ATMOS 2000 is a 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled (SP) artillery system manufactured by Soltam Systems.

The system is long range, fast moving, truck mounted with a High firepower and mobility, rapid deployment, short response time, operable in all terrain areas. The system is Integrated with a fully computerized systems, providing an automatic control, accurate navigation and target acquisition, the system is offered with various gun calibers, ranging from 39 to 52 calibre, in order to meet different customer requirements.

Overview

The ATMOS is fitted with a 155 mm/52 calibre ordnance which conforms to NATO Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU), and is mounted on a 6 × 6 cross-country truck chassis. The breech mechanism is horizontal sliding which automatically opens to the right with a self-sealing metal obturating ring. The buffer is a cylinder hydraulic with a hydropneumatic recuperator. Recoil length is variable from 850 to 1,100 mm with two pneumatic equilibrators. Weapon elevation and traverse are all hydraulic and computer controlled. The gun's aiming gears, load assist systems and spades are operated by a hydraulic power pack. With a 155 mm/52 barrel, a 41 km maximum range can be achieved, using Extended Range Full-Bore - Base Bleed (ERFB-BB) projectile, 30 km firing the NATO L15 High Explosive (HE) projectile and 24.5 km firing the older M107

M107 (projectile)

The M107 155mm projectile is the US Army and US Marine Corps' standard high explosive projectile for howitzers. It is a bursting round with fragmentation and blast effects.The M107 is being superseded in the US military by the M795 projectile....

 HE projectile. The ATMOS 2000 carries a total of 27 155 mm projectiles and associated charges and can be operated by a 4 man crew, consisting of two loaders positioned one either side at the rear. The system provides a rate of fire of between 4 and 9 rds/min.

Development

Late in 2001, Soltam Systems released details of the latest version of its ATMOS 2000 whose existence was first revealed late in 1999. At that time, it was also referred to as the 155 mm Self-Propelled Wheeled Gun (SPWG). The ATMOS was developed as a private venture and is aimed mainly for export markets, although it has already been demonstrated to the Israel Defense Force (IDF

Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...

). Wheeled self-propelled guns are usually cheaper to procure than their more common tracked counterparts, have lower life cycle costs and are easier to operate and maintain. In addition, they also have greater strategic mobility and do not rely on Heavy Equipment Transporters (HETs). By late 2001, the system fired over 1,000 rounds, during extensive trials in Israel. In mid-2003 an undisclosed export customer had placed a contract with the company worth USD5 million for an undisclosed batch of ATMOS 2000 systems. From late 2004 the Israel Defense Force (IDF) carried out extensive field tests the ATMOS 155 mm/39 calibre system.
There is also a Romanian version, called ATROM, that uses the same 155mm Soltam gun

Soltam M-71

The M-71 is a 155 mm 39 calibre towed howitzer manufactured by Soltam, Israel.-Design:The weapon was based on the earlier Soltam M-68 and uses the same recoil system, breech and carriage but had a longer gun barrel...

 on a locally developed ROMAN 26.360 DFAEG 6x6 truck chassis.

Capabilities

• Range
  • 41 km - 52 calibre
  • - 49 calibre
  • - 39 calibre
• rate of fire
  • Burst - 3 round with in 15 sec
  • Rapid - 5 round with in 1 min
  • Sustained - >80 round an hour
• Aiming resolution - 1 artillery mil
• Deployment time - ~1.5 minute to first shot

Users

-The Military of Cameroon

Military of Cameroon

The Cameroonian Armed Forces generally has been an apolitical force where civilian control of the military predominates. Traditional dependence on the French defense capability, although reduced, continues to be the case as French military advisers remain closely involved in preparing the...

 operates 30 systems. - ATROM version

See also

• Cardom
  Cardom
  The Cardom , is a Soltam Systems 120mm Recoil Mortar System , used by the US army, the Israeli Defence Force, NATO countries, and others. The Cardom is an autonomous, computerized system for mounting on light and medium armored carriers...
  
   - Soltam 120mm recoil mortar

• CAESAR self-propelled howitzer - self-propelled howitzer

• ARCHER Artillery System
  ARCHER Artillery System
  The Archer Artillery System or Archer - FH77BW L52 is an international project aimed at developing a next-generation self-propelled artillery system for Sweden and Norway...
  
   - self-propelled howitzer

• Nora B-52
  Nora B-52
  The Nora B-52 is an Serbian-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer . The Nora B-52 was designed with a modified version of the 152 mm field gun-howitzer M84 NORA-A mounted on an 8x8 truck bed. Its test trials have already been completed with great success and enthusiasm from Serbian officers and it...
  
  - self-propelled howitzer

External links

• ATMOS brochure on Soltam Systems web site

Video