The Crusader self-propelled howitzer is being developed for the US Army as a replacement for the Paladin and the US Army requirement is expected to be for over 800 vehicles. Live firing trials of the Crusader began in February 2000 at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona, and in November 2000 a firing rate of 10.4 rounds per minute was achieved. The system successfully completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in November 2001. The first production versions are due in 2006 and the Crusader is planned to enter service in 2008. The Crusader programme is being carried out by Team Crusader, led by United Defense.
The Crusader artillery system provides enhanced survivability, lethality and mobility and is more easily deployable and sustainable than current systems. A battery of six Crusaders can deliver 15 tons of ammunition in less than 5 minutes.
United Defense has reduced the weight and size of the Crusader vehicle from 60 tons to 38 to 41 tons allowing two vehicles rather than one to be transported on a C-5 or C-17 aircraft. This allows the Howitzer to be more easily available for any fire support mission in any field of operation, including forward battlefield operations for medium and light forces.
The Crusader consists of two vehicles, the XM2001 155-mm self-propelled howitzer and the XM2002 armoured re-supply vehicle. The high level of automation means that the howitzer and re-supply vehicle each require only three men to operate. The gunners can control the entire loading and firing process from the safety of the computerised cockpit under armour and nuclear biological and chemical warfare protection. In addition to the current tracked system the Crusader Armoured Re-supply Vehicle is being offered in a wheeled variant.
XM2001 SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER
Crusader's 155 mm self-propelled howitzer, XM2001, has fully automated ammunition handling and firing that allows firing of the 48 on-board rounds at rates of up to 10 rounds per minute to ranges in excess of 40 km. The first rounds of a mission can be fired in 15 to 30 seconds. Additionally Crusader has the capability to fire multiple rounds to achieve simultaneous impact on target (MRSI). One Crusader vehicle can fire up to 8 rounds to strike a single target at the same time. The digital fire control system calculates separate firing solutions for each of the 8 projectiles.
XM2002 RESUPPLY VEHICLE
Crusader is re-supplied by the XM2002 ammunition re-supply vehicle, which is equipped with a fully automated ammunition handling subsystem. This allows its three-man re-supply crew to automatically transfer, under armour, up to 48 rounds of ammunition and fuel to the howitzer in less than 12 minutes. Resupply can be carried out in a contaminated environment.
The resupply vehicle itself can be fully loaded with fuel and 110 rounds of ammunition in less than 60 minutes.
COMMAND AND CONTROL
Crusader's command centre is equipped with onboard tactical systems including decision aids, and advanced position and navigational aids and an automated IFF system.
The Crusader sends and receives real-time battlefield information through the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) and it can communicate directly with other combat vehicles. The secure data transmission network digitally links the Howitzer, Resupply Vehicle and the rest of the battlefield to give every vehicle real time situational awareness.
ARMAMENT
Crusader can deliver any type of round including high explosive, white phosphorus and smoke, DPICM, illumination and SADARM rounds.
The Crusader solid propellant armament system consists of the cannon, gun mount, and a laser ignition system. The Crusader cannon tube is Integral Midwall Cooled (IMC) which enables extremely high rates of fire. The cannon chamber and tube are chrome-plated to minimise wear and erosion. The chamber is compatible with the Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) solid propellant propulsion system.
PROPULSION
The Crusader's engine and hydropneumatic suspension give a road speed of up to 67 km/hour and a cross-country speed of 48 km/hour. The transmission allows automatic scheduling of engine speed and transmission ratio for fuel economy. The driving system features drive-by-wire, positional navigation and movement planning decision aids.
The US Army has selected Honeywell International Engines and Systems and General Electric to develop a new LV100-5 gas turbine engine for the Crusader, in common with the M1A2 main battle tank, as part of the Abrams/Crusader Common Engine Program. The new engine is lighter and smaller with rapid acceleration, quieter running and no visible exhaust.
The Crusader cannon tube is Integral Midwall Cooled (IMC) which enables extremely high rates of fire.
The XM2002 ammunition re-supply vehicle, equipped with a fully automated ammunition handling system automatically transfers 48 rounds of ammunition and fuel to the howitzer in less than 12 minutes.
The XM2002 resupply vehicle itself can be fully loaded with fuel and 110 rounds of ammunition in less than 60 minutes.
The Crusader Howitzer XM 2001 schematic. The howitzer and the resupply vehicles contain 60 percent common components.
One Crusader vehicle can fire up to 8 rounds to strike a single target at the same time. The digital fire control system calculates separate firing solutions for each of the 8 projectiles.
Two Crusader vehicles can be transported on a single C-5 or C-17 aircraft.
Live firing trials of the Crusader began in February 2000 at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona.