US Barrel Artillery Systems. ERCA program and a new firing range record
In the future, a whole series of barrel artillery systems of the US Army will give way to new models with increased range and accuracy. Creating a replacement for them is now under way within the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program, implemented by Picatinny Arsenal and a number of related organizations. The first works in this direction began in the 2015 year, and by now they have led to the emergence of a number of prototypes with remarkable characteristics. In recent weeks, official sources and specialized media revealed the latest successes of the ERCA project.
Experienced howitzer M777ER. Photo US Army
8 in May, the press service of the US Army reported on the recent conduct of regular tests under the ERCA program. At one of the landfills, test shooting took place again using an experienced self-propelled gun with a new type of gun and a number of projectiles of different models. Estimated characteristics weapons fully confirmed, showing the benefits of new developments.
As a platform for experienced weapons used converted serial ACS M109. It has a new long-barreled XM907 gun mounted on an XM908 unit. A standard shot with an M549A1 active-projectile, a M982-operated Excalibur and a promising XM1113 were used in the shooting. The aim of the shooting was to determine the maximum range of fire.
When using a standard ACN M109 gun, the firing range of the M549A1 projectile reaches 23,5 km. The XM907 cannon successfully sent it to 30 km. The range of the controlled M982 has increased from 40 to 62 km. The best results showed the latest projectile XM1113 - he flew on 72 km.
It should be noted that such results are no longer news. Previously, within the framework of the ERCA program, other test firing with the use of new products was carried out, and they consistently showed a serious increase in the basic characteristics. In the last tests, they again increased the parameters.
Officials clarify that while we are talking only about technology demonstrators. According to the results of the current test work, the specialists of the army and defense enterprises will have to determine the exact appearance of future serial systems. It is obvious that the latter will be based on the components and devices that are currently being tested.
Within the framework of the ERCA program, several types of weapons and support systems of all main classes have been created and are being tested. Now they are being tested as technology demonstrators. We are talking about a pair of guns in towed and self-propelled performance, the means for promising self-propelled guns and new shots.
The first prototype of the ERCA program in 2016 was the 155-mm howitzer M777ER - a redesigned version of the M777A1 serial with a barrel length 55 caliber. In 2017-m built an experimental self-propelled gun with a similar weapon, received the index XM907. The new XM777 howitzer differs from the M907ER in a barrel-sized 58. Together with the XM907, an experienced self-propelled gun used the installation XM908 and updated tools for fire control and guidance, as well as improved automation to work with ammunition.
Experienced self-propelled M109 with XM907 gun. Photo Thedrive.com
The ERCA cannon shot includes a variable charge XM654 and a projectile XM1113. The latter is made in the case of the type of serial products, but has a modern content. Such a high-explosive fragmentation projectile has a guidance system with inertial and satellite navigation. Control is carried out by aerodynamic control surfaces. Also, the product is equipped with a full-sized compact solid fuel engine.
The XM1113 projectile was created for new implements, but it can also be used with existing 155-mm systems. However, a shorter barrel length for other guns degrades the initial acceleration and reduces the firing range to 40 km. With the use of ERCA guns, the range increases in a noticeable way. Last year, during testing, this parameter reached 62 km, and not so long ago, it was possible to shoot at 10 km further.
Another projectile, the XM1115, is being developed. This project takes into account modern threats and provides guidance without the use of GPS data. This will allow targets to be hit with high accuracy when the enemy uses EW and the absence of satellite signals. In terms of combat qualities, the XM1115 should be close to the XM1113.
At the moment, the main goal of the ERCA program is to develop promising technologies needed to increase the range of artillery systems. Several technology demonstrators have been created, with the help of which new ideas are being developed. In the future, based on them, full-fledged models of weapons for the army will be developed.
To date, the range of the XM907 / XM1113 complex was able to bring to 70-72 km, which is twice or more above the characteristics of serial systems. A twofold increase in range in a known manner increases the area of responsibility of 155-mm guns / ACS, with clear consequences for its combat use. In fact, we can talk about a real breakthrough in the field of shooting from closed positions.
There are also other goals. First of all, the fire control systems are being improved, which will provide increased accuracy of fire. Attention is paid to automated loading tools that can increase the rate of fire. Fundamentally new guided missiles should also affect accuracy and efficiency.
Components of the ERCA program. Figure Defence-blog.com
Existing technology demonstrators maintain compatibility with existing ammunition of their caliber. In this case, the increase in combat effectiveness is provided by an increase in the range of 25-30%, a higher rate of fire and a more accurate aiming when shooting.
While the ERCA program is at the stage of testing prototypes built using new technologies and solutions. After the demonstration stage, it is planned to begin the development of full-fledged new tools and shells suitable for use in the military. Their adoption is expected to significantly increase the combat capability of artillery units.
For a certain time, new tools and self-propelled guns will have to serve along with older models, which are lagging behind in their basic characteristics. The ERCA project provides for compatibility of new guns with old shots, which in the future will simplify the joint operation of systems of different generations. At the same time, even with the use of old shots, new weapons will be more effective. The use of new ammunition, in turn, will lead to an even greater increase in performance.
However, while all this is just plans. At the moment, specialists from Arsenal Picatinny and other defense organizations are busy working out new solutions, on the basis of which in the foreseeable future they will create full-fledged samples of weapons. While participants of the ERCA program are not ready to give exact dates for the completion of current work and the transition to the design of combat samples. The same applies to the cost and other features of future products.
