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| Israel Tests Prototype Roem 10X10 Artillery System To Replace M109 SPH |
Tel Aviv - Israel Defensa on November 12 posted images showing the Israeli military piloting a prototype truck-based 155 mm field artillery system.
The SPH (self propelled howitzer) system is the Roem (Sigma) designed and developed by the Israeli company Elbit Systems. Roem was lined up to replace the tracked M109 belonging to the Israeli Artillery Corps. Having the advantage, every single Roem will have a firing capacity equivalent to four M109s.
The weapon system is a 155 mm/52 howitzer with a fully automatic loading system mounted on the back of an American-made Oshkosh 10x10 truck. The cabin of the triple-manned truck has been modified with the installation of an armor shell that can provide ballistic and mine protection for the crew.
Currently, the wheeled SPH system has become popular in the world, because it offers the advantage of lighter weight compared to the tracked version. Can be easily shifted by air using military transport aircraft of the C-130J or A400M class.
The tire-wheeled SPH system also has high mobility which can be driven directly, unlike the chain-wheeled model which is shifted using a special transport truck.