M1299 howitzer
The M1299 is an American prototype 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by BAE Systems in 2019 under the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program. It is based on the M109A7 howitzer, and was primarily designed for the purpose of improving the M109's effective range.
| M1299 | |
|---|---|
_during_a_test_March_30_at_U.S._Army_Yuma_Proving_Ground.jpg.webp) An Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) during a test in March 2021, at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground | |
| Type | Self-propelled gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2024–2025 (planned) |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2019 |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems |
| Specifications | |
| Crew | 4 (driver, loader, gunner, commander) |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 3 rpm (10 rpm with autoloader) |
| Effective firing range | 70 km (rocket-assisted round) |
Main armament | 155 mm L/58 XM907 gun |
| Engine | Cummins diesel 600 hp (450 kW) |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
History
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 mi (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 is 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] It is expected to be fitted with an autoloader in 2025, which could increase its rate of fire from 3 to 10 rounds per minute.[10]
Design
Gun system
The M1299 is armed with a new 155 mm L/58 calibre long, a 9.1 m gun tube, XM907 gun, designed by Benét Laboratories that will fire the XM1113 rocket-assisted round. This will give a range of over 70 km – much greater than the 38 km (24 mi) of the M109A7 Paladin. When fitted, an autoloader will allow rates of fire of up to 10 rounds per minute.[10] 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".[11][12]
In December 2022, the XM907E2 cannon fired an XM1155 sub-caliber projectile out to 110 km (68 mi). The shell could be used to hit long-range targets that previously would require the use of more expensive rockets.[13][14]
See also
- XM2001 Crusader, a U.S. Army self-propelled howitzer canceled in 2002
- XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon, a U.S. Army self-propelled howitzer of the Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicles program canceled in 2009
- Panzerhaubitze 2000, the self-propelled howitzer of the German army
- K9 Thunder, the self-propelled howitzer of the Korean Armed Forces
- Next Generation Combat Vehicle, an on-going U.S. Army combat vehicle acquisition program
- AHS Krab, self-propelled howitzer designed in Poland
- T-155 Fırtına self-propelled howitzer designed in Turkey
- AS-90 self-propelled howitzer designed in UK
- 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzer designed in Russia
- PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer designed in China
- SSPH Primus self-propelled howitzer designed in Singapore
- Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer self-propelled howitzer designed in Japan
References
- Pickrell, Ryan (9 October 2018). "Army Futures Command Chief: Russia And China Are Eating Our Long-Range Lunch". Task and Purpose.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Judson, Jen (6 June 2020). "US Army takes 40-mile shots from extended-range cannon in demo". Defense News.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Keller, Jared. "Watch the Army's new supergun hit a target from 40 miles away". Business Insider.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "Video: Check out BAE's giant ERCA cannon". Defense News. 16 October 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Wozniak, Jakub (24 December 2020). "New Army Extended Range Cannon Hits Target 43 Miles Away". Overt Defense.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Evans, Michael. "US army supergun breaks record with direct hit on target 70 km away". The Times.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Osborn, Kris. "The U.S. Army's New Artillery Can Kill from 40 Miles Away". National Interest.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Osborn, Kris (2021-03-17). "The Army Wants 'Cannons' Armed with 'Bullets' That Can Change Direction". National Interest. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Vandiver, John. "New Army cannon hits target 43 miles away in test". Stars & Stripes.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "New Army Cannon Doubles Range; Ramjet Ammo May Be Next". Breaking Defense. 2020-03-06. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
- Roque, Ashley (23 April 2021). "US Army opting for 23-round autoloader for ERCA". Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ERCA: Army Contracts To Help New Cannon ‘Fire Faster’. Breaking Defense. 16 April 2021.
- New Artillery Round Shoots Farther Than Some Missiles, Can Hit Moving Targets. Defense One. 29 March 2023.
- BAE Systems successfully tests artillery shell with double the range. New Atlas. 29 March 2023.
External links
