Leonardo DRS and European defense firm KNDS have partnered to propose the Caesar self-propelled howitzer for the U.S. Army’s Mobile Fires Platform initiative. The collaboration aims to introduce a combat-proven, wheeled artillery system with enhanced mobility, digital fire control, and rapid-deployment capability suited to future U.S. Army requirements. The Caesar, designed by France’s Nexter (part of KNDS), is already in service with multiple NATO allies and has gained combat experience in operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Under the partnership, Leonardo DRS will integrate American command, control, and communication systems, ensuring full interoperability with U.S. forces. The Caesar’s lightweight chassis and modular 155mm gun system allow for fast deployment, strategic transportability, and reduced logistical footprint. The U.S. Army’s interest in mobile artillery reflects its pivot toward dispersed, agile firepower concepts adaptable to high-intensity warfare. Leonardo DRS and KNDS are positioning their proposal as a ready, cost-efficient solution leveraging existing production lines and battlefield validation. The partnership builds on DRS’s domestic manufacturing expertise and KNDS’s extensive artillery technology portfolio.
