EVA is a Slovak self-propelled howitzer, developed by Konstrukta Defence and publicly revealed in 2015. KonÅ¡trukta Defence, Excalibur Army and Tatra joint developed a new version of the Eva 155-mm truck-mounted howitzer on the unique 8×8 Tatra chassis, but the system can be also mounted on a 6×6 truck chassis. It is armed with a 155 mm / L52 howitzer and has a maximum firing range of 41 kilometres (25 mi) with ERFB-BB ammunition. The design of new self-propelled autonomous artillery system is based on the 155 mm SpGH ZUZANA 2 while overtaking maximum assemblies and design solutions verified within the course of demanding testing and tender trials performed in Slovakia and abroad. The EVA presents an artillery system with automatic loading of ammunition providing an effective fire by means of both direct and indirect aiming.
Any NATO standard 155 mm ammunition may be used for firing. 12 projectiles and 12 powder charges ready to fire are stored in the ammunition conveyers. Beds in the conveyers are universal for all the projectiles and powder charges used in the service. Eventually, there might be stored any new types of projectiles of the length up to 1 meter in the projectile conveyer and loaded by means of automatic loading system. Another 12 projectiles and 12 powder charges are stored in hermetically sealed ammunition tubes on the chassis. The rate of fire varies: in automatic mode, 5 shells in the 1st minute, 13 shells in 3 minutes; in manual mode, 2 shells per minute. The minimum distance to target is 5 km; the maximum one is 41+ km when using ERFB-BB shells. The vehicle carries 24 shells, among which 12 are ready to be fired.
It takes 2 minutes to stop and fire the first round from travelling. Redeployment time is just one minute. Brief redeployment time allows to carry out shoot-and-scoot fire missions. This artillery system can launch a couple of rounds and leave the firing position before enemy opens counter-battery fire. The EVA also has a direct fire capability. It is likely that the EVA is capable of Multiple Launch Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) firing. High degree of automation allowed to have a small crew. The EVA is operated by just 3 soldiers, including commander, gunner and driver. Normally each EVA would be escorted by an ammunition supply vehicle. A battery of these artillery systems would include command vehicle, that would provide all targeting coordinates.
The Eva 155-mm truck-mounted howitzer is air-transportable by Airbus A-400M, McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III, and Ilyushin Il-76 Candid, for instance. The vehicle engine power supplies hydraulic and electric systems of both the weapon superstructure and the chassis which is the Tatra T815-7 8×8. The engine is the Tatra T3C-928.90 Euro3, air-cooled, turbocharged, developing 300 kW/1,800 rpm, or 2,100 Nm/1,000 rpm. The transmission is a manual shift TATRA 10TS210 (optionally Norgren semi-automatic electro-pneumatic gear shifting). The vehicle can reach 85 km/h, with a cruising range of 600km. The vehicle provides protection for the crew against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. The howitzer can be fired from the cab of the vehicle, or remotely from the vehicle.
