M982 Excalibur Projectile: Creation History and Development Opportunities
Extensive use of high precision weapons (WTO) was the key to victory in the military conflicts of the last decades, and its intensive development is the general line of development of the means of warfare in the leading states of the world.
Moreover, if earlier the WTO used mainly aviation, recently, considerable efforts have been made to create high-precision field artillery ammunition for firing from closed positions.
From the start of development to production
Nowadays in this sphere it was possible to achieve serious success. In particular, during the hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans often fire guided missiles from the MLRS MLRS. In the development of the 155-mm M982 "Excalibur" (Excalibur - the name of King Arthur's legendary sword), there is also a definite breakthrough, and it began in the 90-e.
Then the Pentagon leadership decided to improve the accuracy of 155-mm cluster artillery shells (CAS) with cumulative fragmentation combat elements (KOBE) using space-based radionavigation system (CRNS) "Navstar" combat vehicles for various purposes. At that time, the program received the name ERDPICT (Enhanced-Rang Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition). In 1996, the person responsible for its implementation is assigned to the project manager for the creation of a CAS with combat elements of precise aiming (BETP) SADARM (Sense And Destroy ARMor).
At the beginning of 1997, new requirements for a CAS with KOBE were formulated: the maximum range of a projectile with a bottom gas generator or a cruise engine must be at least 45 kilometers, ammunition must be equipped with 72 KOBE M42 / M46 or 85 KOBE HM80.
In January, 1998 was signed a contract for development work on the CAS HM982 topic. It was assumed that the planned projectile distance can be overcome due to the planned flight, which will allow a special aerodynamic shape and four-section tail of the ammunition.
In addition to the CAS with KOBE, the development of the CAS with the BAD SADARM (XM982 Block II) and the high-explosive fragmentation projectile (OFS) of concrete action (XM982 Block III) was proposed. The terms of the contract provided for the release in 2001 of a small batch of shells of all three types.
Meanwhile, in the Pentagon’s 2001, it is concluded that the US Army does not primarily need cluster munitions, but concrete-type OFS with the Increment 1 index. The CAS with BETP is still considered as the second variant of the projectile with the Increment 2 index. The third option is becoming an ammunition with a homing head with an index of Increment 3. Thus, the construction of a CAS with KOBE was discontinued, and the main task of the developers was to create a means for defeating structures, including fortified command posts.
It is possible that the abandonment of CAS with KOBE was caused by a significant drawback - a significant proportion of unexploded elements after their fall on the ground: with a firing range of up to 10 kilometers - two percent, over 10 - more than three percent. The hull ХМ982 was supposed to be equipped no longer with an American four-section tail, but with an eight-section Swedish, designed for a TCM projectile (Trajectory Correction Munition), and a bottom gas generator.
In the 2003 year, due to repeated technical problems, the US Department of Defense made a decision on the phased development of ammunition. Creating its first version included two stages - 1 and 1b. During the first sub-stage, the projectile was constructed in two versions - 1-1 and 1-2. The 1-1 version was simplified so much that it allowed us to produce and deliver ammunition to the troops as quickly as possible. Requirements for different XM982 1a options in 2003 year are presented in the 1 table. Particular attention was paid to reducing the cost of the projectile.
For the second version of the ammunition, due to the termination of the SADARM program in 2001, their foreign counterparts were considered as combat elements of precise aiming. The development of the third version of the projectile, starting with 2005, is funded separately. Thus, the main focus of the program was on creating the XM982 Increment 1 controlled concrete-drilling projectile.
In June, 2005-th signed a contract for the production of 140 shells ХМ982 1-1 (the cost of each - 144 thousands of dollars) for delivery in March next year. However, due to the detected failures during the tests, the first ammunition began to arrive only in September, and the shooting was possible only at the start of the 2007. In the same year it was planned to purchase two batches of HM982 1-1: 321 projectile - at a price of 153 thousands of dollars and 224 projectile - at a price of 120 thousands of dollars per unit, respectively.
