The U.S. Army continues to seek a mobile, long-range artillery capability following the cancellation of its Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program. However, the Army is not expected to make a decision on a new approach for nearly two years.
In 2021, the Army conducted demonstrations for self-propelled howitzers at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona but shifted its focus to ERCA, which utilized a 58-caliber gun tube mounted on an M109 Paladin chassis with a target range of up to 70 kilometers. After cancelling the ERCA program, the Army recognized the ongoing need for a long-range cannon, prompting an invitation to industry partners last fall to showcase existing foreign systems in action. This included visits to countries like Germany, South Korea, Sweden, and Israel.
A new demonstration is planned for January 2026 at Yuma Proving Ground. The Army aims to award approximately $5 million to each industry team for a nine-month evaluation of artillery systems before finalizing requirements and developing a strategy, according to a draft announcement on the government contracts website, Sam.gov. Although the official solicitation for the evaluation was anticipated several weeks ago, it had not been released as of the latest update.
During this upcoming demonstration, the Army will not only evaluate the range and mobility of the cannons but will also focus on the rate of fire and logistical capabilities for rapid resupply. Jim Miller, vice president at BAE Systems, emphasized the importance of demonstrating not just the rate of fire but also how quickly ammunition can be reloaded and supplied on the battlefield.
BAE Systems plans to submit its Archer system for this demonstration, which it previously showcased in 2021. Elbit Systems America, which presented its Atmos howitzer in 2021, will bring forward its newer Sigma howitzer for evaluation. New contenders, including General Dynamics Land Systems, Rheinmetall, and Hanwha, are expected to participate as well, following recent demonstrations of their capabilities.
Army leadership has reiterated the critical role artillery plays in maneuver operations. General James Rainey underscored that high-explosive artillery remains a dominant force in combat, highlighting the need for modernization in tactical cannons. This demonstration will also reassess the Army’s holistic approach to fire capabilities, after a previous strategy presented to the Army vice chief of staff was rejected for being too narrow in focus.
The Army aims to select participants for the Yuma demonstration in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. Teams will receive some government funds, but will also need to contribute their own resources to transport systems and provide ammunition. The demand for artillery systems has surged due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Companies like Hanwha are preparing to present both tracked and wheeled variants of their K9 howitzer, with ongoing developments for the wheeled version. BAE Systems may integrate its Archer artillery system with a new MAN truck for enhanced mobility, while Elbit expects to bring its Sigma howitzer, which is currently in full-rate production. American Rheinmetall Vehicles is anticipated to showcase the RCH 155 howitzer, designed in collaboration with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter.
General Dynamics Land Systems is also submitting an innovative Piranha system with significant automation, minimizing crew size while aiming to meet the Army’s operational requirements for long-range artillery.
In summary, the U.S. Army is actively exploring new artillery capabilities with potential demonstrations set for 2026, seeking to modernize and enhance its long-range combat effectiveness in light of evolving military requirements.
