52-626: The M982 Excalibur (previously XM982 ) is a 155 mm extended-range guided artillery shell developed in a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC). The Excalibur was developed and/or manufactured by prime contractor Raytheon Missiles & Defense , BAE Systems AB ( BAE Systems Bofors ) and other subs and primes in multiple capacities such as Camber Corporation and Huntington Ingalls Industries . It
104-553: A U.S. Marine Corps M777 howitzer in Helmand province , Afghanistan, fired a single Excalibur round that killed a group of insurgents at a Marine-record range of 36 kilometers (22 mi). In December 2012, Raytheon received a $ 56.6 million contract for low-rate initial production of Excalibur Ib projectiles. On 10 September 2013, Raytheon received a $ 54 million contract for a second lot of Excalibur Ib artillery rounds. The Excalibur Ib has improved reliability and lower unit cost than
156-688: A common caliber between the Royal Navy and the British Army . Despite superficially appearing to be inferior based on a simple comparison of round diameters, when firing conventional ammunition the smaller, 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun is comparable to the standard 155 mm (6.1 in) gun-howitzer of the British Army. The standard shell from a 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun has the same, if not better, range. Only by using rocket-assisted projectiles (RAPs) can most 155 mm (6.1 in) guns have comparable range to
208-529: A domestic production of shells. As of December 2022, the production rate was "in the thousands". The US declared its plans to increase the production to 90,000 per month, to reach 1,000,000 shells per year in 2025. Rheinmetall said it was ready to boost production to 500,000 per year. In summer 2023, the EU approved a plan that provides for the production of 650,000 large-calibre ammunition per year, and pledged to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine over
260-526: A good compromise between range and power, while using just a single caliber greatly simplifies the logistics burden. This has led to the obsolescence of larger caliber artillery shells such as the 175 and 203 mm (6.9 and 8.0 in). Some militaries continue to retain the smaller 105 mm (4.1 in) weapons for their light weight and greater portability. Russia and former Eastern Bloc countries tend to use 122, 130, and 152 mm (4.8, 5.1, and 6.0 in) artillery in similar roles. Since
312-645: A live fire guided test flight of the Excalibur N5, a company-funded initiative to reduce the 155 mm Excalibur shell to 127 mm (5") for use with naval guns mounted on destroyers and cruisers. The Excalibur Ib and N5 have 70% commonality, 99% identical software, and the same guidance and navigation unit (GNU). Its primary uses would be to allow warships to accurately fire shells against land targets in support of troops ashore and inexpensively destroy fast attack craft (FAC) at longer ranges. Unguided 127 mm (5.0 in) shells from Mark 45 naval guns have
364-645: A new 155 mm self-propelled gun. The MoD was also required to consider the US "Paladin", an upgraded M109 howitzer . The MoD undertook studies in 2006–09 to "up-gun" the Royal Navy's main shipboard gun armament , the 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun , to accept 155 mm ammunition from the AS-90. This would have introduced a common gun calibre for the British Army and Royal Navy , helping with ammunition logistics, and encouraging joint Army-Navy development of extended-range and precision-guided shells. The development of this gun for
416-675: A new ORD in September 2004 which removed the Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition "cluster bomb" variant in favor of the discriminating munition variant. Later that year the U.S. Army reduced its planned order to 30,000 rounds. Low-rate production of 500 rounds was approved in May 2005 and Raytheon was awarded a contract to produce 165 rounds in June 2005, worth $ 22.1 million. In September of that year,
468-644: A new system is decided upon as part of the Mobile Fires Platform program, where Archer was a competitor. On April 23, 2024 the UK government announced that the AS-90 would be replaced by the RCH 155 . AS-90 started in the mid-1980s as a private venture on the gamble that the tri-national SP70 would fail. When this did occur, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a cardinal point specification on one page for
520-428: A part of BAE Systems . In 1999, Marconi Electronic Systems was contracted to upgrade British Army AS-90s to include a 52 calibre gun in order to increase the range of the artillery. Critical to the programme was a bi-modular charge system from Somchem of South Africa (selected after extensive trials of ammunition from many suppliers), which offered greatly reduced barrel wear. However, this ammunition failed to meet
