Howitzers M777 and M109 will be able to fire new generation XM1128 ammunition
The M777 and M109 artillery mounts will fire a new generation of 155mm caliber ammunition, primarily targeting Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) howitzers.
It is about the XM1128 projectile. It is being developed for a new generation of self-propelled artillery and will replace the M795 high-explosive cluster munition, which can hit targets up to 14 miles (22.5 km) away.
The XM1128 will have a maximum range of 18.5 miles (almost 30 km). The United States is expected to begin production of new munitions in the near future. The XM1128’s compatibility with howitzers equipped with 52-caliber long barrels was confirmed during projectile testing.
The new ammunition is compatible with the M1156 Precision Guidance Kit (PGK). The cost of the high-precision guidance kit, which was developed by Northrop Grumman, has doubled in recent years and is now about $20,000.
