In the future, a number of US Army cannon artillery systems will give way to new models with increased range and accuracy. The creation of a replacement for them is now underway as part of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program carried out by Picatinny Arsenal and a number of related organizations. The first work in this direction began in 2015, and by now they have led to the appearance of a number of prototypes with remarkable characteristics. In recent weeks, official sources and specialized media have revealed the latest successes of the ERCA project.
Range tests
On May 8, the press service of the US Army announced the recent conduct of the next tests under the ERCA program. At one of the ranges, test firing was again held using an experienced self-propelled gun with a new type of gun and a number of shells of different models. The calculated characteristics of the weapon were fully confirmed, showing the advantages of new developments.
A converted serial self-propelled gun M109 is used as a platform for experimental weapons. It is equipped with a new long-barreled gun XM907 on the XM908 mount. When firing, a standard shot with an M549A1 active-rocket projectile, guided by the M982 Excalibur and the promising XM1113, was used. The purpose of the firing was to determine the maximum range of fire.
When using the standard gun of the M109 self-propelled guns, the firing range of the M549A1 projectile reaches 23.5 km. The XM907 cannon successfully sent him 30 km. The range of the controlled M982 has been increased from 40 to 62 km. The newest XM1113 projectile showed the best results - it flew 72 km.
It should be noted that such results are no longer news. Earlier in the ERCA program, other test firing was carried out with the use of new products, and they consistently showed a significant increase in basic characteristics. In recent tests, the parameters have been increased again.
Officials clarify that so far they are only talking about technology demonstrators. Based on the results of the current test work, specialists of the army and defense enterprises will have to determine the exact shape of future production systems. At the same time, it is obvious that the latter will be based on components and devices that are currently being tested.
Project components
Within the framework of the ERCA program, several models of weapons and auxiliary systems of all major classes have been created and tested. Now they are being tested as technology demonstrators. We are talking about a pair of towed and self-propelled guns, about means for a promising self-propelled gun and about new shots.
The first prototype of the ERCA program in 2016 was the M777ER 155-mm howitzer, a reworked version of the serial M777A1 with a 55-caliber barrel. In 2017, an experienced self-propelled gun was built with a similar gun, indexed XM907. The newer XM907 howitzer differs from the M777ER in a 58-caliber barrel. Together with the XM907, the XM908 mount and updated means for fire control and guidance, as well as improved automation for working with ammunition, are used on an experienced self-propelled gun.
The ERCA round includes the XM654 variable charge and the XM1113 round. The latter is made in a body similar to serial products, but has a modern content. Such a high-explosive fragmentation projectile has a guidance system with inertial and satellite navigation. The control is carried out by aerodynamic rudders. Also, the product is equipped with a full-fledged small-sized solid-fuel engine.
The XM1113 projectile was created for new guns, but it can also be used with existing 155-mm systems. However, the shorter barrel length of other guns impairs the initial acceleration and reduces the firing range to 40 km. With the use of ERCA guns, the range increases noticeably. Last year, during tests, this parameter reached 62 km, and not so long ago it was possible to shoot 10 km further.
Another projectile, the XM1115, is under development. This project takes into account modern threats and provides guidance without the use of GPS data. This will allow hitting targets with high accuracy when the enemy uses electronic warfare equipment and the absence of satellite signals. In terms of combat qualities, the XM1115 should be close to the XM1113.
Targets and goals
At the moment, the main goal of the ERCA program is to develop promising technologies necessary to increase the firing range of artillery systems. Several technology demonstrators have been created, with the help of which new ideas are being developed. In the future, on their basis, full-fledged samples of weapons for the army will be developed.
To date, the firing range of the XM907 / XM1113 complex has been brought to 70-72 km, which is twice or more higher than the characteristics of serial systems. A twofold increase in the range in a known manner increases the area of responsibility of the 155-mm gun / self-propelled guns with understandable consequences for its combat use. In fact, we can talk about a real breakthrough in the field of shooting from closed positions.
There are also other goals. First of all, the fire control systems are being improved, which will ensure increased firing accuracy. Attention is paid to automated loading devices capable of increasing the rate of fire. Fundamentally new guided projectiles should also affect accuracy and efficiency.
Existing technology demonstrators remain compatible with existing ammunition of their caliber. In this case, the increase in combat effectiveness is provided by an increase in range by 25-30%, a higher rate of fire and more accurate guidance when firing.
Distant future
While the ERCA program is at the stage of testing prototypes built using new technologies and solutions. After the demonstration stage, it is planned to start developing full-fledged new weapons and shells suitable for use in the troops. Their adoption is expected to significantly increase the combat capability of artillery units.
For a certain time, new guns and self-propelled guns will have to serve together with older models that are lagging behind in terms of basic characteristics. The ERCA project provides for the compatibility of new weapons with old shots, which in the future will simplify the joint operation of systems of different generations. At the same time, new weapons, even when using old shots, will be more effective. The use of new ammunition, in turn, will lead to an even greater increase in performance.
However, so far all these are only plans. At the moment, experts at Arsenal Picatinny and other defense organizations are working on new solutions, on the basis of which they will create full-fledged weapons in the foreseeable future. So far, the participants in the ERCA program are not ready to name the exact dates for the completion of the current work and the transition to the design of combat models. The same applies to the cost and other features of future products.
Thus, the current Extended Range Cannon Artillery program looks extremely interesting and promising, and also shows what results can be obtained with the current state of the art. However, the US Army so far has to observe only experiments and research, while real and practically applicable results will appear only in a few years.
