Czech Republi

A delegation from the United States Army recently visited the Czechoslovak Group (CSG) in the Czech Republic to examine potential cooperation and assess the group’s capabilities in ground systems and artillery ammunition. During the visit, the delegation toured production sites, assembly lines, and manufacturing processes, including a demonstration of the Morana 155 wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed by Excalibur Army. The visit comes as the United States Army is advancing efforts to identify a replacement for its towed M777 howitzers, following the cancellation of its Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program. The service is now reviewing available self-propelled artillery systems already in production or development, seeking a near-term solution to improve mobility, survivability, and firepower. According to Excalibur Army, the United States Army delegation was given access to production facilities and had the opportunity to observe selected technologies and products in operation. At the company’s site, representatives were introduced to the Morana 155 system, one of the key artillery platforms in CSG’s portfolio. The delegation also attended a live-fire demonstration of the Morana 155. The company said the firing event was intended to demonstrate both the technological capabilities of the platform and Excalibur Army’s experience in developing modern artillery systems tailored to current operational requirements. (Excalibur Army pic) As noted by the company, the visit allowed U.S. representatives to closely examine manufacturing standards, production workflows, and system integration processes across CSG subsidiaries. The demonstration of the Morana 155 provided a direct look at a wheeled artillery solution designed for rapid deployment and sustained fire support. Breaking Defense reported that the United States Army is aiming to award a contract for its new self-propelled howitzer program by July. The effort is part of a broader modernization initiative focused on replacing legacy towed artillery with more mobile and survivable platforms. According to Breaking Defense, the program was launched after the Army halted internal development of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery system and shifted toward evaluating existing self-propelled howitzers in 2024. The report noted that an official list of competitors has not yet been released. However, several companies are known to be pursuing the program. These include South Korea’s Hanwha, Germany’s Rheinmetall, U.S.-based Elbit America, and a joint offering from Leonardo DRS and European land systems group KNDS. The Morana 155 is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer designed to provide indirect fire support while maintaining high mobility. Mounted on a wheeled chassis, the system is intended to operate on road networks and deploy quickly without the logistical burden associated with tracked platforms. It integrates a 155mm artillery gun capable of firing standard NATO ammunition types. Wheeled self-propelled howitzers offer advantages in rapid repositioning, reduced setup time, and lower maintenance demands compared to towed systems. These characteristics have become increasingly relevant in modern conflict environments, where counter-battery threats and drone surveillance require artillery units to relocate frequently after firing. The United States Army’s interest in such systems reflects broader trends observed in recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, where artillery mobility and survivability have become critical factors. Systems that can fire and relocate quickly are better positioned to avoid detection and return fire.

Czech Republi

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Czech Republi

U.S. Army evaluates Morana self-propelled howitzer

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