Expectations and reality. M982 Excalibur guided projectiles for Ukraine
M982 projectile in flight configuration
Over the past few months, there have been numerous news on the possible delivery of M982 Excalibur guided artillery shells to Ukraine. It was reported that such products could be supplied by several countries. However, such information has not been confirmed, and the supply of shells has not yet begun. In recent days, this topic has received renewed attention, but it is still not clear whether Ukraine will receive the desired projectiles.
Expectations and Reality
In April of this year, the United States and its allies announced their intention to transfer M155 towed 777-mm howitzers and ammunition to the Kyiv regime. The nomenclature of shots for delivery was not specified, and this fact contributed to the emergence of various versions and assumptions. Soon information of this kind appeared in the press.
Then, in April, Canadian media reported that Ottawa plans to transfer a large batch of 155-mm shells to Kyiv, including corrected Excaliburs. The number of such products, their share in the total volume of supply and the timing of the transfer were not specified. This was the first mention of the M982 projectile in the context of military technical assistance to Ukraine.
For the next few weeks, there was no news of Excalibur rounds. The press and specialized resources discussed the prospects for the supply of such ammunition, the risks associated with them, etc. In most cases, the M982 was mentioned in conjunction with the M777 howitzers.
In June-July, an assumption arose that Ukraine nevertheless received guided missiles. The reason for it was several strikes by Ukrainian artillery on civilian and industrial facilities, which were distinguished by increased accuracy and low consumption of ammunition. However, this suspicion has not received any confirmation.
USMC gunners prepare Excalibur to fire
On July 8, the US Department of Defense announced another military aid package for the Kyiv regime. Together with other products, it included 1 thousand 155-mm precision-guided artillery ammunition. The type of these products was not reported. It could be assumed that we are talking about M982 Excalibur shells or the M1156 PGK kit for re-equipping simple “blanks”.
On July 29, the German edition of Spiegel revealed the curious features of the combat use of foreign artillery by Ukrainian formations. It was reported that due to improper operation and non-compliance with established rules, breakdowns of self-propelled guns PzH 2000 took place. In particular, one of the prerequisites for the breakdown was an attempt to fire from a 155-mm gun with some kind of high-precision ammunition at an unacceptably long distance. What projectile was used in this case was not specified. Perhaps it was about the M982.
On August 19, the Pentagon announced another aid package. This time, the supply of artillery or shells of 155 mm caliber is not provided. However, Ukrainian propaganda is already claiming that M982 Excalibur guided missiles will be secretly added to the package in the very near future.
Interim results
A very interesting situation has developed around the Excalibur shells. Over the past few months, it has been repeatedly reported about the imminent delivery of such shells to the Kyiv regime. However, in the official documents of the United States and its allies, these products have not yet been mentioned.
It is simply useless to consider information from the Ukrainian side. Often we are talking about dreams and desires that are not supported by real events. In addition, such reports are often contradictory because they are not based on facts. Thus, the latest "news" about the imminent delivery of M982 shells directly contradicts similar reports from previous months.
M777 howitzer fires M982 projectile
Thus, a simple and understandable conclusion can be drawn. The United States or other countries have not supplied Ukraine with M982 Excalibur guided missiles and do not appear to be planning to do so. All reports of such assistance came from unofficial sources, the reliability of which is doubtful. Moreover, information of this kind has already been refuted by real events - or their absence.
An aid package announced in early July included some artillery ammunition. Apparently, these were unguided projectiles equipped with the M1156 device. "Excaliburs" again remained outside the scope of assistance.
Technical potential
The interest in the M982 Excalibur guided projectile is understandable. This is a modern ammunition with high combat characteristics, compatible with various artillery systems. In addition, even at the development stage, the projectile received good publicity.
The M982 product is an active-missile with a control system. It is made in a cylindrical body with an ogival head of high elongation. Foldable rudders are provided in the head part, stabilizers are in the bottom part. Ammunition diameter is standard 155 mm, length - approx. 1 m. Weight without cartridge case with charge - 48 kg.
"Excalibur" is intended for firing at stationary targets with known coordinates. The projectile is equipped with guidance tools, including a satellite and inertial navigation system. It is alleged that the ammunition is able to work even with the suppression of GPS signals. The QUO in the first modifications reached 10-20 m, but later it was reduced to 4 m.
The projectile demonstrates the accuracy of hitting
The projectile is high-explosive fragmentation. There is an explosive charge weighing 22 kg and a body crushed into fragments. The fuze fires at a given height, on contact or with a delay. It is assumed that the high accuracy of the hit allows you to maximize the potential of warheads.
Excalibur is active-reactive. At the bottom of the hull is a gas generator that improves aerodynamics in flight and increases the firing range. For the first version of the projectile, XM982, the maximum range reached 23 km. Serial M982(A1) projectiles when used with existing guns show a range of up to 40 km. With the help of the experimental gun M777ER ERCA, the ammunition was sent to 70 km.
Reasons for failure
Despite its age, the M982 Excalibur projectile is a successful example of its class and is capable of effectively solving fire missions over a wide range of ranges. However, the United States and allies are in no hurry to transfer such ammunition to Ukraine, and several explanations can be found for this at once.
First of all, it is worth considering the monetary factor. One product M982, according to the latest contracts of the Pentagon, costs more than 110 thousand dollars - many times more expensive than simple "blanks". The cost of the M1156 kit is lower - approx. 20 thousand dollars In the current situation, the United States preferred to allocate cheaper products to Ukraine. By this they indicated support and saved quite a lot.
It is quite possible that "Excaliburs" is not transmitted for reasons of secrecy. The Pentagon rightly fears that American products, one way or another, can get to the Russian army. Subsequent study of projectiles or other weapons poses a potential threat to the US military.
Undermining the warhead with a delay
Another version touches upon the issues of gaining practical experience. For a long time, the US Army used M982 projectiles on ranges, and since 2007 such items have been regularly used to strike real targets. To date, American gunners have accumulated extensive experience in the use of corrected projectiles in a variety of conditions.
The current conflict in Ukraine is being considered by foreign states, incl. as an opportunity to test their latest weapons, as well as to supplement existing experience. However, the American M982 projectile no longer needs additional checks, and therefore its transfer to the Kyiv regime does not make sense.
It cannot be ruled out that all three factors are involved. American leadership can simultaneously save on aid, keep its developments secret, and take into account practical application issues. In any case, the most well-known and publicized corrective projectile developed by the United States has not yet reached Ukraine - and the situation is unlikely to change in the future.
Practical cynicism
Thus, the United States sends various military-technical assistance to Ukraine, but these processes have some specific features and peculiarities. All of them are clearly visible in the ongoing situation around the M982 Excalibur adjustable projectiles and some other types of weapons.
The Kyiv regime needs such products and wants to get them as soon as possible. However, Washington and the Pentagon are not including the required weapons in the new aid packages. Despite the plight of an ally, the United States is primarily concerned with its own interests. This approach is cynical, but still useful to achieve its own goals.
- Ryabov Kirill
- US Department of Defense, Raytheon Missiles & Defense
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