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The XM2001 Crusader was to be the United States Army's next-generation self-propelled howitzer (SPH), designed to improve the survivability, lethality, mobility, and effectiveness of the artillery as well as the overall force. It was initially scheduled for fielding by 2008. United Defense was the prime contractor; General Dynamics the major subcontractor. In early May 2002, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld cancelled the $11 billion USD program because he considered it neither mobile nor precise enough.〔(U.S Senate Committee on Armed Services, 16 May 2002 - Testimony by Donald Rumsfeld ) (pp. 9-11)〕 The prototype SPH vehicle is on display at the cannon park at Fort Sill. ==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 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: * A cooled XM297E2 cannon for sustained high rates of fire * Automated ammunition handling and loading * Cockpit with embedded command and control * Composite armor * Survivability features to protect the vehicle and crew * GE/Honeywell LV100-5 gas turbine engine 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. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「XM2001 Crusader」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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