Background
The Crusader was intended to replace the M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer and the M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (FAASV). It was intended to be an automated gun (as opposed to missile) artillery system to support the Interim Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT) Counterattack Corps and a basis for other vehicle developments.
Key features of the Crusader design included:
- Two Crusaders would fit in a C-17 Globemaster.
- A cooled XM297E2 cannon for sustained high rates of fire
- Automated ammunition handling and loading
- State-of-the-art cockpit with embedded command and control
- Composite armor
- Survivability features to protect the vehicle and crew
- LV100-5 gas turbine engine (common with the Abrams tank) to keep up with other fighting vehicles
Using the same chassis, the resupply vehicles (RSVs) would deliver automatic, reciprocal transfer of ammunition, data and fuel to the SPH or another RSV.
Read more about this topic: XM2001 Crusader
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