Low-rate production is expected by the second quarter of fiscal 2029, and initial operational capability by fiscal 2030.<\/p>\n
The initial annual production rate is planned at 300 rounds, ramping up to 1,500 by the sixth year.<\/p>\n
Non-GPS Navigation<\/b><\/p>\n
The projectile is expected to attack moving targets \u2014 such as main battle tanks, self-propelled howitzers, multiple rocket launchers, air defense targets, and maritime targets \u2014 farther than current shells.<\/p>\n
According to the army\u2019s requirements, it should be able to operate in a GPS-denied environment using a non-GPS navigation system.<\/p>\n
Moreover, it should be compatible with current and future weapon systems, including the fielded 39 caliber and 52 caliber cannons.<\/p>\n
Extended Range Artillery Projectile\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
With the 39 caliber cannon, the minimum expected range is 65 kilometers (40 miles), while with the 52 caliber gun it should be over 70 kilometers (43 miles).<\/p>\n
The US Army\u2019s standard 155mm M982 Excalibur round can strike a target around 40 kilometers (25 miles) away.<\/p>\n
The army\u2019s effort to enhance the 155mm projectile\u2019s range received a setback earlier this year with the cancellation of the\u00a0Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program<\/a>\u00a0over engineering challenges.<\/p>\n The 30-foot (9-meter), 58-caliber cannon was intended to have an operational range of 70 kilometers (43 miles).<\/p>\n Course Correction<\/b><\/p>\n Projecting the service\u2019s course correction in light of the ERCA setback, deputy chief of staff for programs Lt. Gen.\u00a0Karl Gingrich<\/b>\u00a0said<\/a>, \u201cWe can get ranges and lethality that are required in division lethality by innovating at the round as opposed to going and procuring an entirely new system.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRather than get a longer gun tube, there [are] technologies out there and many of your companies represent those technologies that allow us existing cannon configurations, whether it\u2019s 39 caliber, 52 caliber or whatever, 52 being the NATO kind of standard these days.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fie.undef.edu.ar\/ceptm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/original-2-2048x1360-1-1024x680.jpg\")