The US Army has become familiar with the Czech Morana self-propelled gun.
An American delegation at the Excalibur Army plant, with a Morana self-propelled gun in the background.
Recently, a group of US Army specialists visited several Czech military industry facilities. The foreign delegates were introduced to modern Czech products and invited to a live-fire demonstration featuring the most advanced models. There is reason to believe that the Pentagon representatives weren't simply inspecting foreign developments, but were seeking new equipment for future purchase.
On an official visit
US Army officers and civilian specialists arrived in the Czech Republic in mid-March. Over the course of several days, they visited companies within the Czechoslovak Group (CSG), which develop and manufacture various types of weapons and equipment. Throughout the tour, the guests were shown modern examples of various classes.
During this program, the Americans visited the Excalibur Army enterprise, one of the leading manufacturers weapons in the Czech Republic. The main exhibit at the exhibition from this company was a modern self-propelled vehicle artillery Morana mount with a 155mm gun. Guests were shown a prototype of this weapon and told about its advantages. They also conducted a demonstration firing at the firing range.
Morana at Eurosatory 2022
On March 18, Excalibur Army revealed some details of the visit. Its purpose was reportedly to establish contacts in the field of ground-based systems and artillery ammunition. They also mentioned a tour of the Morana by foreign specialists and a demonstration of the self-propelled howitzer in a firing position.
For its part, the US Army is not yet releasing any details about the specialists' recent visit. What exactly the US military wanted to learn and what information they were provided is unknown. It can be assumed that the Czech side provided all the necessary information, and the Pentagon is currently analyzing it. The department will draw certain conclusions soon and may reveal some details.
Areas of cooperation
According to a statement from Excalibur Army, US representatives arrived in the Czech Republic to launch a cooperation agreement. The approximate areas of cooperation are: ground-based systems and artillery ammunition. Further details of the cooperation, if any have been determined, are not yet being disclosed.
However, one can imagine what goals US-Czech cooperation might have. The countries could derive mutual benefit, at least in the area of artillery weapons. This is precisely the reason for the recent equipment demonstration. Moreover, expanding cooperation in one way or another is possible in the future.
A message from a Czech company mentions some joint plans for artillery shells. The Pentagon may be considering ordering ammunition for its guns from Excalibur Army. In recent years, the US Army has expended a significant portion of its stockpiles supporting Ukraine, and now it needs to refill its depots. To expedite this process, the shells could be purchased both from domestic companies and from abroad, such as the Czech Republic.
The United States may also be interested in Czech artillery systems, such as the Morana, which was demonstrated. This is a modern self-propelled artillery system with fairly high performance characteristics and all necessary fire modes. CSG is actively promoting this self-propelled artillery system on the international market and expects to receive lucrative contracts.
development Plans
For the past several years, the US Army has been developing plans for the development of barrel artillery and even programs. For example, the ERCA program was underway, aimed at creating a new long-barreled 155mm gun with an increased firing range. However, despite all the progress, this project was abandoned.
Nevertheless, the overall plans for upgrading the gun fleet remain in place. The Pentagon is known to be considering reducing the number and proportion of towed systems in favor of self-propelled systems. However, the rearmament will not be achieved solely through the latest modification of the M109 self-propelled gun.
The US Army may begin purchasing entirely new self-propelled guns with the desired level of tactical, technical, combat, and operational characteristics. This could be an existing model or a self-propelled gun developed in the near future based on domestic and foreign experience.
Perhaps the recent visit to the Excalibur Army plant and testing grounds was connected precisely to such plans. Pentagon representatives examined the latest Czech self-propelled gun and the concepts behind it. They may also be able to learn about other similar developments from friendly countries.
Having gathered all the necessary information, the US Army will need to determine its next steps. Depending on the conclusions reached, it will either launch development of a new self-propelled gun or choose to purchase a commercially available model.
Competitive advantages
The Morana, a promising wheeled self-propelled gun, was developed by companies within the CSG group at the turn of the last decade. The project utilized accumulated experience in self-propelled artillery, as well as modern components and developments. The completed prototype of the self-propelled gun was first shown at a European exhibition in 2022.
In its architecture and design, the Morana is similar to a number of other modern self-propelled guns, including those of Czech design. It is built on a standard wheeled chassis, features an armored crew cabin, and is equipped with a specially designed fighting compartment housing a 155mm gun. The gun turret is designed as a highly automated module that can be moved to another mount. Firing is only possible from a stationary position after being raised on jacks.
The experimental self-propelled gun is built on the Tatra Force (815-7) chassis. This is a cabover truck with a large cargo area and high payload capacity. The manufacturer offers several engine options with outputs up to 400 hp. All versions use a transmission that distributes power to all eight wheels.
Driver's seat
The vehicle has a double-row crew cabin. The armor compliant with STANAG 4569 Level 2—protection against 7,62mm machine gun bullets or 6 kg of TNT. The cabin contains workstations for the driver, commander, and gunner. All preparation and firing operations are performed remotely, without leaving the cabin. An armored equipment compartment is located directly behind the cabin.
The Morana's fighting compartment is designed as a fully protected turret with a full complement of necessary equipment. The turret's frontal section houses the oscillating mount with the gun, while the remaining space is dedicated to the automatic loader, mechanized ammunition racks, and other components. The turret's drives provide traverse within 60° to the right and left of the neutral position. Elevation angles range from -3° to +70°.
The self-propelled gun is equipped with a 155mm gun with a 52-caliber rifled barrel. It is equipped with a highly effective muzzle brake and hydropneumatic recoil devices. The gun can fire NATO-standard cartridge/modular loading rounds.
The automatic loader's magazines hold 40 rounds. There are also additional compartments for 5 shells and charges, but these are loaded manually. On command, the automatic loader fires a shell and the required number of cartridge modules into the chamber. In short burst mode, the rate of fire reaches 6 rounds per minute. Sustained fire is 5 rounds per minute.
Gunner's control panel
The gun can fire various types of 155mm projectiles, including those equipped with a gas generator or fully active-reactive ammunition. The maximum firing range is 40-41,5 km.
The turret is equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station for self-defense. It features day and night optics and a machine gun. The prototype of the self-propelled gun on display had a 12,7mm machine gun, and it was also reported that a 14,5mm machine gun could be installed.
The Morana has a digital fire control system based on a full-fledged computer. Navigation and communication devices are connected to it. Maximum acceleration of all key operational processes is reported. For example, the time from stopping at a position to the first shot should be no more than 20-30 seconds. The self-propelled gun can operate independently or as part of a unit. It receives firing data from the battery commander or other sources.
Interest and advertising
The full purpose of the recent American military visit to Czech factories is, understandably, unknown. Various theories can be put forward, but they remain unconfirmed or refuted for now. Perhaps the situation will become clearer in the near future, when the first official statements are released.
It's easy to see, however, that recent visits and familiarization with modern self-propelled guns are already benefiting both sides. The US Army is gaining access to cutting-edge foreign developments, while the Czech CSG can leverage the Pentagon's interest in its marketing. Whether the two countries will be able to develop this cooperation and achieve all the desired results remains to be seen.
Information