Extended Range Cannon Artillery

The Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA), designated the M1299, is an American prototype self-propelled artillery cannon developed in 2019 by BAE Systems. It is based on the pre-existing M109A7, and is primarily designed for the purpose of improving the M109's effective range.

Extended Range Cannon Artillery
TypeSelf propelled artillery
Place of originUnited States
Production history
Designed2019
ManufacturerBAE Systems
Specifications
Diameter147 cm (58 in)
Caliber155 mm (6.1 in)
Rate of fire3 rounds/min (manual loading)
10 rounds/min (autoloader)

History

According to a report in 2015 by RAND Corporation, American rocket artillery systems had fallen far behind Russian and Chinese equivalents. This was seconded by General John M. Murray, who specified that Russian and Chinese artillery were capable of outranging American systems.[1]

During tests conducted in 2018, the M777 howitzer was able to double its range, being able to hit targets at over 37 miles (60 km) away, through the usage of supercharged propellant and rocket-assisted projectiles. 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 (AUSA).[4]

In 2020, the ERCA successfully hit a target at 43 miles (70 km) away, believed to be the longest distance precision guided shot in history,[5][6] and over double the maximum range typically achieved by an M777 using the same round.[7] According to the United States Army, the ERCA is planned to be completed in 2021, to enter service in 2023,[8] and to be fitted with an autoloader in 2024.[9]

References
  1. Pickrell, Ryan. "Army Futures Command Chief: Russia And China Are Eating Our Long-Range Lunch". Task and Purpose.
  2. Judson, Jen. "US Army takes 40-mile shots from extended-range cannon in demo". Defense News.
  3. Keller, Jared. "Watch the Army's new supergun hit a target from 40 miles away". Business Insider.
  4. "Video: Check out BAE's giant ERCA cannon". Defense News.
  5. Wozniak, Jakub. "New Army Extended Range Cannon Hits Target 43 Miles Away". Overt Defense.
  6. Evans, Michael. "US army supergun breaks record with direct hit on target 70km away". The Times.
  7. Osborn, Kris. "The U.S. Army's New Artillery Can Kill from 40 Miles Away". National Interest.
  8. Vandiver, John. "New Army cannon hits target 43 miles away in test". Stars and Stripes.
  9. Judson, Jen. "Extended-range cannon to get autoloader within five years". Defense News.
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