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
-
Thales outlines Bushmaster offering for UK requirement
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) achieved some clarity at DVD this week. Thales was just one company pushing itself forward for what will be a hotly contested requirement with a focus on what the bids will mean for UK industry.
-
![Moog rolls out offering for UK GBAD requirement]()
Moog rolls out offering for UK GBAD requirement
The Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) is a modular remote weapons station designed to counter a wide spectrum of threats ranging from enemy infantry and armoured vehicles, to helicopters and UAS. Manufacturer Moog is promoting it for the UK’s GBAD requirement.
-
![Jackal 3 in full-scale production as 53 more are ordered by British Army]()
Jackal 3 in full-scale production as 53 more are ordered by British Army
Babcock will build an additional 53 High Mobility Transporter (HMT) Jackal 3s for the British Army in partnership with Supacat.
-
![Boxer continues swinging with the announcement of three key milestones in the next four months]()
Boxer continues swinging with the announcement of three key milestones in the next four months
The UK’s Mechanised Infantry Vehicle programme appears set for a busy four months of success as the Boxer continues to deliver and be delivered. In an announcement at DVD 2024, the UK Boxer programme is set to see its final prototype vehicle, the first UK-produced serial vehicle, and initial conversion training by the British Army start by January 2025.
-
![Paramount supplies Maatla vehicles to Ghana]()
Paramount supplies Maatla vehicles to Ghana
Paramount’s Maatla 4x4 is a Light Protected Vehicle (LPV) aimed at the African off-road armoured vehicle market and the announcement of deliveries to Ghana means, along with the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is known to be in service with two African countries.
-
![Major call for shift towards defence-focused advanced manufacturing practices made at DVD 2024]()
Major call for shift towards defence-focused advanced manufacturing practices made at DVD 2024
Defence leaders called on the industry to be more proactive in supply chain design, but noted that while the use of modern technological solutions to streamline the supply chain was vital, it could have significant downstream societal consequences.
