RCH-155

Germany (2014). Wheeled SPH. 250+ built and on order

The RCH 155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 mm) is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (now KNDS Deutschland). This is a Module fitting the PzH 2000's 155 mm L/52 ordnance but fully automated and remotely controlled. This new system of artillery automation on a much faster base as the tracked, and now old PzH 2000 is not only provided wheeled mobility but was designed to be compatible with the regular GTK Boxer platform, and said to be capable of firing on the move. Produced since 2022 so far UK uses it, Switzerland adopted it as well as Ukraine, with Germany evaluating it as par of the ZukSysIndF mRw program.

Development

As defined on KNDS page itself the RCH 155 is:

The RCH 155 is a combination of automated artillery firepower and protected wheeled mobility. A large ammunition supply and rapid replenishment, the stable gun platform, maximum aiming precision, autoloader, combined with autonomy in navigation and fire control make the RCH 155 the new standard for modern wheeled barrelled artillery. The synthesis of the time-tested NATO-JBMoU 155mm/L52 main gun and the unmanned AGM on BOXER chassis results in a unique level of artillery effectiveness with a present range of up to 54 km through 360° azimuth and all charge and elevation ranges without requiring support.

Developed and refined from joint operations, the complete autonomy of the overall system in command, navigation and fire control, as well as its system-inherent stability open up entirely new mission options (such as firing on moving targets, encampment defence, etc.). Thanks to its network-based system architecture, the RCH 155 will also be possible to implement autonomous driving and action (remote-controlled) in the future. The fire control system and ammunition matrix can support already introduced as well as future NATO ammunition types (JBMOU-compatible). These special characteristics make the RCH 155 the world’s most future-oriented barrelled artillery system.

This system had not yet been purchased or put into operational service by Germany itself, but already exported to three countries, with more interested. The AGM (Armored gun module) was presented in 2008 by KMW. Like the Archer, another automated system, the crew is remaining in the driver's cab and only control operation of the remote module, entirely automated. The latter sports a 155 mm/52 Caliber gun and 30 ready rounds in arelatively compact package, fad more reduced than the original Panzerhaubitze turret which originally housed this ordnance, but manned.

The RCH-155 was marketed on the highly modular 8x8 Boxer platform, but can be positioned on various types of wheeled or tracked platforms. Notably tracked such as the Ascod and tracked Boxer, presented at Eurosatory but also the Swiss Piranha 10x10 and Iveco 8×8 truck. It was ordered by Ukraine first (18 units on the initial Boxer 8×8 and more followed). The system entered several ongoing European competitions as Germany iself had a procurement program for 120 units), Switzerland wants 132 units and the United Kingdom about 150.

Design

Development: The Artillerie-Geschütz-Modul

The RCH-155 module is close in design to the other demonstrator, the early Artillery Gun Module (AGM for Artillerie-Geschütz-Modul) but with a lower profile. This AGM module was developed from 2004 to integrate on the 8x8 Boxer and designed to have the firepower of the PzH 2000, but in an air-portable package, transported and paradropped by an A400M. Then it could be installed in the field on an ASCOD-2 platform (and was marketed as the DONAR).

In 2014 some customers expressed interest to have it installed on the Boxer, a wheeled platform likely to give the system far more mobility than a tracked solution, notably to dodge faster and more accurate counter-battery fire. Questions arose regarding its capacity to meet requirements and so KMW produced a modified variant of the AGM in 2021 called the RCH 155. Its turret was redesigned to have a significantly lower profile. This was important as the Boxer 8x8 is much taller than the ASCOD 2 chassis. Production started in 2022 after a year of succesful tests and three customers intersted, it entered the competition. In 2024 the two main variants of the RCH 155 are on the Boxer (2 customers, Ukraine and UK), and on the Mowag Piranha IV 10×10 (Switerland). Germany is yet to adopt it as well for its own procurement program to replace the Panzerhaubitze 2000.

The original Artillery Gun Module is fully autonomous, remotelly operated with the single operator sitting in the cab with the driver. Yet, the system retakes all parts of the PzH 2000 internal turret, on a human-free environment with all sub-systems compacted in a tight space. This promises reduced cost, less errors, faster firing, among others. The AGM uses the PzH 2000 ballistic fire-control computer still, but upgraded and with the integrated NATO Armaments Ballistic Kernel and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann's own Artillery Command and Control System.

Albeit fully automated, the module still requires an auxiliary power unit (APU) to be used with the vehicle's main power cold. The module also needs an inertial reference unit, and is recalibrated by a Global Positioning System (GPS) connection. 2006 trials showed the module could fire a volley of ten 155 mm rounds in 2 minutes and 19 seconds fully remotelly. The module was modified to be fitted later on the Boxer and tested.

The RCH-155 Boxer 8x8 adaptation

The RCH-155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer, 155mm) had its development announced back in April 2014, when KMW was pressed to integrate the module onto the new Boxer 8×8 armoured vehicle for extra mobility and add an important organic element to the Boxer family, for potential customers interested by the already considerable commonality of the vehicle. It was presented at Eurosatory in June 2014, so just after 2 months, albeit at that stage, non-fully workable (partially untested).

