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Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and
General Dynamics European Land Systems to produce
advanced artillery system
(text in portuguese)
- DONAR: a jointly developed,
new generation, air deployable (< 32 tons),
autonomous and remotely operated 155mm artillery
system
- Revolution in artillery: DONAR changes conventional
artillery doctrine
- Targeted to replace legacy systems in service
with modern armies
Munich/Vienna, June 5th 2008. Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann (KMW), Munich, and General Dynamics European
Land Systems (GD ELS), Vienna, are teaming to develop
and market a new generation, air deployable, autonomous
and remotely operated 155mm artillery system. The
system addresses the growing need for precise indirect
fire capabilities that can augment or even replace
close-air-support operations previously conducted
by costly fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft.
Frank Haun, CEO of
KMW, and John C. Ulrich, President of General Dynamics
European Land Systems, share the value of this partnership:
“We share the value of the collaboration. This
program it is a significant innovation and will benefit
all.”
The KMW / GD ELS system, called the DONAR, provides
capabilities that will change conventional artillery
doctrine. DONAR not only reduces crew and logistics
requirements, but also provides for autonomous operations.
The system is targeted to replace legacy systems (e.g.,
M109, AS90, K9, etc.) in service with modern armies.
A first prototype has already undergone rigorous mobility
and fire trials at the test facility
of the German procurement agency BWB (Bundesamt für
Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung), and will be displayed
during this year’s defence exhibition EUROSATORY
in Paris, France.
The DONAR is a joint European technology program of
GD ELS and KMW that utilizes specific resources and
shared skills between the companies, creating true
value for European and international defence forces.
The joint effort also follows the growing European
trend towards enhanced multinational industry cooperation
in the land system
sector.
Unique system features: one solution
DONAR possesses multiple features that are
unique to the worldwide artillery community.
Air transportability - the total
systems weights less than 31 metric tons, allowing
it to be transported in the future European Transport
Aircraft A400M or similar aircraft with
payload capacities in this class.
Autonomous operation - The completely
remotely operated artillery module is equipped
with a 155mm (52 cal.) cannon, giving it the advanced
fire power of an PzH2000. DONAR’s maximum range
amounts to more than 56 kilometers (vlap). Its on-board
ammunition supply includes 30 fuzed 155 mm shells
and a corresponding number of charge modules. Despite
a marked reduction in weight and size, the gun module
is operational without any additional stabilization
and provides a 360-degree azimuth range.
In addition, the autonomous system character of DONAR
allows a consistent step towards networked, centralised
command and control (network centric warfare).
High mobility & survivability
- The system possesses the high mobility of an Infantry
Fighting Vehicle, derived from an adapted ASCOD 2
version for artillery applications. Separated from
the automatic gun module, a crew of only two soldiers
(driver and commander) operate the system from a highly
protected driver cabin, increasing survivability and
allowing for extremely rapid fire and movement manoevers.
The system's survivability is enhanced by both its
low silhouette and from the cabin's protection against
ballistic impact and shell fragments from artillery
and mortar ammunition - the cabin meets a very high
NATO protection standard.
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