PzH 2000

PzH 2000 - The world’s most modern howitzer

High mobility, short reaction times to execute a fire command and maximum efficiency are what make the PzH 2000 so effective.

Performance characteristics of the PzH 2000

A large ammunition supply and rapid replenishment, the stable gun platform, maximum aiming precision, automated autoloader with the resulting high rate of fire, combined with exceptional mobility and autonomy in navigation and fire control: the PzH 2000 sets the standard for modern barrelled artillery.

PzH 2000
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High firepower

The 155mm/L52 PzH 2000 gun is state-of-the-art, in line with the Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMOU) and boasts a range of approx. 54 km (depending on ammunition).

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High mobility

The low barrel overhang and 736 kW engine enable superlative tactical and operative mobility.

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Automatic loading

The projectile magazine provides direct access to 60 primed projectiles. The automatic, electrically driven and digitally controlled autoloader with inductive fuse programming feeds the projectiles into the gun at outstanding speed and engages them automatically.

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High charge supply

The charges are stored in a protected magazine in the rear of the turret. It holds 288 modular charges and equivalent bagged and cased charges and tempers them with an integrated cooling system. 

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Protection

Chassis and turret are made of armoured steel. The steel housing, liner interior fittings and additional adaptable passive roof armouring provide a high level of protection. The PzH 2000 also features an NBC protection and ventilation system.

High firepower

The 155mm/L52 PzH 2000 gun is state-of-the-art, in line with the Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMOU) and boasts a range of approx. 54 km (depending on ammunition).

High mobility

The low barrel overhang and 736 kW engine enable superlative tactical and operative mobility.

Automatic loading

The projectile magazine provides direct access to 60 primed projectiles. The automatic, electrically driven and digitally controlled autoloader with inductive fuse programming feeds the projectiles into the gun at outstanding speed and engages them automatically.

High charge supply

The charges are stored in a protected magazine in the rear of the turret. It holds 288 modular charges and equivalent bagged and cased charges and tempers them with an integrated cooling system. 

Protection

Chassis and turret are made of armoured steel. The steel housing, liner interior fittings and additional adaptable passive roof armouring provide a high level of protection. The PzH 2000 also features an NBC protection and ventilation system.

Facts on the PzH 2000

Automated, autonomous, extremely mobile, high firepower, long combat range and high combat load

The PzH 2000 is a highly mobile and flexible weapon system which is deployed in both conventional missions as well as in asymmetric mission scenarios as indirect fire support. The fully automatic handling of the onboard supply of 60 projectiles and a highly effective 155mm/L52 gun enable maximum effect against targets with a high rate of fire.

The fire control system and ammunition matrix can factor in already introduced as well as future NATO ammunition types (JBMOU-compatible). These properties make the PzH 2000 the most effective barrelled artillery system in the world.

Developed for joint operations, the complete autonomy of the overall system in command, navigation and fire control, as well as its system-inherent stability opens up entirely new mission options (such as firing on moving targets, encampment defence, etc.).

The PzH 2000 meets all international requirements for a modern barrelled artillery system – the armed forces of eight nations currently rely upon this versatile superiority. More than 360 systems have been produced and shipped to date. 

Further information to PzH 2000

Equipment features of the PzH 2000
  • Superior combat range (currently < 54 km) and large battlefield coverage thanks to the 155mm/L52 gun
  • Combat load with 60 primed projectiles
  • Automated operation and graduated operating modes for semi-automatic and manual operation
  • Fully automated projectile loading system with inductive fuse programming
  • Fully automatic electrical gun laying system
  • Optics for direct aiming at up to 2 km
  • Fire control computer with integrated ballistics calculation and radio data transmission connection to an artillery control system
  • High-precision navigation system, with or without GPS support
  • All-round self-defence thanks to mounted MG and smoke grenade launching system (weapon station optional)
  • NBC protection and ventilation system
  • Cooling and heating system and additional enhanced-performance power generator
  • Automatic fire detection and extinguishing system in power pack compartment and a fire extinguishing system for the crew compartment
  • Commander periscope with day/night vision and laser range finder as observation and command equipment
  • Built-in test equipment system (BITE)
PzH 2000

PzH 2000 – A major element for joint operations

The PzH 2000 is used for indirect fire support in joint operations. Its efficiency has been significantly increased thanks to the high degree of automation and the large supply of projectiles.

  • Product specifications
  • Performance features
  • Downloads
Main armament

155 mm / L52 barrel (JBMOU compatible)

Range

> 420 km

Speed

> 60 km/h (road)

Engine performance

736 kW (1,000 HP)

Dimensions (L x W x H)

11.7 m / 3.5 m / 3.4 m

Combat weight

57 t

Secondary armament

All-round self-defence thanks to mounted MG (weapon station optional)

Ignition programming

Inductive, automated programming during the charging process

Ammunition supply

60 primed projectiles / 288 modular charges, equivalent
bagged and cased charges

Combat range

Depending on the combination of projectile, charge and fuse
e.g. 40 km with base-bleed; up to 54 km with V-LAP, greater
combat ranges possible depending on ammunition, e.g. VULCANO, EXCALIBUR

Operational arc

Azimuth: n x 360°
Elevation: from -2.5° to +65° (-45 mil to +1,150 mil)

Rate of fire

Burst of 3 rounds in 10 seconds
Rate of fire up to 10 rounds per minute

Crew

3 + 2 (backup)

  • Highly mobile, protected and automated barrelled artillery system
  • Superior combat range (currently < 54 km) and large battlefield coverage thanks to the 155mm/L52 gun
  • Optimal fire support is ensured thanks to its enormous operating range, high degree of automation and large supply of projectiles.
  • The stable weapon platform enables n x 360° firing in the entire elevation range with maximum number of charges (see image area).
  • Rapid “shoot and scoot” capability (march – position – fire command – march) increases availability, impairs aerial reconnaissance and allows counterfire to be evaded (see image area).
  • The “Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact” capability (MRSI) maximises first-impact effect (see image area).
  • Capable of engaging moving targets on land and water (see image area).
  • Unimpaired function and performance have been proven in hot and dusty deserts as well as extremely cold regions.
  • The PzH 2000 is autonomous in navigation and fire control thanks to its integrated fire control computer, which can also be connected to an artillery control system.
  • A high degree of protection for the crew and system is ensured by:
    • Chassis and turret made of armoured steel.
    • Liner interior fittings
    • Adaptive roof protection
    • NBC protection and ventilation system
    • Crew compartment cooling system in turret and chassis
  • In addition to the fully automatic operating modes, graduated and manual degraded operating modes are also available if needed.
  • The PzH 2000 is designed for future capacity expansions.

The PzH 2000 in operation

The PzH 2000 is a weapon system deployable worldwide which is used in both conventional missions as well as in asymmetric mission scenarios as indirect fire support.

The PzH 2000 remains the most modern barrelled artillery system with potential for growth

PzH 2000 in pictures

The PzH 2000 in various mission scenarios.

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