AMERICA’S ARMY WINNING IN A COMPLEX WORLD

ACAT I
Excalibur Precision 155 mm Projectiles
PEO Ammunition | Picatinny Arsenal, NJ
WARFIGHTING
FUNCTION
Mission Command
Movement and Maneuver
Intelligence
Fires
Sustainment
Maneuver Support
and Protection
Engagement
ACQUISITION
LIFECYCLE PHASE
Materiel Solution Analysis
Technology Maturation &
Risk Reduction
Engineering & Manufacturing
Development
Production & Deployment
Operations & Support
MILESTONE DECISION
AUTHORITY
Defense Acquisition Executive
Army Acquisition Executive
Program Executive Officer
DESCRIPTION
Excalibur (XM982, M982 and M982A1) is a 155 mm, Global
Positioning System (GPS)-guided, extended-range artillery projectile in
use as the Army’s next-generation cannon artillery precision munition.
It provides improved fire support to the maneuver force commander,
increases lethality and reduces collateral damage. The target, platform
location and GPS-specific data are entered into the projectile’s mission
computer through an Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuse
Setter. Excalibur uses a jam-resistant internal GPS receiver to update
the inertial navigation system, providing precision in-flight guidance
and dramatically improving accuracy of less than 2 meters miss distance
regardless of range. Excalibur has three fuse options (point-detonation,
point-detonation-delay and height-of-burst) and is employable in all
weather conditions and terrain. Excalibur’s capability allows for firstround
effects on target while simultaneously minimizing the number of
rounds required to engage targets and minimizing collateral damage.
The program is using an incremental approach to provide a combat
capability to the Soldier as quickly as possible, and to deliver advanced
capabilities and lower costs as technology matures. The initial variant
(XM982 Increment 1A-1) includes a unitary high-explosive warhead
capable of penetrating urban structures and is also effective against
personnel and light materiel targets. Increment 1A-2 (M982) provides
increased range (up to 37.5 km) and reliability improvements. The third
variant (M982A1 Increment 1B) maintains performance and capabilities
while reducing unit cost and increasing reliability. Excalibur is designed
for fielding to the Lightweight 155 mm Howitzer (M777A2), the 155
mm M109A6 Self-Propelled Howitzer (Paladin), M109A7 Paladin
Integrated Management and the Swedish Archer Howitzer. Excalibur is
an international cooperative program with Sweden, which contributes
resources toward development in accordance with established cooperative
development and production agreements.
The Army and Marine Corps are Excalibur-capable with Increments 1A-1
and 1A-2, and the Army is capable with Increment 1B as well. The system
is proven compatible with M777, M109A6 and M109A7 Howitzers when
firing Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) propellant.
BENEFIT TO THE WARFIGHTER
The Excalibur projectile enables the Soldier to service a precisely located
target with first-round effects, denying the enemy the ability to take
protective measures or flee the area. Due to the precision achieved and
relatively limited damage radius, Excalibur allows engagement of targets
within close proximity.
SPECIFICATIONS
• Maximum range from U.S. 39 Caliber Howitzers with Zone 5
MACS: 39.3 km
• Minimum Range from U.S. 39 Caliber Howitzers with Zone 3
MACS: 8.7 km
• Precision achieved: less than 2 meters
• Fuse modes: point-detonation, point-detonation-delay, and
height-of-burst
PROGRAM STATUS
• 2QFY15-4QFY15: M982A1 (Increment 1B) in production; 1,388
items delivered to inventory
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
• 1QFY16-3QFY16: M982A1 (Increment 1B) in production; 1,052
items to be delivered to inventory
• 3QFY16: M982A1 (Increment 1B) production completed
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UNITED STATES ARMY