Combat use and prospects
In April, 2007 th north of Baghdad HM982 1-1 fired at a real enemy for the first time. In May-August in Iraq, the Americans spent several more such shells. Their deviation from the target did not exceed four meters. But in Afghanistan, the ammunition did not show the expected high efficiency, as a result of which the total production of the 1 projectile was not 30 thousands, but 6264 units.
The first batch of XMUMNUMX 982-1 variants in the number of 2 units were produced in 362, and 2008 - in 458-m. In October, the 2009 of the 2010a-1 projectile was assigned the M2 index and a full-scale production of ammunition was planned for 982.
In September 2008, the Pentagon signed a contract to perform OCD to create the Increment 1b Excalibur option. The main requirement for developers was to reduce the cost of the projectile. It should have the following characteristics: circular probable deviation (CEP) - no more than 10 meters when used without CRNS interference, 30 meters - under interference conditions, maximum firing range - 35 – 40 kilometers, minimum - 3 – 8, reliability - no less 0,9, guaranteed penetration of concrete 10 – 20 thick centimeters.
As you can see, the requirements for the projectile in terms of firing range and reliability after 12 years of development have not only not tightened, but have noticeably softened. The achieved parameters for the 1 variant and the requirements for the 1b variant in the 2008 year are listed in the 2 table.
Preliminary tests of the 1b variant are planned for the third quarter of 2012, and the completion of the development is scheduled for the 2014 year. According to the plans of the creators of the munition, it should be supplied with a bottom gas generator, thanks to the introduction of new technical solutions, it will be less expensive. Two versions of the 1b projectile are offered: the first (Saber) with a main engine, its flight range will reach 48 kilometers, the second with a new tail unit made of titanium, the bottom gas generator (1 version) capable of hitting the target at a distance of 45 kilometers.
The principal differences in the construction of the versions of the 1 projectile and 1b are as follows. The tail part of the 1 version rotates relative to the body and is closed with a lid when fired. In the variant 1b, the bottom part of the projectile is fixed, protective coatings for the tail unit are not provided. The data for the 1 projectile motion control system are entered before firing into the read-only memory. For 1b, an external reprogramming device is supposed to be used, which makes it possible to change the nature of the impact of the munition on the target during its flight. The M982 projectile software with the Increment 3 index should autonomously determine the optimal aiming points, flight path and method of detonation. It is possible that the 1b variant will have the following types of equipment: smoke, thermobaric, lighting and non-lethal actions. It is planned to use a laser seeker and to realize the possibility of striking the target at a specified time.
The development of the M982 has proven to be more costly and time consuming than expected. In the production of 30 thousand shells it was expected that the price of each of them would be at the level of 75 thousand dollars, taking into account the cost of research and development. In fact, it was twice as much. Work continues and, consequently, financial costs and the cost of ammunition increase, which may lead at least to a reduction in the number of products purchased.
During the combat use of Excalibur, a number of flaws were revealed. The accuracy of the projectile hit depends on the stability of communication at the same time with at least three spacecraft. A negative point is also the obligatory presence of special equipment in the equipment of the howitzer for preparing ammunition for a shot, since it differs significantly from similar actions when firing with standard shells.
Despite the fact that the M982 is officially adopted for service, its entry into the troops and mass use in battles can be expected no earlier than 2014 – 2015. It is important to note that the development of only the first version of the projectile, which satisfies the minimum requirements, has been completed. It is possible that the ammunition with the index 1b, which meets all the requirements of the customer, will appear only in the 2015 year.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the creators of the 155-mm high-precision projectile M982 faced serious scientific and technical problems, which greatly delayed the creation of a new ammunition and increased its price. It is now equal to the cost 120 – 150 of conventional OFS. Probably, "Excalibur" can be cheaper, but not so much as to oust the latter from the ammunition of field artillery guns.
The “biting” price of precision projectiles means that they will be used in decisive areas and for the destruction of certain important targets (command posts, infrastructure facilities), as well as in conditions where it is necessary to avoid continuous destruction and death of persons not involved in an armed conflict.
