Excalibur Ib continues to find its target
Excalibur Ib all up rounds have demonstrated ‘exceptional’ accuracy during 84 firings of the precision-guided weapon during testing at Yuma Proving Ground. Raytheon reported that the majority of rounds landed within two metres of their targets.
The Excalibur Ib is a155mm extended-range artillery projectile based on the combat-proven Excalibur Ia-1 and Ia-2. It uses GPS precision guidance to provide accurate, first round, fire-for-effect capability in any environment.
The test series included qualification on the Swedish Archer 52-caliber weapons system and two US Army howitzers, the Paladin and LW 155. The tests also certified stringent performance and safety requirements. Future testing this year will include a First Article Test, which will verify Excalibur Ib production readiness.
Lt. Col. Josh Walsh, the US Army Excalibur program manager, said: ‘Excalibur achieved new firsts during qualification testing. We demonstrated lethal effects at 50.7km range from the Swedish Archer weapon system while the US gun systems reached 40.54km – exceeding objective requirements.’
Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Land Warfare Systems product line, added: ‘Excalibur Ib will provide the warfighter with the most accurate, extended-range artillery option. This updated round will provide the soldier in the field with greater range, increased accuracy and less collateral damage.’
Raytheon is also working to enhance the 155mm Excalibur GPS-guided projectile with new guidance and navigation capabilities under an internally funded programme.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Drone wars: countries are looking for answers but do companies have the solutions?]()
Drone wars: countries are looking for answers but do companies have the solutions?
Manufacturers are speeding up their counter-drone development efforts as countries increasingly focus on procurements to provide battlefield and national protection.
-
![Fourth company looks to Texelis Celeris chassis to develop a new 4x4 vehicle]()
Fourth company looks to Texelis Celeris chassis to develop a new 4x4 vehicle
Finnish company SCATA will use the Texelis Celeris chassis for a new vehicle similar to the Serval 4x4 which Texelis is building with KNDS France for the French Army.
-
![Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers]()
Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers
The attack drone threat from first-person view uncrewed aerial systems has been highlighted by recent conflicts and Thales has adapted its Storm 2 counter-improvised explosive device jammer to provide protection.
-
![Rolls-Royce to lead powertrain development for MGCS in important step for the programme]()
Rolls-Royce to lead powertrain development for MGCS in important step for the programme
The move signals significant progress for the delayed Franco-German Main Ground Combat System programme with first powerpack prototypes set to be tested before the end of the decade.
