Raytheon Tests Laser-Guided Artillery Shell

Raytheon Co. recently test-fired its first dual-mode laser- and GPS-guided Excalibur S artillery shell.

The company said the test proves the new laser spot tracker system can survive firing from a 155 mm howitzer, and that it can take over targeting from the GPS system. The new model will enable strikes against moving targets, as well as changing the impact point to avoid casualties and collateral damage.

“A laser-guided variant of Excalibur gives the warfighter a precision weapon that accommodates target location errors, allows continued target attack when GPS is degraded or denied, and hit targets on the move at extended ranges,” said Michelle Lohmeier, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Land Warfare Systems product line.

Existing Excalibur Ib shells can be upgraded to include the laser spot tracker, and several international customers have expressed interest in the new weapon, Raytheon said. Nearly 750 Excalibur rounds have been fired in combat, the company said.

For more information, visit: www.raytheon.com.