SAU XM2001 Crusader. Bad past and look to the future

19
Over the past decades, the US Army has repeatedly modernized the M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery mounts. At the same time, it became clear a long time ago that this technique cannot be updated forever and needs to be replaced. A few weeks ago, at the AUSA Annual Meeting 2018 conference, there was a discussion of land artillery perspectives, and again there were calls for replacing M109 with new models. Among other things, lawmakers remembered the closed project XM2001 Crusader. Two decades ago, this self-propelled gun was already considered as a future replacement for the Paladins.

In early October, a regular conference of the United States Army Association (AUSA) was held, during which the military, experts and government officials discussed a number of critical issues. The development of the ground forces in general and ground artillery in particular was discussed along with other topics. In this context, quite harsh statements were made about the United States lagging behind other leading countries of the world. In this regard, it is necessary to urgently take measures and reduce the backlog, after which it should provide benefits.



Reasons for concern

The "Republican Senator Jim Inhof" became a "troublemaker" during the conference. In his speech, he attacked with criticism the administration of the previous President Barack Obama, who sought to reduce military spending and because of this prevented the development of the army. In particular, this led to the fact that in the field of artillery systems, the US Army began to lag behind the Russian and Chinese armed forces.


Prototype SAU XM2001. Photo Snafu-solomon.com


According to J. Inhof, the American army postponed the maintenance and modernization of artillery systems during the two terms of B. Obama’s reign, while the main foreign competitors were engaged in their improvement. All this led to a natural result. US guns and self-propelled guns are inferior in range and rate of fire to Russian and Chinese. The senator hopes that the army will not have to work with worn-out equipment in the future, since it will be able to get new and improved weapons.

In the context of the development of land artillery, first of all they remembered the self-propelled guns of the Paladin family. All similar machines, which are in service with the US Army, have been repaired and upgraded in the past under new designs. Due to this, all the drill technology belongs to the latest versions of M109A6 and M109A7. At the same time, a part of the available ACS of the A6 version should be upgraded and reach the A7 level. However, the modernization can not continue indefinitely. The latest serial "Paladins" were delivered to the army in 2003, and therefore even the newest equipment of this type will require replacement in the future.

Discussing the question of a cardinal update of self-propelled artillery, the conference participants recalled the project of the XM2001 Crusader combat vehicle. Its development was begun in the mid-nineties and continued until the beginning of the two thousandth. Delivery of the first such machines to the army was planned in 2004, but was canceled due to the closure of the project. Now the military and lawmakers are considering the possibility of returning to the old project in order to create an entirely new ACS to replace the M109.

Promising "Crusader"

The development program for advanced self-propelled artillery AFAS (Advanced Field Artillery System - "Advanced Field Artillery System") was launched in 1994 year. The aim of the work was to create a new combat vehicle with the working title XM2001 Crusader ("Crusader"), in all basic characteristics superior to the existing M109. By the middle of the next decade, XM2001 was supposed to be delivered to the series and begin deliveries to the troops. At the end of the two thousandth, at least most of the artillery units would be able to switch to new equipment and abandon the outdated "Paladins."


Upgraded self-propelled gun M109A7. Photo US Army


New self-propelled gun, according to the original plans, was to be based on original ideas and solutions and have only limited similarities with existing samples. In particular, up to a certain time, the possibility of creating an instrument for ammunition with a liquid propellant charge was considered. This idea was later abandoned, but it was decided to develop other bold proposals. In particular, the ACS Crusader was supposed to carry a highly efficient fire control system that interacts with modern means of communication and control.

Project XM2001 proposed the construction of a self-propelled unit, remotely similar to existing machines. The base for it was the tracked chassis of the AMS family. It was planned to mount the tower with weapons, ammunition and controls. Thanks to this arrangement, the ACS was able to fire in any direction only by turning the tower. An interesting feature of the car was the shape of the tower. This unit was distinguished by a reduced height and greater length, and also lay tightly on the roof of the case. Because of this, in certain positions the tower appeared to be similar to the superstructure and gave the car a specific appearance.

The corps and turret for the “Crusader” was proposed to be assembled from light combined armored panels. The specifics of future work has reduced the protection. The ACS was supposed to withstand only bullets and debris. At the same time, the project envisaged the possibility of installing an active protection complex to deal with more serious threats. Also the safety of the crew was ensured by collective anti-nuclear protection and automatic fire extinguishing system.


