CAESAR self-propelled howitzer

CAESAR
CAESAR
	French artillerymen firing into the Middle Euphrates River Valley (Syria) from within Iraq (December 2018)
Type	Self-propelled cannon
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	2008–present
Wars	War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) ; Cambodian–Thai border stand-off ; Operation Serval ; Operation Chammal ; Battle of Mosul (2016–2017) ; Battle of Baghuz ; Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
Designed	1992–1999
Manufacturer	KNDS France
Produced	2004–present
Specifications
Mass	Mk1 (Sherpa 5 6×6): 17.7 t (39,000 lb); Mk1 (Tatra 817 8×8): 28.7 to 30.2 t (63,000 to 67,000 lb); Mk2 (6×6): < 26.7 t (59,000 lb);
Length	Mk1 (Sherpa 5 6×6): 10.0 m (32.8 ft); Mk1 (Tatra 817 8×8): 10.0 m (32.8 ft); Mk2 (6×6): 10.0 m (32.8 ft);
Width	Mk1 (Sherpa 5 6×6): 2.55 m (8.4 ft); Mk1 (Tatra 817 8×8): 2.8 m (9.2 ft); Mk2 (6×6): 2.55 m (8.4 ft);
Height	Mk1 (Sherpa 5 6×6): 3.7 m (12 ft); Mk1 (Tatra 817 8×8): 3.1 m (10 ft); Mk2 (6×6): 3.6 m (12 ft);
Crew	5–6 (3, emergency)
Rate of fire	6 rounds per minute
Effective firing range	ERFB: 4.5 to 40 km (2.8 to 24.9 mi); Rocket assisted shell: 55 km (34 mi); Excalibur shell: 46 km (29 mi);
Main; armament	155 mm, L/52 calibre
Secondary; armament	None
Engine	Diesel
Operational; range	600 km (370 mi)
Maximum speed	On-road: 100 km/h (62 mph); Off-road: 50 km/h (31 mph)

The Camion Équipé d'un Système d'Artillerie (English: "Truck equipped with an artillery system") or CAESAR is a French 155 mm, 52-caliber self-propelled gun that can fire 39/52 caliber NATO-standard shells. It is installed on a 6×6 or 8×8 truck chassis. Equipped with an autonomous weapon network incorporating an inertial navigation system and ballistic computer, the CAESAR can accurately strike targets more than 40 kilometres (25 mi) away using "Extended Range, Full Bore" (ERFB) ammunition with base bleed, or targets over 55 km (34 mi) away using rocket-assisted or smart ammunition.

The CAESAR was developed by French defence contractor GIAT Industries (now KNDS France) and has been exported to various countries. Units manufactured for the French Army use a 6×6 Renault Sherpa 5 chassis, while some export customers have opted for systems integrated on a 6×6 Unimog U2450L or 8×8 Tatra 817 chassis.

In February 2022, the French government awarded Nexter a contract for the development of a new generation CAESAR system. Marketed by the company as the CAESAR Mark II (also commonly referred to as CAESAR NG in France), 109 systems are to be delivered to the French Army between 2026 and 2030.