French Army's CAESAR artillery systems fires for the first time in Afghanistan combat mission
16:48 GMT, October 15, 2009 The French Army’s CAESAR (CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) truck-mounted self-propelled artillery gun has fired its 52 caliber gun for the first time in combat. Indeed, after initial fire-support firings from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) where they are deployed, and from where they can target the entire zone where French troops operate, a long-range shot was attempted on Sept. 29 by the fire-support element of GTIA (Groupement Tactique Inter-Armes, combined tactical group) Kapisa, consisting of the 2nd battery of the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment.
At a range of more than 29 kilometers, this firing supported the withdrawal of the 2nd Company of the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment (3ème RIMA) as part of Operation "Camel Trophy," an offensive reconnaissance operation along Main Supply Road Vermont, between FOB Tagab and Lake Naghlu. At this range, duration of the shell’s flight was 57 seconds at a velocity of 954 meters per second. In total, 12 rounds of 155mm caliber were fired with high accuracy.
Having arrived in theater on Saturday, August 1, the first four guns belonging to the 11th RAMA were deployed in Kapisa on Friday, August 14. They are operated by gunners of the 11th RAMa, which also currently operate 120mm mortars.
The initial feedback allowed the evaluation of the complementarity of the Caesar and the 120 RTF1 mortar, and their operational constraints. On balance, both weapons were found to have a role to play in indirect fire support of counter-insurgency missions like those in Afghanistan.
The CAESAR provides fire support at long-ranges and with high terminal effects that the mortar cannot. The 120mm mortar is lightweight, highly mobile and autonomous, and combines speed and firepower to a maximum range of eight kilometers. The CAESAR, although mobile and fitted with armor protection allowing their safe transit, has not to date been employed outside the Forward Operating Base because its range was sufficient to cover the entire area of operations.
From warning shots to counter-battery, the two artillery systems have fired in all operational profiles. Firepower, range and desired terminal effects are the criteria leading to the use of one or the other. Furthermore, flares and other illuminating rounds are fired regularly to monitor insurgent movements, which also disorganize enemy operations.
Blinding fire is used to protect units that disengage from contact, and their effectiveness is gauged by how quickly the enemy ceases fire.
Effective integration into the ATLAS artillery management system, depending on the tactical situation, and less than ten minutes to prepare for firing, ensure high operational effectiveness for Caesar. Mortars are permanently maintained in battery position, and are instantly ready to fire.
Both weapons can be fired simultaneously by the same section thanks to the ad-hoc teams that have been established.
The entire artillery component of the French GTIA located in Kapisa can thus fully respond to all required kings of indirect fire support, and the superposition of 120mm and 150mm weapons ensures that the full range of tactical effects is obtained.
So, if the combination of topography and overhead air traffic can limit the use of CAESAR in snap firings, the complementary obtained by maneuvering with the 120mm mortar ensures that the required effect can be obtained.
(Source: French Defence Staff; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)
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