US Army orders more Excalibur smart munitions
Marines load an M982 Excalibur into an M777A2 howitzer. (Photo: USMC/Cpl Ismael Ortega)
Raytheon is supplying an undisclosed number of M982 Excalibur 155mm Increment 1B GPS-guided artillery projectiles to the US Army under a $66.22 million contract modification.
Work will take place in the UK and at 11 US locations, with an estimated completion date of 29 April 2024.
The 27 January order from US Army Contracting Command followed a $20.31 million modification in June 2021.
Excalibur was co-developed by Raytheon and BAE Systems Bofors. It is a complete fin-stabilised projectile featuring GPS guidance and was first fielded in 2007, following a development programme that began in the early 1990s.
Excalibur can be fired from artillery systems such as the M777A2 lightweight howitzer, the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer (SPH) and the Archer SPH.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
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
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
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.