Moreover, if earlier the WTO used mainly aviation, recently, considerable efforts have been made to create high-precision field artillery ammunition for firing from closed positions.
From the start of development to production
Nowadays in this sphere it was possible to achieve serious success. In particular, during the hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans often fire guided missiles from the MLRS MLRS. In the development of the 155-mm M982 "Excalibur" (Excalibur - the name of King Arthur's legendary sword), there is also a definite breakthrough, and it began in the 90-e.
Then the Pentagon leadership decided to improve the accuracy of 155-mm cluster artillery shells (CAS) with cumulative fragmentation combat elements (KOBE) using space-based radionavigation system (CRNS) "Navstar" combat vehicles for various purposes. At that time, the program received the name ERDPICT (Enhanced-Rang Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition). In 1996, the person responsible for its implementation is assigned to the project manager for the creation of a CAS with combat elements of precise aiming (BETP) SADARM (Sense And Destroy ARMor).
At the beginning of 1997, new requirements for a CAS with KOBE were formulated: the maximum range of a projectile with a bottom gas generator or a cruise engine must be at least 45 kilometers, ammunition must be equipped with 72 KOBE M42 / M46 or 85 KOBE HM80.In January, 1998 was signed a contract for development work on the CAS HM982 topic. It was assumed that the planned projectile distance can be overcome due to the planned flight, which will allow a special aerodynamic shape and four-section tail of the ammunition.
In addition to the CAS with KOBE, the development of the CAS with the BAD SADARM (XM982 Block II) and the high-explosive fragmentation projectile (OFS) of concrete action (XM982 Block III) was proposed. The terms of the contract provided for the release in 2001 of a small batch of shells of all three types.
Meanwhile, in the Pentagon’s 2001, it is concluded that the US Army does not primarily need cluster munitions, but concrete-type OFS with the Increment 1 index. The CAS with BETP is still considered as the second variant of the projectile with the Increment 2 index. The third option is becoming an ammunition with a homing head with an index of Increment 3. Thus, the construction of a CAS with KOBE was discontinued, and the main task of the developers was to create a means for defeating structures, including fortified command posts.
It is possible that the abandonment of CAS with KOBE was caused by a significant drawback - a significant proportion of unexploded elements after their fall on the ground: with a firing range of up to 10 kilometers - two percent, over 10 - more than three percent. The hull ХМ982 was supposed to be equipped no longer with an American four-section tail, but with an eight-section Swedish, designed for a TCM projectile (Trajectory Correction Munition), and a bottom gas generator.
In the 2003 year, due to repeated technical problems, the US Department of Defense made a decision on the phased development of ammunition. Creating its first version included two stages - 1 and 1b. During the first sub-stage, the projectile was constructed in two versions - 1-1 and 1-2. The 1-1 version was simplified so much that it allowed us to produce and deliver ammunition to the troops as quickly as possible. Requirements for different XM982 1a options in 2003 year are presented in the 1 table. Particular attention was paid to reducing the cost of the projectile.
Table 1
For the second version of the ammunition, due to the termination of the SADARM program in 2001, their foreign counterparts were considered as combat elements of precise aiming. The development of the third version of the projectile, starting with 2005, is funded separately. Thus, the main focus of the program was on creating the XM982 Increment 1 controlled concrete-drilling projectile.
In June, 2005-th signed a contract for the production of 140 shells ХМ982 1-1 (the cost of each - 144 thousands of dollars) for delivery in March next year. However, due to the detected failures during the tests, the first ammunition began to arrive only in September, and the shooting was possible only at the start of the 2007. In the same year it was planned to purchase two batches of HM982 1-1: 321 projectile - at a price of 153 thousands of dollars and 224 projectile - at a price of 120 thousands of dollars per unit, respectively.
