By Christopher F Foss 28 July 2021
Israel's Elbit Systems is developing a new fully automatic 155 mm/52 calibre SP artillery system for the Israel Defense Force (IDF) that will start to replace the IDF's 155 mm/39 calibre M109 tracked SP artillery systems around 2023 company representatives told Janes.
While many countries still deploy tracked self-propelled (SP) 155 mm artillery systems, there is a trend towards 155 mm wheeled artillery systems, as they offer strategic mobility due to less reliance upon heavy equipment transporters.
A rendering of the new SIGMA 155 mm/52 caliber self-propelled artillery system being developed by Elbit Systems for the Israel Defense Force, based on an Oshkosh Defense 10×10 platform. (Elbit Systems)
The new artillery system, called SIGMA, is being developed via an initial USD125 million contract announced in March 2019. It is based on a US-supplied Oshkosh Defense 10×10 platform selected by the IDF, which uses the trucks for a number of missions.
The platforms will be fitted with a fully protected control cab, a nuclear biological chemical (NBC) system, and full air conditioning for a crew of two or three.
Mounted on the rear of the chassis will be an automatic turret armed with a 155 mm/52 caliber barrel with a 23 liter chamber that meets the NATO Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU), and is fitted with a muzzle brake and fume extractor.
The 155 mm/52 caliber turret system will be remote controlled from within. In addition, the system provides a manual reversionary mode, or “degraded mode” of operation, an Elbit Systems spokesperson told Janes.
The automatic loading system will set the fuze, load the projectile, and then the Uni-Modular Artillery Charge System (UMACS) with the primers will be automatically loaded via a separate magazine.