The General Atomics company presented a model of high-precision ammunition for 155-mm howitzers, capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 150 kilometers. General Atomics presented its long-range maneuvering projectile (LRMP) guided artillery munition at Sea Air Space 2023, the largest defense technologies naval exhibition in the United States, which brought together the largest representatives of the country’s defense industry.

The main features of the presented model are high damage accuracy, radius of action and extremely high maneuverability. The 155 mm caliber ammunition reaches a firing range of 150 kilometers thanks to a unique design consisting of six wings that dampen the rotation of the bullet between 200 and 20 revolutions per second as it exits the barrel. This allows you to stabilize the flight and open the wings.

Gary Hopper, the company’s vice president, said at the show that the LRMP can achieve this range using the standard US Army M777 howitzer with a barrel length of 39 caliber. For a shot at maximum range, the projectile is fired along a high parabola to reach a high altitude. After that, it leaves the driving device, opens its wings and moves to the target according to the determined coordinates.

The new ammunition is equipped with the ability to perform complex maneuvers in the last flight segment. It can change course 360 ​​degrees to accurately engage complex targets in a static position and on the go.

Company representatives also showed a short video in which the LRMP covered the entire flight distance and on its last leg performed a complex maneuver to hit a moving target. The latter may indicate the possible installation of an optical guidance system in ammunition. In April, the company plans to conduct the first test launch of the LRMP, which will include a test of the flapping phase. Complex tests of LRMP ammunition are scheduled for the end of this year.

127 mm caliber version

Representatives of General Atomics also reported that the company plans to adapt the promising project to ship artillery installations of 127 mm caliber to work on mobile objects on land and at sea. Manufacturers claim that LRMP of this caliber can hit targets at a distance of up to 100 kilometers.