History[]
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 ("armored howitzer 2000"), abbreviated PzH 2000, is a German 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall for the German Army. The PzH 2000 is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems deployed in the 2010's. It is particularly notable for a very high rate of fire; in burst mode it can fire three rounds in nine seconds, ten rounds in fifty-six seconds, and can—depending on barrel heating—fire between ten and thirteen rounds per minute continuously. The PzH 2000 has automatic support for up to five rounds of Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI). The replenishment of shells is automated. Two operators can load sixty shells and propelling charges in less than twelve minutes. The PzH 2000 has also been selected by the armies of Italy, the Netherlands, Greece, and Croatia; even more orders are probable as many NATO forces are beginning to replace their aging M109 howitzers.