The US Congress asked the Pentagon for information on alternatives to long-range howitzers

Members of the US Congress had questions to the Department of Defense regarding the army's planned phased modernization of the BAE Systems Paladin M109A7 self-propelled howitzer. Congressmen want to know if it would be better to develop and build a new tracked platform.

Over the past few years, the US Army has received 18 prototype ERCA howitzers, adding a gun to the Paladin tracked vehicle that can fire 155-mm projectiles at a distance of up to 70 km. Now the army will look for companies ready to integrate the components of the platform.

In Congress, meanwhile, they want to systematize the consideration of possible options. Legislators are interested in how much it will cost to convert each Paladin to the ERCA platform, including the costs associated with the use of government facilities. The resulting figures will be compared with the expected price of various competitive companies, which will allow you to choose the most optimal option.

The military, in turn, adhere to an integrative approach. That is, they want the howitzer to then be able to add various technologies to increase the rate of fire and range.

Earlier, the US military has repeatedly stated that range is becoming one of the defining characteristics of artillery on the modern battlefield, so this aspect needs to be given increased attention in the context of modernizing artillery and missile weapons.

The Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) development program, in fact, is the most important tool for achieving this goal. The Pentagon is very concerned that the artillery of potential adversaries is superior to the American in terms of range and other characteristics. The same conflict in Ukraine, meanwhile, demonstrated the enormous role of artillery in modern warfare.

Comments

[APASUS]

I remember the program for the production of guns for the Zumwalt destroyer provided for the flight of a projectile, as much as 200 km. Then it turned out that a projectile for such a gun costs more than a Tomahawk SS-66 missile. Everything is too expensive, even for the Pentagon

[credo]

I have thoughts on an alternative to long-range howitzers, but I won’t voice it out loud.
The enemy does not sleep, shish him and not an alternative.

[Apprentice_SAM]

Quote: credo

I have thoughts on an alternative to long-range howitzers, but I won’t voice it out loud.
The enemy does not sleep, shish him and not an alternative.

If there is an "automatic loader" in the form of a Negro, then why not use, say, the Mexicans in the form of "deliverers" of shells?
I agree, there is a drawback - a low delivery speed, but this can be compensated for by the number of shells delivered. But what precision!
"How do you like that, Elon Musk?!" )

[avg]

It works! Tested by the Vietnamese on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

[Apprentice_SAM]

Quote: avg

It works! Tested by the Vietnamese on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

And here, just, the dog is buried, as the Vietnamese or Korean comrades say? )
What works for some may not always work for others. If, for example, the “alternative howitzer” shows excellent results at field tests - it confidently and accurately hits conditional targets, as usual, then how will the “shell delivery man” behave on the same “Ho Chi Minh trail”? Won't get lost? )

[voice of reason]

They follow the path of the Wehrmacht model 43. Endless upgrades and the race for performance characteristics and small-scale production. And on the eve of the big war.

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

They rely on communication with satellite intelligence and accurate target designation.

[alexmach]

Small batch production? And what exactly of the weapons do you think they produce in small batches?

[Bingo]

In short, the Russian concept - up to 9 km - a mortar, up to 25 - a howitzer, up to 120 - MLRS, then - the CD and tactics in the USA are redone like this - up to 9 is scary, up to 25 ATGMs at the price of an artillery battery along with transport, up to 120 artillery like Zyama with a projectile under a million bucks, up to 150 - MLRS with a price higher than OTRK, over 200 - axes that cannot get anywhere in Syria. Well, that is, where the MLRS calmly works with cheap missiles, you need to screw in a cannon, which stands as if it was cast from platinum, but there are no normal cannons - we open the bunker with an over-the-horizon ATGM. De Bills at the sawmill.
The long-range howitzer is being replaced by a satellite-navigated missile - = it's cheaper with the same efficiency, and you don't need a Tomahawk-priced projectile and a table that wears out after a dozen shots

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

If so, they have developed a multi-mode radio fuse for all mines. Therefore, even a 60-mm mortar with remote detonation will be effective.

[ada]

It is interesting to recall: "How the Paladin was replaced: thirty years and three projects"
November 7, 2019
https://topwar.ru/164420-kak-zamenjali-paladin-tridcat-let-i-tri-proekta.html