M1299
M1299 | |
---|---|
![]() Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) during a test March 30, 2021 at 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 | 70–100 km (43–62 mi) |
Main armament | 155 mm L/58 XM907 gun |
Engine | Cummins diesel 600 hp (450 kW) |
Suspension | torsion bar |
The M1299 is an American prototype 155 mm turreted self-propelled howitzer developed by BAE Systems in 2019 under the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program. It is based on the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer, and was primarily designed for the purpose of improving the M109's effective range.
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 supercharged 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 - 58 calibers long gun barrel- and 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 is planned to be completed in 2021 and will 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][11]
Design[]
Gun system[]
The M1299 is armed with a new 155 mm L/58 calibre long (a 9.1 m gun tube) XM907 gun 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.[12] Originally the autoloader was planned to carry 31 rounds and be in service by 2024, but 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]
See also[]
- Panzerhaubitze 2000
- XM2001 Crusader
- XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon
References[]
- ^ Pickrell, Ryan (9 October 2018). "Army Futures Command Chief: Russia And China Are Eating Our Long-Range Lunch". Task and Purpose.
- ^ Judson, Jen (6 June 2020). "US Army takes 40-mile shots from extended-range cannon in demo". Defense News.
- ^ Keller, Jared. "Watch the Army's new supergun hit a target from 40 miles away". Business Insider.
- ^ "Video: Check out BAE's giant ERCA cannon". Defense News. 16 October 2019.
- ^ Wozniak, Jakub (24 December 2020). "New Army Extended Range Cannon Hits Target 43 Miles Away". Overt Defense.
- ^ Evans, Michael. "US army supergun breaks record with direct hit on target 70km away". The Times.
- ^ Osborn, Kris. "The U.S. Army's New Artillery Can Kill from 40 Miles Away". National Interest.
- ^ Osborn, Kris (2021-03-17). "The Army Wants 'Cannons' Armed with 'Bullets' That Can Change Direction". National Interest. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ Vandiver, John. "New Army cannon hits target 43 miles away in test". Stars and Stripes.
- ^ "U.S. Army designates new 155mm self-propelled howitzer as M1299". Armyrecognition.com. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
- ^ "New Army Cannon Doubles Range; Ramjet Ammo May Be Next". Breaking Defense. 2020-03-06. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
- ^ "Analysis: M1299 155mm 58 caliber tracked self-propelled howitzer Extended Range Cannon Artillery". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^ 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.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Extended Range Cannon Artillery. |
- XM1299 at military-today.com
- 155 mm artillery
- Self-propelled howitzers of the United States
- Tracked self-propelled howitzers
- BAE Systems land vehicles