U.S. Army Tests M109 Projectile with Extended Range

BAE Systems and the U.S. Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) joined forces to launch the XM1155-SC guided projectile to ‘furthest distance’ from an M109 Paladin.

The test, which took place at the Yuma Proving Ground, has demonstrated the capabilities of the XM1155-SC and its potential to enhance the U.S. Army's existing howitzer fleet.

The XM1155-SC is equipped with GPS-guidance technology, allowing it to navigate to the designated target area. The trial utilized the Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) Zone 5, confirming that the XM1155-SC is compatible with current artillery systems.

In December 2022, the U.S. Army and BAE Systems conducted the inaugural XM1155-SC test fire, which saw the projectile fired successfully from a 155 mm XM907E2 Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) test bed. Impressively, the XM1155-SC hit a fixed target at ranges surpassing those achieved by previous precision guided projectiles fired from similar cannons. The firing event occurred 14 months after the company received an initial $14.8 million prototype development award in October 2021.

The XM1155-SC program, developed by BAE Systems for the U.S. Army, represents a cannon-launched projectile designed for use against stationary and mobile targets in contested environments. It’s firing range, more than double that of existing cannon-launched precision guided munitions, is a key feature. The concept aims to penetrate and neutralize adversary defenses through increased range and advanced guidance. These goals align with the Army's modernization objectives for long-range precision fires munitions.