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RCH 155
German 155 mm self-propelled howitzer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The RCH 155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm) is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (now known as KNDS Deutschland), a German defence company.
The RCH 155 Module takes the firepower and the range of the PzH 2000 by using its gun (155 mm L/52), and combines it with an automated and remotely controlled gun module.
The intention of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann with this system was to create the ideal combination of artillery automation and protected wheeled mobility.[2]
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Origin
The RCH-155 module is very similar to the Artillery Gun Module (AGM, Artillerie-Geschütz-Modul), but has a lower profile.[3] The AGM was designed to have the firepower of the PzH 2000 in an air-portable package with the A400M aircraft this was possible when installed on an ASCOD-2 platform (known as the DONAR).
In 2014 with interest in installing the AGM on the Boxer,[4] questions arose regarding its capacity to meet this requirement. KMW produced a modified variant of the AGM in 2021, the RCH 155. The RCH 155 has a turret with a significantly lower profile.[3][5] As of 2024, two production variants of the RCH 155 exist, one installed on the Boxer, and another installed on the Mowag Piranha IV 10×10.[5] At FEINDEF 2025 General Dynamics European Land Systems in partnership with KNDS unveiled the NEMESIS tracked artillery system that combines the ASCOD platform with the AGM.[6]
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Description
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The RCH 155 features a two man crew, commander and driver. They are protected against fire from heavy machine guns up to 14.5 mm and artillery fragments. There is also protection against anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. The system is equipped with an (optional) secondary weapon station, a smoke grenade launcher and an NBC protection and ventilation system.
The combat load is 30 projectiles with fuze and 144 modular propellants. The fuze programming is inductive during the loading process. The cadence is 9 rounds per minute.
The RCH 155 is capable of firing basically[clarification needed] all 155 mm projectiles compatible with the Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMOU) of NATO. The range is up to 40 kilometres for base-bleeds, up to 54 kilometres for Extended-Range Full-Bore shells (V-LAP shells), and further for Vulcano and M982 Excalibur.
The Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impacts (MRSI) mode of operation is possible. In this mode, the trajectories and times of the projectiles are modified by elevation of the barrel and number of propellant charges in such a way that several shots fired in succession hit the target almost simultaneously in order to achieve the greatest possible effect before the enemy can take evasive action.
The gun turret's aiming range is 360 degrees (maximum to the 6th propellant charge module) and the barrel elevation is -2.5 to + 65 degrees. The ground clearance is 0.5 metres, the turning radius is 21 metres, the maximum climb is 0.7 metres, the ditch crossing ability is 2.0 metres, the maximum fording depth is 1.2 metres, the maximum gradeability is 60 percent and the highest cross slope is 30 percent.[7] RCH 155 is powered by a diesel engine of the type 8V 199TE20/21 made by MTU Friedrichshafen. The on-board voltage is 24 volts at a maximum of 540 amps.[8]
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Special features
The RCH 155 is the world's first howitzer that can fire while in motion.[9] This is mainly to avoid enemy counter-artillery fire, as modern counter-battery radars such as COBRA can be used to reconnoitre fire positions after firing in near real-time. The RCH 155 is also able to use its gun in direct fire for self defense.
Its traverse and firing controls allow firing the gun at targets in the vicinity, such as an enemy tank, in a direct-fire, rather than indirect artillery mode.[10]
Taken together, quick acquisition of target, direct-fire and "shoot-and-scoot" capabilities mean the RCH 155 could be considered to have a hunter-killer role similar to main battle tanks as it is able to quickly acquire targets in line-of-sight and prosecute them while on the move, or at least moving quickly out afterwards without remaining open to easy counter-fire. This capability, however, is for self-defence and is not its main role.[11]
The RCH 155 is highly automated and is theorised to eventually be capable of operating entirely remotely.
Operators
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Current operators
Ukraine (54)[12]- List of orders of Boxer RCH 155 ordered for the Ukrainian Ground Forces:
- 18 howitzers ordered on 17 September 2022, announced as a purchase from Ukraine through a German aid fund at a cost of €216 million.[13]
- 18 howitzers ordered in February 2024, announced during the Munich Conference for Ukraine support, Germany added 18 additional RCH-155 to the planned support.[14]
- 18 howitzers ordered as per an announcement in June 2024 by KNDS. It was revealed that the total of RCH 155 for Ukraine was increased to a total of 54, which implies that 18 additional RCH-155 had been ordered.[12]
- In January 2025, Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius symbolically consigned the first of a total of 54 RCH 155 to the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev. The first six of these systems will initially remain in Germany and be used to train Ukrainian soldiers.[15][16]
Future operators
Boxer platform
United Kingdom- On 24 April 2024, the UK announced its selection of the RCH-155 for the British Army's Mobile Fires Platform programme, as a successor for the AS-90.[17][18] The vehicles will be built in both Germany and the UK with over 100 UK-based suppliers manufacturing components.[19] The platform will consist of the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) weapon module fitted to the rear half of the Boxer mechanised infantry vehicle (MIV) and will be in service with the Royal Artillery by the end of the decade.[20]
Piranha IV 10×10 platform
Switzerland (36)- The Swiss Army selected the RCH-155 on the Mowag Piranha IV 10×10 as successor to the M109 KAWEST WE in November 2024.[23] It was selected through the Artillerie Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026 programme. The competitors were the BAE Bofors Archer on the Rheinmetall HX2 8×8 and the RCH-155 based on the Boxer A3. Trials took place in 2023 and 2024, and in September 2024, an evaluation report was released to the Armed Forces for the selection of the system.[24]
The Swiss Armed Forces are preparing the approval of the acquisition by the parliament in 2025, and in the meantime, integrating the system to the artillery command system, and integrating the communication systems to the platform.[24] The quantity is yet to be determined publicly.
