| CAESAR | |
|---|---|
 French artillerymen firing into the Middle Euphrates River Valley (Syria) from within Iraq (December 2018) | |
| Type | Self-propelled howitzer |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2008–present |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Cambodian–Thai border stand-off Operation Serval Operation Chammal Battle of Mosul (2016–2017) Battle of Baghuz Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1992–1999 |
| Manufacturer | GIAT Industries (now Nexter Systems) |
| Produced | 2004–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 17.7 tonnes (6×6) 28.7-30.2 tonnes (8×8)[1] |
| Length | 10 m (32 ft 10 in) 12.3 m (40 ft 4 in) (8x8)[1] |
| Width | 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in) 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) (8x8)[1] |
| Height | 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) (8x8)[1] |
| 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) |
| Maximum speed | On-road: 100 km/h (62 mph) Off-road: 50 km/h (31 mph) |
The Camion Équipé d'un Système d'Artillerie (English: "Truck equipped with an artillery system") or CAESAR[2] is a French 155 mm, 52-caliber self-propelled howitzer that can fire 39/52 caliber NATO-standard shells. It is installed on a 6x6 or 8x8 truck chassis. Equipped with an autonomous weapon network incorporating an inertial navigation system and ballistic computer, the CAESAR can accurately strike targets more than 40 kilometres (25 mi) away using "Extended Range, Full Bore" (ERFB) ammunition with base bleed,[3][irrelevant citation] or targets over 55 kilometres (34 mi) away using rocket-assisted or smart ammunition.[citation needed]
The CAESAR was developed by French defense contractor GIAT Industries (now Nexter Systems) and has been exported to various countries. Units manufactured for the French Army use a 6x6 Renault Sherpa 5 chassis,[4][5] while some export customers have opted for systems integrated on a 6x6 Unimog U2450L or 8x8 Tatra 817 chassis.[6]
In February 2022, the French government awarded Nexter a contract for the development of a new generation CAESAR system. Marketed by the company as the CAESAR Mark II (also commonly referred to as CAESAR NG in France), 109 systems are to be delivered to the French Army between 2026 and 2030.
- ^ a b c d Genys, Andrius. "CAESAR 8x8: 155 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer". Military Today. Archived from the original on 23 May 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Caesar self propelled gun". Defense Update. 26 July 2006. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "155 mm HE ER FB-BB (OFd M3-DV)". MSM GROUP. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Renault Sherpa chassis chosen for CAESAR". ResearchGate.
- ^ Izard, Laurent (5 November 2021). "Pulls militaires fabriqués au Maroc: «Le gouvernement a le devoir moral de choisir, à qualité d'offre équivalente, des producteurs français»" [Military sweaters made in Morocco: “Given products of equal quality, the government has the moral duty to choose French producers”]. Le Figaro (Interview) (in French). Interviewed by Ronan Planchon. Paris, France: Groupe Figaro. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
Le canon automoteur Caesar (que nous venons de vendre à la Belgique) produit par Nexter, en constitue une parfaite illustration : son châssis, français, est un Renault Sherpa 5 d'Arquus (ex-Renault Trucks Defense)...En revanche, le châssis «export» est un Mercedes-Benz Unimog.
[The Caesar self-propelled cannon (which we have just sold to Belgium), produced by Nexter, constitutes a perfect example: its French chassis is a Renault Sherpa 5 from Arquus (ex-Renault Trucks Defense)...On the other hand, its "export" chassis is a Mercedes-Benz Unimog.] - ^ Foss, Christopher Frank (2011). Jane's Armour and Artillery 2011-2012. London, England: IHS Global Limited. pp. 879–881. ISBN 978-0-7106-2960-9.