PzH 2000 German Military Self-Propelled Artillery

The Panzerhaubitze 2000 ("Armoured howitzer 2000"), abbreviated PzH 2000, is a German Military 155 mm 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. The PzH 2000 has automatic support for MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact) for up to 5 rounds. 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 and Greece, and more orders are probable as many NATO forces replace their M109 howitzers.

Specifications
Weight	55.3 tons (121,914 lbs) combat loaded
Length	11.7 m (38.4 feet)
Width	3.6 m (11.8 feet)
Height	3.1 m (10.2 feet)
Crew	5 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, 2 Loaders)
Primary armament	Rheinmetall 155 mm L52 Artillery Gun
Secondary armament	Rheinmetall MG3 7.62 mm machine gun
Engine	MTU 881 Ka-500 986 hp (735.26 kW)
Power/weight	17.83 hp/ton
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	420 km (261 mi)
Speed	60 km/h (37 mph)

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

In 1986 Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany, agreed to terminate their existing development of the PzH 155-1 (SP70) program, which had run into reliability problems and had design defects, notably being mounted on a modified tank chassis. 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 155 mm 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 30 km with the standard L15A2 round (a UK design for FH-70 and stockpiled by Germany for M109G and FH70), about 35 km with base bleed rounds, and at least 40 km with assisted projectiles. In April 2006 a PzH 2000 shot assisted shells (Denel V-Lap) over a distance of 56 km with a probable maximum range of over 60 km. 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 40 km 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 155 mm 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.