The US Army has awarded General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) a contract to advance a next-generation 155 mm artillery projectile capable of hitting targets at significantly greater distances than conventional shells while maintaining accuracy even when GPS signals are unavailable.

The award falls under the Army’s Extended Range Artillery Projectile (ERAP) program, an effort to develop a new class of long-range precision munitions that could dramatically increase the reach of existing artillery systems. 

According to General Atomics, the project will fund a series of flight demonstrations to validate the projectile’s performance before the Army moves toward achieving initial operational capability by fiscal year 2030.

The announcement follows earlier testing that demonstrated the munition’s potential. During trials conducted at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, a version of the projectile successfully struck targets more than 74 miles (119 kilometers) away after being fired from an M777 howitzer, far beyond the range of standard 155 mm artillery rounds.

Extending artillery range without rockets

One of the most notable aspects of the GA-EMS design is its ability it achieve extended range without relying on rocket assistance. Most modern long-range artillery rounds use rocket motors to extend their reach after launch. General Atomics has instead developed a glide-based approach that employs deployable wings and advanced aerodynamic design to travel farther while remaining compatible with existing artillery systems.

According to the company, the projectile can be fired from legacy cannons and loaders already in service, potentially allowing the Army to increase battlefield range without replacing large portions of its artillery fleet.

The design also incorporates redundant guidance systems and maneuvering capabilities. Unlike conventional artillery shells that largely follow a fixed ballistic trajectory, maneuvering projectiles can alter their course during flight, improving accuracy and increasing survivability against countermeasures.

Designed for GPS-denied battlefields

Future conflicts may occur in environments where satellite navigation systems are degraded, jammed, or entirely unavailable. The new projectile must retain the ability to engage targets even when GPS signals cannot be used. General Atomics says its munition includes advanced guidance technologies designed to maintain precision under those conditions.

That capability is becoming increasingly important as high-tech electronic warfare systems have the ability to disrupt navigation, communications, and targeting networks across large areas of the battlefield.

According to reports, the Army’s 2024 ERAP solicitation stated that future projectiles should be capable of engaging a broad range of targets, including infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, air defense systems, main battle tanks, and even maritime targets.

Significance and broader push of long-range artillery   

Over the past decade, the service has invested heavily in programs designed to increase the range of cannon artillery, missiles, and hypersonic weapons. The goal is to allow US forces to strike targets from greater distances while reducing exposure to enemy fire.

General Atomics has also attracted interest from other branches of the military. In late 2024, the US Navy selected the company to continue development of a maritime version of the projectile, highlighting the technology’s potential beyond traditional land warfare.

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