BAE Systems' LR-PGK passes critical test
BAE Systems has successfully fired its Long-Range Precision Guidance Kit (LR-PGK) for 155mm artillery projectiles from the US Army’s Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) at the Yuma Proving Ground, demonstrating airframe structural survivability under extreme firing conditions.
Image courtesy BAE Systems
The LR-PGK improves the accuracy of unguided artillery projectiles with low-cost navigation and guidance technology.
The guidance kit combines anti-jam GPS sensors with control planes that enable projectile manoeuvrability throughout flight and is compatible with existing and future artillery projectiles. The ERCA survivability tests are a critical milestone for LR-PGK. The propellant blast, gun barrel pressure and muzzle velocity truly tested the system’s resiliency.
“The LR-PGK has demonstrated its ability to help the US Army deliver accurate fires up to 70 kilometres and meet mission objectives with fewer shots,” said James McDonough, LR-PGK programme director. “Adding precision guidance to standard munitions enables our customers to engage targets with greater efficiency and reduce collateral damage.”
The evolving LR-PGK is helping the US Army address its need for long range precision fires. BAE Systems continues to advance the system design to improve capabilities, manufacturing readiness and affordability. Following the tests, the company is focusing on long-range guidance, navigation and projectile flight control. The kits must demonstrate their ability to operate at high spin rates, in challenging atmospheric conditions and in the presence of enemy signal-jamming.
BAE Systems provides artillery technology, precision guidance systems and small form electronics. It designs and manufactures the M109 family of Self-Propelled Howitzers and the M777 Lightweight Towed Howitzer, is a major supplier of artillery explosives and propellants and has decades of experience developing and delivering precision guidance systems.
