Excalibur Ib performs well during flight tests
Raytheon has carried out qualification flight tests on the Excalibur Ib artillery projectile to verify the performance and efficacy of the system’s new configuration. In eight firings, all eight rounds landed within five meters of the target, meeting stringent test objectives.
The Excalibur Ib is a precision-guided artillery projectile based on Raytheon's combat-proven Excalibur Ia, which has been successfully fielded by the US forces in theatre since 2007. Using GPS precision guidance technology, Excalibur provides accurate, first round, fire-for-effect capability in an urban setting. Excalibur is considered a true precision weapon, impacting at a radial miss distance of six meters from the target.
Excalibur Ib is being developed to further improve performance and reliability. According to the company, it also uses fewer parts and requires simpler manufacturing, resulting in lower costs.
Lt. Col. Josh Walsh, the US Army Excalibur program manager, said: ‘This programme has made great achievements in a very short amount of time. In two years’ time, the Excalibur Ib programme has moved from a competition to being well on its way to a milestone C.’
Kevin Matthies, Raytheon Missile Systems' Excalibur program director, added: ‘Our team is focused on giving our warfighters an Excalibur Ib design that improves performance and reliability. These tests verify the new design.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer]()
DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
-
![The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating]()
The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating
Drones and military ground vehicles are increasingly being designed to operate together as a single platform or even to convert crewed systems to automated ones.
-
![Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system]()
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.
-
![In depth: Competition for British Army vehicle programme heats up, despite more delays]()
In depth: Competition for British Army vehicle programme heats up, despite more delays
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) seems set to be delayed once again but industry is jockeying for position to partner in what would be one of the biggest ever buys for the British Army.
-
![DSEI 2025: AM General has partner lined up for British Army vehicle programme]()
DSEI 2025: AM General has partner lined up for British Army vehicle programme
AM General’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 is in low-rate initial production and the company is looking for export orders, notably the UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP), to add to a recent approval for Canada to buy vehicles.
-
![DSEI 2025: IDV sets eyes on British Army vehicle deal as MD calls for “acceleration” of efforts]()
DSEI 2025: IDV sets eyes on British Army vehicle deal as MD calls for “acceleration” of efforts
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) to replace thousands of vehicles is in flux as the tender for the Light Mobility Vehicle segment planned for November is set to be missed. IDV Robotics’ Dr Geoff Davis is calling for the UK government to focus broadly on indigenous capability for procurement and to do it faster.
