MILTECH
M777 Lightweight Howitzer Update Gives More Range And Accuracy

The Excalibur projectile will give the M777A2 howitzer a maximum range of 40km with accuracy on target within 10 meters.
by Staff Writers
 Arlington VI (SPX) Jul 27, 2007
 The latest version of BAE Systems' M777 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer is now cleared to fire a longer-range and more accurate projectile following official approval. The receipt of a Full Material Release for the A2 version from the Commanding General of the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command means that the necessary upgrades can be issued to U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps units.

Full Material Release means that the system meets all safety and operational requirements for fielding. This is achieved only after thorough testing of the system and its software to strict test regimes.

The A2 version of the howitzer incorporates a software update that enables the howitzer to program and fire the M982 Excalibur Guided Projectile.

The Excalibur brings precision fire to field artillery at all achievable ranges. The Excalibur projectile will give the M777A2 howitzer a maximum range of 40km with accuracy on target within 10 meters. This is an increase over the current range of the howitzer of 30km using unguided munitions.

The M777A2 version of the howitzer will be the version issued to all U.S. Army and USMC units and previously-equipped M777A1 howitzer units will receive a software upgrade to bring their systems to A2 standard. Both the 11th Marine Regiment and the 10th Marine Regiment have received the A2 version.

The 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is currently undergoing initial fielding of the M777A2 for the U.S. Army. The 2nd Battalion 11th Field Artillery Regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii was equipped with M777A1 howitzers in January 2007. They will be converted to the A2 version later this year.

Community
 Email This Article
 Comment On This Article
Related Links
 BAE Systems
 The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com

MILTECH
LockMart Receives Contract For Paveway 2 Precision Guided Systems
 Bethesda MD (SPX) Jul 27, 2007
 Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $33 million contract to deliver paveway II Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) GBU-12 kits to the U.S. Air Force. Delivery to the U.S. Air Force is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2008. This contract award reflects the U.S. Air Force's continuous need for paveway II LGBs and highlights Lockheed Martin's commitment to delivering the most cost-effective precision-guided weapon system.
SUPERPOWERS
  • Europe Drums Diplomatic Beat As US Looks On
  • The US India Nuclear Deal Signals A New Big Power Relationship
  • The Arctic Crisis Part 1
  • Is Russia One Of The Richest Countries

    • NUKEWARS
  • US And India Adopt Historic Nuclear Agreement
  • Indian Officials Hail US Nuclear Accord
  • Bush Asks Congress Fund Nuclear Arsenal Revamp
  • Boost For US Asia strategy

    • MISSILE NEWS
  • US Pays Czechs To Destroy Cold War Missiles
  • Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Cruise Missile
  • Lockheed Martin Tests Guidance Upgrade And Improved Software For ATACMS Block IA Unitary
  • Lockheed Martin Conducts PAC-3 Missile Test At White Sands Missile Range

    • MISSILE DEFENSE
  • Radars Without Missiles
  • Russia To Deploy S-400 Air Defense Systems Around Moscow
  • GEO-1 Payload Readied For Delivery For Start Of Integration With Spacecraft
  • Czech Opposition To Radar Plans Grows As Russia About Consequences

    • AEROSPACE
  • Boeing Flies Blended Wing Body Research Aircraft
  • Steering Aircraft Clear Of Choppy Air
  • EAA AirVenture 2007
  • Sensors May Monitor Aircraft For Defects Continuously

    • UAV NEWS
  • Predators Stop Insurgents
  • Army Signs Contract With Aurora For Continued Orion HALL Development
  • US Marine Corps Begins Transitioning To Shadow Tactical UAS
  • South Korea Seeks To Acquire Sensitive Spy Planes

    • IRAQ WARS
  • China Takes Aim At US Over Claims Chinese Missiles Are In Iraq
  • Iraq Envoy Slams US Over Arms Supplies
  • Anbar Fantasies Part 2
  • Pressure Mounts To Dump Iraq Back On UN

    • MILTECH
  • M777 Lightweight Howitzer Update Gives More Range And Accuracy
  • Japan Shopping Around Amid US Stealth Jet Ban
  • LockMart Receives Contract For Paveway 2 Precision Guided Systems
  • New Prosthesis Could Help Keep Troops In The Fight

    • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement