1. EXCALIBUR

2. What is Excalibur?
Precision-guided, extended range 155mm cannon projectile
Compatible with M777A2 & Paladin howitzers
Inductive fuze-setting with multiple fuze modes
Fully autonomous, fire & forget, day or night weapon
GPS-Inertial Navigation System (INS) guidance with IMU back up
4-axis Canard Actuation System for enhanced maneuverability
Finned base for aerodynamic stability
Optimized for urban terrain
Near-vertical terminal angle of attack

3. What Excalibur Is Not A replacement for Copperhead A “Tank Killer”
Pinpoint Accurate (Projectile is not Laser Guided)
The “Silver Bullet” for Indirect Fire Weapons
It is on YOU the FDO or FSO to explain the capabilities and limitations to the maneuver commander

4. Characteristics
39 inches long, lbs (No [] WT, Precisely Machined)
Unitary Block 1a-1 is the Early Fielding version (XM982)
Does not have Base Bleed
Block 1a-2 & 1b will have base bleed (ID M982)
59 lb, naturally fragmenting steel warhead
Explosive Effectiveness (M107)
Integrated Fuze with 3 Fuze setting: PD
Delay – currently 4 inches, will improve up to 8 inches of reinforced concrete at block 1b
Proximity HOB (4 meters +/- 1 meter)
No manual fuze setting; must be set with an Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuze Setter (EPIAFS)

5. Characteristics Extended Range Always fired as a high angle mission
8 km min range (XM982), Due to High Angle Fire
24 km Max range (XM982)
Always fired as a high angle mission
Provides Max time to acquire GPS, maneuver to target, and perform a nose down maneuver
Fired Using MACS Charges 3H and 4H only (Future Blocks 5H)
10m CEP at all ranges

6. Concept Of Operations

7. Area Echo Considerations
Base hood cover separates when projectile exits tube
Base cover lands m in front of gun depending on wind conditions (All Iraq shots less than 300m)
Concern for friendly, weighs approx 3 lbs
Commanders must clear Danger Area Echo
Discussed in Para 1-21 of Release Notes

8. Firing Considerations
Must be set using EPIAFS
The projectile must be fired within 48H after it is initialized. Future Blocks will be extended to 15 Days. pg234([] TTP’s)
Maximum number of projectile sets is 20 sets when temperature is above 0°F ([] TTP’s)
10 Sets when temperature is below
0°F ([] TTP’s)
Must set projectile twice when below 0°F
7 Minute data hold (can be reset if not loaded/Chambered)
Based on limited satellite availability
Round “zeroes” after 7 minutes
Changes Gun Crew Drill

9. Firing Procedures CFF is transmitted from sensor
FDC will process the mission as AMC
AFATDS will automatically transmit mission as DNL to the DFCS
Crew will lay on Deflection and set Load Elevation, then select “Ready-NL”(New Step in Crew Drill)
Ready will be transmitted to Observer with AMC Response Time added to the TOF

10. Firing Procedures (Cont.)
Observer Transmits “Fire”
AFATDS will change mission from DNL to AMC on gun
Gun Crew will set and load round, elevate to QE, then select “Ready”
AFATDS will automatically convert mission from AMC to “Fire”
Sections must train to determine an accurate AMC Response Time

11. Ballistic Impact Points
A point on the ground where the round will impact if it remains ballistic (Fails Self Test or Does Not Acquire An Adequate GPS Signal)
FECC or FSCC Will clear an area where the projectile can impact (FFA)
AFATDS creates the BIP with a radius of 500m
AFATDS will compute the BIP along gun-target line
Can be recomputed to a user defined location
BIP currently limited to 300 mils left or right of gun target line, Total fan of 600 mils
Every opportunity to rehearse planned targets should be taken, run missions with AFATDS after MET updates, database changes, etc
FECC or FSCC should develop a 6400 mil BIP plan and work with FDO to ensure usability

