MOWAG ALFAS (Advanced Light Field Artillery System)

  The ALFAS is a cross-country, airmobile field artillery system designed by MOWAG of Switzerland. The vehicle is designed for export only.
  The vehicle uses the Barracuda series chassis for the platform. It features full crash cages for the driver and gunner/commander. Both are fully enclosed, and feature cabin overpressurization for crew survivability in an NBC environment. Each person has ten hours worth life support in such cases. Access to the vehicle is two large doors that open to each position, with the driver on the right, and the gunner/commander on the left side. In the middle is a large cargo area for personal equipment and tools. It is fully rigged, and features an improved suspension offering better off road capability than most comparable vehicles. The vehicle has been shaped better to offer a less sensor profile, which is helped by thermal baffles to reduce the vehicle's thermal profile. The engine is sealed from flames, and protection amounts to standard composite armor around the vehicle. Ablative Armor can be installed, and the vehicle is designed from the start for such capability. This is for in cases where differing deployments have different threat levels, and allows commanders to adjust the armor accordingly. It is also fully amphibious, allowing great mobility in the field.
  The vehicle features an extensive sensor suite, with the latest sensors. Capability is enhanced through the use of the Battletac FDDM system. For EW protection, the vehicle mounts military grade ECM/ECCM suites.
  The ALFAS mounts a turret mounted 155mm/39 barrel, shorter than standard artillery barrels. While this consequently gives shorter ranges, the lighter weight and size outweighed this deficiency. It can still fire all types of 155mm ammunition that is produced. The barrel can elevate from 0º to a maximum elevation of 60º. The turret can traverse a full 360º to allow engagement around the vehicle. Mounted on the sides is the ammunition in external cargo mounts. The right side of the turret mounts 20 artillery rounds, while the left side carries 20 Type I and II charges. A feed system allows selection of the round, and the appropriate charge as well. To handle the massive recoil of the system, an innovative reduction system has been developed. When the round fires, there is a small vent on the rear of the turret that reduces chamber pressure, allowing a full sized barrel system to be installed and fired from the vehicle. The vehicle does not mount any self protection system, though options exist to mount sentry guns, or remote controlled machine guns. The turret also mounts an autoloader for full fire capability. When the vehicle fires the weapon, four hydraulic jacks deploy to stabilize the vehicle.

  Handling | Speed | Accel | B/A | Sig | Autonav | Load | Cost
  5/6 | 80 | 5 | 6/6 | 6 | 4 | 800* | 4,896,300¥

  Seating: 2 bucket seats
  Access: 3 front hatches
  Economy: 3 km per liter
  Fuel: Diesel/500 liters
  Cargo: 10 + 2 x 2 CF
  ECM/ECCM: Military I(8)/Military I(8)
  Sensors: Military I (8)
  Other Features: Rigger Adaptation, 2 x Crash Cages, EnviroSeal (cabin overpressurization, gas), 20 man hours life support, Battletac FDDM Receiver, Level 3 Amphibious Package, Signature Improvement (2, Composite Materials), Autoloader, 2 x External Cargo Mounts.
  Armament: One turret mounted 155mm/39 barrel with 20 Type I charges, and 20 Type II charges mounted in external mounts.
  Weight (combat): 15,260 kilograms
  *Reduce to 200 kilograms when using Ablative Armor.
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