Massive breakthrough: 155 mm howitzer artillery destroys incoming cruise missile

U.S. Air Force, Fox News.com ^ | Published 2 days ago | U.S. Air Force, Kris Osborn | Warrior Maven

[Patriot777]

In an amazing first, an artillery cannon took out a cruise missile.

An M109 Paladin 155 mm howitzer made history recently by shooting down a fast-moving maneuvering cruise missile with a “hypervelocity projectile” able to travel at speeds up to Mach 5, according to an Air Force announcement. Historically, armored vehicles such as tanks, howitzers or infantry carriers have not operated with an ability to destroy fast-moving, long-range cruise missiles, yet the successful demonstration breaks new ground.

The shoot-down, which took place at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, destroyed a “surrogate” Russian cruise missile target using the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). Firing a hypervelocity projectile (HVP) from an artillery cannon is a concept that has been under development for many years, dating back to Roper’s time directing the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office. The origins of the HVP can be traced to the Navy’s Rail Gun developmental effort as well as initiatives intended to explore firing the HVP from deck-mounted guns on Navy surface ships.

Due to its ability to reach speeds of up to 5,600 miles per hour, the hypervelocity projectile is engineered as a kinetic energy warhead, meaning no explosives are necessary. It can travel at speeds up to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) per second, a speed which is about three times that of most existing weapons. The weapon brings such force, power and range that could hold enemies at risk from greater distances and attack targets with the kinetic energy force equivalent to a multi-ton vehicle moving at 160 miles per hour, developers have said.

[doorgunner69]

Good idea if they can get the electronics to survive the firing. Eliminates the expensive and bulky launch vehicles while providing another layer of anti-missile defense.

Bound to be $$ cannon rounds, but likely a lot cheaper than a Patriot missile.

[Chainmail]

I imagine that it might be a little hard on the nuclear carrier to get it ashore to supply power for your artillery! (and even worse for the

All kidding aside, Captain's career path...)

All kidding aside, I worked on advanced artillery development for a dozen years and developed a 120mm rifled automated mortar system that was completely self-contained - all communications, fire control, positioning, etc., was built in and it could receive a fire mission - then turn, elevate, load and fire within 18 seconds. No People involved.

No reason that technology couldn't be applied to a 127mm (5") land or sea-based system.