ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 9, 2023 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Nammo have recently achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new record for the longest indirect fire test of a ramjet-powered artillery projectile. This achievement, realized in collaboration with officials from the U.S. Army, involved the firing of a Ramjet 155 munition from a 58-caliber Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. The groundbreaking test serves as a significant milestone in advancing the development of the Army’s highest modernization priority, Long Range Precision Fires.
Boeing Phantom Works – Record-Breaking Success
Gil Griffin, Executive Director of Boeing Phantom Works, expressed the team’s primary goals during this test, stating, “Our objective was to demonstrate the ability to safely operate from the ERCA system and validate our performance. Both objectives were met. The team is working to deliver a superior, affordable precision strike weapon that can neutralize critical targets at long distances.”
This recent accomplishment builds upon the success of a previous Boeing-Nammo test conducted last year, which marked the longest-ever indirect fire test of a Ramjet 155 munition. The earlier test utilized a 39-caliber towed artillery cannon at the Andøya Test Center in Norway.
Army’s XM1155 program – A Path to Enhanced Artillery
The Boeing-Nammo collaboration is part of the Army’s XM1155 program and is categorized as a powered guided artillery munition. The Ramjet 155 utilizes an innovative air-breathing engine design that harnesses the firing power of the cannon to initiate combustion, thus providing the necessary speed for propulsion.
In the next phase of development, Boeing and Nammo plan to integrate a precision guidance system, incorporating a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) mission computer into the Ramjet 155. This upcoming demonstration will evaluate the system’s maturity, effectiveness against stationary and moving targets, and readiness to transition into the next developmental stage.
Nammo – Revolutionizing Artillery
Morten Brandtzæg, Nammo CEO, emphasized the substantial progress achieved through this collaboration, stating, “This program now has a thoroughly tested propulsion system that guarantees enormous range increases for all artillery cannons. We believe the major development hurdles have now been cleared and production is viable within a relatively short timeframe.”
The successful tests conducted by Boeing and Nammo illustrate the transformative potential of ramjet projectiles in the field of artillery. This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort that promises extended range capabilities and strategic advantages for military applications.
Photo: Boeing
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