"Crusader" in the cut. Visible means of storing ammunition. Figure Fas.org


In the aft engine compartment of the chassis, it was planned to place a small-sized gas turbine engine LV100-5, which was a joint development of Honeywell International and General Electric. Also considered the possibility of using diesel with similar parameters. The engine was connected to an automatic transmission that worked with the rear drive wheels. A seven-chassis undercarriage with independent torsion suspension was used. Separate coulters for support on the ground when shooting is not provided.

The most important feature of the XM2001 project was the use of an uninhabited fighting compartment. All processes inside the tower and the corresponding part of the hull were carried out using automated devices with remote control. The crew at the same time consisted of three people and was located in the front compartment of the hull, where all the necessary control panels were located. During combat work, the crew should not have left their jobs. Even the loading of ammunition from the transport vehicle was carried out by automation.

The main weapons self-propelled guns was a XM297E2 caliber 155 mm with a barrel length 56 caliber. The barrel of the gun was equipped with a developed muzzle brake and an external casing. An interesting innovation was the liquid cooling system of the barrel, breech and parts of the mast parts, designed to reduce the negative effect of heating on the accuracy of fire. Reliability during prolonged firing was also planned to be provided with a laser ignition system. The gun mount changed the vertical alignment angles from -3 ° to + 75 °.

The project involved the use of a fire control system based on modern digital components, which is linked to advanced navigation, communications and control tools. The ACS should have determined its position from the GPS signals. Reception of target designation was provided with immediate calculation of the guidance data and preparation for firing.


Self-propelled feed. Noticeable dimensions of the tower and visible large exhaust pipe GTE. Photo Snafu-solomon.com


The gun was supposed to use all existing 155 mm caliber shells that met NATO standards. At the same time, it was proposed to use MACS modular charges for their overclocking, the development of which was completed at that time. In the mechanized stacking of the tower was placed 48 shots separate loading. Submission of the projectile and the charge in the barrel was carried out automatically by the crew. Due to this, it was possible to get the rate of fire to 10-12 shots per minute with the restoration of pickup after each shot.

Together with the self-propelled gun was developed transport machine XM2002. Outwardly, it was similar to XM2001, but differed in the composition of equipment. In the internal compartments of the conveyor, 110 shots were placed, as well as the means for transferring them to the combat vehicle. With the help of retractable conveyors, the ACS and the conveyor could carry out the replenishment of ammunition in automatic mode. During the reloading of ammunition, the crews of both vehicles remained in their places. It took 48 minutes to load 12 shots.

Combat and transport vehicles had similar dimensions. Length (without gun) - 7,5 m, width - 3,3 m, height - 3 m. Combat weight XM2001 Crusader was 40 t; XM2002 transporter was easier on 4. The maximum speed of both cars on the highway reached 65-67 km / h. The speed on rough terrain is about 45 km / h. Power reserve - 500 km. Dimensions and weight provided air transportability technology. At the same time during the development of the project similar qualities have been improved. According to the original plans, the Crusader combat mass was 60 tons. In this regard, heavy US transport aircraft could only be transported in one vehicle. Reducing the mass by one and a half times led to positive consequences: military transport aircraft were able to carry two SPGs at the same time.

Self-propelled failures

In the middle of 1999, a prototype of a transport vehicle for a future self-propelled gun was launched for testing. The XM2001 prototype appeared a few months later. For the next two years, the US Army and contracting companies were engaged in testing, fine-tuning and testing new equipment. Over time, it turned out that the Crusader project has obvious advantages, but it is not without its most serious problems. From some points of view, the resulting self-propelled gun was interesting for the army, from others it turned out to be not the most successful.

SAU XM2001 Crusader. Bad past and look to the future
XM2001 on trial. Photo Military-today.com


Despite the presence of certain problems of various kinds, the XM2001 self-propelled gun and the XM2002 ammunition transporter coped with the tasks. According to the results of refinement, all their main parameters were brought to the calculated level. Technique with a given speed moved along the roads and rough terrain, overcame obstacles, etc. When firing was confirmed the possibility of hitting targets at distances over 40 km. Automatic loader provided high rate of fire.

However, during the testing of the AFAS / XM2001 program, clouds began to thicken. The Pentagon has seen that the technique shows good results, but it requires further refinement. At the same time, the program was too expensive to implement on a planned scale. So, it was originally supposed to purchase self-propelled guns to 800, but further increase in their cost led to a reduction in plans to 480 units, not counting transport vehicles. For their purchase should have allocated 11 billion dollars - about 23 million per car.

