The gunners can control the entire loading and firing process from the safety of the computerised cockpit under armour and nuclear biological and chemical warfare protection. The high level of automation means that the howitzer and re-supply vehicle each require only three men to operate it. The Crusader consists of two vehicles, the XM2001 155mm self-propelled howitzer and the XM2002 armoured resupply vehicle. This allowed the howitzer to be more easily available for fire support missions. United Defense reduced the weight and size of the Crusader vehicle from 60t to 38t to 41t allowing two vehicles rather than one to be transported on a C-5 or C-17 aircraft. A battery of six Crusaders can deliver 15t of ammunition in less than five mins. The Crusader artillery system was intended to provide enhanced survivability, lethality and mobility and be more easily deployable and sustainable than current systems. The Crusader programme was being carried out by Team Crusader, led by United Defense. The first production versions were due in 2006 and it was planned to enter service in 2008. The system successfully completed its preliminary design review (PDR) in November 2001. ![]() Live firing trials of the Crusader began in February 2000 at Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona, and in November 2000 a firing rate of 10.4 rounds a minute was achieved. “The Crusader self-propelled howitzer was being developed for the US Army as a replacement for the Paladin.”
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