Articles >>

General Dynamics and KMW display DONAR autonomous, remotely operated artillery system at AUSA 2009

Category: Exhibitions

DONAR

Washington D.C. -- General Dynamics European Land Systems, Vienna, and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), Munich, are presenting the autonomous and remotely operated DONAR prototype at the 2009 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition.

The DONAR is a new world-class, self-propelled, tracked, airborne-capable, fully automated self-propelled howitzer (155/52 cal.) featuring operation by a two-man crew (driver + commander), all-terrain mobility, long range and precise firing capability. The mission spectrum of the DONAR ranges from classic artillery fire support missions to active field protection and is designed to replace legacy systems (e.g. M-109, AS90, K9, etc.) in service with modern armies. 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.

John C. Ulrich, president of General Dynamics European Land Systems, and Frank Haun, president and CEO of KMW, said, “Our companies are proud to present this common project at the 2009 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition after its unveiling in Europe back in 2008. Since then our engineers have continued to develop, test and enhance the DONAR’s capabilities. As a result of this joint effort we show now an advanced system ready to meet the present and future requirements of Field Artillery all across the mission spectrum.”

DONAR provides capabilities that will change conventional artillery doctrine by reducing crew and logistics requirements, and providing for autonomous operations. The prototype displayed at the AUSA Meeting and Exposition, Washington D.C., has already undergone rigorous mobility and fire trials at the test facility of the German procurement agency BWB (Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung), including Smart Camp Defence trials.

Unique system features: one solution

DONAR possesses multiple features that are unique to the worldwide artillery community.

Air transportability - The total systems weighs less than 32 metric tons, allowing it to be transported in the future 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 a 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 toward 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 artillery-version ASCOD 2 chasis. 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.

General Dynamics
07.10.2009

Share...
Printable Version Send by email rss favorite Facebook Vkontakte Twitter Google+

KONGSBERG CONCLUDES A $ 54 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE DELIVERY WEAPON STATIONS TO CANADIAN ARMY
05.06.2020

Germany awards 159 MUSD vehicle contract to GDELS
24.04.2020

Switzerland awards contract to General Dynamics European Land Systems- Mowag to deliver 100 EAGLE 6x6 reconnaissance vehicles
06.12.2019

Rheinmetall to Feature Next Generation 130mm Tank Gun at AUSA Global
04.11.2019

General Dynamics Land Systems - GDLS

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems

General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag GmbH

General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas

General Dynamics Armament Systems

General Dynamics Defence Systems

General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr GmbH

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GDATP)

General Dynamics C4 Systems

General Dynamics Amphibious Operations - GDAMS

General Dynamics Corp., Advanced Information Systems

THE ASSOCIATION OF THE U.S. ARMY - AUSA

General Dynamics Robotic Systems - GDRS

General Dynamics Land Systems - GDLS - Canada

General Dynamics European Land Systems - GDELS

General Dynamics

DONAR AGM (Self-propelled howitzer)

Discuss


At present you cannot leave messages. To be able to do this, you should enter by using your name. If you are not registetred, do it now. The registration procedure will take just one minute.
Register