US to supply Denmark with 5,832 M1156 PGK artillery kits in $85 Million sale.

On August 15, 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Denmark involving Precision Guidance Kits (PGKs) and associated logistics and program support, with an estimated value of $85 million. Northrop Grumman is expected to serve as the principal contractor for this sale, which includes up to 5,832 M1156 PGKs. Denmark's request for these PGKs follows earlier international sales to countries such as Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands, which have incorporated PGKs into their military inventories.
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By converting conventional artillery rounds into precision-guided munitions, the PGK reduces the number of rounds needed to complete a mission. (Picture source: US DoD)

The M1156 PGK is a GPS-guided fuze kit designed to improve the accuracy of existing 155mm artillery shells by reducing delivery errors. By converting conventional artillery rounds into precision-guided munitions, the PGK reduces the number of rounds needed to complete a mission. This technology is intended to enhance accuracy in military operations and minimize unintended impacts.

The M1156 PGK is compatible with the M795 and M549A1 high-explosive 155mm projectiles and can be used with artillery systems such as the M109A7 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM), M109A6 Paladin, and M777A2 Lightweight Towed Howitzer. The fuze operates in modes including point detonation and height-of-burst, allowing for flexibility in various operational scenarios.

This guidance kit was initially fielded during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in April 2013 and has since undergone upgrades, including the M1156A1 variant in Fiscal Year 2023, which adds compatibility with newer artillery rounds like the XM1113 and XM1128. The PGK has achieved Full Materiel Release, indicating its readiness for full deployment within military forces.

The M1156 PGK is compatible with the M795 and M549A1 high-explosive 155mm projectiles and can be used with artillery systems such as the M109A7 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM), M109A6 Paladin, and M777A2 Lightweight Towed Howitzer. (Picture source: US DoD)

Northrop Grumman, following its acquisition of Orbital ATK, is the manufacturer of the M1156 PGK. Initially developed by Alliant Techsystems starting in 2007, the PGK is designed to transform conventional artillery rounds into guided munitions by adding a GPS guidance package and control surfaces to adjust the flight path of the shell. This technology is similar in concept to the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), which converts unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons.

The M1156 PGK includes a safety mechanism that prevents the shell from detonating if it is projected to miss the target by more than 150 meters. This feature is intended to reduce the risk of unintended impacts. The PGK's design incorporates small aerodynamic fins to steer the shell toward the target, and it has a self-contained power system that generates electricity in flight, eliminating the need for batteries.

The PGK has demonstrated compatibility with various 155mm artillery stockpiles in international settings. For example, in September 2014, German DM111 shells equipped with PGKs were fired from a PzH2000 self-propelled howitzer, achieving a high degree of accuracy, with 90 percent of the rounds landing within five meters of the target from a distance of 27 kilometers.

The M1156 PGK program has seen continuous development, including multiple versions and upgrades. The upcoming M1156E2/A1 variant is expected to further improve accuracy and is compatible with extended-range artillery rounds. Future developments include the Long Range PGK, which aims to extend the effective range to 70 kilometers while maintaining precision in challenging environments.

In September 2014, German DM111 shells equipped with PGKs were fired from a PzH2000 self-propelled howitzer, achieving a high degree of accuracy, with 90 percent of the rounds landing within five meters of the target from a distance of 27 kilometers. (Picture source: US DoD)