YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz., 25 Oct. 2012. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) fired eight precision-guided Excalibur Ib projectiles during qualification flight tests. All eight rounds landed within five meters of the target, meeting stringent test objectives.
The Excalibur Ib is a precision-guided artillery projectile based on Raytheon's combat-proven Excalibur Ia. The tests verify the performance and efficacy of the Excalibur Ib configuration.
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Fielded in 2007, the Excalibur 155mm precision-guided, extended-range projectile is the artillery round used in theater today by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Using GPS precision guidance technology, Excalibur provides accurate, first round, fire-for-effect capability in an urban setting. Excalibur is considered a true precision weapon, impacting at a radial miss distance of six meters from the target. Excalibur is a co-development program between Raytheon Company and BAE Bofors.
With more than 600 rounds fired in theater to date, Excalibur is the precision projectile of choice for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps artillery. By integrating Excalibur into close-combat formations, U.S. forces avoid collateral damage even when warfighters are in close proximity to the target. By using Excalibur's level of precision there is a reduction in the time, cost and logistical burden traditionally associated with using artillery munitions. Analyses have shown that on average it takes at least 10 conventional munitions to accomplish what one Excalibur munition can.
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