Developments of the past for the gun of the future: the SLRC project and predecessors

Information on the SLRC project. Photo Twitter.com/lfx160219

In the United States, a promising artillery complex SLRC (Strategic Long Range Cannon) is being developed. In 2023, the Pentagon plans to test a gun with a range of at least 1000 nautical miles (more than 1800 km). As reported, the project will be based on a number of modern technologies and solutions that can achieve the desired characteristics.

Land records

In recent years, the United States has been actively engaged in the problem of improving the combat qualities of artillery and for this purpose are developing several new projects. So, SLRC is created in a strategic niche, and ERCA, HVP and their derivatives are intended for the tactical level. Some of the new products for these projects have already been brought to the test, but the characteristics obtained are much more modest than expected for the SLRC.

The result of the ERCA (Extended Range Cannon Artillery) project has already become an experimental 155-mm howitzer M777ER. It features an elongated 58-caliber barrel (against 39 klb in the original M777), and is also intended to use a new shot with an enhanced charge and an XM1113 active-rocket projectile. An improved howitzer is proposed for use as part of advanced self-propelled guns.

Extended howitzer M777ER against the background of a serial gun. Photos US Army

The main decisions of the ERCA project are already paying off. In the spring, regular tests with firing at an increased distance took place. This time, the M777ER gun on a self-propelled platform was able to hit the target at a distance of 65 km. For firing used ammunition XM1113 and M982 Excalibur. The project developers are already talking about the fundamental possibility of a shot at 100 km, but have not yet specified when it will receive practical confirmation.

Developments for the fleet

For surface ships, the Mk 51 Advanced Gun System artillery mount with a 155 mm caliber barrel and a length of 62 klb has been developed. In terms of its design, this product is to a certain extent similar to other ship installations, but has a number of differences. The Mk 51 installation can use a variety of ammunition, incl. promising Hyper Velocity Projectile (HVP) projectiles with increased performance.

HVP is a unified guided projectile for use in systems of various types and calibers. Due to the optimization of aerodynamics, the presence of a solid-fuel engine and controls, an increase in range is ensured. With the help of various leading devices, the projectile can be used with 127 and 155 mm caliber guns, as well as in rail guns. Existing 155mm cannons are capable of sending HVPs up to 80 km, and for a long-barreled AGS, the estimated range is up to 130 km. High-energy railguns should provide a range of more than 180 km.

HVP projectile. BAE Systems Graphics

The HVP product has passed part of the tests using different systems. Various tasks are performed. So, in early September, it became known that an experienced AGS gun with the help of HVP was able to hit an incoming cruise missile. At the same time, the exact prospects for HVP have not yet been determined. Tests are ongoing, and the army or navy is not yet ready to make a final decision.

Technology of the past

In the context of ultra-long-range guns, it is necessary to recall the US-Canadian HARP (High Altitude Research Project) program, which was carried out in the sixties. It was based on the idea of ​​launching light spacecraft with the help of a special artillery complex. At the same time, the key elements of the project were a special gun and projectile with high performance.

As part of HARP, several experimental smoothbore guns were created with a caliber from 5 to 16 inches (from 127 to 416,5 mm). So, a 16-inch gun was made from two serial barrels by welding them and then drilling a channel to remove rifling. Such a gun with a length of more than 36 m was supposed to fire almost vertically and provide an initial projectile velocity of over 2150 m / s. One of the prototypes in the course of development received a trunk 53,5 m long.

For guns, HARP developed a special ammunition called Marlet. At different stages of the program, several versions of such a product were used, differing in their design, characteristics, payload, etc. The project began with the use of arrow-shaped sub-caliber projectiles, and in the later stages full-fledged active-reactive and rocket systems were used.

HVP in the master for use in 155mm guns. BAE Systems Graphics

Testing of HARP guns with Marlet ammunition continued for several years. Different projectiles with different propelling charges were tested. Various combinations of charge, elevation angle, etc. were studied. In the course of such experiments, a maximum trajectory altitude of 180 km was obtained - a 16-inch gun fired almost vertically.

Thus, the energy of the gun, when using optimal angles, made it possible to send a projectile to a distance of hundreds of kilometers. However, this mode of fire was not considered the main one, since the project had other tasks. Shooting from small angles was carried out only by a few experimental guns in the order of separate experiments.

Experience and developments

Thus, in the past and present, US specialists managed to conduct a lot of experiments and accumulate solid experience in the field of long-range and ultra-long-range artillery. At different times, various systems and individual components were developed and tested - and all these developments can find one place or another in the modern SLRC program.

