Soltam have developed a family of artillery systems, including mortars, mortar ammunition and towed and self propelled howitzers. The Rascal is the most compact size and lightest weight of the range of Soltam self propelled 155 mm howitzers, which includes the 20 ton Rascal, the 60 ton Slammer based on a modified Merkava chassis and turret, the M72 howitzer based on a modified Centurion chassis and the early L33 howitzer based on the Sherman M4A3E8 chassis.

DESIGN

The mobilisation of rapid reaction forces leads to the requirement for air transportation of artillery systems. The small size and weight of the Rascal allows transportation by sea, railway, truck and air including transportation by relatively small cargo aircraft such as the C-130 transporter.

The Rascal's low weight of 20 tons and compact design eliminates the need for tank

transporters and also allows the deployment of the vehicle in operational areas where access to larger vehicles is impeded, for example through narrow urban streets, narrow mountain roads, narrow bridges and tunnels.

The choice of a tracked drive, together with the high power to weight ratio, provides high on-road speed and good tactical mobility for off-road, difficult cross country missions, including over desert and mountainous terrain. The high manoeuvrability of the tracked vehicle with hydraulic power steering also provides the important capability of fast and easy entry to and exit from confined spaces in the battlefield.

The hull of the Rascal is of all-welded steel armour construction. The driver's station is located at the front of the vehicle on the left. The crew of three plus the driver are protected from small arms fire and shell splinters. The crew compartment is in the central section of the vehicle. Hinged armoured shutters, installed over the driver's windows and the crew observation windows, are closed when the vehicle is in the combat zone. The vehicle can be equipped with night vision systems as an option, according to customer mission requirements.

Rascal is available with a 39 or 45 calibre 155 mm gun. The gun is mounted on an hydraulically driven turntable at the back of the vehicle. The azimuthal traverse of the gun is 30 degrees and the elevation is from -0 degrees to +65 degrees. The elevation and traverse are powered hydraulically. A loader assist device is pneumatically energised. The gun is fitted with a pneumatic rammer.

To prepare the vehicle for firing, two hydraulically operated spades are lowered into position to stabilise the vehicle. After firing the blades are retracted.

The vehicle carries up to 36 projectiles, stored base downwards in the projectile racks on either side of the gun. The charges are carried in a fire proof armoured ammunition store in front of the gun. The gun can accommodate a wide range of 155 mm ammunition.

The engine compartment is on the left hand side of the vehicle behind the driver's station. The vehicle has a diesel engine, automatic transmission, hydraulic power steering and a high performance braking system.

The Rascal is a tracked vehicle with six double road wheels with rubber tyres on each side. The large drive sprocket is clearly visible to the front of the first road wheel and the idler wheel is at the back. An hydraulically driven winch is installed at the centre front of the vehicle.

Soltam has developed a new 155mm 52 Cal Artillery Truck Mounted Gun Howitzer, known as the SPWH 2052, based on the "Rascal". The SPWH 2052 is an advanced concept of long range, light self propelled wheeled artillery system, with ammunition loading systems and autonomous operation capabilities.

The SPWH 2052 is a hybrid of the TATRA T815 VVN 6X6 wheeled Truck chassis, with a 155 mm 45/52 Cal Long-Range Gun that is equipped with the latest c3 system including on board computation, inertial navigation & aiming systems, and easy ammunition handling system. The platform carries 32 projectiles and propelling charges, as well as the Gun’s crewmembers, their equipment and all the logistics. While firing, the SPWH 2052 is supported by rear spades. Firing loads are transferred directly to the ground, without harming the vehicle chassis.

This system can mount either a 45 cal. barrel, or a 52 cal. barrel to reach 39 km or 41 km respectively. All types of 155 mm ammunition in use worldwide are authorized for fire. The auxilliary engine enables easy handling for deployment and ammunition handling. As a result, the SPWH 2052 is fully operable by 4 crew members.

The SP Gun is equipped with inertial navigation and aiming systems, which also commands and controls the elevation & traversing gears, giving the SPWH 2052 autonomous operation and "automatic laying" capabilities. It has a total weight of 18000 kg.