KNDS Deutschland, an innovator in European artillery innovation, has introduced the RCH 155 TRACKED, a state-of-the-art refinement of its Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) family. The global defense community was introduced to this new tracked variant at the esteemed AUSA (Association of the United States Army) exhibition, which is commonly referred to as the “internal” showcase of the U.S. Army. KNDS’s intention to market the RCH 155 TRACKED as a potential replacement for the antiquated M109A7 Paladin in the American inventory is indicated by its attendance at AUSA, which is more than just symbolic. The RCH 155 TRACKED represents an important leap in survivability, mobility, and automation.
The introduction of a tracked RCH is of major significance in the competitive domain of contemporary self-propelled artillery. It is indicative of a transition from strategic road mobility to full-spectrum operational versatility, which guarantees that the gun can function seamlessly in challenging terrain in conjunction with heavily mechanized formations.
From Wheeled Boxer to Tracked Platform
The RCH 155’s origins are associated with its wheeled configuration, which is based on the Boxer 8×8 armored vehicle platform. That platform proved appealing to a variety of NATO forces due to its rapid deployment capability and operational flexibility and automation. Nevertheless, a single constraint persisted: in the most difficult combat environments, particularly those characterized by muddy, uneven, or severely cratered battlefields, a wheeled chassis is unable to match the sheer cross-country resilience of a tracked vehicle.
KNDS has adapted the Artillery Gun Module (AGM) to a tracked chassis, thereby addressing this lacuna. The RCH 155 TRACKED combines the firepower and efficiency of the wheeled variant with the inherent toughness of tracked mobility, resulting in greater terrain adaptability, improved armored protection, and a closer alignment with U.S. Army operational doctrine, which traditionally favors tracked artillery for its integration with armored brigades.
The Unmanned Artillery Gun Module
The focal point of the RCH 155 TRACKED is the AGM turret, a completely automated and unmanned 155 mm/L52 artillery system developed by Rheinmetall. It is capable of 360° rotation and can be fired from any elevation without the need for external stabilizing supports, thereby facilitating the rapid implementation of “fire-and-move” strategies. In contemporary counter-battery scenarios, where survival is contingent upon speed and unpredictability, this adaptability is especially advantageous.
The AGM, which uses up to six modular propellant charges for each projectile, grants operators accurate oversight over trajectory and range. The automatic management of all loading processes, including the insertion of shells and the handling of modular charges, significantly reduces personnel fatigue and accelerates the operational tempo. Additionally, the programming of fuses occurs through inductive systems during the loading process, which guarantees precise timing and eliminates the need for manual intervention.
Ammunition and Firepower
The RCH 155 TRACKED has been designed to execute high-intensity, sustained discharge missions. It is a remarkable accomplishment for a platform in this weight category that its maximum rate of discharge exceeds eight rounds per minute. The onboard ammunition stowage is capable of supporting up to 30 shells that are ready to use, as well as 144 modular charges, allowing the system to fire for an extended period without urgent resupply.
This setup allows the RCH 155 TRACKED to quickly fire multiple rounds at important targets or to keep firing for a long time during intense battles. Its advanced fire control and modular charges allow operators to adjust the range, from quick attacks to long-range strikes, in situations that need accuracy.
Powerplant and Mobility
The system is supported by a tracked chassis that is engineered to operate in the most challenging environments. It is capable of accommodating combat modules weighing up to 17 tonnes, with a combat weight of approximately 45 tonnes. This increased carrying capacity also enables the provision of enhanced protection levels without compromising mobility, in contrast to the wheeled RCH 155’s limit of approximately 12 tonnes.
The mobility system is powered by an MTU diesel engine and a Renk HSWL-256 transmission, which generates an impressive 900 kW of output. This results in a specific power rating of approximately 20–25 kW per tonne, which guarantees exceptional acceleration for a vehicle of its mass. The RCH 155 TRACKED is capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h on roads and having an operational range of up to 500 kilometers without refueling, which is essential for long-range deployments in theaters with extended supply lines.
