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M1299 howitzer

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The M1299 Howitzer was an American prototype 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by BAE Systems beginning in 2019 under the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program. It was based on the M109A7 howitzer and was primarily designed for the purpose of improving the M109's effective range. The program was canceled in 2024.

M1299
An Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) during a test in March 2021, at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground
TypeSelf-propelled howitzer
Place of originUnited States
Production history
Designed2019-2024
ManufacturerBAE Systems
Specifications
Crew4 (driver, loader, gunner, commander)
Traverse360°
Rate of fire3 rpm (10 with autoloader)
Effective firing range70 km (43 mi) (rocket-assisted round)
110 km (68 mi) (XM1155 round)
Main
armament
155 mm L/58 XM907 gun
EngineCummins diesel
600 hp (450 kW)
Suspensiontorsion bar

History

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The Extended Range Cannon Artillery program was designed to produce a self-propelled howitzer system with an improved range and rate of fire compared to the existing M109A7 Howitzer, in response to developments of Russian and Chinese artillery systems, which had become capable of outranging American systems.[1]

During tests conducted in 2018, the M777 howitzer was able to double its range through the use of higher energy propellant and rocket-assisted projectiles, hitting targets over 37 miles (60 km) away. Using the same principles, the Extended Range Cannon Artillery was developed.[2] BAE Systems was given a $45 million contract in 2019 to incorporate the ERCA's cannon into a M109 chassis,[3] which was unveiled at that year's Association for the United States Army.[4]

Increased range and accuracy was accomplished by having a longer barrel, at 58 calibers long, and by using the XM1113 rocket-assisted artillery shell. In 2020, the ERCA successfully hit a target 43 mi (69 km) away, which is over twice the range typically achieved by an M777 using the same round.[5][6][7][8]

According to the United States Army, the howitzer was to be completed in 2021 and undergo operational assessment in 2023.[9] Due to issues with excessive wear on its barrel, the project was canceled in 2024.[10][11]

Design

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Gun system

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A XM1113 extended range artillery round, shown here at a range demonstration, uses a rocket-assist motor

The M1299 was armed with a new 155 mm L/58 caliber long, 9.1 m gun tube, XM907 gun, designed by Benét Laboratories to fire the XM1113 rocket-assisted round. This would give a range of over 70 km (43 mi) – much greater than the 38 km (24 mi) of the M109A7 Paladin. An autoloader was planned to allow rates of fire of up to 10 rounds per minute.[12] Originally the autoloader was planned to carry 31 rounds and be in service by 2024. As designed, it was too large for the vehicle, so it was reduced to a 23-round capacity for better weight, center of gravity, and "onboard kills".[13][14]

In December 2022, the XM907E2 cannon fired an XM1155 sub-caliber projectile out to 110 km (68 mi). The shell was intended to hit long-range targets that previously would require the use of more expensive missiles.[15][16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pickrell, Ryan (9 October 2018). "Army Futures Command Chief: Russia and China Are Eating Our Long-Range Lunch". Task and Purpose. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023.
  2. ^ Judson, Jen (6 June 2020). "US Army takes 40-mile shots from extended-range cannon in demo". Defense News. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020.
  3. ^ Keller, Jared (10 March 2020). "Watch the Army's new supergun hit a target from 40 miles away". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Video: Check out BAE's giant ERCA cannon". Defense News. 16 October 2019.
  5. ^ Wozniak, Jakub (24 December 2020). "New Army Extended Range Cannon Hits Target 43 Miles Away". Overt Defense. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023.
  6. ^ Evans, Michael (24 December 2020). "US army supergun breaks record with direct hit on target 70 km away". The Times.
  7. ^ Osborn, Kris (23 July 2020). "The U.S. Army's New Artillery Can Kill from 40 Miles Away". National Interest. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023.
  8. ^ Osborn, Kris (3 October 2021). "The Army Wants Artillery Rounds That Can Change Direction Mid-Flight". National Interest. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  9. ^ Vandiver, John (23 December 2020). "New Army cannon hits target 43 miles away in test". Stars & Stripes. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023.
  10. ^ Judson, Jen (11 March 2024). "US Army scraps Extended Range Cannon Artillery prototype effort". Defense News. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  11. ^ Roblin, Sébastien (21 March 2024). "The Army's Long-Range Howitzer Has Met Its Achilles Heel". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  12. ^ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (6 March 2020). "New Army Cannon Doubles Range; Ramjet Ammo May Be Next". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  13. ^ Roque, Ashley (23 April 2021). "US Army opting for 23-round autoloader for ERCA". Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  14. ^ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (16 April 2021). "ERCA: Army Contracts To Help New Cannon 'Fire Faster'". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023.
  15. ^ Skove, Sam (29 March 2023). "New Artillery Round Shoots Farther Than Some Missiles, Can Hit Moving Targets". Defense One. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023.
  16. ^ Szondy, David (29 March 2023). "BAE Systems successfully tests artillery shell with double the range". New Atlas. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023.
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