View source for Engineering:M1299

{{short description|Self-propelled 155&nbsp;mm howitzer of American origin}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name=M1299
|image=Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) during a test March 30 at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground.jpg
|caption= Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) during a test on March 30, 2021, at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground
|origin=United States
|type=[[Engineering:Self-propelled gun|Self-propelled gun]]
|design_date=2019
|manufacturer=BAE Systems
|service=2024–2025 (planned)
|wars=
|is_vehicle=yes
|is_ranged=yes
|is_artillery=yes
|length=
|width=
|height=
|weight=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=
|caliber=<!-- 155&nbsp;mm (6.1 in)  [[Engineering:Caliber#Caliber as measurement of length|caliber]] -->
|barrels=
|action=
|rate=3 rpm (10 rpm with autoloader)
|velocity=
|range=70 km (rocket-assisted round)
|max_range=
|feed=
|sights=
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=
|traverse=360°
<!-- Vehicle specifications -->
|suspension=torsion bar
|speed=
|vehicle_range=
|primary_armament=155 mm L/58 XM907 gun
|secondary_armament=
|armour=
|engine=[[Company:Cummins|Cummins]] diesel
|crew=4 (driver, loader, gunner, commander)
|engine_power={{convert|600| hp|abbr=on}}
|pw_ratio=
}}

The '''M1299''' is an American prototype [[Engineering:155 mm|155 mm]] turreted [[Engineering:Self-propelled artillery|self-propelled]] howitzer developed by BAE Systems in 2019 under the '''Extended Range Cannon Artillery''' (ERCA) program. It is based on the [[Engineering:M109 howitzer|M109A7 self-propelled howitzer]], and was primarily designed for the purpose of improving the M109's effective range.

== History ==
The Extended Range Cannon Artillery program was designed to produce a self-propelled howitzer system with an improved range and rate of fire compared to the existing M109A7 howitzer, in response to developments of Russian and Chinese artillery systems, which had become capable of outranging American systems.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pickrell|first=Ryan|date=9 October 2018|title= Army Futures Command Chief: Russia And China Are Eating Our Long-Range Lunch|url= https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/army-long-range-weapons-russia-china/|url-status=live |website=Task and Purpose}}</ref>

During tests conducted in 2018, the M777 howitzer was able to double its range through the use of higher energy propellant and [[Engineering:Rocket-assisted projectile|rocket-assisted projectile]]s; hitting targets over {{convert|37| mile|abbr=on}} away. Using the same principles, the Extended Range Cannon Artillery was developed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Judson|first=Jen |date= 6 June 2020 |title= US Army takes 40-mile shots from extended-range cannon in demo|url= https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/03/06/army-takes-40-mile-shots-from-extended-range-cannon-in-demo/ |url-status=live |website=Defense News}}</ref> BAE Systems was given a $45 million contract in 2019 to incorporate the ERCA's cannon into a M109 chassis,<ref>{{Cite web|last= Keller |first=Jared|date=|title=Watch the Army's new supergun hit a target from 40 miles away|url= https://www.businessinsider.com/watch-army-extended-range-cannon-artillery-hit-40-miles-away-2020-3?r=US&IR=T|url-status=live |website=Business Insider}}</ref> which was unveiled at that year's Association for the United States Army.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2019|title=Video: Check out BAE's giant ERCA cannon|url= https://www.defensenews.com/video/2019/10/16/check-out-baes-giant-erca-cannon/|url-status=live| website=Defense News}}</ref>

Increased range and accuracy is accomplished by having a longer barrel, at 58 calibers long, and by using the XM1113 rocket-assisted artillery shell. In 2020, the ERCA successfully hit a target {{convert|43| mi|km|abbr=on}} away, which is over twice the range typically achieved by an M777 using the same round.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wozniak|first= Jakub|date=24 December 2020|title=New Army Extended Range Cannon Hits Target 43 Miles Away|url= https://www.overtdefense.com/2020/12/24/new-army-extended-range-cannon-hits-target-43-miles-away/|url-status=live |website=Overt Defense}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Evans|first=Michael |title=US army supergun breaks record with direct hit on target 70&nbsp;km away|url= https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/us-army-supergun-breaks-record-with-direct-hit-on-target-70km-away-80vwdd586 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription|website=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Osborn|first= Kris |title= The U.S. Army's New Artillery Can Kill from 40 Miles Away|url= https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/us-armys-new-artillery-can-kill-40-miles-away-165390|url-status=live |website= National Interest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Osborn|first= Kris|date=2021-03-17|title=The Army Wants 'Cannons' Armed with 'Bullets' That Can Change Direction|url= https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/army-wants-cannons-armed-bullets-can-change-direction-180425|url-status=live |access-date=2021-04-13|website=National Interest}}</ref>

According to the United States Army, the howitzer was to be completed in 2021 and undergo operational assessment in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vandiver|first=John| title=New Army cannon hits target 43 miles away in test|url= https://www.stripes.com/news/us/new-army-cannon-hits-target-43-miles-away-in-test-1.656176|url-status=live |website= Stars & Stripes}}</ref> It is expected to be fitted with an [[Engineering:Autoloader|autoloader]] in 2025, which could increase its rate of fire from 3 to 10 rounds per minute.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url= https://breakingdefense.com/2020/03/new-army-cannon-doubles-range/ |title=New Army Cannon Doubles Range; Ramjet Ammo May Be Next|date=2020-03-06|website=Breaking Defense|language= en-US|access-date=2020-03-25}}</ref>

== Design ==

=== Gun system ===
[[File:XM1113 in flight.jpg|thumb|XM1113 extended range artillery round, shown here at a range demonstration, uses a rocket-assist motor]]
The M1299 is armed with a new 155&nbsp;mm L/58 calibre long (a 9.1 m gun tube) XM907 gun designed by Benét Laboratories that will fire the XM1113 rocket-assisted round. This will give a range of over 70&nbsp;km – much greater than the {{convert|38| km|abbr=on}} of the M109A7 Paladin. When fitted an autoloader will allow rates of fire of up to 10 rounds per minute.<ref name=":0" /> Originally the autoloader was planned to carry 31 rounds and be in service by 2024, but as designed it was too large for the vehicle, so it was reduced to a 23-round capacity for better weight, center of gravity, and "onboard kills".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roque|first=Ashley|date=23 April 2021|title=US Army opting for 23-round autoloader for ERCA|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-army-opting-for-23-round-autoloader-for-erca|access-date=27 April 2021|website=Jane's Information Group|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428022321/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-army-opting-for-23-round-autoloader-for-erca|archive-date=27 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2021/04/erca-army-contracts-to-help-new-cannon-fire-faster/ ERCA: Army Contracts To Help New Cannon ‘Fire Faster’]. ''Breaking Defense''. 16 April 2021.</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Engineering:XM2001 Crusader|XM2001 Crusader]], a U.S. Army self-propelled howitzer canceled in 2002
*[[Engineering:XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon|XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon]], a U.S. Army self-propelled howitzer of the Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicles program canceled in 2009
*[[Engineering:Panzerhaubitze 2000|Panzerhaubitze 2000]], the self-propelled howitzer of the German army
*K-9 Thunder, the self-propelled howitzer of the Korean Armed Forces
*Next Generation Combat Vehicle, an on-going U.S. Army combat vehicle acquisition program

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
[[Category:Tracked self-propelled howitzers]]

{{Sourceattribution|M1299|1}}