The Excalibur Program Office of the US Army has determined that Raytheon’s Excalibur Ib precision-guided projectile is compatible with the M198 howitzer, when used with the Modular Artillery Charge System.

The Rock Island Arsenal M198 155mm towed howitzer entered into service in the late ‘70s replacing the WWII-era M114. A total of 1,600 units have been put into service with the US Army, the US Marine Corps, Australia and many other allied forces. The M198 will be gradually phased out from the US and Australian inventory to be replaced by the BAE Systems M777 155mm howitzer.

Until then the Excalibur Ib precision-guided projectile will extend the M198 howitzer’s range to 40 km (25 miles) with an accuracy of 2 m (6.5 feet).

Excalibur is a precision-guided projectile, which provides first-round effect capabilities by using GPS guidance. Therefore, not only it increases lethality but also reduces collateral damages and time and cost on the logistical support system.