The U.S. Army has made significant strides in addressing its need for long-range artillery systems over the past few years. However, the ERCA (Extended Range Cannon Artillery) program, which was launched in 2021 and later canceled, has highlighted how challenging progress in this area can be. In this article, we will discuss the U.S. Army’s developments in long-range artillery systems, the canceled project, industry responses, and future strategies.
Cancellation of the ERCA Program and Subsequent Evaluation
In 2021 demonstrations at Yuma Proving Ground, the U.S. Army had targeted a range of up to 109 kilometers with a 58-caliber gun system built on the M70 Paladin howitzer chassis. The ERCA promised to be capable of firing at twice the range of current guns. However, after the program was canceled, the Army continued to need a long-range artillery system. In response to this need, the Army began offering demonstration opportunities to industry, creating an opportunity to see how current artillery systems around the world perform in the field.
System Demonstrations Abroad
In the fall of 2023, the Army began to see industrial systems in countries such as Germany, South Korea, Sweden and Israel. These demonstrations showcased the capabilities of modern artillery systems developed and field-tested in different parts of the world. Through these demonstrations, the Army evaluated not only the artillery’s range, but also its rate of fire, mobility, ability to fire, move, re-fire and resupply.
In particular, the war in Ukraine, with the Russian invasion, once again demonstrated the importance of long-range artillery systems. These demonstrations have concretely demonstrated the effectiveness of these systems on the battlefield, which will play an important role in shaping the Army's future projects.
January 2026 Show and Evaluation Process
A new demonstration is planned for January 2026 in Yuma. The industrial teams participating in this demonstration will receive specific funding to transport their systems to Yuma and provide ammunition. However, preparations for the demonstration did not begin on the previously estimated dates. The process is designed to include all the elements required to ensure that artillery systems are not only capable of range, but also are able to be used quickly and effectively in the field. The Army aims to see which systems perform best, as well as obtain data that will inform future strategic planning.
Industry Views and New Technologies
Industry leaders see the Army’s efforts to improve its long-range artillery capabilities as a major opportunity. Companies like BAE Systems are demonstrating how fast howitzers can fire and reload, highlighting how critical their operational efficiency is on the battlefield. The ability for such systems to reload quickly could be a game-changer. However, several companies are also planning to bring their systems to Yuma to join the competition to increase the U.S. Army’s long-range artillery capabilities.
Hanwha Defense USA is demonstrating both tracked and wheeled versions of its K9 tracked howitzer, aiming to develop adaptable and mobile systems for different battlefields. Such systems are expected to benefit the Army not only in terms of artillery range, but also mobility and resupply capabilities.
Future Strategies and Tactics of the Army
The Army recognizes that long-range artillery systems are not limited to range and rate of fire. In fact, the Army’s primary focus includes mobility, rate of fire, and battlefield agility. As such, the Army’s future modernization plans will prioritize not only range, but also rates of fire and reload speeds.
General James Rainey, while explaining the future strategic plans of the US Army, emphasized the maneuverability of artillery. Saying, “You can’t maneuver without artillery,” Rainey stated that not only the firepower of artillery systems but also how flexible and fast they can move in an operational sense is critical. For this reason, it is envisaged that in future demonstrations, not only the evaluation of existing systems but also new technologies will be taken into consideration.
Steps Towards the Future
The U.S. Army plans to continue its investments in long-range artillery systems. The Yuma demonstration will be a key part of this process, and will provide the Army with important data to develop new technologies and strategies. Industry participation is critical to increasing the Army’s capabilities in this critical area. In the years ahead, these developments are likely to make a major difference on the battlefield.
