I've heard the K9 is a bit of a dog.

Raytheon and the K-9 are apparently intending to use a "reach back" support system to South Korea...

A little snippet has emerged about LAND 17.

Apparently Tenix hasn't even submitted a tender for the 155mm SPH. The meaning of this is simple: no Archer for Australia...

And KMWare putting together a huge Australian support centre with BAE to jointly support PZH-2000 and M777 within Australia...

Raytheon and the K-9 are apparently intending to use a "reach back" support system to South Korea...

I thought that Archer was eliminated as a possibility some time ago for much the same reasons as Caesar - lack of protection for the crew in reloading scenarios. I may be wrong here.
Regards
MB

Caesar also lost out due to OH&S issues.  I remember speaking to a punter at one of the LWC's and he pointed out that there were some concerns with dismounting under fire due to "sharp" appendages.

 

 

Apparently Tenix hasn't even submitted a tender for the 155mm SPH. The meaning of this is simple: no Archer for Australia...

And KMWare putting together a huge Australian support centre with BAE to jointly support PZH-2000 and M777 within Australia...

I know it that BAE just only bought Tenix but, for BAE not supporting the Archer is odd considering it's their product.

Is there an "In Service by" requirement for Land 17?  I know a decision on the systems is immenent, but when are they actually wanted?

One question - is there an M777 version with a -52 cal barrel?  I know of only the existing 39cal ones, but for the cost of a modest increase in weight (not a massive issue for the ADF, since the only helos that could lift the existing M777 would be the Chinook, since the Blackhawk lift demonstration was a bit of a fudge...), it seems reasonable to boost the capability. Some would say that it matters less with smart rounds, but the simple truth is that range is range, to may not always use it if it is there, but you will kick yourself (or worse) if it isn't there and to do need it! It would still weigh in significantly less than the old M198s, but with the 52-cal, you get a massive boost in capability.

 

If there were no issues of armour protection, it could be suggested that the best thing would be to standardise on something like a modified Supacat 155mm Portee, which uses the M777, rather than having both towed and self-propelled howitzers. As it is, the idea doesn't make a tremendous amount of sense, and the Supacat is mighty ugly...

From Janes Defence Weekly.

 

Both the G6 and the Archer have been withdrawn from competition.

This leaves the K-9 and PzH2000 but reference was also made to the possibility that the SPG's would be dropped altogether in place of buying additional towed guns.

Yeah, SPGs are a must for the requirement. The PZH is the favourite around the traps at the moment.

It might be interesting to note that a battery from 8/12 is currently training on British guns and will deploy into Helmand province in Afghanistan to man British guns early this year. It will mark the first time that Australian artillerymen have fired guns in anger since Vietnam. It seems the RRAA is sick of not being deployed in this war, and worked out that the only way they would get a trip is with another country. Very sneaky.