572-409: A range of 13 nmi (15 mi; 24 km), but can deliver accurate fire only out to 8 nmi (9.2 mi; 15 km), while small cruise missile -carrying attack boats can launch from 15–20 nmi (17–23 mi; 28–37 km) away. Like the land-based version, the Excalibur N5's guidance fins pop out after launch to glide the round out to longer ranges before turning nose-down and diving to
SECTION 10
#1732783884364624-419: A range of 24.7 km (15.3 mi). However, this was a new design of ordnance using a split sliding block breech with Crossley obturation, instead of the more usual screw breech, to permit bagged charges (no metal cartridge cases). The breech mechanism has a primer magazine holding 18 primers. The standard ammunition is that designed for FH-70 (L15 HE and associated propelling charges) although in training
676-761: Is a GPS and inertial-guided munition capable of being used in close support situations within 75–150 meters (250–490 ft) of friendly troops or in situations where targets might be prohibitively close to civilians to attack with conventional unguided artillery fire. In 2015, the United States planned to procure 7,474 rounds with a FY 2015 total program cost of US$ 1.9341 billion at an average cost of US$ 258,777 per unit. By 2016, unit costs were reduced to US$ 68,000 per round. Versions that add laser-guidance capability and are designed to be fired from naval guns began testing in 2015. By October 2018, over 1,400 rounds had been fired in combat. Excalibur, named after
728-596: Is a NATO -standard artillery shell caliber that is used in many field guns , howitzers , and gun-howitzers . It is defined in AOP-29 part 1 with reference to STANAG 4425. The 155 mm (6.1 in) caliber originated in France after the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871) . A French artillery committee met on 2 February 1874 to discuss new models for French fortress and siege artillery, among which there
780-424: Is used to minimize collateral damage , for targets beyond the range of standard munitions, for precise firing within 150 meters (490 ft) of friendly troops, or when terrain prevents direct fire . It has a multi-function fuze that can be programmed to explode in the air , once it hits a hard surface, or after it penetrates a target. One Excalibur projectile can accurately hit an intended target that would require
832-552: The US Navy 's Advanced Gun System (AGS) also uses a 155 mm (6.1 in) caliber, it is not compatible with NATO-standard 155 mm (6.1 in) ammunition. Only one type of ammunition was ever developed and procurement was discontinued in 2016 due to its high cost, making the AGS unusable. Compatible with NATO projectiles: Unknown compatibility: As of February 2023 –March 2023, Ukraine was firing up to 10,000 artillery shells per day, with
884-416: The mythical sword of King Arthur , was developed as a longer-range alternative to conventional artillery shells, with GPS guidance for improved accuracy. Excalibur has a range of approximately 40 to 57 kilometers (25 to 35 mi) depending on configuration, with a circular error probable (CEP) of four meters (13 ft), while unguided Western artillery shells can land up to 150 meters (490 ft) from
936-567: The trunnion . All main turret functions are controlled by a Turret Control Computer (TCC) with control and display units for the No 1 (Detachment Commander), No 2 (loader) and No 3 (layer). The combination of the DRU, TCC and powered laying controls provide autolaying. Every gun is fitted with a radar Muzzle Velocity Measuring Device. Reversionary mode laying uses deflection laying via the direct fire sight. The gun can be brought into action fully closed down;
988-618: The 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun and by doing so there is a reduction in the payload. This is because naval guns can be built much more strongly than land-based self-propelled gun-howitzers, and have much longer barrels in relation to caliber (for example the 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun has a barrel length of 55 calibers , while the standard AS-90 self-propelled gun has a barrel length of 39 calibers). This allows naval guns to fire heavier shells in comparison to shell diameter and to use larger propellant charges in relation to shell weight, leading to greater projectile velocities. Even without active cooling,
1040-545: The AS-90 had been 2030, but this was later delayed to 2032 with a replacement planned to enter service in 2029. On 24 April 2022, the Daily Express reported that AS-90s and 45,000 artillery rounds would be sent to Ukraine but that was subsequently denied by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace . On 14 January 2023, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that Britain would send 30 AS-90 to Ukraine, amongst other supplies (including 14 Challenger 2 tanks), for use in
