Testing Advanced Munitions in Arizona
The XM1180 Cannon-Delivered Area Effects Munition (C-DAEM) Armor’s Hit-to-kill (HTK) concept was recently tested in Arizona, showcasing its precision targeting capabilities. Personnel from the Yuma Test Center, along with teams from various organizations, evaluated the technology using three 155-mm XM1180 HTK prototype munitions launched from a 39-caliber cannon.
Col. Alicia Johnson, along with her leadership team from Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM-CAS), observed the tests at Yuma Proving Ground, located in the Arizona desert. This testing phase is part of the Guided Test Vehicle (GTV) series, aimed at demonstrating the munitions’ target-seeking functionalities, according to Lovjoat Singh, a Test and Evaluation Engineer with DEVCOM-Armaments Center.
Sequential Testing Approach
The testing involved two phases: an open-loop test and a closed-loop test. In the open-loop phase, the seeker searched for a target without engaging it, while the closed-loop phase involved guiding the seeker to a specific target. The team used a tank as a target and fired three rounds under different configurations to assess performance.
Casey Scharenbroich, an evaluator with Operational Evaluation Command, was present to evaluate the maturation of the technology. He described the technology as innovative, stating it generates an image of the target area to identify the target, which can significantly enhance battlefield capabilities.
Future Developments and Applications
While the C-DAEM Armor program has been ongoing for some time, there is a newer program, the XM1230, that aims to incorporate similar seeker technology. Scharenbroich mentioned the potential advantages of this technology for military commanders, particularly in engaging moving targets.
To further advance the seeker technology, Yuma Test Center Test Officer Ashley Lochetto indicated plans to conduct GPS-denied testing and integrate it into the XM1230 Extended Range Artillery Projectile. The C-DAEM Armor GTV series is scheduled to continue testing through FY27, with XM1230 trials set to take place in the coming months at the Yuma Test Center.
Source: U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground
