M777 58-caliber

Description: The XM777 Joint Lightweight 155mm 39 calibers (LW155) howitzer has been designed to replace current M198 towed howitzers. The US Army will use the XM777 for general support purposes within light forces, while the USMC will use this weapon for direct support replacing all existing cannon types within the Corps. The XM777 incorporates innovate designs to achieve the lightweight goal, without sacrificing the range, stability, accuracy or durability of the planned system. It will provide excellent tactical mobility, deployment capability and survivability. Excalibur 155mm artillery projectiles will provide extended range and improved accuracy.

The US Army M777 58-caliber is a new variant of the M777A2 39-caliber lightweight towed howitzer intended to provide longer ranges firing 155mm artillery projectiles. The longer barrel howitzer will allow the projectiles increased speeds close to the hypersonic range. The new M777 variant is expected to fire the new XM113 projectile to achieve a maximum range in excess of 40 kilometers. The 58-caliber artillery gun was under development as of March 2018 with an estimated initial operational capability planned in the 2020s.