1092-575: The British land component, General Brims , commented that "the phenomenal accuracy of it, [was] way beyond anything that one might have expected". AS90s were used to shell Iraqi mortar positions during the Battle of Basra , one of the opening battles of the conflict. In October 2023, Defence Minister Adam Ingram stated it had a 92% availability rate during the war. A total of 20 battle-ready AS90s and 12 non-functional spares were donated to Ukraine by
SECTION 20
#17327838843641144-473: The Excalibur Ib averaged a miss distance of less than 2 m (6.6 ft). On 31 July 2014, Raytheon received a $ 52 million contract to begin full-rate production of the Excalibur Ib shell. In June 2014, Raytheon successfully test-fired its Excalibur S shell with a dual-mode GPS/SAL guidance system. The variant incorporates a laser spot tracker (LST) into the Excalibur Ib shell. The test was to validate
1196-720: The Excalibur projectile are the American M198 and M777 howitzers. According to media, Excalibur ammunition was also used with AHS Krab in 2022 in combat in Ukraine, obtaining range above 40 km (25 mi). The U.S. Navy had considered using the Excalibur in the Zumwalt -class destroyer 's Advanced Gun System following the cancelation of the Long Range Land Attack Projectile , but
1248-749: The LST's ability to survive being fired from a howitzer and was initialized with GPS coordinates, then a laser designator guided the round to the target. In February 2020, Raytheon announced the Excalibur S had been successfully tested against a moving target using its laser seeker. In April 2024, Hanwha Aerospace conducted test fires of the M982A1 Excalibur Increment Ib at Yuma Proving Ground using Norwegian K9 VIDAR variant. The K9 used various fuze modes and achieved less than one meter CEP in Point Detonating mode and 5 meters above
1300-646: The Royal Navy was stopped due to budget cuts in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 . In 1963 certain NATO nations, including the UK, agreed to a "Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding" for a 155 mm 39 calibre ordnance and a baseline projectile with the shape used for the US M549 rocket-assisted shell. The AS-90 uses a conforming 39 calibre barrel which fires the L15 unassisted projectile out to
1352-1176: The U.S. Army approved an Urgent Material Release to allow deployment to Iraq. The Excalibur was first operationally fired in Iraq in May 2007. Increment Ia-2 achieved a 40 kilometers (25 mi) range in a live-fire demonstration in April 2007 and in July the Army Acquisition Executive approved the Milestone C decision for Ia-2 to enter low-rate production. The munition was developed with US$ 55.1 million in financial assistance from Sweden , which expected to receive service rounds in 2010. The Excalibur debuted in Afghanistan in February 2008. The Australian Army ordered US$ 40 million of Excalibur rounds in October 2007, an order revised in April 2008 to an estimated US$ 58 million. In 2008 unit cost
1404-477: The U.S. Army's planned order was cut further, from 30,000 rounds to 6,264, which increased the unit cost sufficiently that it triggered an investigation under the Nunn–McCurdy Amendment . Normally a Nunn-McCurdy breach signals a program in trouble, but a 2012 RAND report concluded that the unit cost increases were caused by the cuts in procurement numbers: fewer shells were needed for the same effect, due to
1456-602: The UK in 2023 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine , with first combat usage in June 2023. According to Ukrainian forces, the AS90 outperforms their existing Soviet-era artillery systems, such as the 2S1 Gvozdika and 2S3 Akatsiya , in both range and accuracy. In July 2024, the UK Ministry of Defence announced a new package of support for Ukraine including 10 AS90s and support for previously gifted ones. As of July 2024,
1508-501: The average monthly rate of 90,000–110,000 of 155 mm shells. In March 2023, the Ukrainian defense minister asked allies for 250,000 of such shells per month. Before the start of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022), the United States produced 14,400 shells per month. As of March 2023 , the rate has increased to 20,000 per month. Germany's Rheinmetall was producing 60,000–70,000 per year in 2022. Ukraine has
1560-547: The barrel can be clamped and unclamped from within the vehicle. In-to and out-of action times are less than one minute. The gun is compatible with the extended-range guided projectile M982 Excalibur . The AS90 was deployed in Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s to support NATO peacekeeping efforts during the Yugoslav Wars . 32 AS90s were also deployed during the 2003 Iraq War . Speaking of their capability, Commander of
1612-585: The end of World War II , the 155 mm (6.1 in) caliber has not found any use among naval forces despite its ubiquity on land with most NATO and aligned navies using 76 mm (3.0 in), 100 mm (3.9 in), 114 mm (4.5 in), or 127 mm (5.0 in) guns on modern warships. At one point the British Ministry of Defence studied "up-gunning" the Royal Navy 's 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval guns to give increased firepower and
