Tel Aviv: The operational need for advanced artillery systems is behind Elbit Systems effort to add autonomous capabilities to its Sigma artillery systems. This operational need became very clear in the ongoing war and on the two fronts – Gaza and Lebanon.
Israeli defence sources pointed out that the artillery system may be fully autonomous but there will always be a “man in the loop” to pull the trigger.
“It may be capable of moving into position and locate targets but the trigger will remain in the hands of a human,” one source said.
The Israeli company is working to add capabilities to its automatic 155 mm artillery system. The capability now under development is an autonomous mode of operation.
The Sigma is the export version of the “Roem” that was recently introduced into service with the Israeli defence forces (IDF) artillery corps. This very advanced artillery system is a fully automatic, self-propelled howitzer, with automatic Load-Lay-Fire capabilities operated by a crew of 2 or 3 soldiers in a highly protected crew cabin.
The turret and cabin are mounted on a high-mobility tactical 10×10 wheeled platform that according to Elbit Systems provides excellent tactical and operational mobility both on- and off-road.
The interest in the Sigma technology brought German company Rheinmetall to participate last year in a live test in an Israeli fire range.
In 2022, Rheinmetall and Elbit inked a collaboration agreement to create, produce, and sell an automated wheeled self-propelled howitzer system. The two companies are in a process aimed at adapting the system to German regulatory approval procedures as well as European operational standards. Rheinmetall is now working on adjustments.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