Advantages of Automation and Crew Safety
The unmanned turret configuration of the RCH 155 TRACKED is a distinguishing feature. KNDS has guaranteed that operators are protected from the direct exposure to battlefield hazards associated with ammunition handling and turret operation by isolating the main gun and automated loading systems from the crew compartment. This is an important development in the preservation of personnel safety in contemporary high-intensity warfare, as it eliminates the need to micromanage each stage of the discharge sequence.
Furthermore, the high level of automation reduces the required personnel size for operation, thereby simplifying training requirements and reducing the associated manpower costs. This benefit may be attractive to militaries that are grappling with recruitment difficulties while simultaneously trying to improve or maintain their artillery capability.
Operational Role and Interest of the United States Army
The RCH 155 TRACKED’s exhibition at AUSA indicates that KNDS believes that the platform is suitable for the U.S. Army’s future artillery requirements. Although modernized, the M109A7 Paladin currently deployed by U.S. armored brigades is based on designs that are decades old. Its logistics efficiency, crew exposure, automation level, and rate of discharge are inferior to those of the RCH 155 TRACKED. This system is being positioned by KNDS as a contemporary, modular solution to address the changing needs of the battlefield, particularly in the face of technologically advanced adversaries who are capable of executing precise counter-battery assaults.
The RCH 155 TRACKED’s shoot-and-scoot capabilities, which are further bolstered by its robust tracked mobility, have the potential to represent a paradigm shift in an era where artillery battles may be as much determined by the rapidity of relocation as by sheer firepower.
Lessons Learned and Variants That Have Been Tracked in the Past
Any new platform must learn from its predecessors to ensure its success. KNDS had previously investigated track adaptations of the AGM by situating it on a modified chassis from the MARS MLRS. Although this version was conceptually promising, it was never put into serial production. This may have been the result of logistical integration challenges or competing procurement priorities.
The AGM turret is installed on the tracked chassis of the ASCOD infantry combat vehicle in Spain’s NEMESIS project, which is another noteworthy example. The Spanish Armed Forces intend to procure 128 of these systems, which suggests that NATO has a broader understanding of the integration of automated artillery modules with tracked armored platforms.
Comparative Advantages
The RCH 155 TRACKED is distinguished by its entirely automated processes, in contrast to conventional tracked howitzers such as the M109, which rely on manual or semi-automatic loading systems. The AGM’s integration provides a proven fire control and gun-laying architecture that has been validated on other platforms, and its rate of fire surpasses that of typical manual-loading systems. Whereas the wheeled Boxer-based RCH emphasizes rapid strategic movement across highways, the tracked adaptation broadens its operational scope by asserting itself in high-threat frontline conditions and rough terrain.
KNDS’s choice to keep the parts the same for both wheeled and tracked versions makes it easier for countries that have mixed fleets to do business. This approach simplifies the training process and enables the sharing of spare parts inventories.
Prospects for the Future
The RCH 155 TRACKED has the potential to establish a new standard in the design of artillery systems, characterized by minimal crew exposure, maximum automation, and modular adaptability, if it is adopted by the U.S. Army or other significant forces. The design of the system allows for the use of new technologies, such as precision-guided munitions that can be fired from automated storage, connected battlefield sensors that give targeting information to the fire control system, and possibly hybrid engines that make logistics easier.
The export potential is enormous, particularly among nations that are hesitant to invest in legacy systems but are interested in high-end NATO-standard artillery with tracked mobility. The unveiling at AUSA is a strategic maneuver and a technical milestone for KNDS, as it places the RCH 155 TRACKED in the sights of defense procurement officials from around the globe.
In conclusion,
The KNDS RCH 155 TRACKED is a deliberate and well-considered development in the field of self-propelled artillery design. The system offers a unique mix of long-lasting firepower, ability to handle different terrains, and automation by combining the proven AGM turret with a strong, high-capacity tracked base. The company’s confidence in establishing a new standard in mobile artillery systems is highlighted by its attendance at AUSA, which also reinforces its ambition to secure U.S. contracts.
Systems like the RCH 155 TRACKED show that European companies can create effective and strong solutions for modern battlefields, which often involve quick movements, intense counter-battery situations, and advanced technology. The RCH 155 TRACKED has already proven that the era of highly automated, unmanned, modular artillery systems has truly arrived, regardless of whether future procurement decisions solidify their position in U.S. armored brigades or international artillery forces.