Block II (Excalibur -S/-N5). Further R&D is underway to add a robust semi-active laser guidance system, creating an Excalibur-S laser/GPS guided shell that can hit targets designated by forward troops UAVs, etc.
This combination will have even greater naval potential as the Excalibur N5, which could be fired at moving naval and land targets. Its casing would make the N5 mechanically compatible with the 127mm/ 5″ naval guns that equip all American destroyers and cruisers, and many foreign warships besides, but full compatibility and effectiveness will generally require some form of combat system integration. Read “New Frontiers for Raytheon’s Excalibur GPS Guided Shells” (q.v. Additional Readings) for more.
Raytheon conducts first live fire test of Excalibur S | Business - Press Releases | providencejournal.com | The Providence Journal
PARIS, June 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In a company-funded R&D initiative, Raytheon Company successfully fired the dual-mode GPS- and laser-guided Excalibur S for the first time. Although the Excalibur S was initialized with a GPS target location, it scored a direct hit on a different, or offset, target after being terminally guided with a laser designator.
The new variant incorporates a laser spot tracker (LST) into the combat-proven Excalibur Ib projectile, the world's most precise GPS guided 155mm artillery projectile now in production for the U.S. Army and several international customers.
"The performance of Excalibur S is very impressive and I am extremely encouraged by Raytheon's commitment to the next generation of Excalibur," said Lieutenant Colonel Josh Walsh, U.S. Army Excalibur Product Manager.
This test validated the LST's ability to survive the forces of firing from a 155mm howitzer and then successfully hand off from the GPS to guide to a laser spot on the designated target.
spendergast: GPS Guided Artillery US Army Raytheon Excalibur Ib
GPS-Guided Shells: The New Excalibers | Fortuna's Corner
US Army, Raytheon conduct Excalibur Ib projectile flight trials - Army Technology
L-3 SAASM Innovation : GPS World
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