In order to design flexible
orbit ammunition, arms developers adapted and upgraded the software for the
existing Excalibur Ib ammunition.
The existing guided
artillery shells, often using GPS, have been effective in combat for many
years, helping ground attack commanders expand their attack options. An
accurate guided 155m ammunition, called Excalibur, first appeared in the war in
2007. The introduction of these guided munitions brought the artillery
into the era of modern warfare, historically being used as a "regional
weapon" to prey on enemies with incoming firepower, allowing other forces
maneuver.
Excalibur, used
successfully in Iraq and Afghanistan, has brought a new level of precision
attack in ground combat. This not only allows firing from a longer
distance but also gives new tactical advantages to commanders seeking to
eliminate targets in dangerous or complex environments.
After years of fighting, US
rivals have developed tactics to prevent or avoid these precision artillery
pieces, by placing weapons and potential targets into areas that are less
likely to be destroyed by guided bullets.
Upside-down defense is a
tactic in which a defensive force is located on the flank of a high terrain
like hills and mountains, on the opposite side from the attacking
force. This strategy interferes with the defender's ability to observe the
position as well as reduces the effectiveness of the attacker's long-range
weapons such as tanks and artillery.
In response to these
challenges, the US Army and Raytheon are developing an improved version of
Excalibur ammunition called EST that can change the direction of the flight and
approach hidden targets.
In rough terrain, an
adjustable bullet allows for new effects against targets. With the new
technology, the bullet is programmed to make a U-shaped turn from above,
changing directions to destroy hidden or hidden targets.
"When it reaches its
highest point in orbit, the canard wings are activated and the bullet is lifted
and glided. With a shaped trajectory, you can bend that trajectory."
Shawn Ball, Raytheon's
Excalibur development team, told Warrior in an interview.
Approach angle of the bullet
to a pre-programmed target.
"The US Army came to
us to pursue a goal that was previously inaccessible."
Ball said.
"The bullets were shot
over a mountain and then it came back behind the hillside. It acted like a
rocket. The trajectory was programmed by the gunners.”
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