IDEX 2021: Excalibur Army presents the new DITA 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer.

For IDEX 2021 exhibition EXCALIBUR ARMY in cooperation with EDGE Group partner company prepares the world premiere of a new artillery system - the new DITA 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The new howitzer will extend the EXCALIBUR ARMY portfolio of its artillery systems on Tatra chassis.

DITA 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer (Picture source: Excalibur Army)

The DITA is equipped with a 155 mm L45 gun with firing range up to 39 km with NATO HE base bleed standard ammunition. There are 40 pieces of 155 mm ammunition in conveyors in turret. The DITA howitzer has a modular design, it means that the turret with a gun and ammunition in conveyors can be installed on various, partially modified, wheeled, or tracked chassis.

Another interesting feature of DITA howitzer is only a two-person crew. This is possible thanks to the high-level automation of gun control system and the ability of the turret to operate in fully autonomous mode. The crew consists only of the driver and the commander, and this crew operate the howitzer and the turret from the chassis cab. Aiming and setting the weapon in the firing position is fully automatic using the Automatic Setting of Action Position (A.S.A.P.) electronic guidance system with a ballistic computer.

DITA howitzer concept is an independent superstructure based on TATRA 8×8 chassis. It is however capable of fully autonomous operation so the crew can operate the gun even in case of undercarriage failure or its deliberate shut down. Due to this feature the superstructre can also be placed on a different – e.g. tracked – vehicle (Picture source: Excalibur Army)

AUTOMATIC GUN GUIDING

The DITA howitzer is equipped with a special Automatic Setting of Action Position (A.S.A.P.), ammunition management and inertial navigation system which greatly enhance the speed of task execution and overall effectivity of the weapon.

155 mm caliber / 45 caliber barrel length

DITA uses a standard 155 mm caliber ammunition which is easily available and provides an extensive range of up to 39 km with HE BB shells.

Firing modes available:

1. Single round
2. Rapid fire (delay setting still available)
3. Programmed (first round, then accoridng to preset interval)
4. MRSI

MINIMAL CREW REQUIREMENS

Thanks to full automation of the system, the vehicle is operated by a crew of only 2 - driver and commander. Comfort and protection of the crew is ensured by a ballistic, low-type, overpressured cab featuring Level 1 protection according to STANAG 4569.

The superstructure offers an emergency operation workplace that can also be used to transport a third crew member according to user preference.

NBC FILTRATION SYSTEM, AIR-CONDITIONING AND HEATING

High performance heating, air-conditioning for the crew inside the cab. Dependent and independent A/C (8 and 3 kW) and independent hot water heater (20 kW).

AUXILIARY POWER AND HYDRAULIC UNIT

An auxilliary 24 V hydraulic power unit serves as the main source for weapon systems and turret operation. Unit performing functions as follows:

- Battery check and recharge
- Hydraulic pressure for turret hydraulic circuit
- Hydraulic oil cooling, cooling of propelling charges
- Additional electronic interaction with other systems - pressure regulation, managing gun control and fire control system