YUMA, Ariz., March 8 (UPI) -- The Excalibur precision artillery round is on the verge of being deployed to the U.S. Army.
The 155-mm round last month passed its Limited User Test, the final test required before the system becomes operational.
"Excalibur is out of the lab and in the hands of our soldiers and Marines," said Raytheon Vice President Jim Riley. "Excalibur provides the ground commander with a powerful tool to shape the battlefield in real time and dominate the battlefield."
Raytheon said the Excalibur had some final system-level certifications to go through, but appeared on the way to deployment with the Army and with Canadian forces.
There was no immediate word on when Excalibur would reach Iraq and Afghanistan; however the system appears to be a solid fit for the theatre. The precision GPS-guidance and a near-vertical descent capability is seen as ideal for urban areas where collateral damage is a concern, giving ground troops a fast response to enemy positions without having to call in an air strike. Along with
The Limited User Test conducted at the Yuma Proving Ground was carried out by a battalion of field artillery from the 3rd Infantry Division. Raytheon said the gunners performed simulated and live exercises and took to the system quickly.