12. BIP Template Chg 4H Max Range @ 1031 mils @ 1244 mils Chg 3H Max Range
Gun
Chg 4H Max Range
@ 1031 mils
@ 1244 mils
Chg 4H Min Range
Chg 3H Min Range
Chg 3H Max Range
Max Range Chg 1031 mils
for Forced Ballistic Impact Point
Ballistic Impact Area
Min Range Chg 1244 mils
Max Range Chg 1031 mils
Min Range Chg 1244 mils
Right and Left Boundaries are
300 mils from Azimuth of Fire *
Template
generated
using
the
following
Standard
Conditions: -
MET
Base
Ref
XM982
Projectile
Weight =
104.1
lbs
(47.219
Kg)
Propellant
Temp 70
deg F
(21.1 C)
Muzzle
Velocities
(M232
Chg 3H
540
m/s;
M232 4H
670
m/s)
and
Target
altitude at
Zero
meters
with
respect to
Mean
Sea
Level
New
Tube
ANY
CHANGE TO
THE
ABOVE
CONDITIONS
WILL
VARY
ACHIEVABLE
RANGES.
DURING
PLANNING,
USE
CURRENT
AND
TEST
FOR
SOLUTIONS
WITH
DRY
FIRE
MISSIONS
XM982 Excalibur
Maneuver Footprint Template
For M232 Chg 3H and 4H
29 Sep 2006
Generated from
AFATDS version
NABK version 6US1.3
Using Standard Conditions*

13. AFATDS Considerations
Inaccuracies in databases can cause the round to precisely miss the target
Platoons should share databases including the Excalibur capable guns
Ensure Guns have good time synchronization
Manage MACS (Excalibur can only be fired using MACS M232/M232A1)
Guns must have accurate location
Guns must be PGM capable
Set AMC Response in Preferences (45 Sec is default)

14. Observer Requirements
TLE <10M for targets requiring a direct hit (Point Targets)
TLE <20 M for Materiel Targets (Area Targets)
PSS-SOF Provides TLE of 10M or Less (Preferred Platform)
Other Platforms Can be utilized (Para 3-22, Table 3-1 in Release Notes)

15. PGK

16. What is PGK? A GPS guided fuze for 155mm HE artillery projectiles
Fuze – provides safety and standard fuzing modes (Proximity and PD)
Guidance System – provides GPS guidance which improves the accuracy of conventional artillery projectiles already in the inventory (<50m CEP vs. >175m CEP) – Area Precision
Maintains >90% of range capability of conventional projectiles

17. What PGK Is Not
An excuse for sloppy Gunnery procedures (must maintain the 5 requirements for accurate predicted fire)
Excalibur (Greater CEP)
Laser Guided
Also not a “Silver Bullet” for Indirect Fire

18. Operational Benefits
Transforms existing artillery inventory into affordable area precision weapons
Combines GPS guidance and fuzing into one device
Improves combat effectiveness
Reduces collateral damage
Reduces logistics footprint
50M CEP at all ranges

19. CEP Comparison - Guided vs. Unguided
PGK Accuracy (T)
50m CEP
Excalibur Accuracy
10m CEP
M109A6 – Paladin – 27km, 155mm (HE) M549A1 with 1 mil Aiming Error at Low Angle

20. Overview
Is an area precision munition
Does not change the HE/PD or HE/VT Target Sets
Will reduce the number of rounds required to have effects on target
Optimal observer TLE is < 50 meters
In urban environments, PGK will not significantly reduce collateral damage

21. FDC Procedures
FDC fire mission procedures for PGK are similar to Excalibur procedures due to the 7 minute data hold time
PGK will be used with following methods of engagement: When Ready, At My Command (AMC), & Time On Target (TOT)
FDCs will add the AFATDS AMC Weapon Response Time to the Time of Flight for AMC missions
TOT missions should not be sent to the howitzer earlier than 5 minutes prior to the time to fire

22. Gun Procedures
PDFCS / DFCS fire mission sequence and crew drill for PGK missions similar to Excalibur
Crew must keep in mind the 7 minute data hold time after the PGK is set
Do not set the PGK or remove the protective cover until ready to ram
Do not pre-set PGKs during a multi round mission
Supplemental Charge must be removed prior to mating the PGK to the projectile (Long Intrusion Fuze)
As with any mated projectile, do not handle the round by the PGK