Leonardo [EURONEXTMIL:LDO] announced a LOI signing with KNDS for the joint development of a new generation 155 mm SPG to use the RCH 155 gun module and an Italian platform.
The possible joint development to use the RCH 155 unmanned artillery module will use a ‘wheeled vehicle’ as the platform, which might be the VBM NG vehicle already being considered as the platform for new SPGs.
The LOI sparks questions on the future of the recently unveiled HITFIRE 155 mm turret by Leonardo, which is similar to RCH 155 in overall layout and has been proposed with the VBM NG armoured vehicle.
RCH 155 was developed by Germany as a standalone module for use on vehicles with suitable payload capacity and volume. The module was first integrated on the Boxer family of vehicles (Both 8x8 and tracked) and recently shown on NEMESIS and Piranha 10x10 AFV of GDELS.
RCH 155 module controlled from the vehicle cabin remotely consists of a 155 mm L52 gun and an autoloader with all shells stored inside the turret. In addition to these, the system can fire on the move, something most other conventional SPGs lack. Firing on the move, while not exactly effective against guided missiles or kamikaze UAVs, is highly beneficial against counter-battery fire as the firing location constantly changes.
RCH 155-fitted Boxer vehicles headed to Ukraine within the scope of previously signed deals are likely to see combat soon.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
