M982 Excalibur

The M982 Excalibur is a controlled 155 -mm artillery shell, which was developed by Raytheon and Bofors. It (2009) by the U.S. Army is currently used.

Overview

The intelligent artillery shell can reach a range of up to 50 kilometers with an accuracy of 5 to 10 meters. This compared with conventional unguided projectile ( 25 km) increased range is achieved by the fact that during the flight, a gas generator in the rear of the projectile burns down, which prevents turbulence behind the projectile base and thus the kinetic energy loss due to air resistance is reduced ( " Base Bleed - floor "). Additionally, the basement has the front end of trapezoidal glidewing ( canards ), which not only increase the range, but make the projectile steerable, even. The projectile collapsed upon reaching the trajectory apogee (maximum altitude) from its canards and thus triggers a programmed before launch GPS position.

Sweden is involved in the development of the ammunition with 55.1 million U.S. dollars.

After the positive experience of struggle in Iraq in the summer of 2007, where 92% of the fired bullets smashing around the target point in a 4 - meter radius, the production of 18 missiles per month, the U.S. Army decided to ramp up to 150.

Versions

There are three versions in the pipeline, as a "block " refers to:

• Block I with monoblock warhead Block Ia-1: Accelerated development, therefore reduced range. Since 2007 in the service.
• Block Ia-2: Full range.
• Block Ib: Full performance and reduced costs.

Use

The M982 was first used in the summer of 2007 in Iraq used. In the war against terrorism in Afghanistan were fired by mid-2012 more than 600 M982.

User

• United States United States from 2007
• Sweden Sweden from 2010
• Australia Australia
• Canada Canada