Artillery Shells with a Rocket engine are a Reality Today.
The Pentagon and several American companies continue to work on the ERAMS (Extended-Range Artillery Munitions Suite) program, which aims to create an artillery projectile with an extended range. A part of the research and design work has been completed so far, and the participants in the next stage of the program will be determined in the near future.
The ERAMS program is directly linked to a number of other missile and artillery development projects. Its goal is to create an artillery shell in the existing 155 mm caliber with a range of at least 100 km. The promising projectile has already been designated XM1155 and Extended-Range Artillery Projectile (ERAP).
In May last year, the Pentagon signed several contracts for preliminary research and development work under Phase 1. At this stage, Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon joined the program. They also invited several subcontractors to develop individual components and assemblies.
A year ago, the ERAMS program participants were making the most ambitious plans, but the situation has changed over time. Recently, Breaking Defense reported that Raytheon has terminated its participation in the program. The reasons for this decision were not specified. At the same time, Boeing continues to work. The status of the other two ERAMS participants is unknown.
It is also reported that by now the program participants have completed the necessary work and presented preliminary designs of their XM1155 projectile. Over the next two weeks, the Pentagon will select the two most successful designs, which will continue to be developed in Phase 2. It has not yet been disclosed which of the program participants are the favorites.
Currently, the US Army has a wide range of 155-mm howitzer artillery shells with different range characteristics. For example, the M109 self-propelled artillery system can hit a target at a distance of 25–30 km using existing active-reactive shells; and the new XM1113 munition can reach 40 km. The promising XM1299 self-propelled gun with a long-barreled cannon can send XM1113 as far as 70 km.
The U.S. Army emphasizes the importance of further increasing range performance. Studies have shown that these tasks cannot be solved with the help of individual components and products, but require an integrated approach. Only a full-fledged artillery system, including a gun, a projectile and a new type of projectile charge, can show the required result.
The ERAMS program management notes that the task of increasing the range can be divided into three components, each of which requires its own solution. The first is to increase the energy characteristics of the projectile, which is achieved by increasing the length of the barrel and the volume of the chamber, as well as by strengthening the projectile charge.
“The XM1155 with a direct-jet engine will require a ‘more robust guidance system’ to effectively engage moving targets at long ranges, likely based on ‘some form of multi-mode guidance’ that includes multiple guidance systems while in flight to the target. Multi-mode guidance packages, which may also include laser guidance, are becoming increasingly standard for precision munitions. In addition to the ability to hit moving objects, they will help to hit targets in bad weather and at night, providing weapons with alternative ways to hit, even if the enemy successfully manages to disable one or more guidance systems,” — writes the specialized American publication WarZone.
The second direction is to improve the aerodynamics of the projectile so that it can more fully utilize the energy received. The ERAMS program investigated, in particular, the use of additional planes that create lift. The need to create thrust after the projectile leaves the barrel was also confirmed. A traditional solid fuel or direct-flow engine can be used for this purpose. There have already been successes in this area: Northrop Grumman reported on them based on the results of tests in the ballistics laboratory.
“The successful completion of the test of a direct-flow solid-fuel jet engine demonstrates the maturation of a technology that can withstand very challenging projectile launch conditions and significantly extend the range of current U.S. Army field artillery with a high degree of confidence,” — said Pat Nolan, vice president of missile products at Northrop Grumman.
Studies and experiments have shown that direct-flow engines have the greatest potential in this area. Unlike rocket engines, they take oxidizer from the atmosphere, which allows them to have a larger fuel reserve with the same dimensions and weight, which will increase thrust and/or extend the duration of operation. In addition, the problem of initial projectile acceleration is solved by itself.
As part of the research part of the ERAMS program, the optimal design and construction of a promising long-range projectile was developed. It proposes to retain only certain features of the traditional projectile design while implementing solutions taken from missile weapons.
According to open data, there are currently three main participants in the ERAMS program, not counting subcontractors. It will take several more years to hold the second competitive stage, determine the best design and bring it to production and use in the military. The production of XM1155 products is planned to start only in 2025. After that, it will take some time to reach the desired production rate and build up stocks.
By the time the new projectile is available, the troops will already have the necessary guns. Thus, in 2023, a number of rocket and artillery systems are scheduled to be adopted, including the first battery of the XM1299 self-propelled artillery system. Initially, the new guns will be able to use existing ammunition, including the latest XM1113, and then the XM1155 with record performance will be delivered to the units.
Thus, the United States is continuing the largest program to upgrade its missile and artillery forces, covering all major areas. A number of promising missile and artillery systems are going to be adopted as early as 2023, and promising projects are already at the final stage of development and testing.
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