Excalibur successfully fired from PzH2000 howitzer
Testing to assess Excalibur’s compatibility and performance with the PzH2000 self-propelled howitzer has been completed at Yuma Proving Ground by the US Army and Raytheon. Ten precision-guided Excalibur projectiles were successfully fired during the final phase of compatibility testing in a live-fire demonstration funded by the US, Germany and supported by Raytheon.
The German Ministry of Defence is evaluating Excalibur within a competitive framework with a down-select planned in 2014.
The testing saw the PzH2000 fire the Excalibur projectiles at targets at ranges from nine to 48km. According to Raytheon, every round delivered precision effects, striking within three metres of the targets, reaffirming warhead lethality and the required three fuse modes.
Raytheon reported that the average miss distance at 48km was less than one metre. Additionally, the PzH2000 test demonstrated the projectile's ability to manoeuvre from the ballistic trajectory to an offset target.
Michelle Lohmeier, vice president, Raytheon Missile Systems' Land Warfare Systems, said: ‘These trials clearly demonstrate Excalibur's ability to provide true precision to the PzH2000, giving warfighters in multiple nations a superior advantage on the battlefield. The PzH2000 is one of many highly capable cannon artillery systems currently deployed, and now we've proven that it can fire the only mature, true precision solution available today.’
These tests follow firings in October that proved Excalibur’s compatibility with the Swedish Archer and US howitzers. The next stage in the programme is a First Article Test for Excalibur Ib to verify its production readiness.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up]()
Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up
Romania received its first Cobra MkII 4×4 light tactical armoured vehicles, ordered Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) and VAMTAC light vehicles, and is set to invest billions-of-dollars in infantry fighting vehicles.
-
![Italy begins hunt for Puma replacement]()
Italy begins hunt for Puma replacement
The Italian Army operates Pumas in 6×6 and 4×4 configurations but the platforms are ageing and numbers have fallen with obsolescence also being an issue. Any replacement is likely to have a focus on the involvement of local industry.
-
![Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand]()
Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand
The VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico or High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) 4×4 by Urovesa is in service with or has been ordered by eight countries, the most recent being Spain this month and Romania last month.
-
![CV90 user group signs agreement to improve procurement and commonality]()
CV90 user group signs agreement to improve procurement and commonality
The CV90 is in service with or ordered by ten countries. The agreement between six of these countries is designed to create commonality to provide economies of scale and a reduced training burden.