The proposal for the allocation of 11 billion for the purchase of new technology appeared in 2002 year. Almost simultaneously, additional 475 million dollars were added to the draft budget for the next year to complete the development of the Crusader. At the same time, the project provided for an increase in spending on other programs, as a result of which the budget could grow by almost 50 billions compared to last year’s.


Prototype XM2001 in storage. Photo of The Carouselambra Kid / Flickr.com


The military had to literally beat out funding for a number of promising programs, which caused legitimate criticism from Congress. As a result, in the spring of 2002, the leadership of the Pentagon came to the conclusion that it was necessary to revise the plans and reduce the estimated costs. It was proposed to save due to promising projects with an ambiguous future. Analysts had to study a number of current programs from all areas and determine whether they justify the expectations and costs.

An interesting fact is that US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld harshly criticized the Crusader project and urged him to abandon it. At the same time, some congressmen stood up for the program and tried to defend it, including with the help of “agents of influence” at the Pentagon. However, the "conspiracy" came to light, which was the reason for the next scandal.

By the time of the formation of the defense budget for the next 2003 fiscal year, the fate of the XM2001 project was determined. The proposed self-propelled artillery installation still did not show all the desired characteristics, but at the same time it already spent a lot of money, and further work and mass production required new costs. This situation did not suit the Pentagon and the country's leadership, as a result of which the financing of the Crusader was not envisaged in the new draft military budget. All work was discontinued in 2002 and was not resumed.

The second life of the project?

Currently, the US Army and Defense Industry are implementing a project to modernize the existing ACN M109A6 to “A7”. This allows you to extend the service life of equipment, as well as improve its basic fighting qualities. Nevertheless, we are talking only about the restructuring of existing combat vehicles, who managed to develop a significant part of the resource. Thus, in the medium term, even the “newest” M109A7 will have to be written off and replaced with a certain new sample.


XM2002 Ammunition Transporter. Photo Military-today.com


In the recent past, the Pentagon and the industry have developed a family of promising technology Future Combat Systems and Ground Combat Vehicle. Among other things, these projects included the creation of new self-propelled artillery systems that have advantages over existing Paladin vehicles. Different ideas and solutions were proposed, but most of them never left the drawings. Both programs were closed and could not affect the rearmament of the army. At the same time, developments in FCS and GCV can be used in future projects.

In a recent discussion of American ground artillery, experts recalled the closed project XM2001 Crusader and reviewed its prospects in modern conditions. It is obvious that the Pentagon will not resume a long-closed project and try to bring it in line with expectations. Nevertheless, some solutions of this project can be applied when creating completely new ACS. However, it is not yet completely clear whether these samples will appear at least in the medium term.

As you can see, the United States has certain problems in the field of self-propelled artillery. The available samples are inferior to foreign ones and gradually develop their resource, and there is still no worthy replacement for them. Moreover, this replacement is currently not even foreseen. To replace the "Paladins" at different times offered several samples of promising technology, but none of them went beyond the limits of the landfill. Whether future self-propelled guns can do this, time will tell. But there is still a great risk that subsequent projects will repeat the fate of not the most successful XM2001, FCS or GCV.

On the materials of the sites:
https://globalsecurity.org/
https://fas.org/
https://army-technology.com/
http://military-today.com/
https://militaryfactory.com/
http://dogswar.ru/
https://vpk.name/
https://nytimes.com/
https://btvtinfo.blogspot.com/
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  1. -1
    1 November 2018 06: 40
    At the end of the XNUMXs, at least most of the artillery units could switch to new equipment and abandon the obsolete "Paladins".

    Year so in the 2990th wink lol
    In general, nothing new. As usual with Pendos, they get TK, instead of the originally planned year they mess around 10, then they require more time and 100 times more money. And all because of their own stupidity - fake-skewers for beauty will stick and sit thinking - why is it so expensive? Also unreliable ...
    They are cretins, and the meaning of the phrase "the best is the enemy of the good" will never be understood. Not to mention that it was initially a lousy principle when private traders are engaged in the defense industry. Profit is important for a private trader, for a state-owned enterprise - the fulfillment of the terms of reference, and on time. Therefore, a private trader. as a paid doctor, for the patient's money - he will always find what needs to be treated, and urgently, until the money runs out
    1. +4
      1 November 2018 08: 09
      Quote: Jerk
      They are cretins, and the meaning of the phrase "the best is the enemy of the good" will never be understood.

      They come from this principle. It’s easier to buy a license from Samsung on K9 and mount it on your chassis, it will be around $ 5 million, but they won’t do it because they want the best. Therefore, it is expensive, but with their budget this is acceptable.
      Quote: Jerk
      Not to mention the fact that the principle is worthless when private owners engage in defense.

