Ukrainian Armed Forces to be the first in the world to receive RCH 155 self-propelled artillery systems capable of firing on the move (video)
Ukraine will become the first operator of the newest RCH 155 air defense system on the planet. The main feature of this artillery system is that it is capable of hitting targets while on the move. In total, the Armed Forces will receive 18 RCH 155 units. Berlin took over payment of the EUR 216 million contract for the supply of the units.
The literal translation of Remote Controlled Howitzer means “howitzer with remote control”. The wheeled self-propelled vehicle was developed by engineers from the German company KMW. It is positioned by the manufacturer as the world’s first artillery system suitable for firing “from the wheels,” i.e. while moving. The self-propelled gun can fire volleys of five rounds with simultaneous target destruction by all shells.
The development of the RCH 155 was based on the Donar artillery system and the PzH 2000 self-propelled gun. It can fire almost any 155-mm ammunition. The range of target destruction can reach 40 km. When using high-precision ammunition such as Addegai V-LAP or Excalibur, it increases to 54 km. The system makes nine shots in a minute.
The power of the MTU V8 power unit is 815 hp. с. This is enough to ensure that the UAV has a maximum speed of 100 km/h. Only two crew members are required to operate the artillery unit.