PzH 2000

Infobox Weapon
name=Panzerhaubitze 2000


caption=Panzerhaubitze 2000 in profile.
origin=GER
type=Self-propelled artillery
is_vehicle=yes
design_date=1996
production_date= 1998
wars=War in Afghanistan
length=11.7 m (38.4 feet)
width=3.6 m (11.8 feet)
height=3.1 m (10.2 feet)
weight=55.3 tons (12,1914 lbs)
combat loaded
suspension=torsion bar
speed=60 km/h (37 mph)
vehicle_range=420 km (261 mi)
unit_cost=US$4.5 million
primary_armament=Rheinmetall 155 mm L52 Artillery Gun
secondary_armament=Rheinmetall MG3 7.62 mm machine gun
armour=
engine=MTU 881 Ka-500
crew=5 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, 2 Loaders)
engine_power=986 hp (735.26 kW)
pw_ratio=17.83 hp/tonThe Panzerhaubitze 2000 ("Armoured howitzer 2000"), abbreviated PzH 2000, is a German 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall for the German Army. The PzH 2000 is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems currently deployed. It is particularly notable for a very high rate of fire; in burst mode it can fire three rounds in 9 seconds, ten rounds in 56 seconds, and can fire between 10 and 13 rounds per minute continuously, depending on barrel heating. [ [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/pzh2000/specs.html "Army Technology" with data on PzH2000] ] The replenishment of shells is automated. Two operators can load 60 shells and propelling charges in less than 12 minutes. PzH 2000 has also been selected by the armies of Italy, Netherlands, Mexico and Greece, and more orders are probable as many NATO forces replace their M109 howitzers.

Development

In 1986 Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany, agreed to terminate their existing development of the PzH 155-1 (SP 70) program, which had run into reliability problems and had design defects, notably being mounted on a modified tank chasssis. A new Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMOU) for a 52 calibre barrel (based on a UK proposal) to replace 39 calibre was nearing agreement. German industry was asked for proposals to build a new design with gun conforming to the JBMOU. Of the proposed designs, Wegmann's was selected.

Rheinmetall designed the 155mm 52-calibre JBMOU compliant gun, which is chromium-lined for its entire 8 metre length and includes a muzzle brake on the end. The gun uses a new modular charge system with six charges (five identical), which can be combined to provide the optimal total charge for the range to the target. Primer is loaded separately via a conveyor belt, and the entire loading, laying and clearing is completely automated. The maximum range of the gun is 30km with the standard L15A2 round (a UK design for FH-70 and stockpiled by Germany for M109G and FH70), about 35km with base bleed rounds, and at least 40km with assisted projectiles. In April 2006 a PzH 2000 shot assisted shells (Denel V-Lap) over a distance of 56km with a probable maximum range of over 60km. [http://www.kmweg.de/pressenews_detail.php?id=53] This gun has a MRSI capability, with five round simultaneous strikes.

Wegmann supplied both the chassis, sharing some components with the Leopard 1, and the turret for the gun. The system has superb cross-country performance and considerable protection in the case of counter-fire. The turret includes a phased array radar on the front glacis for measuring the muzzle velocity of each round fired. Laying data can be automatically provided via encrypted radio from the battery fire direction centre. A crew of three was needed for full operation, commander, layer and driver.

Wegman eventually won a contract in 1996 for 185 to be delivered to Germany's rapid reaction force, followed by another 410 for the main force. Wegmann and Krauss-Maffei, the two main German military tracked vehicle designers, merged in 1998.

A number of armies have tested the system and its ability to provide accurate fire at 40km has been a major selling point.

The PzH 2000 was considered for the US Army's Crusader concept system, but several requirements of the Crusader made it unsuitable. In particular the Crusader placed the crew and gun in separate compartments.

Currently the only 155mm 52-calibre self-propelled howitzer comparable to the PzH 2000 is the Polish Haubicoarmata "Krab" (eng.Howitzer-cannon Crab) which uses a Polish carriage and British AS-90 turret fitted with a BAE Systems 52 calibre barrel. Currently 2 prototypes have been produced with serial production expected to begin in the near future.

Combat Record and Alterations

The PzH 2000 was used for the first time in combat by the Dutch Army in August 2006 against Taliban targets in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Medusa. [http://www.kmweg.com/gb/spezial.php?id=21] Since then it has been used regularly in support of coalition troops in Uruzgan province, also in Afghanistan. The PzH 2000 was also used extensively during the Battle of Chora. It is known as "the long arm of ISAF".The gun has been criticised by the Dutch in Uruzgan province as the NBC system designed for use in Europe cannot cope with the high level of dust in Afghanistan. The guns have been nicknamed the 'beasts of Tarin Kowt' by the Taliban. The guns have been modified with additional armor being fitted to the roof to protect against mortar rounds. There have been other reports of problems including the need to keep it in the shade unless actually firing, the damage it does to poorly built roads and a significant 'cold gun' effect necessitating the use of 'warmers'.

General Statistics

General Characteristics

* Crew: 5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 loaders)
* Length: 11.7 meters (38.4 feet)
* Width: 3.6 meters (11.8 feet)
* Height: 3.1 meters (10.2 feet)
* Unit cost: US$4.45 million
* Combat weight: 55.3 tons

Armament

* Primary: Rheinmetall 155 mm L52 Artillery Gun
** Rate of fire: 3 rounds per 10 seconds, 8 rounds per minute, 20 rounds per 3 minutes
** Range (of the artillery fire): 40 km (25 miles), 56 km (34 miles) with rocket-assisted projectile
*Magazine: 60 rounds
* Secondary: Rheinmetall MG3 - 7.62 × 51 mm co-axial machine gun

Mobility

* Engine: MTU 881 Ka-500
** Power: 986 hp (736kW)
** Power/weight: 17.83 hp/ton
* Top speed
**On-road: 60 km/h (37 mph)
**Off-road: 45 km/h (28 mph)
* Range (of the vehicle): 420 km (261 miles)
* Fuel Economy: 240 L/100 km

Operators

*GER : 185 (to be reduced to 154. 31 will be kept in storage for possible conversion to AGM mobile artillery module)
*ITA : 70
*NED : 57 (number of surplus for sale)
*GRE : 24
*MEX : 34 with 72 more expected to arrive by 2011

Notes

External links

* [http://www.kmweg.com/gb/frame.php?page=19 Manufacturer's website (en)]
* [http://www.primeportal.net/artillery/pzh2000_home.htm PzH 2000 Photos at Prime Portal]
* [http://www.deutschesheer.de/portal/a/heer/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLd483NzEASYGYZu7m-pEwsaCUVH1fj_zcVH1v_QD9gtyIckdHRUUAqVrUjA!!/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82X0dfNzNV Article on the Official Heer website (in German)]
* [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/pzh2000/ Army Technology]
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ct1uOjhuUuE Dutch PzH 2000 Firing at Taliban Positions at Youtube]