Il PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) è un obice semovente da 155/52 mm

Il PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) è un obice semovente da 155/52 mm, prodotto da un consorzio formato dalle aziende Krauss-Maffei Wegmann e Rheinmetall per l'esercito tedesco.

Attualmente è il mezzo più moderno della sua categoria (anche per la cancellazione del Crusader statunitense), potendo disporre di un sistema del controllo del tiro molto sofisticato, che può contare sul navigatore inerziale ed anche sul GPS, su un meccanismo di caricamento automatico che permette ratei di fuoco molto elevati e il supporto fino a 5 colpi con MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact). La massa del mezzo è elevata, anche per la protezione che si è inteso dargli contro le submunizioni. 

Il mezzo è stato adottato anche dagli eserciti di Paesi Bassi, Grecia e Italia, che si è dotata di 68 esemplari costruiti su licenza dal consorzio IVECO-OTO Melara (CIO).

Sistema di caricamento automatico

Il sistema di caricamento automatico delle granate del PzH 2000 può gestire fino a 60 granate. Le granate sono caricate dalla parte posteriore del mezzo e automaticamente stivate nel magazzino posto al centro dello chassis. Il sistema di caricamento automatico, che comprende, insieme al “flick rammer”, un sistema di controllo digitale per la gestione del rifornimento delle granate e un sistema di graduazione delle spolette per induzione, consente una celerità di tiro di tre colpi in meno di dieci secondi e lo stivaggio di 60 granate da parte di due serventi in meno di 12 minuti. Il sistema di caricamento delle granate, che è stato realizzato per la loro movimentazione nella torretta senza alcuna limitazione, consente una celerità di tiro pari a: tre colpi in meno di dieci secondi; otto-nove colpi in un minuto; 20 colpi in tre minuti. Se necessario, i 60 colpi stivati nel PzH 2000 possono essere sparati con continuità senza interruzione del fuoco. Avvalendosi di un sistema di caricamento automatico migliorato, la celerità di tiro del PzH 2000 è stata determinata in 12 colpi in 59.74 secondi e di 20 colpi in un minuto e 47 secondi. L'elevata celerità di tiro fa sì che un obice da solo possa sviluppare un volume di fuoco pari a quello di tre M109L. In pratica, un gruppo su tre batterie di sei pezzi sviluppa un volume di fuoco quasi triplo rispetto a un gruppo M109L.

Caratteristiche del cannone Rheinmetall da 155 mm L52

Il cannone da 155mm del PzH 2000, nelle sue componenti, otturatore, canna lunga 52 calibri e freno di bocca, è stata sviluppata e prodotta dalla Società Rheinmetall. La canna L52 è caratterizzata da una rigatura costituita da 60 righe (soluzione migliorativa rispetto alle 48 righe degli obici da 39 calibri attualmente in servizio) al fine di ridurre i problemi di usura, accentuati dalla maggior lunghezza della canna. Tale cannone è caratterizzato da una vita tecnica pari a 2.500 colpi a carica massima. La lunghezza della canna è di otto metri e il volume della camera a polvere è di 23 litri contro i circa 19 del calibro L39 che equipaggia gli M-109L.

Il semovente è in grado di utilizzare le cariche di lancio modulari DM 72 con gittate da 3 km fino a 30–40 km. Il sistema di cariche DM 72, che può essere impiegato anche con tutti i sistemi d'arma da 39 calibri, rispetto a quelle convenzionali a sacchetto offre i seguenti vantaggi: facilità di uso e maneggio, incremento della celerità di tiro, ciclo di vita più lungo, significativa riduzione dei residui della combustione.

ENGLISH

The Panzerhaubitze 2000 ("armoured howitzer 2000"), abbreviated PzH 2000, is a German 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall for the German Army. The PzH 2000 is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems deployed in the 2010s. It is capable of a very high rate of fire; in burst mode it can fire three rounds in nine seconds, ten rounds in 56 seconds, and can—depending on barrel heating—fire between 10 and 13 rounds per minute continuously. The PzH 2000 has automatic support for up to 5 rounds of Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI). The replenishment of shells is automated. Two operators can load 60 shells and propelling charges in less than 12 minutes. PzH 2000 has also been selected by the armies of Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Lithuania and Croatia, and more orders are probable as many NATO forces replace their M109 howitzers.

