Within scope of PANTER Howitzer modernization, servo motor driver system, electronic units, hydraulic system and user interface are improved; promoting Digital Communication, Technical Fire Direction, Ballistic Calculation, Muzzle Velocity Management and integration to Fire Support Automation Systems.
With alterations to azimuth and elevation gear sets and utilization of passive hydro-pneumatic counterbalancing, manual steering of barrel is enabled even if the diesel engine and/or the batteries are out of order. Weapon related system electronics and vehicle electronics are made independent of each other.
Most beneficial outcomes of PANTER howitzer modernization are; increase in operational performance and decrease in maintenance and sustainment costs.
Modernization Benefits
• Integration of a hydro-pneumatic counterbalance accumulator detaches movement from vehicle hydraulic system and enables barrel to be elevated electrically or mechanically.
• Re-design of Ammunition Loading System (Flick-rammer) to dispose of jamming occurrences witnessed in prior design and to facilitate troubleshooting, maintenance and repair activities by displaying all sensor statuses on Fire Control System computer.
• Servo motor and driver addition to the system enables rapid and automated barrel movement while with feedback from the INS enables accurate laying.
• Technical fire direction and ballistic software utilization enables the Operator to calculate firing data via the Fire
Control System thus enabling the howitzer to conduct missions both in battery formation and stand-alone,
integrated with Fire Support Automation Systems.
• Muzzle Velocity Management increases system accuracy with every shot fired.
• Upgraded sub-systems enable Operator to conduct functions automatically that were previously manually
operated; such as turning system power on or off, conducting automatic firing, barrel laying via joystick etc.
• Military grade hardware and harness is used to minimize system failures.