      All over the world and at all times private traders were engaged in defense, of course, there were exceptions ...
      Quote: Jerk
      as a paid doctor, for the patient’s money, he will always find what needs to be treated, and urgently, until the money runs out

      In countries with a high level of medicine, the proportion of private practitioners is high. And it is interconnected.
      1. +4
        1 November 2018 09: 15
        Quote: Jerk
        why is it so expensive? Also unreliable

        The partners have not felt pressure for a long time, having a colossal superiority in combat power. When a roasted rooster bites them - and this happens regularly - they are capable of amazing quickness. The GBU-28 guided bunker bomb was made in the 91st 2 months from the mission to the first combat use. The problem of vulnerability of the occupying forces to IEDs and ambushes, which rose to full height in 2003, was solved in a couple of years with the involvement of all available resources on a global scale. They even forgot about the "buy American". Tens of thousands of vehicles were promptly delivered, not several hundred self-propelled guns.
        Quote: Jerk
        "the best is the enemy of the good" will never be understood

        They know this very well. But they can afford the best, at least they think so.
        Quote: Jerk
        Private traders value profit, state-owned enterprise ...

        to steal.
        Quote: Jerk
        Therefore, a private trader. as a paid doctor, for the patient’s money ...

        Will do what he is told to do. Therefore, the main demand from the customer, as in socialism.
        Quote: Puncher
        It’s easier to buy a license from Samsung on K9 and mount it on your chassis, it will be within $ 5 million,

        It’s easier to take the German universal 155mm tower and mount it on the Abrashi chassis. The Germans already mounted it on Leo.
        Quote: Puncher
        but they won’t do it because they want the best. Therefore, it is expensive, but with their budget this is acceptable.

        Just in the case of self-propelled guns, the disadvantages of this approach are visible.
        1. In the terms of reference, they whistled a whistle that did not have the slightest significance and directly worsened the parameters of the self-propelled guns. In modern reality, tracked self-propelled guns are used only together with tanks, making self-propelled guns is 3 times easier than a tank (namely, this part of the task required breakthroughs of money and time) is meaningless.
        2. The longer and more expensive the program, the more likely it will be left halfway. As a result, the Armed Forces are forced to use a frankly outdated product that does not meet the NATO standard (155/52, modular loading) for about ten years now.
      2. +1
        1 November 2018 09: 23
        All over the world and at all times the private sector engaged in the defense industry


        Modern non-private states are the product of a century already 18. Nevertheless, artillery in somehow significant quantities was almost always available only to high-level structures, even if it was to the duke or prince, it was too expensive for a simple private trader.

        In countries with a high level of medicine, the proportion of private practitioners is high. And it is interconnected.


        A very high level of medicine has a cube. I don’t see any connection with private practice, but with financial investments very much.
      3. -1
        1 November 2018 13: 14
        I give an example - that’s why in the USA psychotherapists and in deep ass psychiatry are fucked up (the latter treat incapacitated people, therefore they cannot be paid, the former are just talkers about hourly pay). The result - POVALNAYA drug addiction (various stimulants and soothing), there is also a pharmaceutical lobby harnessed, and a complete mess with psychiatry, in fact its absence. And here - if everything had been cool with medicine in the USA - such dances from Obamakea would not have been arranged ... One third of the residents AT ALL without access even to the most primitive medical care, the rest are concerned about the treatment of various kinds of neurosis by psychotherapists ...
        PiSi: and their drug addiction has been solid for half a century. What is "benny" - benzedrine, they know, it seems, even in the manger. Well benny is the last century, now replaced by more expensive ANALOGUES.
        1. -1
          1 November 2018 13: 46
          This is an example of the fact that in some areas the private owner has nothing to do, a paid doctor is nonsense in principle. If he is a business, then he needs ONLY profit, he simply is UNFAVORABLE to cure the patient completely, medicine therefore cannot be paid in principle. So is the defense industry - and it is precisely the collapse of the defense industry in the United States and, by the way, in Europe, that proves that private owners do nothing there, their point is constant profit. The maximum. The rise in price of the product to them only in plus is more surplus value, and this is in direct conflict with the interests of the patient, i.e. state, but it’s entrusted to decide what to do - to a paid doctor, so he decides how it is profitable for him
    2. +1
      1 November 2018 13: 56
      On this and the Wehrmacht got burned during WWII!
      1. +1
        1 November 2018 14: 25
        Quote: andrewkor
        On this and the Wehrmacht got burned during WWII!