M982 Excalibur - Misplaced Pages Continue
1664-458: The heavier naval gun barrels allow a faster sustained rate of fire than field guns, and this is exploited with an autoloading system with a capacity of several hundred rounds. The 155 mm (6.1 in) is better than the 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun for firing cannon-launched guided projectiles (CLGP) as the lower velocity of the 155 mm (6.1 in) shell makes it much easier for the projectiles' internal electronic guidance systems to survive being fired. While
1716-542: The improved accuracy of modern artillery. The Excalibur gives U.S. brigade commanders a precision weapon that is locally available, regardless of weather conditions (unlike bombs dropped from aircraft). Because the M982 is so accurate, the risks of friendly-fire casualties and collateral damage are no longer deterrents to using gun artillery in urban environments, and the Excalibur is sometimes called in only 50 m (160 ft) away from friendly infantrymen. In February 2012,
1768-541: The initial EMD contract on 23 January 1998. In November 2001 the volume was cut to 76,677 rounds and soon after this was further reduced to 61,483, but the developers were encouraged by the Indian experience of using Russian Krasnopol guided shells against Pakistani bunkers in the Kargil War of 1999. In March 2004 the program was merged with a Swedish/U.S. program to create Trajectory Correctable Munitions, reflected in
1820-488: The less effective but cheaper M107 with Green and White propelling charges is used. It is fitted with an auxiliary power unit to eliminate the need to run the main engine to keep the batteries charged while stationary; electrical servos drive the automated elevation, traverse, magazine, shell transfer arm and loader as well as power for electronics and communications. The vehicle is fitted with an autonomous navigation and gun laying dynamic reference unit (DRU) mounted on
1872-512: The next 12 months. AS-90 The AS-90 ("Artillery System for the 1990s"), known officially as Gun Equipment 155 mm L131 , is an armoured self-propelled artillery used by the British Army . It can fire standard charges up to 24.7 km (15.3 mi) using 39-calibre long barrel and 30 km (19 mi) with 52-caliber long barrel. The maximum rate of fire is 3 rounds in 10 seconds (burst); 6 per minute for 3 minutes (intense); and 2 per minute for 60 minutes (sustained). AS-90
1924-554: The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War . To fill the gap in British Army artillery left by the donation, the UK government announced they were buying 14 Archer Artillery Systems in March 2023. The deal was negotiated in just eight weeks as part of the Urgent Operational Requirement procurement process; the first vehicles are to be fully operational by April 2024. The purchase will fill a hole in capabilities until
1976-484: The plan was later abandoned. The Excalibur has been shown to be vulnerable to GPS jamming. When shells were first supplied to Ukraine during the Russian invasion of Ukraine , they initially hit targets with a 70% efficiency rate. However, within six weeks the Russians had adapted their electronic warfare systems and reduced its efficiency to only 6%. There are three versions of the system. Initial development effort
2028-483: The previous Excalibur Ia-1 and Ia-2. At the time of the award, over 690 Excalibur projectiles had been fired in theater. In February 2014, the U.S. Army and Raytheon fired 30 Excalibur Ib shells at test targets to confirm the performance and reliability of the configuration before full-rate production. Projectiles were fired from Paladin and M777 howitzers at ranges from 7 to 38 km (4.3 to 24 mi), each hitting within an average of 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) from
2080-422: The requirement for insensitive munitions and the project was terminated. It remains in UK service and equips three field regiments supporting armoured infantry brigades for the foreseeable future. In 2008, there were 134 AS-90 in service further reduced to 117 by 2015. In 2008 and 2009, a capability enhancement programme primarily upgraded AS-90's electronic system. The initial expected out-of-service date for
2132-567: The round was successfully demonstrated at Yuma Proving Ground , Arizona. Raytheon was awarded a $ 42.7 million contract for production of 335 Excalibur projectiles and related test articles and services in June 2006 for that fiscal year. In August 2006, technical problems relating to environmental sensitivity and GPS signal lock were discovered, pushing the expected in-service date to spring 2007. Testing in September demonstrated an actual average CEP of 5 m (20 ft) or better. Increment Ia-1 completed testing in early 2007 and in April that year
M982 Excalibur - Misplaced Pages Continue
