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Subject:
Supacat portee 155mm LIMAWS(G) contender revealed
doggtag
9/15/2005 9:14:28 AM
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link
(free to register)
Day 1, pg 1
Public presentation of Portee System
Christopher F Foss
Being shown in public for the first time at DSEi is the 155mm M777 Portee System which combines the proven 155mm/39 calibre M777 towed lightweight artillery system and a purpose-built portee vehicle from Supacat. The concept demonstrator has been built by BAE Systems Land Systems as a private venture to meet the potential requirements of the British Army for a Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System ? Gun (LIMAWS (Gun)).
There are three contenders to meet the LIMAWS(G) requirement, Giat Industries CAESAR 155mm/52 calibre system based on a 6x6 truck chassis, the Portee System, and the standard 155mm M777 lightweight artillery system.
The new M777 Portee System is based on an eight-wheeled (8x6) version of the HMT Supacat high mobility cross-country vehicle, which has been selected by the British Army for a number of other applications.
Carried on the rear of the HMT Supacat is the standard 155mm M777 lightweight artillery system, which is already in low rate initial production for the US Marine Corps, which is taking delivery of 94 units. Under a full rate production contract awarded earlier this year, an additional 495 will be built, which makes it the largest current towed artillery programme in the world.
When in the travelling mode, the 155mm M777 lightweight artillery system is carried in the very rear of the chassis, with the ordnance to the front and resting between the split forward control cab. It can be rapidly unloaded using the vehicle?s onboard mechanical handing system.
The gun crew of six is seated in an armour and NBC-protected cab. When compared with a conventional self-propelled artillery system, the 155mm M777 Portee System will have the added advantage that it can be split into two loads for transport slung under a tactical helicopter.
Together with Caesar, the M777 Portee System was recently put through an extensive capability evaluation as part of the LIMAWS(G) Assessment Phase manned by the Royal Artillery. During this, tactical and strategic mobility were assessed and more than 350 rounds fired. Maximum range of M777 depends on projectile/charge combination, but firing the 155mm XM982 Excalibur precision-guided munition, it has a maximum range of more than 40km. The complete M777 Portee System weighs about 12.3 tonnes and can be carried inside a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
For the UK trials the M777 was fitted with the SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing System (LINAPS), which is in service with the Royal Artillery on its 105 mm L118 Light Guns. It is expected that the weapon selected to meet the LIMAWS(G) requirement will enter service later this decade and up to 45 systems will be required.
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