The RCH-155 was designed to not require any additional ground support (like extra trucks for reload, guidance, power, etc.) to ensure daily operation, precision and durability. The module is stable though an internal 3-plane stabilizer already existing on the PZH-2000 but refined and made more compact. It doesn't require large hydraulic stabilisers. This was conceived as an ideal, compact, shoot and scoot system, and could do so at 360° and on the move, which a PZH-2000 was incapable of. This added to the speed of the 8x8 Boxer makes it even more attractive as there is no deployment time, and no possible counter-battery action. Any Boxer platform can receive this module without much modifications but due to its weight, only from the Boxer A3 chassis onwards.

In addition for self defence the module can receive a remote weapons station with a .50 caliber HMG mounted on the roof. Its still low profile is compatible with railroad loading gauges and tunnels. In 2019 there were firing trials with the turret traversed to the front carried out at the WTD 41 proving ground. It could dtop, fire a 8-round burst and redeploy in 90 seconds. It could also rapidly select alternative rounds depending on the missions, with 30 in storage. Still, a variant of the Boxer for resupply was designed and it's capable of soing it automatically, the modul being reversed. The crew stays inside the cab.

Boxer A3 platform specifics

The Boxer platform started as a joint venture with France and later the UK, but France withdrew to produve its own VBLR. Thefinal vehicle was unveiled as the GTK/MRAV/PWV, on 12 December 2002 and orders started to pile up. The A3 variant apparead later and was more powerful in order to install larger and heavier module. The A3 has the same dimensions as the regular A1/A2/A3, 7.93 m (26.0 ft) long for 2.38 m (7.8 ft) wide and 2.99 m (9.8 ft) tall without module. It weighted 25.2 t (baseline). With modules in most tactical variants it could reach 38.5t (and its max limit capacity was 41t (technical limit).

The Boxer A3 is powered specifically with the more powerful MTU 8V199 TE21 rated for 820 PS (600 kW), translated into a 2,999 N/m (2,212 lb/ft) torque, and power to weight ratio of 21.3 PS/t (15.7 kW/t). It shares however the same gearbox as the previous versions, the Allison model HD4800SP fully automatic transmission with 7 forward and 3 reverse gears via a RRW3001 angular gearbox, with integrated torque converter and cooling system. The axles are ZF with longitudinal and cross-axle differential locks to give full eight-wheel lock-up if required. They are suspended by double-wishbone with coil springs and shock-absorbers. Protection is the same for all variants, rolled all-welded steel armour at STANAG 4569 level 6 (30 mm AP and APFSDS), 14.5 mm level 4 (14.5 mm armoured piercing). It's about the same level for the artillery module. The floor protection is RWSA + AMAP-IED, AMAP-M. See the original Boxer article for more specs.

Variants and Derivatives

Piranha IV

In 2023, Switzerland selected 2 systems to replace the elderly M-109. The program was called "Artillerie Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026". The RCH-155, and BAE Archer were evaluated and KNDS offered its RCH-155 on the domestic Mowag Piranha IV 10×10, a crucial advantage over the UK-built Archer. 132 Piranha IV started to enter service of the Swiss Army from 2023. The order precised 48 "12 cm Mörser 16" and 84 "PI PZ 21" combat engineer vehicles based on the Piranha IV.

Boxer tracked

The second variant of the Boxer, tracked, was also designed to carry modules. KMW designed a variant with the RCH-155 alternative to the DONAR, and the module is similar that for the wheeled Boxer.

AGM Iveco 8x8

A 8x8 wheeled truck variant based on the Iveco 40t military truck (or other customer's preferrence trucks). Demonstrator built, no sales so far. The Iveco Trakker 8×8 is based on the 40t capable military truck of the Bundeswehr. It has an hydraulic compartment, and can receive an APU to be powered with the engine off. src

Donar

In 2008 a further development of the AGM was called the Donar 155 mm self-propelled artillery system. It used a modified ASCOD 2 IFV chassis with a newer and more efficient two-man turret and fully automatic ammunition loading/handling. It replaces the original 2004 ASCOD chassis with the initial AGM module, or updated RCH-155 module on the rear platform, armoured cabin forward, same configuration as the M270 SPRL. Common concept of KNDS and GDELS. Compared to the regular ASCOD-2 IFV chassis, this one is 36t in battle order, and is given a stretched chassis with an intermediate 7th axle in the middle. The vehicle measures 10.30 m long for 2.99 m wide and 3.2 m tall on top of the module. It is powered by the same engine, V8 rated for 530 kW/720 HP, capable 60 kph and 500 km range. The cabin houses the driver and an operator. src

RCH-155/8x8 Boxer specs
Dimensions	10.40 x 2.99 x 3.60 m (34 ft 1 in x 9 ft 10 in x 10 ft)
Weight	39t
Crew	2 (Cdr./Operator, Driver)
Propulsion	MTU 8V199 TE21: 816 hp (600 kW)
Suspension	Double-wishbone coil springs and shock absorber
Speed (road)	103 km/h (60 mph)
Range	700 km (400 mi) (road)
Armament	RmTl 155 mm L/52, 30 rounds
Total production	c300 on order (started 2022)