Combat use and prospects
In April, 2007 th north of Baghdad HM982 1-1 fired at a real enemy for the first time. In May-August in Iraq, the Americans spent several more such shells. Their deviation from the target did not exceed four meters. But in Afghanistan, the ammunition did not show the expected high efficiency, as a result of which the total production of the 1 projectile was not 30 thousands, but 6264 units.
The first batch of XMUMNUMX 982-1 variants in the number of 2 units were produced in 362, and 2008 - in 458-m. In October, the 2009 of the 2010a-1 projectile was assigned the M2 index and a full-scale production of ammunition was planned for 982.
In September 2008, the Pentagon signed a contract to perform OCD to create the Increment 1b Excalibur option. The main requirement for developers was to reduce the cost of the projectile. It should have the following characteristics: circular probable deviation (CEP) - no more than 10 meters when used without CRNS interference, 30 meters - under interference conditions, maximum firing range - 35 – 40 kilometers, minimum - 3 – 8, reliability - no less 0,9, guaranteed penetration of concrete 10 – 20 thick centimeters.
As you can see, the requirements for the projectile in terms of firing range and reliability after 12 years of development have not only not tightened, but have noticeably softened. The achieved parameters for the 1 variant and the requirements for the 1b variant in the 2008 year are listed in the 2 table.
Table 2
Preliminary tests of the 1b variant are planned for the third quarter of 2012, and the completion of the development is scheduled for the 2014 year. According to the plans of the creators of the munition, it should be supplied with a bottom gas generator, thanks to the introduction of new technical solutions, it will be less expensive. Two versions of the 1b projectile are offered: the first (Saber) with a main engine, its flight range will reach 48 kilometers, the second with a new tail unit made of titanium, the bottom gas generator (1 version) capable of hitting the target at a distance of 45 kilometers.
The principal differences in the construction of the versions of the 1 projectile and 1b are as follows. The tail part of the 1 version rotates relative to the body and is closed with a lid when fired. In the variant 1b, the bottom part of the projectile is fixed, protective coatings for the tail unit are not provided. The data for the 1 projectile motion control system are entered before firing into the read-only memory. For 1b, an external reprogramming device is supposed to be used, which makes it possible to change the nature of the impact of the munition on the target during its flight. The M982 projectile software with the Increment 3 index should autonomously determine the optimal aiming points, flight path and method of detonation. It is possible that the 1b variant will have the following types of equipment: smoke, thermobaric, lighting and non-lethal actions. It is planned to use a laser seeker and to realize the possibility of striking the target at a specified time.
The development of the M982 has proven to be more costly and time consuming than expected. In the production of 30 thousand shells it was expected that the price of each of them would be at the level of 75 thousand dollars, taking into account the cost of research and development. In fact, it was twice as much. Work continues and, consequently, financial costs and the cost of ammunition increase, which may lead at least to a reduction in the number of products purchased.
During the combat use of Excalibur, a number of flaws were revealed. The accuracy of the projectile hit depends on the stability of communication at the same time with at least three spacecraft. A negative point is also the obligatory presence of special equipment in the equipment of the howitzer for preparing ammunition for a shot, since it differs significantly from similar actions when firing with standard shells.
Despite the fact that the M982 is officially adopted for service, its entry into the troops and mass use in battles can be expected no earlier than 2014 – 2015. It is important to note that the development of only the first version of the projectile, which satisfies the minimum requirements, has been completed. It is possible that the ammunition with the index 1b, which meets all the requirements of the customer, will appear only in the 2015 year.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the creators of the 155-mm high-precision projectile M982 faced serious scientific and technical problems, which greatly delayed the creation of a new ammunition and increased its price. It is now equal to the cost 120 – 150 of conventional OFS. Probably, "Excalibur" can be cheaper, but not so much as to oust the latter from the ammunition of field artillery guns.
The “biting” price of precision projectiles means that they will be used in decisive areas and for the destruction of certain important targets (command posts, infrastructure facilities), as well as in conditions where it is necessary to avoid continuous destruction and death of persons not involved in an armed conflict.
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