One of the experienced guns of the HARP project. US Army Photos

Obviously, in order to fulfill the set requirements, the SLRC complex must include several components with special characteristics. The basis of the complex is a large-caliber gun capable of providing the initial acceleration of the projectile to high speed. It also requires a special projectile capable of using its initial energy as efficiently as possible, additionally accelerating on a trajectory and accurately hitting a distant target. Of great importance in such a complex are fire control systems, communication and target designation systems, etc.

The experience of the HARP project shows that even using the technologies of the middle of the last century, it is possible to create a weapon with a firing range of hundreds of miles. However, borrowing a finished design is not possible. This is hampered by the moral obsolescence of experimental systems, the complexity of their production and operation, as well as insufficient operational qualities for the army. The development of a modern ERCA product is also impractical due to the insufficient level of initial characteristics. In fact, an ultra-long-range gun has to be developed from scratch.

Perhaps in the future the SLRC will be able to use a guided "hyper-velocity" HVP projectile, modified as necessary. However, it is not clear whether such a product can provide the required range of 1000 miles. Perhaps the development of a new product is required, incl. based on the same technologies.

Models of advanced artillery systems. Probably, between the two self-propelled guns is the SLRC. Photo Twitter.com/lfx160219

Perhaps the easiest task is to create a complex of communication and control facilities. The United States has extensive experience in this area, and in addition, a variety of systems for this purpose are already in service. It is likely that the SLRC complex will be able to be integrated into existing control loops without much difficulty, which will simplify the interaction of artillerymen with reconnaissance and headquarters - and bring the effectiveness of fire to the desired level.

Unknown future

It should be recalled that not much is known about the SLRC program to date. Only the most basic requirements and some features of future operation are announced. The exact composition, appearance, etc. have not yet been disclosed, although some layouts and posters appeared at the events.

If they reflect reality, then in the future the US Army will receive a gun on a platform with the ability to be transported using a tractor. It will be served by a crew of eight people, and four guns will be included in the battery. Also, such a unit should include a command post, communications equipment and various support vehicles. The complex will be air transportable, although it will require heavy aircraft.

With the help of the SLRC, the American army plans to break into the enemy's defenses. Projectiles with a range of more than 1800 km will have to hit key defense targets at great depths, simplifying the further work of other branches of the military. Ultra-long-range guns will take on some of the tasks of operational-tactical missiles, but will be able to use simpler and cheaper ammunition - with obvious benefits.

At the moment, the SLRC project is under development, and the appearance of a prototype and the first firing are expected in 2023. As you can see, by now the United States has gained solid experience in developing artillery and increasing the firing range. Whether it will be possible with its help to solve a new super-difficult task of creating an ultra-long-range weapon will become known in the foreseeable future.

Comments

[Sergey_G_M]

I can even tell why they only shot upwards from those 16 inches.
1. When firing at an angle at a maximum distance of approximately 45 degrees, the projectile will stay in dense layers of the atmosphere 2-3 times longer and will be seriously slowed down.
2. When shooting at an elevation angle of less than 90 degrees, barrel wear will become very serious and you can forget about a cheap shot.

In general, it is not clear why these wunderwaffe when there is OTP.
Opupet 53,5 meters long barrel and do you still think that it will be cheaper than OTR?

[Bormanxnumx]

Quote: Sergey_G_M

. When shooting at an elevation angle of less than 90 degrees, barrel wear will become very serious and you can forget about a cheap shot.

How is barrel wear related to elevation angle?

Quote: Sergey_G_M

I can even tell why they only shot upwards from those 16 inches.

Because the HARP project was created to study the possibility of launching satellites using light gas guns.

[ZEMCH]

Quote: BORMAN82

How is barrel wear related to elevation angle?

Physics, gravity, wear on the bottom of the barrel is higher

[Zaurbek]

If, for example, "Hermes" is declared for 100 km ...

[Arkady Gaidar]

I was also surprised why to be so sophisticated when the same tasks are easier to solve with operational-tactical missiles.
Of course, the projectile itself (in this case, a rocket) comes out more expensive, but the launcher will be more mobile and cheaper.
It will not be possible to hide such an American fool from the reconnaissance of a potential enemy, or not for long, but it will cost almost like a space shuttle.
But in the area of ​​​​reducing the cost of launching small satellites into near-Earth orbit, the idea is very interesting.

[t-12]

If the enemy is obviously unable to destroy the durynda, then there is no need to hide it. There is a durynda somewhere in Kuwait (cheap sea transportation of ammunition) and controls Syria, Iraq, Iran. You can drive the natives without spending expensive rockets and not depending on the weather (for the operation of attack aircraft).

