CAESAR self-propelled howitzer

CAESAR
CAESAR howitzer on a Unimog U2450L 6x6 chassis
Type	Self-propelled howitzer
Place of origin	France
Service history
Wars	War in Afghanistan, Cambodian–Thai border stand-off, Operation Serval, Battle of Mosul
Production history
Designer	GIAT
Specifications
Weight	17.7 tonnes
Length	10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Width	2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)
Height	3.7 m (12 ft 2 in)
Crew	5-6 (3, emergency)
Main armament	155 mm/52-calibre
Secondary armament	none
Engine	diesel
Suspension	6x6 wheel
Operational range	600 km (370 mi)
Speed	On-road: 100 km/h (62 mph) Off-road: 50 km/h (31 mph)

The CAESAR (CAmion Equipé d'un Système d'ARtillerie; French: Truck equipped with an artillery system) is a French self-propelled 155 mm/52-calibre gun-howitzer, installed on a 6X6 truck chassis. Examples built for the French Army use a Renault Sherpa 10 chassis, examples built for export utilize the 6x6 Unimog U2450L chassis. The CAESAR platform was developed by the former GIAT Industries (now known as Nexter) and is operated by the French, Indonesian, Saudi Arabian, and Thai militaries.

Caesar was developed in the 1990s as a technology demonstrator by the French state-owned company GIAT Industries; in cooperation with Lohr Industrie. It was first shown in public in 1994. Four years later a pre-production model underwent trials with the French Army.

The Caesar artillery system evolved from the earlier 155 AM F3 automotive gun, which used the chassis of the AMX-13 light tank.

The CAESAR is a wheeled, 155mm 52-caliber self-propelled howitzer. It holds 18 rounds and is typically operated by a crew of five, though if necessary, the CAESAR can be operated by as few as three men. It can be transported by C-130 or A400M, and has a firing range of approximately 42 km using an Extended Range, Full Bore (ERFB) shell, and more than 50 km using rocket assisted shells. The system is integrated with a fully computerized system, providing an automatic control. During Eurosatory 2006, CAESAR was exhibited with an automated laying system based on the SIGMA 30 inertial navigation system.

Nexter is developing an armored cab for the CAESAR in response to demand for more protection for the crew. The additional armor will protect against IEDs and roadside bombs, anti-vehicle mines, and 155 mm shells landing as close as five meters (16 feet) away from the vehicle. It can be added to the cabs of existing CAESARs. Heavier armor will increase its weight by 400 kg (880 pounds) and raise the price by 4-5 percent.