CAESAR



Overview

CAESAR

French army CAESAR self-propelled howitzer on Renault Sherpa 10 chassis.
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Origin
France
Type
Self-propelled howitzer
Entered service
2008
Status
In service
Development
Early 2000's
Developer
France - GIAT
Production
2003 (prototypes)
2006 - present
Producer
France - GIAT (now Nexter)
Number produced
Over 300 produced or on order
Designations
CAESAR / CAmion Équipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie
French for "truck equipped with artillery system"
Notable users
France
Saudi Arabia

Variants

Caesar on Sherpa

In French service the CAESAR system is mounted on the Renault Sherpa 6x6 truck. Caesar systems exported to Thailand and Indonesia are also based on the Sherpa 5.

Caesar on Unimog

The prototypes of the CAESAR were mounted on an Unimog 6x6 truck. Production vehicles have somewhat different design and are based on the Unimog U2450L 6x6 truck for export customers, such as Saudi Arabia.

Caesar 8x8

Deep modernization of Caesar system based on an armored version of the Tatra 815-7 8x8 truck. Also known as CAESAR 2. This variant is described separately.

Details

Facts CAESAR (Sherpa chassis)
General
Origin
France
Type
Self-propelled howitzer
Crew
4 - 6 (commander, driver, gunner, 1 to 3 loaders)
Dimensions
Weight
17.7 t combat load
Length
10 m (travel configuration)
8 m (hull)
Width
2.55 m (travel configuration)
Height
3.7 m (travel configuration)
2.7 m (air transport configuration)
Main armament
Type
155mm 52-caliber howitzer
Mount
Rear mounted gun cradle
Ammunition
18 shells
Elevation
+0° to +60°
Traverse
30°
Rate of fire
6 rpm maximum
Range
42 km with base bleed shells
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled chassis
Selectable 6x6 or 6x4
Central tire inflation system
Automotive
Engine model
Renault dCI 6
Engine type
Turbocharged diesel
Power output
240 hp at 2.300 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 8 gears
Mobility
Speed
80 - 90 km/h on road
50 km/h on dirt roads
Range
600 km on road
Power to weight ratio
13.6 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Wall
0.5 m
Trench
0.9 m
Gradient
Over 40%
Slope
Over 30%
Fording
1.2 m
Protection
Armor type
Optional protected crew cab
Armament operated in the open
Armor thickness
Level 2 STANAG 4569 for armored cab
Smoke system
None
Equipment
Fire control
Ballistic computer
Optional muzzle velocity radar
Navigation
Inertial navigation system
Emplacement time
60 seconds
Displacement time
40 seconds

Media

Related articles

155mm TR-F1

The CAESAR was developed to replace the towed TR-F1 in French service.

Read more about 155mm TR-F1