More knowledge, more power in new howitzer

[unhappycamper]

A Future Combat Systems Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon can generate enough power to support 4,320 homes for an hour.


More knowledge, more power in new howitzer
By Kris Osborn - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jun 9, 2008 8:12:21 EDT

The power plant that propelled the 27-ton vehicle on its short trip at the BAE Systems assembly plant will also give the NLOS-C one of its hidden assets: the ability to power a small town.

“This system is producing 420 kilowatts of power, enough power to support 4,320 homes for an hour. That is a phenomenal amount of power,” Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey said. “The hybrid-electric technologies of this system, I think, are borderline revolutionary. The engine is on the side of the vehicle. It is about three-quarters the size of a Bradley engine. All it does is generate electrical power.”

For comparison, an Abrams tank can export 18 kilowatts. The NLOS-C could be used to run a hospital, building or expeditionary unit. The hybrid-electric drive also allows the cannon to shut down its combustion engine and move quietly on electrical power.

In coming months, the prototype will be fitted with cameras, radar and other sensors, said Dan Zanini, SAIC senior vice president and deputy program manager for Future Combat Systems. The electro-optical and infrared cameras will allow the cannon’s commander and driver to operate without an open porthole.

“The radar allows you to track incoming rounds and allows you to track the rounds going out,” Zanini said. “You can update the ballistic solution for the next round that is firing. This allows us to take today’s standard ammunition and reduce the circle of probable error on it with these vehicles. Even if they are dumb rounds, if you are smart in watching them, you can update the trajectory in which you are firing them and improve the accuracy of the impact.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/06/army_fcs_cannon_060908w/



uhc comment: Here's a little more on the Crusader wannabe --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NLOS-C