US State Department clears sale of more 155mm M982A1 Excalibur precision shells for Spanish artillery.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on June 14 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $48.2 million.
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Raytheon 155mm M982 Excalibur extended-range, GPS-guided shell (Picture source: via mil.in.ua)

The Government of Spain has requested to buy an additional one hundred fifty-three (153) M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was under the congressional notification threshold. The original FMS case, valued at $21.87 million, included one hundred eighteen (118) M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles. This notification is for a combined total of two hundred seventy-one (271) M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles.

Also included is a portable electronic Fire Control System (FCS); Improved Platform Integration Kit; Propelling Charge Modular Artillery Charge System; Simple Key Loaders (SKL); crypto cable; training aids; technical data; U.S. Government technical assistance; transportation; Excalibur spare parts; artillery cleaning sections; new equipment training; repair and return support equipment; support related to collateral damage estimation tables; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $48.2 million.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Company Missile Systems, McAlester, OK. Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Spain.

The M982 Excalibur (previously XM982) is a 155 mm extended-range guided artillery shell developed in a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC). The Excalibur was developed and/or manufactured by prime contractor Raytheon Missiles & Defense, BAE Systems AB (BAE Systems Bofors) and other subs and primes in multiple capacities such as Camber Corporation and Huntington Ingalls Industries.

It is a GPS and inertial-guided munition capable of being used in close support situations within 75–150 meters (250–490 ft) of friendly troops or in situations where targets might be prohibitively close to civilians to attack with conventional unguided artillery fire. In 2015 the United States planned to procure 7,474 rounds with a FY2015 total program cost of US$1.9341 billion at an average cost of US$258,777 per unit. By 2016, unit costs were reduced to US$68,000 per round. Versions that add laser-guidance capability and are designed to be fired from naval guns began testing in 2015.

Defense News June 2023