BAE Systems Develops XM1155-SC Artillery Ammunition Able to Double Fire Range of Standard Rounds.

BAE Systems is advancing artillery technology with its development of the XM1155-SC, a next-generation artillery projectile designed to significantly enhance the U.S. Army's long-range precision fire capabilities. This cutting-edge, cannon-launched, precision-guided munition is part of the Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) family and aims to defeat both stationary and mobile targets in contested environments. The XM1155-SC artillery munition is being developed under the U.S. Army's Extended Range Artillery Projectile (ERAP) program, with the goal of extending the range of 155mm artillery rounds to more than double the range of current precision-guided munitions, aiming beyond 110 kilometers.
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BAE Systems displays its new XM1155-SC f artillery ammunition at AUSA Global Defense Exhibition in the United States. (Picture source BAE Systems)

In December 2022, BAE Systems, in partnership with the U.S. Army, conducted the first successful test fire of the XM1155-SC from a 155 mm XM907E2 Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) test bed. This event marked a significant achievement as the projectile impacted a fixed target at ranges beyond what previous precision-guided projectiles had accomplished. This successful test came just 14 months after BAE Systems received an initial $14.8 million prototype development award in October 2021, underscoring the rapid progress of the program.

The XM1155-SC is designed to penetrate and destroy adversary defenses through its increased range, advanced guidance, lethality, and survivability. It represents BAE Systems' commitment to developing a munition that addresses the Army's modernization goals for a long-range precision fires solution. This includes creating a highly maneuverable, low-drag projectile capable of defeating a broad set of target types in challenging operational environments.

Collaborating closely with the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, BAE Systems has demonstrated the XM1155-SC's capabilities by firing it to record distances from an M109 Paladin howitzer, showcasing its accuracy using GPS in tests conducted at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. The development of the XM1155-SC is a critical component of the U.S. Army's broader effort to modernize its artillery formations and enhance its capabilities in long-range precision fires, which is a key area for development in response to global strategic challenges.

The XM1155-SC artillery ammunition developed by BAE Systems for the U.S. Army heralds a transformative advance in the artillery capabilities available on the modern battlefield. This munition, designed to significantly outperform current 155mm artillery rounds in several key areas, integrates cutting-edge technologies to provide forces with a strategic advantage.

With its capability to engage targets beyond 110 kilometers, more than double the range of existing cannon-launched precision-guided munitions, the XM1155-SC extends the operational reach of artillery units. This extended range allows forces to strike strategic targets deep within enemy territory while remaining beyond the range of enemy counter-fire. Such a capability is critical for shaping the battlefield before direct engagements, disrupting enemy logistics, command and control nodes, and supporting maneuvers from a distance.

Moreover, the precision guidance of the XM1155-SC ensures that it can accurately hit both stationary and moving targets in contested environments. This level of accuracy minimizes collateral damage and allows for the selective engagement of high-value targets, even in scenarios where GPS signals may be degraded or denied. This is a significant improvement over conventional artillery munitions, which may require multiple rounds to achieve the desired effect on the target due to their reliance on area effects rather than precision.

The munition's development underlines a shift towards systems that can provide a significant advantage in terms of range, accuracy, and lethality. By integrating advanced guidance systems, propulsion technologies, and warheads capable of defeating a broad set of target types, the XM1155-SC represents a leap forward in artillery technology.

In the context of modern and future warfare, where adversaries may possess sophisticated defenses and the ability to contest or deny access to traditional support assets like airpower, the XM1155-SC offers a compelling solution. It enables ground forces to deliver precise, long-range fires in support of joint operations, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the military across a spectrum of conflict scenarios.

Furthermore, the ability of this munition to achieve greater ranges and precision, combined with enhanced lethality and survivability features, directly supports the U.S. Army's modernization priorities. These include long-range precision fires identified as a critical capability to overmatch potential adversaries and to ensure dominance in multi-domain operations.

In summary, the XM1155-SC represents a pivotal enhancement to artillery's role on the modern battlefield, offering unmatched range, precision, and lethality. These capabilities provide strategic and tactical advantages, enabling forces to engage the enemy more effectively and from greater distances, shaping the battlefield to their favor before close engagements commence.

Defense News March 2024