- Yes
- No
Suggestion No.49
G’day lads. I want to suggest a new, modern SPH from Israel, which features high precision targeting, quick autoloading, modern shells and much more. All of these capabilities are found on the SIGMA SPH, known as Roem in Israel, which is what I’ll be suggesting :)
Description:
Spoiler
The Elbit SIGMA 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) is an advanced artillery system designed to improve the efficiency and mobility of field artillery units. It features a powerful 155mm cannon with a 52-caliber length, offering high fire rates and extended range capabilities. Mounted on a versatile 10x10 wheeled platform, it provides superior mobility compared to traditional tracked systems. The SPH includes an autoloader for automatic loading and firing, allowing for rapid deployment and a high rate of fire. The crew operates from an armored cabin that ensures protection against blasts and mines. This system can fire multiple shells in quick succession, targeting different trajectories for a combined impact. Additionally, it can switch from travel to firing mode in just 60 seconds. With a firing range that extends up to 40 kilometers, and some models reaching up to 80 kilometers, you can say it’s, well, quite effective. The SIGMA is the export version of the ROEM, which as far as I know is pretty much the same with capabilities, just being the Israel local name, so I guess one of them could be a prem/event vehicle.
History:
Spoiler
The Elbit SIGMA 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer, also known as the Roem, which means “thunder” in Hebrew, was developed by Elbit Systems to provide advanced artillery support for the Israel Defense Forces, replacing the aging M109 howitzers. Development began in the early 2020s, and by May 2023, the Israeli army was completing the acceptance of the new Roem self-propelled artillery unit. The SIGMA was produced by Elbit Systems’ Yabash division and was considered one of the biggest projects in the Israeli defense industry, at least as of now.
The SIGMA is notable for being ALLEGEDLY the first artillery in the world capable of automatic firing (most likely just a IDF buzzword ig), which ofc significantly increases the rate of fire and allowing for longer-range firing compared to existing cannons in the IDF. The system can fire shells at a rate of eight rounds per minute (7.5 second reload), far exceeding the rate of the American M109. A live fire demonstration was conducted in early March 2023 at the Shivta firing range in southern Israel, attended by high-ranking officials from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Hungary. This demonstration showcased the SIGMA’s capabilities and led to a cooperation agreement between Rheinmetall and Elbit Systems to develop and market an automated European 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer system.
In July 2024, Israel Defense revealed that the IDF had begun using the SIGMA during a series of experiments. The full operationalization of the system was expected within two years. On November 15, 2021, Elbit Systems announced a contract to supply SIGMA fully automatic self-propelled howitzer gun systems to a country in Asia-Pacific, valued at approximately $106 million. The contract is to be fulfilled over five years. Elbit America also (plans to?) manufactures the SIGMA 155 mm howitzer, offering it to the U.S. Army as a replacement for the in-service M777 lightweight howitzer.
Armaments:
Spoiler
1 SIGMA 155mm/L52 cannon capable of firing any Elbit produced 155mm shells, such as:
M107-A3
M454
M401
M481
M150
It is also capable of firing any US and any NATO 155mm shell
Most if not all of the shells can be upgraded with the Silver Bullet precision guidance kit
Specifications:
Spoiler
The SIGMA has a length with the gun forward of around 11.5m, while the hull length is about 11m. The width measures approximately 2.49m, and the height is around 3.5m.The weight is approximately 36 tons. The engine used in the SIGMA, since it uses a Oshkosh 10x10 hull, is a Caterpillar C15 diesel engine, delivering an engine power of 600 hp, which can make it go 90-100km/h, giving it a range of around 480km’s. There are 3 crew operating it, which would be a driver, gunner and commander.
Sources:
Spoiler
Elbit America's Sigma - Next Generation Howitzer
Mobile Tactical Cannon - Elbit America
New self-propelled howitzer enters Israeli service
First picture released on Internet of Israeli SIGMA 155mm 10x10 self-p
Exclusive: Elbit America Proposes Israeli-Made SIGMA 155mm for US Army NGH Artillery Program
https://archive.ph/u8uw3#selection-179.0-619.5
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/roem.htm
Thanks a lot for reading! If you have any extra information, then feel free to share them in the replies! As always, have a good day :)
