certificate was arranged by the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) on behalf of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann at the Alkantpan test range (South Africa). Site boundaries of the testing grounds limited the elevation to a maximum of only 737 mils. Based on sea level standard conditions, the system has a potential range capability of more than 60 km m using an elevation of 980 mils. This capability extends the operational envelope of the Howitzer 2000 Tank as a classic 155 mm / 52 Cal. tube artillery weapon into the domain previously reserved for rocket artillery.

V-LAP Ammunition
V-LAP technology combines base drag reduction and rocket propulsion, and is deployed for both the Assegai and ERFB families of Denel 155mm Artillery projectiles. The V-LAP projectile shares an identical external interface with all other projectiles from each particular projectile family. VLAP projectiles use the identical fuzes, charges, packaging, storage and logistics that are required for the total projectile family.

The Assegai V-LAP projectile inlcudes an Insensitive warhead main filling as well as PFF (Pre Formed Fragmentation) warhead technology and is compatible with most 39-, 45- and 52-calibre artillery systems.

Howitzer 2000 Tank
The Howitzer 2000 Tank, a product of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, is currently the most modern tube artillery system in the world. It is used by Germany, Greece, Italy, and The Netherlands, which is why the Howitzer 2000 Tank is also referred to as the Euro-howitzer. A superior technical concept makes this system so successful. The Howitzer 2000 Tank is characterized by a complete autonomy in navigation and fire control, high shooting cadence, and a previous range of more than 40 kilometers. A highly precise weapons aiming system and stable weapons platform enable a high cadence and precise striking position. The Howitzer 2000 Tank is an essential element of combat support, even in future application and crisis scenarios.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH und Co. KG is the market leader in Europe for armored wheeled and tracked vehicles. KMW is also a leading systems manufacturer with all-round system competence and has approx. 2,700 employees. KMW develops, manufactures and services a wide range of products including air-transportable and mine-protected wheeled vehicles (MUNGO and DINGO), reconnaissance, air-defense and artillery systems (FENNEK, PzH 2000, GEPARD), as well as main battle tanks (LEOPARD 1 and 2) and infantry fighting vehciles (PUMA). The armed forces of 29 nations all over the world operate KMW systems.

DENEL
Specializing in Land Systems and defence Aerospace, Denel is recognized globally for leading artillery capabilities, including munitions like its Velocity-Enhanced Long range Artillery (V-LAP) projectile. Denel’s defence systems are designed according to NATO standards and specifications for improved multi-nation interoperability. Its Rooivalk attack helicopter, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, missiles and guided weapons as well as its observation, sighting and tracking equipment, are testimony to the company’s sophisticated aerospace capabilities. Denel has international technology alliances and joint ventures with some of the world’s major defence and aerospace companies, and continues to invest in enhancement of its technology base.