Elbit Systems Ltd. announced On March 15 further to the Company’s announcement dated March 27, 2019, that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, LLC, was awarded a $200 million contract as part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) automatic self-propelled howitzer gun systems program. The contract will be performed over a 12-year period. As the premier artillery supplier to the Israel Defense Forces, Elbit Systems offers a comprehensive array of fully-integrated artillery solutions that incorporate smart technology, automatic laying and loading capacity, Fire Control Systems (FCS), and modular weapon products. Outfitted with enhanced ballistic computers, along with navigation and target acquisition equipment ‒ including Battery and Battalion Command Posts ‒ our artillery solutions are easily integrated with customers’ C4I systems.
Elbit Systems supplies a wide spectrum of artillery systems, including the world renowned 155mm truck-mounted howitzer and the 120mm CARDOM autonomous recoiling mortar. These combat-proven solutions have seen extensive use by the US Army, NATO countries, the Israel Defense Forces and others. Elbit Systems line of guns includes the renowned ATMOS, a 155mm/52 caliber truck-mounted howitzer, and the ATHOS, a long-range 155mm/52 caliber autonomous towed howitzer. Both offer the advantages of superior fire power, enhanced mobility and rapid response time. Customers with existing infrastructure can benefit from our artillery platform upgrade capability to enhance the performance and capabilities of existing artillery systems in order to meet modern battlefield requirements.
In May 2019, the Israeli government has awarded the initial, $125 million contract of a planned 12-year, $280 million program to replace its tank-like M109 howitzers that could be based on Elbit’s wheeled self-propelled howitzer ATMOS. The first generation of ATMOS 155mm self-propelled howitzer was developed by the company Soltam Systems which is now part of Israeli Company Elbit Systems. Elbit Systems’ ATMOS (Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer System) is a 155mm/52 caliber truck-mounted howitzer that offers the advantages of superior firepower, enhanced mobility and rapid response time. Highly adaptable, the modular ATMOS system is compatible with any 6×6 or 8×8 high-mobility tactical truck.
The ATMOS is fitted with a 155 mm/52 calibre ordnance which conforms to NATO Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU), and is mounted on a 6 × 6 cross-country truck chassis. The breech mechanism is horizontal sliding which automatically opens to the right with a self-sealing metal obturating ring. The buffer is a cylinder hydraulic with a hydro-pneumatic recuperator. Recoil length is variable from 850 to 1,100 mm with two pneumatic equilibrators. Weapon elevation and traverse are all hydraulic and computer controlled. The gun’s aiming gears, load assist systems and spades are operated by a hydraulic power pack. With a 155 mm/52 barrel, a 41 km maximum range can be achieved, using Extended Range Full-Bore – Base Bleed (ERFB-BB) projectile, 30 km firing the NATO L15 High Explosive (HE) projectile and 24.5 km firing the older M107 HE projectile.