[Thrifty]

Will light satellites be launched into space with the help of these "rods"? The barrel swing will be such that the next shot will be fired in a few hours, when the barrel vibrations subside to acceptable values! But what about the wear of the barrel, what is its resource in general? ?? Or, most importantly, to knock out money, and then think about how to solve a lot of problems? ??

[Simargl]

Quote: Thrifty

Light satellites will be launched into space using these "fishing rods"?

Our Jules Verne wrote a long time ago how such a gun should look like.
Bury 300 meters in the ground and there will be a lot.

[silverwolf88]

strange attempts to create something expensive and meaningless ... back in the 60s, they decided on the tasks (and, accordingly, the ranges of use) of artillery systems and missile weapons ... where and what is more effective ... the goals of such an exercise are incomprehensible ...

[garri-lin]

The declared ranges are unattainable if the ammunition does not have its own engine. And complete. That is, an artillery launch for ballistic missiles. Expensive ammunition plus a very expensive launcher. Comrades, you are on the right path. Correct. They say the truth that recently there are dollar bills with tan marks in circulation. The machine seems to be getting hot from continuous work.

[Vadim237]

So it will definitely not be a classic howitzer and the projectile itself will be an actively reactive special design.

[garri-lin]

Which is what I wrote, an expensive rocket with a marching hypersonic flight speed. The question is why this missile needs an artillery launch with prohibitive overloads and an expensive launcher in the form of a mega-howitzer. It is not easier to put the ammunition on a trajectory with a conventional rocket booster. Gunpowder will need many times more. But you don't need a mega-howitzer.

[Vadim237]

It’s easier to shoot from the barrel than to create a solid-propellant launch booster, it costs a lot of money - the gun will definitely not be innovative, judging by the photo of the gun carriage, it’s just an improved 65 mm M280 gun, and the projectile itself will have a folded aerodynamic wing that will open at an altitude of 60 or more kilometers for gliding aeroballistic flight.

[garri-lin]

The barrel is easier to shoot. It is more difficult to make that trunk. And everything else that the trunk needs to be done is even more difficult. The length in calibers is huge. Length in meters just do beyond comprehension. Projectile speed is higher than normal. This means the load on the barrel is higher. This means the thickness of the barrel walls is greater than that of a conventional gun. The barrel resource will definitely not be large. Several hundred shots. If you count everything, then the solid fuel accelerator will also come out cheaper. Plus, the transportation and vulnerability of the guns will be a headache for the troops. And with a solid fuel booster, a rocket on a twin launcher is an analogue of Iskander. Only the rocket, due to its greater range, will be more powerful.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: garri-lin

And everything else that the trunk needs to be done is even more difficult. The length in calibers is enormous. Length in meters just do beyond comprehension. Projectile speed is higher than normal. This means the load on the barrel is higher. This means the thickness of the barrel walls is greater than that of a conventional gun. The barrel resource will definitely not be large. Several hundred shots.

In short, the "Parisian Cannon" in all its glory.

[garri-lin]

Not really. The Parisian was weaker in projectile speed. Although in general the concept comes from there.

[Operator]

Why the hell is it far to shoot from artillery shells with rocket engines - what, does faith not allow using MLRS (the declared range, for example, "Polonaise" is 300 km)?

Another thing is that the conical shape of the body of the HVP artillery projectile is optimal for speeds of 5-6M, but what prevents the use of the same form factor for the warhead of the MLRS guided projectile, which is separated after the completion of the starting rocket engine? At the same time, the radar / optical signature of the URS during flight over most of the trajectory will be drastically reduced.

[Vadim237]

This weapon and such a projectile is an alternative to OTRK and IRBM - a cheaper option for delivering a nuclear charge and accurately hitting strategic targets, again, an alternative to cruise missiles and tactical guided bombs, such a projectile flying along an aeroballistic trajectory with the possibility of planning the upper atmosphere will be very difficult to shoot down any air defense, which it is precisely known that this gun has a caliber of 280 mm.

[Tsoy]

Saddam Hussein says hello.

In the 90s, a little before the first desert storm, there was a horror story that Iraq was creating a howitzer capable of hitting the territory of the United States.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Choi

Saddam Hussein says hello.

More like Gerald Vincent Bull. Moreover, the HARP mentioned in the article is his brainchild.

[Tsoy]

more like Gerald Vincent Bull. Moreover, the HARP mentioned in the article is his brainchild.

Thank you for reading about it. I didn't know the details before. A bitter end for an inventor.

[Simargl]

Quote: Choi

there was a horror story that Iraq was creating a howitzer capable of hitting the territory of the United States.

Nuclear gunpowder is needed.