Caesar 155 mm Howitzer

The French Caesar truck-mounted gun-howitzer, developed by GIAT, 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. 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 TRF1. Export operators are Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

The Caesar is completed with 155-mm / L52 gun-howitzer, fitted with semi-automatic loading system. It fires all standard NATO 155-mm ammunition, including ordinary and rocket-assisted HE-FRAG rounds, cargo rounds with anti-tank or fragmentation bomblets, smoke and illumination projectiles. It is also capable of firing Bonus precision-guided anti-tank munitions. The Bonus round carries two smart anti-tank submunitions to a range of 34 km. Maximum range of fire is 42 km with rocket-assisted HE-FRAG projectile. Maximum rate of fire is 6 rounds per minute. Vehicle carries 18 complete rounds.

The Caesar artillery system 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. 

The Caesar can be set into and out of action in less than one minute. Brief redeployment time allows to avoid counter-battery fire. Vehicle can be also used on shoot-and-scoot missions.

Vehicle is fitted with the FAST-Hit computerized fire control system, muzzle velocity radar and navigation system with Global Positioning System. It provides onboard terminals for communication and firing sequence management.

Prototypes of this artillery system used 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. The Caesar is fully air transportable and can be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

A battery of eight Caesars can disperse more than 1 tone of projectiles in one minute. A salvo of six Ogre cargo rounds releases 378 bomblets and saturates area of 3 hectares. Each Caesar is escorted by the ammunition resupply vehicle.

 Spesifikasi :

Entered service	2007
Crew	6 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight	18.5 t
Length (gun forward)	10 m
Hull length	?
Width	2.5 m
Height	3.26 m
Armament
Main gun	155-mm
Barrel length	52 calibers
Machine guns	1 x 12.7-mm (optional)
Projectile weight	43.7 kg
Maximum firing range	42 km
Maximum rate of fire	4 - 6 rpm
Elevation range	0 to + 60 degrees
Traverse range	30 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun	18 rounds
Machine guns	?
Mobility
Engine	Renault dCI 6 diesel
Engine power	240 hp
Maximum road speed	100 km/h
Range	600 km
Maneuverability
Gradient	60%
Side slope	40%
Vertical step	0.5 m
Trench	0.9 m
Fording	1.2 m

 Berikut Foto Caesar 155 mm di Halim:

sumber foto dari ARC

Indonesia diberitakan akan mengakusisi puluhan unit Howitser Caesar 155 mm, Howitzer Caesar buatan Nexter Prancis ini digolongkan sebagai howitzer yang dapat bergerak sendiri dengan bentuk yang lebih inovatif.

Dengan modernisasi TNI, maka Angkatan Darat khususnya merencanakan mengakusisi  dua batalion howitzer Caesar. Satu batalion Artileri Medan terdiri dari 3 baterai, dimana 1 baterai terdiri dari 6 meriam, dengan demikian jumlah howitzer Caesar untuk TNI AD akan mencapai jumlah 36 unit.

Saat ini TNI AD memiliki 2 batalion howitzer gerak sendiri, masing-masing adalah Yon Armed 7/105 GS di Cikiwul Bekasi (Kodam Jaya), dan Yon Armed 5/105GS Cimahi Jawa Barat (Kodam Siliwangi). Howitzer yang digunakan adalah AMX Mk-61 eks Belanda berjumlah 50 unit yang diperoleh pada akhir 1970-an hingga tahun 1982. Howitzer beroda rantai dengan berat 13,7 ton ini memiliki meriam kaliber 105 mm.

TNI AD juga memiliki howitzer caliber 155 mm tipe tarik (towed) yang diperoleh dari Singapura pada tahun 1997. Howitzer FH-88 ini (di Indonesia sering disebut FH-2000) mempunyai bobot 12,9 ton dan digunakan oleh Batalyon Armed 9 Kostrad di Sadang, Purwakarta.

Menilik dari jangkauan tembakan maka pilihan atas howitzer Caesar ini menjadikan korps Artileri Medan memiliki jangkauan tembakan yang meningkat drastis. Bila AMX Mk-61 hanya mempunyai jangkauan tembakan 15 km, dan FH-88 mempunyai jangkauan tembakan maksimal 30 km, maka Caesar mampu melakukan tembakan dengan jangkauan hingga 42-50 km. Jauh-dekatnya jangkauan tembakan ditentukan pula oleh pilihan proyektil yang dipakainya.

Howitzer Caesar ini dapat diangkut dengan pesawat seperti C-130 Hercules ataupun A-400M, ini sangat memudahkan bagi howitzer ini untuk dapat disebar ke daerah konflik dengan cepat.

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