Video Above: Lieutenant Colonel, Scott Rutter on Russian Tanks and Javelin Missiles
The Ukrainians may be getting GPS-guided precision artillery 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 from ranges of 30 km or more.
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.