In the Armament Programme 2025, Switzerland allocated a budget of CHF 850 million for the purchase of 36 RCH-155, simulators, logistics systems, and ammunitions.[25]
Potential operators
Canada (99 to 102)- In 2025, the Canadian Army posted a RFI (request for information) regarding the purchase of a new self-propelled howitzer with its "Indirect Fire Modernization" programme.[26]:The requests include a top speed of 80km/h and an operational range of 450km which would exclude tracked vehicles. The request includes minimal lethality requirements:
- Calibre: 155mm L/52
- Range:
- a range of at least 30 km with conventional munitions (M795)
- a range of at least 40 km with a next generation base bleed projectile (M1128)
- Capable to fire:
- precision guided projectiles (M982 & M1156)
- sensor Fuzed Anti-Armour Munitions (SMArt 155 or Bofors/Nexter Bonus)
- MRSI (Multiple Round, Simultaneous Impact)
- detect and neutralise close range threats in a direct fire role
- Shoot and scoot capability:
- a battery of 6 howitzers must engage a target with a minimum of 96 rounds and come out of action in less than a total of three minutes
- howitzers must displace at least 500m in less than two minutes after firing in a tactical environment
- fire and engage indirect targets while on the move
- This last requirement makes the RCH-155 the only platform capable to fit all the requirements. The Piranha IV variant would be the most likely platform as it is part of the GDLS group, and Canada uses a derivative of the Piranha platform in its forces.
Germany (up to 168)- As part of the Zukünftiges System Indirektes Feuer mittlere Reichweite (ZukSysIndF mRw, "Future System Indirect Fire Medium Range") program, the German army is looking for a wheeled artillery system with a calibre 155 mm L/52. The deliveries are expected to take place from 2026 to 2031.[27][28] The two candidates are the RCH-155 and the Artillery Truck Interface by Rheinmetall. According to some rumours in October 2023, the RCH-155 was mentioned as the winner of the competition, as the option from Rheinmetall is still in development and not yet mature.[28] The objective is for 168 systems, though, 120 are more likely, but even that number might be short as the budget mentioned is only €1.3 to €1.4 billion.[28]
Italy- In September 2024, the government requested the parliament to approve the multiyear programme (SMD 11/2024) to purchase the RCH-155, several types of ammunition, supply vehicles and rescue vehicles.[29][30]
The RCH-155 will replace the FH70 towed howitzers of its medium forces. An initial budget of €202 million is planned to initiate the project, and based on the resources available on the current budget. The start will enable to acquire a number of systems, develop the logistic support, set-up the training courses for the operators and the maintenance. An additional budget of €1.608 billion is planned to complete the project.
Netherlands- In August 2024, Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, announced that the Royal Netherlands Army showed interest in the system.[31]
Qatar- In September 2024, it was reported that Germany has approved the sale of the RCH 155 for Qatar in exchange for 12 PzH 2000s, which will be transferred to Ukraine.[32]
Spain (214)- The Spanish Army and the Marine Corps are looking for a successor to the M109A5.[33]
- The programme has a pre-financing budget of €3 billion will be received, and a budget of €300 million is given for that programme in 2025. This includes a wheeled (86 units) and a tracked self-propelled howitzer (128 units).[34]
- One of the requirement mentions that the system has to be capable to be used in anti-ship operations, with moving targets. The other requirement includes a barrel of 155mm L/47 to L/52 with a 40 km range minimum with base-bleed munitions.[34]
- For the tracked component of the programme, the pre-financing budget reaches €1.821 billion, and the systems to be included are:[34]
- 128 tracked howitzers, based on ASCOD 2
- 21 recovery vehicles
- 59 command and control vehicles (48 for the Army, 11 for the Navy)
- Equipment for maintenance, training, logistics.
- For the wheeled component of the programme, the pre-financing budget is €1.181 billion, and it includes:
- 86 wheeled self-propelled howitzers (8×8 or 10×10 chassis)
- 14 recovery vehicles
- 7 maintenance vehicles
- logistical vehicles
- complementary equipment (hypocelometers, simulators, reduced-fire systems, tube cleaning equipment)
- The GDELS Nemesis using the AGM is the likely winner, while the wheeled variant would use the same artillery system, and be based on the Piranha Advanced Artillery Carrier (Piranha IV 10×10) that is already selected by the Swiss Army.[35]
United States- In August 2024, Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, announced that the US Army showed interest in the system. The US Army is looking for a wheeled howitzer to compensate for the M777 supplied to Ukraine.[31]
At AUSA 2024, the US military mentioned its interest for a wheeled howitzer under the "mobile tactical cannon" capability. Several self-propelled howitzer will be evaluated, among which the Archer, the RCH 155 on two vehicles, the Piranha 10×10 and the Boxer, the K9A1 and the SIGMA 155 from Elbit Systems.[36] The system will be selected in 2026, and a contract for a certain number of cannons is planned for 2027. The systems mentioned include the Archer and the RCH 155.[37]
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Footnotes
References
External links
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