Lieutenant Colonel, Scott Rutter (Ret.) discusses the war in Donbas with Warrior Maven's Kris Osborn Video Above: Lieutenant Colonel, Scott Rutter on Russian Tanks and Javelin Missiles The Ukrainians may be getting GPS-guided precision artillery [https://warriormaven.com/russia-ukraine/russia-ukraine-precision-guided-weapons-howtizer] rounds which could bring unprecedented attack possibilities and targeting technology to those defending against the Russian invasion. GPS-GUIDED PRECISION ARTILLERY ROUNDS There have been many public statements about Ukraine receiving 155mm Howitzer artillery systems which gives Ukrainian fighters a previously unavailable opportunity to destroy Russian targets from stand-off distances in advance of attacks. However, what about ammunition? Are they getting the Raytheon-built GPS-guided Excalibur artillery round capable of pinpointing enemy targets to within one-meter of accuracy from ranges out to 30km or more? Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby would not confirm or deny reports that Ukrainians were getting Excalibur, but did make a clear point to emphasize 155mm ammunition. “We've talked about, you know, 155-millimeter rounds to go with those howitzers, and they continue to flow into Ukraine. I mean, between the two tranches, between PDA seven and eight you're talking about almost 190,000 rounds total of 155-millimeter artillery,” Kirby said. While it may not be likely that Ukraine would receive some of the most cutting edge Excalibur weapons such as “shaped trajectory” round or laser-guided Excalibur S rounds, they may be receiving standard Excalibur rounds which offer GPS-guided precision targeting to Howitzers [https://warriormaven.com/russia-ukraine/pentagon-ukraine-howitzers-drones-javelin-anti-tank-weapons-combat-russia] from ranges of 30 km or more. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, fire a M777 towed 155 mm Howitzer on Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, Aug. 10, 2019. The Soldiers conducted a fire mission to disrupt known enemy positions. As long as Daesh presents a threat, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve remains committed to enabling its defeat. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. DeAndre Pierce) [https://warriormaven.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg5MDMzOTA5OTk5MTE3Nzgw/howitzer.jpg] Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, fire a M777 towed 155 mm Howitzer on Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, Aug. 10, 2019. The Soldiers conducted a fire mission to disrupt known enemy positions. As long as Daesh presents a threat, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve remains committed to enabling its defeat. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. DeAndre Pierce) Precision could give Ukraine a vastly improved ability to destroy harder-to-reach high-value Russian targets and specific systems and platforms identified by surveillance systems, drones and other command and control technologies. Ukraine does appear to be getting laser-guided precision rocket systems, according to the State Department’s list, something which could offer an extremely impactful possibility to pinpoint and destroy some of Russia’s [https://warriormaven.com/russia-ukraine/russia-ukraine-invasion-general-david-deptula] mobile command and control systems, launchers and even moving vehicles. Should a drone or forward-operating ground unit have the opportunity to “paint” or light up a Russian target with a laser designator, then rockets can be specifically sent to destroy precise and otherwise difficult to reach targets. The Excalibur (XM982, M982 and M982A1) is a 155 mm, Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided, extended range artillery projectile in use as the Army’s next-generation cannon artillery precision munition. It provides improved fire support to the maneuver force commander, increases lethality and reduces collateral damage. [https://warriormaven.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg5MTMwNDYzMDExNDE1ODMy/excalibur.jpg] The Excalibur (XM982, M982 and M982A1) is a 155 mm, Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided, extended range artillery projectile in use as the Army’s next-generation cannon artillery precision munition. It provides improved fire support to the maneuver force commander, increases lethality and reduces collateral damage. Precision also introduces the possibility of so-called decapitation strikes wherein enemy “leadership” can be targeted with precision should commanders receive new intelligence about the movements and whereabouts of Russian military leaders and other decision-makers. Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven - Center for Military Modernization and the Defense Editor for the National Interest. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University. Image [https://warriormaven.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg1MjE0Mjc5ODg3MTAzMjU3/kris-osborn-warrior-maven-presidentjpg.jpg]