Thus, the current program Extended Range Cannon Artillery looks extremely interesting and promising, and also shows what results can be obtained with the current level of technology development. However, the US Army has so far to observe only the experiments and research, while real and practically applicable results will appear only after a few years.
Experienced howitzer M777ER. Photo US Army
Range tests
8 in May, the press service of the US Army reported on the recent conduct of regular tests under the ERCA program. At one of the landfills, test shooting took place again using an experienced self-propelled gun with a new type of gun and a number of projectiles of different models. Estimated characteristics weapons fully confirmed, showing the benefits of new developments.
As a platform for experienced weapons used converted serial ACS M109. It has a new long-barreled XM907 gun mounted on an XM908 unit. A standard shot with an M549A1 active-projectile, a M982-operated Excalibur and a promising XM1113 were used in the shooting. The aim of the shooting was to determine the maximum range of fire.
When using a standard ACN M109 gun, the firing range of the M549A1 projectile reaches 23,5 km. The XM907 cannon successfully sent it to 30 km. The range of the controlled M982 has increased from 40 to 62 km. The best results showed the latest projectile XM1113 - he flew on 72 km.
It should be noted that such results are no longer news. Previously, within the framework of the ERCA program, other test firing with the use of new products was carried out, and they consistently showed a serious increase in the basic characteristics. In the last tests, they again increased the parameters.
Officials clarify that while we are talking only about technology demonstrators. According to the results of the current test work, the specialists of the army and defense enterprises will have to determine the exact appearance of future serial systems. It is obvious that the latter will be based on the components and devices that are currently being tested.
Project components
Within the framework of the ERCA program, several types of weapons and support systems of all main classes have been created and are being tested. Now they are being tested as technology demonstrators. We are talking about a pair of guns in towed and self-propelled performance, the means for promising self-propelled guns and new shots.
The first prototype of the ERCA program in 2016 was the 155-mm howitzer M777ER - a redesigned version of the M777A1 serial with a barrel length 55 caliber. In 2017-m built an experimental self-propelled gun with a similar weapon, received the index XM907. The new XM777 howitzer differs from the M907ER in a barrel-sized 58. Together with the XM907, an experienced self-propelled gun used the installation XM908 and updated tools for fire control and guidance, as well as improved automation to work with ammunition.
Experienced self-propelled M109 with XM907 gun. Photo Thedrive.com
The ERCA cannon shot includes a variable charge XM654 and a projectile XM1113. The latter is made in the case of the type of serial products, but has a modern content. Such a high-explosive fragmentation projectile has a guidance system with inertial and satellite navigation. Control is carried out by aerodynamic control surfaces. Also, the product is equipped with a full-sized compact solid fuel engine.
The XM1113 projectile was created for new implements, but it can also be used with existing 155-mm systems. However, a shorter barrel length for other guns degrades the initial acceleration and reduces the firing range to 40 km. With the use of ERCA guns, the range increases in a noticeable way. Last year, during testing, this parameter reached 62 km, and not so long ago, it was possible to shoot at 10 km further.
Another projectile, the XM1115, is being developed. This project takes into account modern threats and provides guidance without the use of GPS data. This will allow targets to be hit with high accuracy when the enemy uses EW and the absence of satellite signals. In terms of combat qualities, the XM1115 should be close to the XM1113.
Goals and objectives
At the moment, the main goal of the ERCA program is to develop promising technologies needed to increase the range of artillery systems. Several technology demonstrators have been created, with the help of which new ideas are being developed. In the future, based on them, full-fledged models of weapons for the army will be developed.
To date, the range of the XM907 / XM1113 complex was able to bring to 70-72 km, which is twice or more above the characteristics of serial systems. A twofold increase in range in a known manner increases the area of responsibility of 155-mm guns / ACS, with clear consequences for its combat use. In fact, we can talk about a real breakthrough in the field of shooting from closed positions.
There are also other goals. First of all, the fire control systems are being improved, which will provide increased accuracy of fire. Attention is paid to automated loading tools that can increase the rate of fire. Fundamentally new guided missiles should also affect accuracy and efficiency.
Components of the ERCA program. Figure Defence-blog.com
Existing technology demonstrators maintain compatibility with existing ammunition of their caliber. In this case, the increase in combat effectiveness is provided by an increase in the range of 25-30%, a higher rate of fire and a more accurate aiming when shooting.
Distant future
While the ERCA program is at the stage of testing prototypes built using new technologies and solutions. After the demonstration stage, it is planned to begin the development of full-fledged new tools and shells suitable for use in the military. Their adoption is expected to significantly increase the combat capability of artillery units.
For a certain time, new tools and self-propelled guns will have to serve along with older models, which are lagging behind in their basic characteristics. The ERCA project provides for compatibility of new guns with old shots, which in the future will simplify the joint operation of systems of different generations. At the same time, even with the use of old shots, new weapons will be more effective. The use of new ammunition, in turn, will lead to an even greater increase in performance.
However, while all this is just plans. At the moment, specialists from Arsenal Picatinny and other defense organizations are busy working out new solutions, on the basis of which in the foreseeable future they will create full-fledged samples of weapons. While participants of the ERCA program are not ready to give exact dates for the completion of current work and the transition to the design of combat samples. The same applies to the cost and other features of future products.
Thus, the current program Extended Range Cannon Artillery looks extremely interesting and promising, and also shows what results can be obtained with the current level of technology development. However, the US Army has so far to observe only the experiments and research, while real and practically applicable results will appear only after a few years.
Information