The US Army has issued multiple contracts under its Extended Range Artillery Projectile (ERAP) program to develop a next-generation 155mm munition that can significantly extend the range and effectiveness of its artillery systems.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), General Atomics, and BAE Systems have received contracts for the program, which seeks US- and Canada-based manufacturers to develop a projectile compatible with existing 39- and 52-caliber artillery systems.
Launched in 2024, the ERAP program aims to achieve initial operational capability by fiscal year 2030.
Low-rate initial production is expected to begin by the second quarter of 2029, with at least 300 projectiles to be produced.
Vulcano Round
As part of the effort, GD-OTS has received a $37.86-million contract for its precision artillery munition derived from the Vulcano 155 Guided Long Range system.
The Vulcano is a family of sub-caliber ammunition co-developed by Leonardo and Diehl Defence, designed to engage both stationary and moving targets at extended ranges.
Currently operational with the armed forces of Germany and Italy, the Vulcano can strike targets at ranges of up to 70 kilometers (43 miles) with high precision, aided by advanced aerodynamics, GPS guidance, and a semi-active laser terminal seeker.
The ammunition is also available with a far-infrared seeker for engaging maritime targets, with both variants capable of operating in GPS-contested environments.
“Our approach leverages years of investment and development from our partners, Diehl Defence and Leonardo Electronics, who have successfully delivered the 155mm Vulcano Guided Long Range artillery suite to Germany, Italy, and other partner nations,” senior vice president and general manager at GD-OTS, Michael Bate, said.
“With minor airframe modifications, the team can rapidly deliver a mature solution that meets requirements for range, precision, lethality, and schedule. Transitioning established production lines from Germany and Italy to the United States enables low-risk scaling to quickly deliver long range precision fires capability.”
Other Awardees
General Atomics has received a $24.84-million contract to develop a new 155mm extended-range projectile, while BAE Systems Land & Armaments secured $81.43 million to conduct demonstration and qualification activities for its offering.
General Atomics is offering its in-development Long-Range Maneuvering Projectile, a guided, winged 155mm artillery round designed to deliver missile-like accuracy in GPS-denied or degraded environments.
The projectile can adjust its flight path after launch and is expected to engage targets at ranges exceeding 120 kilometers (74 miles), roughly three times the range of the M982 Excalibur precision-guided round.
BAE has proposed its Scorpio-XR extended-range artillery projectile for the program, a low-drag precision munition designed to engage targets at beyond 70 kilometers (43 miles).
The projectile is engineered to reduce flight time while defeating both fixed and moving targets in contested environments.
