Self-Propelled Artillery (SPA) has many inherent advantages over towed artillery. These include its greater tactical mobility, the ability to provide protection to the crew, the carriage of onboard ammunition, and the possibility for automation of all firing functions.
The last feature, in particular, offers a number of possible benefits that enhance the utility of the other three. By integrating inertial navigation and GPS (Global Positioning System) technology into the SPA, the platform is provided with the capability to accurately know its exact location and direction at any time. This location can be directly and instantly fed to the SPA’s computerised fire control system thereby addressing one of the three critical prerequisites for accurate indirect fire gunnery; the precise location of the firing gun. This, coupled with the SPA’s mobility permits the weapon to be on the move when it receives a call for fire, and to then quickly halt and execute the fire mission in seconds. Since the SPA can then displace as soon as the fire mission is completed it is more difficult for the enemy to locate it using counter-battery radar that detects outgoing rounds as a means of locating the SPA. Thus, the survivability of the SPA is increased. Having on-board ammunition and a power source enables the SPA to be equipped with an automated loading system. This further enhances the speed of response while increasing the rate of fire. The ability to deliver rounds with less time between each firing magnifies their effectiveness. Several rounds impacting on the enemy will cause comparatively greater casualties and destruction since the opponent has less time to take cover, disperse or move away from the impact area. These tactical advantages are all actual and possible SPA characteristics, but more difficult, if not impossible, to achieve for towed artillery.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2017-Ausgabe von Armada International.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 2017-Ausgabe von Armada International.
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