The U.S. Army is undergoing an unprecedented modernization effort, propelled by the rising military threats from adversaries around the globe. In this transformative period, the Army is focusing on 34 new systems, spanning from long-range precision fires to advanced soldier equipment. A key aspect of this revitalization is the Army’s number one priority: long-range precision fires (LRPF). With these advancements, the Army plans to initiate fielding or conduct operational testing of 24 new systems in FY2023 alone, seeking to outpace the evolving battlefield threats.
At the heart of the LRPF programs lies a suite of artillery, rocket, and missile systems designed to offer superior range, accuracy, and responsiveness. These include the Extended Range Cannon Artillery, the Precision Strike Missile, and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon. The Army is also committed to enhancing its existing M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers with the Paladin Integrated Program, which aims to significantly improve the cannon’s reliability, survivability, and lethality.
Recent conflicts, like those in Ukraine, have underscored the indispensable role of indirect fire systems in high-intensity warfare. The war has seen an enormous expenditure of artillery, with the U.S. and NATO providing Ukraine with various artillery systems, including towed and truck-mounted ones. These conflicts demonstrate the effectiveness of combining long-range capabilities with improved accuracy and targeting, which have been crucial for Ukraine in countering Russian operations.
An imperative lesson from the European conflict is the importance of mobility for survival. As a highly regarded defense analyst put it, “Mobility has become synonymous with survival.” The Army has taken note, investing in mobile long-range fire systems that can withstand the rigors of modern combat, where stationary formations become easy targets for counter-battery fire.
However, the vulnerability of towed artillery has become apparent, and yet the Army’s inventory includes nearly 500 towed M777 155mm artillery pieces. This presents a clear contradiction for the highly mobile Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs), which still depend on these towed systems. In response, many U.S. allies have transitioned to truck-mounted 155mm artillery systems, which offer rapid deployment and mobility.
In 2021, the Army explored global options by testing four mobile 155mm systems: the Israeli Atmos, British Archer, French Caesar, and U.S. Brutus. While the results have been kept confidential, these systems are proven, with several, like Caesar, actively supporting operations in Ukraine.
To bolster its long-range precision fires capabilities, the Army demonstrated its commitment by successfully launching Tomahawk missiles from its mid-range capability prototype on June 27, 2023, showing the system’s potential as a ground-based missile launcher. This test is part of the Army’s initiative to upgrade artillery and missile systems in the face of improving enemy long-range artillery.
Moreover, the Army’s focus on modernization extends to its logistical backbone. In 2024, the Army will start testing industry offerings for its Common Tactical Truck program. This initiative seeks to field heavy tactical vehicles that can support multi-domain operations with advanced safety features and the potential for future autonomous capabilities.
Relevant articles:
– The U.S. Army Needs To Add A Truck-Mounted Howitzer To Its Modernization Program, 19fortyfive.com, Mar 26, 2023
– US Army Seeking Next-Gen 155mm Truck-Mounted Howitzer, The Defense Post, Jan 11, 2022
– Army Taking Tactical Truck Prototypes Out for a Spin, National Defense Magazine, Jan 30, 2024
– US Army Fires Tomahawk Missiles from Truck, Defense aerospace, Aug 23, 2023