Thread by @TotherChris

20 Things! That you might not know about the RCH155 Howitzer system. And Boxer in general too. e.g. RCH155 combines a Boxer Drive Module, Rheinmetall 155mm/52 gun and an autoloader from the PzH 2000. All mature systems to de-risk a refined Gun on a Truck (GOAT) concept.

19. The headline feature is the RCH155 Howitzer can enter action, complete a fire mission of 6 rounds, and exit action in under 90 seconds. For context, without prejudice, that's faster than a GOAT such as CAESAR takes to set up and fire one round.

18. The shooty part (technical term) is a 155mm/52 calibre NATO standard Howitzer which has a longer barrel (the '52' number) giving it further reach than the Army's existing 155mm/39 calibre tracked AS90 Self Propelled Gun (SPG).

17. It's 'special move' is being designed to fire without stabilisers (legs). The Drive Module has been measured as experiencing less impulse from firing the gun than it does from driving at 30mph over cross country terrain. Stabilisers (extendible legs) are also available.

16. The turret holds 30 ready rounds and 144 charges to propel them. More charges used per shot, further distance. The rounds can be of any NATO compatible type. Anti-tank top attack, guided, smoke, extended range, illumination, conventional...

15. The autoloader can load any nature round with any number of charges in any order from its magazine. You can even mix and match within the fire mission if it takes the Commanders fancy. I mean, with authority, of course.

14. Should all the automation fail, the turret can be entered and operated in a 'reversionary mode'.

13. The Boxer Drive Module is intended to be ubiquitous across a fleet to rotate and spreas usage evenly. The Army are looking at the 'A3' Drive Module, uprated to 600kW engine, CBRN function, and a 38.5t GVW (max weight the platform is rated to carry).

12. Want to set tongues wagging in that military forum you just joined? The Army is considering a suspension swap on the A3 to lift GVW to 39.5t. British Drive Modules remain compatible with the 6 bolt Module securing system, but use 8 bolts for extra 'fastenage'. Technical term.

11. The wheels on the RCH155, as with all Army Drive Modules, fit an armoured run flat blade and hub cover. The blade also 'grips' the tyre bead for extra traction when tyre pressure is low, deliberately or otherwise. Your car may have a multi-piece system. Military is 1-piece.

10. RCH155's Mission Module plugs into the Drive Module. It extends the Drive Module's cabin by 1m providing space for the Commander, vision ports, a hatch to the rear and personal/dismount equipment storage space.

9. Although the exact level is 'hush-hush' the turret itself is also armoured against kinetic and blast damage to protect the gubbins (another technical term).

8. RCH155 fits a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) on the top of the turret for close-in protection. This can be retracted to protect it during travel and transport.

7. When the turret needs reloading, a Remote Control Resupply Vehicle (RCRV) has been designed. This is a high-top Mission Module designed to be conventionally operated but sporting a robotic arm to *augment* the process. I'd also use this robot in innovative, yet amusing, ways.

6. Between the Drive Module and extended Mission Module cabin there are two crew: Driver and Commander. But the turret can be optionally operated remotely as a static emplacement, or requiring as little as just the Driver to move the vehicle into and out of action.

5. The turret can also be mounted on 'non-standard drivelines' (Read: Other than Boxer Drive Modules) with the use of a gun cradle and stabilisers.

Tracked; or static, 'palletised', remotely operated, truck transported howitzer fall-back option anyone?

4. RCH155 doesn't do away with all of the personnel. The headcount can be divided between roles allowing for 24 hour shift operation, watch, operating more Guns per headcount, active re-arming. I'm surprised at the level of operational flexibility here.

3. Drives are the most common cause for fighting vehicles to be unavailable. Engine won't start? Swap your RCH155 for the one currently carrying the C2 Util Mission Module that the QM's been using while they figure out what's wrong with the micro turbo encabulator on yours.

2. The gun can be fired in a Direct Fire mode, allowing the system to shoot straight at things that the Commander objects to being in their line of sight.

1. And finally for us nerds who look at these systems as part of a battery with logistics. The RCRV contains 90 natures and associated charges for reloading RCH155 systems. Resupply of an RCH155 takes 8 minutes and a RCRV can take as little as 24 minutes to replenish itself.

/FIN

If you found this thread interesting please Like and Retweet the original Tweet. Please consider a Follow to see more threads like these in the future.