The U.S. Army is hard at work developing the M-777A2 howitzer on steroids. The newly modified M-777ER version will be able to hit the targets before those targets can hit them. The M-777ER will be able to fire on enemy forces more than 43 miles away, more than doubling the current 18 mile range of the current M-777A2 howitzer.
From Picatinny Arsenal:
Picatinny Arsenal engineers have been working to create a longer, newly modified M777A2 howitzer that has the potential to double the system’s current artillery range.
The modification adds six feet to the cannon and less than 1,000 pounds to the overall system. A mobility demonstration is the first step to determine if the howitzer can be modified for extended range, or if a new system is required. […]
[…] “Right now (the M777) can shoot about 30 kilometers, but once all of the upgrades are complete it will be able to shoot about 70 kilometers,” said Bound.
“So, it will be able to reach out and hit targets well in excess before the targets can reach them. It will also give a lot of operational over match so the warfighter won’t have to worry about coming into a situation where they are under fire before they can return fire,” said Bound.
After the ERCA program, the M777ER program is engaged in making sure that ERCA’s system is suitable for the M777 system.The final ERCA system will be demonstrated with an M109A7 system, which is the Paladin self-propelled howitzer. […]