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The Dita is a new Czech self-propelled howitzer. It is a further development of the DANA M2, but with a new highly automated turret. This artillery system was developed by Excalibur Army. The Dita was first publicly revealed in 2021.
Unusual feature of this self-propelled howitzer is that it uses a turreted layout, based on a wheeled rather than tracked chassis. Such unusual design appeared in the former Czechoslovakia back in the 1980s in the form of DANA. This Czechoslovak howitzer proved itself well. With the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, both Czech republic and Slovakia carried on improving this wheeled self-propelled howitzer.
The Dita is fitted with a 155 mm/L45 ordnance. Maximum range of fire is 39 km with base bleed projectile. Though the Dita can also reach targets located 50 km away with precision ammunition.
Though by modern standards a howitzer with a 45-caliber ordnance lacks in range. For example a very similar Slovak Zuzana 2 howitzer uses a more capable 155 mm/L52 ordnance. A number of modern howitzers can reach in excess of 70 km with special ammunition.
This artillery system is also capable of direct firing. The turret is capable of 60˚ traverse.
Maximum rate of fire is 6 rounds per minute. Sustained rate of fire is 5 rounds per minute.
A total of 40 rounds with associated charges are carried for the main gun.
This artillery system has an armored cab. Though protection is rather limited. Armor protects the crew and vital components only against small arms fire and artillery shell fragments. Armor of the Dita is vulnerable even to 5.56 or 7.62 mm armor-piercing ammunition. An NBC filtration system is installed.
This artillery system is highly automated. It contains automatic ammunition loading system, navigation, automatic gun laying systems, ballistic computers, diagnostic systems etc. The Dita is operated by a crew of only 2 - driver and vehicle commander. Though there is also a workstation for a third crew member provided in the turret. It is used only in an emergency to manually operate the
turret.
Unlike many recent truck-mounted howitzers, such as the French CAESAR, that are based on modified military truck chassis, the Dita uses a purpose-built special wheeled chassis. Vehicle is powered by a Tatra T3C-928-90 turbocharged and air-cooled diesel, developing 400 hp. Engine is mated to an automatic transmission. This vehicle can travel over difficult terrain. There is an auxiliary power unit, which allows emergency control of the gun in case the main engine fails.
