General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) has received a contract from the US Army for the prototype and process development of a new, extended range 155mm Rocket-Assisted Projectile artillery round.

The contract for the 155mm XM1113 Rocket-Assisted Projectile round was awarded by the Combat Capabilities Development Command – Armaments Center and the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition at Picatinny Arsenal.

The XM1113 Rocket-Assisted Projectile is designed to provide a firing range of 40km to the US Field Artillery.

The new round is expected to replace the existing ageing US M549A1 rounds. XM1113 Rocket-Assisted Projectile offers a 30% increase in range when compared to the US M549A1 round.

GD-OTS Munition Systems vice-president and general manager Jason Gaines said: “The XM1113 Rocket-Assisted Projectile brings enhanced performance to the battlefield, increasing lethality and extending the range for the cannon artillery warfighter.



“We are proud to support the army’s modernisation initiatives to provide overmatch capability to the warfighter, and look forward to meeting the operational needs of our international allies.”

GD-OTS’s partners in the US include American Ordnance, Nammo-Talley, and SAVIT. The company also forged an alliance with Thales Australia in September last year to offer the latest munitions solutions to the Australian Defence Force.

Through the partnership with Thales Australia, GD-OTS is looking to expand the international supply chain. The expansion will create a network to make the system available to overseas customers.

Thales Australia Land vice-president Corry Roberts said: “Thales is delighted to be associated with GD-OTS, and through our partnership to potentially offer and deliver a world-class capability to the Australian Defence Force. This announcement could lead to additional export opportunities, securing and increasing jobs and investment for Thales and our local supply chain.”

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Thales expects that the contract award could present an opportunity for additional exports from its operations at the Benalla and Mulwala sites in Australia.

The greater thrust offered by the XM1113 Rocket-Assisted Projectile is made possible through the use of rocket technology.

According to GD-OTS, the range of the XM1113 can be further increased to 70km if the round is fired from the US’s planned future Extended Range Artillery Cannon.