The US Army is taking a critical step to build an innovative portfolio for the upcoming 155mm cluster round. Market research published on November 20 suggests that multiple contractors could be found to produce 30,000 XM1208s per year, a move that comes as part of an effort to increase production of howitzer ammunition in the war against Ukraine. It is noteworthy that the monthly production of artillery shells in the USA is currently close to 40,000 units.
Key capabilities of XM1208and performance targets focus on the ability to fire from M109A6/7 Paladin and M777A2 howitzers; approximately in range 22 km(14 miles) is obtained. This ammunition consists of nine missiles launched at a determined time during the flight. M99 Advanced Submunition (ASM)It carries. At the moment of fall, a total of approximately 1,200 pre-formed tungsten particles are scattered, which are effective against targets, with the impact occurring at a height of approximately 1.5 meters. Thus, it is aimed to provide high effectiveness against personnel and light vehicles.
The most striking feature of the XM1208 is that it offers an improved solution against the high failure rate of old DPICM cluster munitions. Although there is a main proximity fuze in the sub-munition, in order to maximize explosion reliability, a point explosion, pyrotechnic and two electronic fuzes are used at the time of impact. four spare fuzesis available.
International agreements and the C-DAEM programIn this context, the design of an artillery shell that can launch a high number of sub-munitions is considered a target that pushes the current limits. Historically high failure rates of DPICM munitions have led to accumulations of unexploded ordnance on the battlefield. To solve this problem, the Army introduced DPICM Cannon Launched Area Effect Munition (C-DAEM)plans to replace it with its program. XM1208 (against personnel and light vehicles) and XM1180 (armor piercing) ammunition form the basis of this program. The main objectives of the program include reducing the risk of harm from unexploded ordnance and providing enhanced lethality against unidentified targets; It is also expected to provide reliable operation in environments where GPS is controversial. However, experts say that reducing the failure rate to less than 1% while keeping the cost at reasonable levels is the most critical challenge. Despite this, the Army indicates that it is likely to keep DPICM in inventory due to the need for immediate use.