        On a cap loading?
  2. +1
    1 November 2018 09: 00
    The development program of the advanced self-propelled artillery system AFAS (Advanced Field Artillery System - "Advanced Field Artillery System") was launched in 1994.

    Before. Already in 1993 in the journal ZVO I read a fairly detailed article about it.
    The main weapon of the self-propelled gun was the 297 mm XM2E155 gun with a barrel of 56 calibers.

    Where from? In the mentioned article it was said that a trunk of 52 and 58 klb was considered. (the first was subsequently standardized in NATO).
  3. 0
    1 November 2018 09: 33
    in my opinion, there is no need to do a deserted fighting compartment
  4. -1
    1 November 2018 12: 13
    And why do they need self-propelled self-propelled guns if they carry artillery with turrets from a strong point to a strong point? And they have a lot of helicopters and M777.
    1. +1
      2 November 2018 10: 09
      Quote: MegaMarcel
      And why do they need self-propelled self-propelled guns if they carry artillery with turrets from a strong point to a strong point? And they have a lot of helicopters and M777.

      Then, why do they need "heavy" connections - for a war with someone stronger wild zoosul.
      "Three axes", for all its merits, is practically useless in a normal war.
      1. 0
        2 November 2018 11: 22
        Quote: Alexey RA
        "Three axes", for all its merits, is practically useless in a normal war.

        Howitzer is howitzer.

        Another thing is that the Americans' "normal wars" (ie, high intensity) have long been not in the style of the Second World War.
        1. +1
          2 November 2018 13: 35
          In this caliber, they are now being made self-propelled (at a car base) or self-propelled.
  5. +1
    1 November 2018 16: 09
    Currently, the US Army and defense industry are implementing a project to modernize the existing M109A6 self-propelled guns to the “A7” state. This allows you to extend the life of the equipment, as well as improve her basic fighting qualities.

    True?! The same outdated artillery system (155/39), but for the purpose of unifying the ground vehicles, the power unit and the Bradley suspension are installed.
    ... subsequent projects will repeat fate not the most successful XM2001, FCS or GCV.

    It's not about AFAS "luck" at all ...
    On the curtailment of the Cruzeider program during the reformation of the United States Army - “Foreign Military Review” No. 12/2002.
  6. +2
    1 November 2018 19: 54
    A few weeks ago, at the AUSA Annual Meeting 2018 conference, a discussion of the prospects of land artillery took place and calls for replacing the M109 with new models sounded again. Among other things, lawmakers remembered the closed project XM2001 Crusader
    In the mechanized laying of the tower was placed 48 shots of separate loading. The projectile and charge were delivered to the barrel automatically, according to crew commands. Due to this, it was possible to obtain a rate of fire up to 10-12 rounds per minute with the restoration of the pickup after each shot. hi
    The United States is implementing a project to upgrade existing self-propelled guns M109A6 to state "A7".
    1. +1
      8 January 2019 02: 01
      manual loading in self-propelled guns is damn squalor
  7. -2
    2 November 2018 19: 21
    Well, the name "Crusader" alone is worth it! In the literary and epic traditions of Western Europe, these guys are wearing a kind of noble and courageous mantle, along with the chasers of some of the leaders of the crusades (Louis the Saint, Richard the Lionheart).
    If you get acquainted in detail with their deeds - in fact, bandit raids, for the most part either unsuccessful, or not on those (the opponents could be the Kingdom of Sicily, Crete, and the most famous - the plundering of Christian Constantinople, and the creation of a bunch of "duchies" in Greece ). All this was always accompanied by the massacre of the local population, be it at least Muslims, Jews and even Christians. Lithuania, Samogitia, Pskov managed to get to know some representatives closely and well. Novgorod did not want to, asked A. Ya. Nevsky's squad to lead the resistance.
    Interestingly, walking on wool was often forced to be sheared, as the most famous crusader Richard the Lionheart greatly undermined the economy of England with his "successes".
    And this Angry Saxons and Germans are proud of this bastard, which is on a par with our Jem and the Globe (scope and significance of course higher)!
  8. 0
    12 January 2019 14: 46
    Why can't you put +? And as usual, why is it that in stupid mattresses everything comes out a hundred times more expensive, and not because they have "large" salaries and a level of existence? Any obsession with this topic, even a change in the location of the marking, is a LABOR that needs to be paid, but you need to move the picture in the editor with the mouse.

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