Development

In 1986 Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany agreed to terminate their existing development of the PzH 155-1 (SP70) programme, which had run into reliability problems and had design defects, notably being mounted on a modified tank chassis. A new Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMOU) for a 52 calibre barrel (based on a UK proposal) to replace 39 calibre was nearing agreement. German industry was asked for proposals to build a new design with gun conforming to the JBMOU. Of the proposed designs, Wegmann's was selected. Wegman eventually won a contract in 1996 for 185 to be delivered to Germany's rapid reaction force, followed by another 410 for the main force. Wegmann and Krauss-Maffei, the two main German military tracked vehicle designers, merged in 1998 to form KMW.

Rheinmetall designed the 155 mm 52-calibre JBMOU compliant gun, which is chromium-lined for its entire 8 metre length and includes a muzzle brake on the end. The gun uses a new modular charge system with six charges (five identical), which can be combined to provide the optimal total charge for the range to the target, as well as the conventional bagged charge systems. Primer is loaded separately via a conveyor belt, and the entire loading, laying and clearing is completely automated. The maximum range of the gun is 30–36 km with the standard DM121 Boattail round, about 40–47 km with base bleed rounds, and 67 km with M2005 V-LAP assisted projectiles. In April 2006 a PzH 2000 shot assisted shells (Denel V-Lap) over a distance of 56 km with a probable maximum range of over 60 km. The gun can also fire the SMArt 155 artillery round, which is used by Germany and Greece.

Wegmann supplied both the chassis, sharing some components with the Leopard 2, and the turret for the gun. The system has superb cross-country performance because of its use of continuous tracks and considerable protection in the case of counter-fire. The turret includes a phased array radar on the front glacis for measuring the muzzle velocity of each round fired. Laying data can be automatically provided via encrypted radio from the battery fire direction centre.

A lighter, more air-portable version, using the gun in a module fitted to a lighter chassis, has been developed by KMW. It is called the Artillery Gun Module.

In December 2013, Raytheon and the German Army completed compatibility testing for the M982 Excalibur extended range guided artillery shell with the PzH 2000. Ten Excaliburs were fired at ranges from 9 to 48 kilometers. Shells hit within three meters of their targets, with an average miss distance of one meter at 48 km. The Excalibur may be accepted by the German Army in 2014.

A PzH 2000 L52 gun fired a shell to a range of 67 km at the Alkantpan test range in South Africa on 6 November 2019.

Combat record and alterations

The PzH 2000 was used for the first time in combat by the Dutch Army in August 2006 against Taliban targets in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Medusa. Since then it has been used regularly in support of coalition troops in Uruzgan province, also in Afghanistan. The PzH 2000 was also used extensively during the Battle of Chora. It is known as "the long arm of ISAF". The gun has been criticised by the Dutch in Uruzgan province as the NBC system designed for use in Europe cannot cope with the high level of dust in Afghanistan. The guns have been modified with additional armor being fitted to the roof to protect against mortar rounds. There have been other reports of problems including the need to keep it in the shade unless actually firing, the damage it does to poorly built roads and a significant 'cold gun' effect necessitating the use of 'warmers'.

Since the beginning of June 2010, German ISAF troops at PRT Kunduz have three PzH 2000 at their disposal. They were first used on 10 July 2010 to provide support for the recovery of a damaged vehicle. This was the first time in its history the Bundeswehr has used heavy artillery in combat. The PzH 2000 also played a key role during Operation Halmazag in November 2010, when the villages of Isa Khel and Quatliam were retaken from the Taliban by German paratroopers.

Operators

Current operators

• Croatia: 16 ordered; 12 to be modernized and overhauled, 3 for spare parts, 1 for training. Total value of the contract was 55 million euros. The first PzH 2000 was delivered on 29 July 2015. Agreement for the procurement was signed in 2014, deliveries were to take place between 2015 and 2016, howitzers to be introduced in service by 2019.
• Germany: 185 delivered between 1998 and 2002. 16 sold to Croatia and 21 to Lithuania. 108 to remain in active service.
• Greece: 24 ordered in 2001 and delivered between 2003 and 2004.
• Hungary: 24 ordered in December 2018
• Italy: 70 ordered in 2002 and delivered between 2004 and 2008. 2 pre-production models were retired.
• Lithuania: 21 to be delivered between 2015 and 2019. 16 active, 2 for training, 3 for spares.
• Netherlands: 57 ordered in 2002 and delivered between 2004 and 2009. 26 in reserve (2019)
• Qatar: 24 ordered in 2013, first three were delivered in 2015.

