In the field of cannon artillery, a new revolution is outlined. The US Army has launched a project of a promising artillery system capable of hitting targets at ranges of at least 1,000 nautical miles (1,852 km). A project called Strategic Long Range Cannon (SLRC) is now in its early stages, but its first results are promised in 2023. In the meantime, the developers are announcing some plans and showing different materials.
First statements
The issue of deep modernization of rocket and barrel artillery has been worked out in the United States for a long time, but last year it became known that there were more than bold plans. In October 2019, the head of the artillery modernization program, Colonel John Rafferty, spoke about the promising SLRC program.
The colonel said that several Pentagon research organizations are currently working to find solutions needed to create an ultra-long-range cannon. In the near future, it is planned to create a prototype of such a product and test it at a test site. So far, the first shooting dates back to 2023.
This will be a preliminary check, according to the results of which they are going to determine the real prospects of the project. If the results obtained interest the army, the project will be developed and will lead to the appearance of a full-fledged combat-ready model of the SLRC cannon. However, there is still no certainty of such an outcome. In particular, it is not entirely clear whether it will be possible to keep the cost of the weapon at an acceptable level.
First image
On February 20, 2020, the US-UK Modernization Demonstration Event, dedicated to the issues of mutual assistance and further development, was held at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. During this event, a poster was displayed with the main provisions of the SLRC project. Also on display were mock-ups of artillery systems, incl. unknown sample. Photos of the poster and layout quickly became public.
The presented poster indicates the main goals and objectives of the program, the expected characteristics and principles of operation, as well as an image of the entire system and its ammunition. The poster considerably supplemented the existing data, although it did not reveal all the details.
The SLRC artillery complex is considered as a means of breaking through the A2 / AD defenses and breaking through "gaps" for further actions of the armed forces. A system is proposed that includes a tractor, a conveyor platform with a weapon, a projectile and a propellant charge. The calculation of the weapon will include 8 people. It is proposed to bring the guns into batteries of 4 units. The range of fire is over 1000 miles. It should be possible to transport by air or sea.
The graphic on the poster demonstrates a certain projectile of standard contours with a tail unit. The sketched artillery complex combined a modern tractor and a large-caliber gun from the late 19th century. Obviously, the SLRC project has not yet reached the stage when the appearance of the complex is known or can be shown even at a closed event.
The model from the exhibition depicts an artillery system with a gun carriage without its own move. It has a barrel of unclear caliber, mounted with a truss. Any parameters of such a sample are unknown. It is also unclear if this layout is related to the SLRC program.
Range issues
The objective of the SLRC project is to create a mobile cannon with a "strategic" firing range of at least 1850 km. For comparison, modern serial cannon artillery has a range of no more than 40-45 km, depending on the projectile used. Systems with a range of 70-80 km or more are being developed, but they are still far from being accepted into service. You can also recall the legendary "Parisian Cannon", which fired at 120-130 km, or J. Bull's projects with an estimated range of 1000 km.
Increasing the firing range is a very complex engineering task and requires the use of a number of technologies and design solutions. Which of them and in what combination will make it possible to obtain a range of 1000 miles is a big question. Moreover, there is reason to doubt the fundamental possibility of creating such a system based on available or promising technologies.
Apparently, the Pentagon understands this and are building their plans accordingly. The goal of the SLRC program so far is to create a technology demonstrator prototype that combines several solutions. Its tests will show whether it is possible to further increase the characteristics to the specified values. If such results are not obtained, the work will probably stop or the project will be transformed into something new.
Required technologies
Several basic technical solutions are known to increase the firing range of barreled artillery. All of them are already being used in serial and promising models, incl. development of the USA. In particular, the development of the ERCA project has been ongoing for several years, the result of which has already become a towed and self-propelled howitzer cannon with a range of at least 70 km. In the future, the range is going to be increased to 90-100 km.
One of the main ways to increase the range is to modify the gun by lengthening the barrel. Larger caliber systems also have a certain potential in this context. The multi-chamber architecture of the cannon should also be remembered. All these solutions make it possible to impart greater energy to the projectile and, accordingly, to increase its flight range.
An alternative to the existing systems for artillery powder can be the so-called. light gas cannons or electromagnetic boosters. Such systems have high potential, but have not yet shown it outside the polygons. In addition, they are not devoid of significant disadvantages.
However, even a highly effective cannon will not be able to send a "simple" projectile to the desired distance of 1000 miles, and it needs some help from the ammunition. A common way to increase the range is the use of rocket projectiles. The projectile's own engine provides the projectile with additional acceleration after exiting the barrel and increases the flight range. Projectiles with a solid-propellant jet engine became widespread. Also, new ammunition with a direct-flow power plant is being developed.
Due to the long range and duration of the flight, the projectile needs a homing system - otherwise, accurate shooting is out of the question. In this case, there are special requirements for the stability of systems. The seeker should remain operational after a powerful push during acceleration in the barrel and during flight along a trajectory.
Maximum difficulty, minimum result
The result is a very interesting situation. An artillery complex with a high-energy cannon and a special active-rocket guided projectile will allow getting closer to the desired characteristics. At the same time, the main contribution to the increase in the range will be made by the ammunition of a non-standard design for artillery.
Thus, instead of an ultra-long-range cannon, a specific surface-to-surface missile system looms. Its main feature is an unjustifiably complex launcher, which has the features of a barrel artillery system. The advantage of the cannon could be the lower cost of the projectile in comparison with the missiles, but its ammunition, created according to special requirements, will not be simple and cheap.
Overall, the SLRC program is not optimistic. Obtaining the specified characteristics using known technologies is either impossible or extremely difficult and economically unprofitable. In addition, the proposed gun has no real advantages over missile systems with similar characteristics.
Reasons and benefits
The dubious nature of the SLRC program is already noticeable upon first examination, but the Pentagon continues to work. This raises relevant questions and several answers can be found.
The SLRC program can be seen as an attempt to explore industry opportunities and technology potential. It is unlikely that it will lead to the creation of a combat-ready ultra-long-range cannon, but new developments can be used to develop existing designs or to create new ones. It is possible that in the future the experience of the current programs of the army and navy will be combined to create a new project.
Of particular interest is the proposed concept of a strategic gun. An SLRC-type weapon will be able to operate in remote and well-covered positions, striking targets at great depths of defense. Fighting such a weapon can be an extremely difficult task for a potential adversary. Detection and destruction of a mobile artillery installation will not be an easy process, and effective interception of shells is generally not possible. However, the creation of an artillery system with all these qualities is also unlikely.
Until recently, the SLRC cannon could have become a convenient means of circumventing the terms of the INF Treaty. Such an artillery system could take over the tasks of short-range missiles - without having a direct relationship to them. However, the Treaty has ceased to exist, and there is now no point in developing a cannon to replace missiles.
Waiting for the result
So far, the Strategic Long Range Cannon program is in its earliest stages, and the participating organizations are only engaged in research work. However, already in 2023, the Pentagon promises to bring an experimental technology demonstrator cannon for testing. It will show the ability to shoot at 1000 nautical miles - or demonstrate the impossibility of obtaining such results.
Real conclusions about the results of the SLRC program can only be drawn in a few years. In the meantime, American scientists and engineers have enough time to find the necessary solutions and create an ultra-long-range cannon. Or to abandon an overly complex program with no obvious results.
