In March, the US Army demonstrated its new ERCA capability at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. (Janes/Ashley Roque)

US land forces want an artillery system that is more mobile and more lethal. While cutting-edge technology development failed to produce a production-ready system, the US Army is readjusting its acquisition approach and concepts of operations for artillery.

The army has determined that its Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) Program of Record is not an option for future artillery warfare, Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the army for acquisition, logistics, and technology, announced in March 2024. This decision and more on advanced artillery technology stemmed from a tactical fires study that was completed in 2023 and has not been publicly released, said General James Rainey, commanding general of Army Futures Command (AFC).

ERCA was scheduled to transition to the major capability acquisition pathway after five years of research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E), according to the US Government Accountability Office. The army applied for a waiver for an additional year of RDT&E but was denied by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

The Italian Army's Grifo air-defence system being tested and qualified with CAMM-ER. (MBDA)

The Italian Army's Grifo (Griffon) air-defence system has been test-fired and qualified with the Common Anti-air Modular Missile Extended Range (CAMM-ER) missile, MBDA announced in a press release on 8 May. The company said it was the first time the Grifo's Command Post and Engagement Module (Posto Comando Modulo di Ingaggio: PCMI) integrated with the missile launcher and CAMM-ER missile was tested-fired and qualified.

The test was conducted against a target drone simulating an attack by an enemy aircraft, confirming the defence capabilities and performance of both the missile and the entire system in an integrated mode, according to MBDA.

During the test, the PCMI detected the target drone, which was in attack mode, and then identified and classified the threat, evaluated how to defend against it, and ordered the launch of CAMM-ER to neutralise it. The trial also verified the correct functioning of the two-way datalink between CAMM-ER and the Grifo ground system, MBDA added.

A mock-up of the advanced weapon station on display at DSA 2024. (Janes/Rakend P)

Shrike Marine has secured an arrangement to trial an enhanced version of its advanced weapon station (AWS) with the Malaysian Army.

While speaking to Janes at the 18th Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, Shrike Marine disclosed that the trials are planned to start from the week beginning 13 May.

The enhanced version of the AWS was revealed for the first time at DSA 2024.

Shrike Marine is manufacturing the AWS in Malaysia in collaboration with Advanced Defence Systems Sdn Bhd (ADSSB).

The enhanced AWS is provided with an “ammo box” for feeding the rounds and a better shock-absorption mechanism to improve the operation. The enhanced version is available in the 12.7 mm cartridge version only as compared with the older version, which is available in 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm. The contractor informed Janes that a 7.62 mm model of the enhanced version is in pipeline.