Exports

A number of armies have tested the system and its ability to provide accurate fire at 40 km has been a major selling point.

The PzH 2000 was considered for the US Army's Crusader concept system, but several requirements of the Crusader made it unsuitable. The Crusader specifications placed the crew and gun in separate compartments, allowing a single highly armoured crew compartment to control the firing of an entire battery of guns through intervehicle links. In addition the Crusader included an automated ammunition tender, and an active cooled barrel.

The PzH 2000 was a contender for Phase 1C of Australia's Land 17 Artillery Replacement Programme prior to that phase of the project being cancelled in May 2012.

Finland tested one alongside the 155mm SpGH ZUZANA and AS-90 "Braveheart". Tests ended in 1998 and due to cost efficiency issues no self-propelled gun system was selected, but instead more of the cheaper 155 K 98 field guns were bought.

The German Navy evaluated a modified system known as MONARC for installation onboard frigates; while the system performed well components were difficult to protect against corrosion. Sweden evaluated a slightly modified version but selected the ARCHER Artillery System instead.

In December 2018, Hungary ordered 24 newly-built PzH 2000s from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann together with 44 Leopard 2A7+ and 12 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks in a deal valued at over 160 billion HUF ($565 million).

Development of the PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze) began in 1987. 

It evolved from the international SP70 programme, which was cancelled in 1980s due to funding problems. Prototype of the PzH 2000 was completed in 1993. Initially German Army planned to order a total of 1 254 new self-propelled howitzers, however in 1996, due to the end of Cold War, a contract was signed only for 185 artillery systems. First systems were delivered to the German Army in 1998. Export operators of the PzH 2000 are Croatia (12), Greece (25), Italy (68), Lithuania (21), Netherlands (57), and Qatar (24). This artillery system saw action in Afghanistan.

   The PzH 2000 is fitted with a 155 mm/L52 howitzer. Vehicle has a fully-automatic loading system with ammunition management system. The PzH 2000 is compatible with standard NATO 155 mm ammunition. Maximum range of fire is 30 km with standard HE-FRAG projectile and 40 km with base bleed projectile. Using a South African VLAP rocket-assisted projectile a range of 56 km can be achieved. Maximum rate of fire is 9 rounds per minute. It is capable of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) firing. A total of 60 rounds are stowed in a magazine.

   Secondary armament consists of a roof-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun.

   The PzH 2000 receives target data via datalink. The gun is automatically laid using the fire control data.

   Front armor of the PzH 2000 provides protection against 14.5 mm rounds. All-round protection is against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Explosive reactive armor can be fitted if necessary. The PzH 2000 is also fitted with automatic fire suppression and NBC protection systems.

   The PzH 2000 has a crew of five, including commander, gunner, two loaders and driver. Target engagements can be carried out by a crew of two men. Loaders are employed only when autoloader fails.

   Chassis of the PzH 2000 uses some components of the Leopard 2 main battle tank. Vehicle is powered by the MTU MT881 Ka-500 supercharged diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. The PzH 2000 is also fitted with auxiliary power unit, powering all systems, when the main engine is turned off.

   The PzH 2000 is reloaded by two operators. Projectiles are automatically picked up from the back of the vehicle and stowed in the autoloader's magazine. This self-propelled howitzer is replenished in less than 12 minutes.

Variants

• MONARC (Modular Naval Artillery Concept), study about mounting turret of the PzH 2000 howitzer on a naval ship. It was mounted on the deck of Hamburg, a Sachsen class frigate.
• AGM (Artillery Gun Module) 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. It is a modified variant of the PzH 2000. It was developed as a supplement to the PzH 2000 where heavier weaponry is not available, recommendable or too expensive. This artillery system is operated by a crew of two men. It is significantly lighter alternative to the PzH 2000, but provides the same performance. First prototype was mounted on a tracked chassis of the M270 MLRS. Though unmanned AGM turret can be integrated on various other chassis, or even used as a standalone unit. The AGM is air-transportable.
• Donar 155 mm self-propelled howitzer, further development of the Artillery Gun Module, based on  ASCOD 2 IFV tracked chassis. The Donar is mainly aimed at the export customers.
• Boxer RCH 155 is another integration of the Artillery Gun Module, based on a Boxer 8x8 armored personnel carrier. This artillery system retains features and performance parameters of the PzH 2000. It was introduced in 2014. Initial firing trials took place during the same year.

(Web, Google, Wikipedia, Military-today, You Tube)