2184-492: The round was successfully tested out to a range of 43.5 mi (70 km) using a supercharged propellant out of a 58-caliber-long Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) gun tube. Self-propelled guns compatible with the Excalibur projectile are the American M109A6 Paladin and M109A7, British AS-90 , German PzH 2000 , South African G6 , Swedish Archer and French Caesar . Towed guns compatible with
2236-399: The target at a range of 24 km (15 mi). While much more expensive at $ 68,000 per shell compared to an $ 800 unguided M777 shell, it is less expensive than the $ 150,000 rocket used in US guided-missile systems like M142 HIMARS and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System . Excalibur's extended range is achieved through the use of folding glide fins, which allow the projectile to glide from
2288-668: The target in Height of Burst mode from 50 km away. In December 2019, the Indian Army conducted firing trials of Excalibur guided shells in the Pokhran Field Firing Range from one of its M777 howitzer . India procured 600 units of the type in October the same year (500 with 20 m CEP and 100 with 2 m CEP). India will use this ammunition from all 155 mm caliber guns including M777, Haubits FH77 , Dhanush and K9 Vajra-T . In September 2015, Raytheon conducted
2340-417: The target, extending range to 20–26 nmi (23–30 mi; 37–48 km) depending on gun barrel length; although range would be greater with rocket assistance , cost would also be greater. Alternative seekers will be added to hit maneuvering targets, such as laser guidance that requires a spotter to designate it, and millimeter wave radar that needs no outside guidance. 155 mm 155 mm (6.1 in)
2392-405: The target. On 3 April 2014, the last Excalibur Ia projectile was assembled, signaling the transition to Increment Ib focus. Over 6,500 Ia shells were delivered to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps as well as several international customers. Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) for the Excalibur Ib was completed in May 2014, moving the projectile closer to full-rate production. Testing of
2444-540: The top of a ballistic arc toward the target. A lower cost alternative to the Excalibur is to use the US Army designed M1156 Precision Guidance Kit to turn existing 155 mm shells into precision weapons. The munition was co-developed by United States-based Raytheon Missiles & Defense (guidance system) and the Swedish BAE Systems Bofors (body, base, ballistics, and payload). Excalibur
2496-538: The use of between 10 and 50 unguided artillery rounds. Initial combat experience with Excalibur in Iraq in the summer of 2007 was highly successful, with 92% of rounds falling within four meters (13 ft) of their targets. Its performance was so impressive that the U.S. Army planned to increase production to 150 rounds per month from the previous 18 rounds per month. In 2012, Excalibur rounds reached new record ranges in combat of 36 kilometres (22 mi). In December 2020,
2548-539: Was US$ 85,000. In September 2008 both Raytheon and Alliant Techsystems were awarded competitive development contracts for Increment Ib mass production, but Raytheon secured the final manufacturing contract in August 2010. Test firings of Increment Ia-1 rounds in March 2009 revealed that the Honeywell inertial measurement unit was not up to standard, and it was replaced by a unit from Atlantic Inertial Systems. In April 2010
2600-586: Was a weapon in the 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) caliber range (later it became known as the De Bange 155 mm cannon ). After several meetings, on 16 April 1874 the committee settled on the 155 mm (6.1 in) caliber (in the subsequent program-letter of the committee, dating from 21 April 1874, the caliber was for the first time expressed as 155 mm (6.1 in)). Since the early 21st century, most NATO armies have adopted 155 mm (6.1 in) weapons as an all-purpose standard. They are seen as striking
2652-522: Was designed and built by the armaments division of Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering (VSEL). Between 1992 and 1995, VSEL supplied 179 vehicles at a cost of £300 million ($ 480 million). The AS-90 was first deployed by the British Army in 1993. The AS-90s were acquired to re-equip six of the eight self-propelled field artillery regiments (each of 24 guns) in the I (BR) Corps , replacing the 105 mm FV433 Abbot and older M109 155 mm Self Propelled Gun and FH70 towed howitzer. In 1999, VSEL became
SECTION 50
#17327838843642704-454: Was toward Increment I; Milestone C decisions were to be made on Increment II and III in FY2013, with a demonstration of those capabilities by 2020. Excalibur started as a development program in 1992. The Operational Requirements Document (ORD) of May 1997 called for 200,000 rounds of an unguided munition with increased range at an estimated cost of $ 4,000/round, and Texas Instruments was awarded
#363636