US Army Fires Excalibur Ib Projectile from M109A2/A3 Howitzer in First Time Test

Precision round now compatible with worldwide artillery platforms

YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz., May 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) successfully fired two Excalibur Ib projectiles from a M109A2/A3 howitzer during recent tests. Using the M185 cannon and M119A2 propelling charge with Excalibur for the first time, both rounds guided precisely to their targets more than 20 kilometers away.

The M109A2/A3 is an early variant of the M109-series howitzer operated by armed forces around the world. Based on the test results, those forces are now able to use the extended range precision capability provided by Excalibur Ib.

"With these firings, we have expanded the potential Excalibur Ib user community and proved to those countries they can add precision fires to their arsenals," said Mark Hokeness, Raytheon's Excalibur program director. "Excalibur provides its users with accurate, first-round effects capability in any environment and supports forces across the full spectrum of operations."

Source: Excalibur Ib fired from M109A2/A3 howitzer in first-time test

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