IDET 2023: Excalibur Army displays Morana 155mm self-propelled howitzer.

Excalibur Army’s Morana, a tactical self-propelled howitzer, is versatile, allowing for integrated operation within a standard artillery battery, as well as stand-alone task performance. It features a 155mm/52 calibre artillery gun capable of reaching targets at distances exceeding 41 kilometers. To ensure sustained operations, the 3-man crew has 45 rounds directly available.
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Excalibur Army’s Morana self-propelled howitzer (Picture source: Army Recognition)

In terms of deployment and main capabilities, Morana is mounted on the latest Tatra 8x8 chassis. This chassis utilizes a patent-protected Tatra system known for its durability, maintaining a perfect grip and minimizing shock and torsion-related wear when traversing uneven terrain. The vehicle can reach 90 km/h on road.

Prioritizing crew protection, the entire system is managed from within the protected modular EA Puma cabin. This cabin has obtained certification for STANAG 4569 Level 2, offering defense against both ballistic threats and land mines. Additionally, the cabin is pressurized, and its air intake is equipped with NBe filters to ensure a safe and breathable environment for the crew.

Morana also possesses emergency capabilities, enabling it to engage enemy positions, structures, and even moving vehicles directly when necessary. The crew can utilize direct fire within a range of 5 kilometers during daylight and 3 kilometers at night. For enhanced protection and firepower in close engagements and against low-altitude UAVs, an integrated secondary weapon is available to the crew.

The Morana features an advanced Onboard Control and Diagnostic System that encompasses various subsystems including diagnostics, navigation, automatic gun guiding, autonomous calculation of shooting elements, and ammunition management. With an automatic guiding system, the howitzer can swiftly and fully adjust the gun to the target direction.

One of the key capabilities of the onboard control system is its ability to get the howitzer ready for firing within 40 seconds of coming to a stop in the firing position. This entire operation is conducted automatically, eliminating the need for the crew to leave the cabin. The gun's aim at the target, ammunition loading, and firing are all controlled from within the cabin workstations.

The diagnostic system collects operational data from specific vehicle systems or fault conditions. These parameters and statuses are then displayed on individual screens within the cabin workstations. Depending on the requirements, selected data can be transmitted to higher-level authorities for assessing combat readiness or to facilitate logistics planning when necessary. Fault conditions are archived to aid in service maintenance activities.

The onboard control system's unique architecture allows for seamless integration with the customer's fire control system solution.

Defense News May 2023