Rascal (artillery)

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The Rascal Light Self Propelled Gun Howitzer is a highly mobile, long range, high speed, lightweight artillery system, manufactured by Soltam Ltd of the Koor Industries Group based in Haifa, Israel.

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.

ARMAMENT

Rascal is available with a 39 or 45 calibre 155 mm gun. The gun is mounted on a 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.

PROPULSION

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.