XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon

XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon
	Pre-production vehicle
General properties
crew	2
length	approx. 6000 mm
width	<3000 mm
height	<2740 mm
Dimensions	24 tons max.
	Armor and armament
Armor	Composite + Quick Kill APS
Main armament	155 mm L / 38 with 24 rounds ; 90 propellant charge modules
Secondary armament	ACSW
agility
drive	MTU Detroit Diesel 5L890, diesel-electric ; 750 hp
suspension	hydropneumatic
Top speed	60/90 km / h terrain / road
Power / weight	30 hp / t
Range	500 km estimated

The XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon ( NLOS-C ; English "non-sight gun") was a project of the United States Army . It represented the artillery component of the Future Combat System . If implemented, it would be part of the military global information grid .

System description

The system was manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments. The system was intended to replace the US Army's obsolete M109 Paladin howitzers. It has an autoloader for the 155 mm cannon with 38 caliber lengths and is able to fire intelligent ammunition. Since the system is based on the Manned Ground Vehicle platform , it can be air-loaded, but is only moderately armored. This disadvantage should be compensated for by the fact that it can be deployed quickly in order to avoid counterfire and protective measures against anti-tank weapons that are active at a distance . The total weight is only 24 tons when fully loaded.

On August 16, 2005, General Dynamics Land Systems selected the 5L890 engine, manufactured by MTU Detroit Diesel ( Tognum Group), to power the Manned Ground Vehicle platforms. 47 engines will be delivered by MTU Detroit Diesel by 2011 in order to try out and test the FCS Manned Ground Vehicles.

On July 20, 2007, the congress decided to procure 18 pre-production vehicles, which are to be delivered between 2010 and 2012. On May 30, 2008 the first prototype was delivered to the army. With the termination of the FCS program by Defense Secretary Robert Gates , the project was discontinued.