The Norwegian company Nammo and the American aerospace giant Boeing conducted joint tests of a direct-jet-powered artillery shell, which any standard 155 mm howitzer could fire at targets more than 80 km away.

According to the Nammo press release, during tests at the Andoya Test Center in Norway, a Boeing Ramjet 155 shell was fired from a cannon and the jet engine was successfully fired. Demonstrated flight stability with well-controlled engine combustion.

“We believe the Boeing Ramjet 155, with its technology development and testing capabilities, can help the US Army meet its long-range precision engineering modernization priorities,” said Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager, Boeing Phantom Works. “This successful trial shows that we have made great strides.”

“This is a historic moment for Nammo,” said Morten Brandtzeg, Nammo CEO. “Test results show that jet engines are viable and could fundamentally change the future of artillery.”

“We have a lot of confidence in the concept of a direct-flow jet engine,” Brandtzeg added. “It works perfectly in all aspects – from gunfire to bullet body, tail and trajectory – it represents a true technological breakthrough in artillery and a major achievement for Boeing, Nammo and the US Army.”

Long-range tests at Andøya followed years of research, development and testing of Boeing and Nammo jet engine technologies, including more than 450 static or short-range tests.

Boeing Phantom Works and Nammo have entered into a strategic partnership to jointly develop and manufacture the next generation of advanced artillery shells. In July 2019, the Boeing-Nammo team was awarded a contract to develop and refine the Ramjet 155 projectile under the US Army’s XM1155 program. In May 2021, the team was awarded a Phase II technology development contract.

The Ramjet 155 uses an engine in which the air drawn for combustion is compressed only by the translational motion of the projectile at supersonic speed. Considered a mix of guided artillery and rockets, the program aims for a common projectile design that can be used in L39 and L58 cannons.

The team continues to develop and improve the technology. NAMMO is also developing a version with an increased flight range of up to 150 km.