Revolutionizing warfare: US moves forward with unmanned artillery tests
11 May 2024 08:03
The Ukraine conflict underscored artillery systems' critical role in modern warfare. This realization has spurred numerous countries to invest in advancing such weaponry. At the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, the AML conducted tests using six M28 rockets with a limited range in a training exercise. These tests were managed by the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center alongside the Ground Vehicle Systems Center. The AML platform showcased its versatility through various mobility modes, including remote control, landmark navigation, and convoy operations over several days of testing.
A series of fire trials marked the pinnacle of these tests, carried out by the 181st Field Artillery Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard. These trials signalled a significant step ahead in the four-year-long project to develop unmanned rocket artillery for the US land forces.
The development of AML has seen contributions from the Long-Range Precision Fires Cross-Functional Team (LRPF CFT) and the 18th Field Artillery Brigade from Fort Bragg, among others. The initial fire tests took place in June 2021 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where in less than ninety minutes, artillery units launched seven rockets simulating long-range missiles—which in future could cover distances up to 500 km (around 310 miles), extending up to 700 km (approximately 435 miles), with the ER version reaching up to 1,000 km (around 621 miles).
The Marine Corps, pursuing their initiatives, opted for a much lighter chassis than the 6x6 truck—selecting the light tactical vehicle JLTV for projects like the NMESIS and the ROGUE system launcher. These weapons are gradually being distributed among troops, initially on an experimental basis, but broader deployment is anticipated soon, with production starting in 2023.
These modernizations reflect broader strategic goals, particularly considering potential confrontations with China in the Pacific, where capabilities like the AML come into play. For instance, during the 2021 AML Surrogate Launcher test, four PrSM-ER missiles with a range of up to 1,000 km were fired at simulated targets representing Pacific atolls, alongside three PrSM missiles with a range of up to 500 km directed at naval targets.
Despite their modest 91 kg (200 lbs) warheads—which might not decimate a Chinese destroyer or bunker—multiple hits could render vessel combat ineffective. Similarly, the NMESIS system is devised to seize control over waters, atolls, and surrounding lands, posing a significant threat to invading and defending forces with its advanced NSM missiles.
The shift towards unmanned artillery underscores an ambition to lower maintenance costs while sustaining effectiveness. The AML will eventually succeed the M142 HIMARS and possibly the M270 in the US Army. Meanwhile, a launcher akin to ROGUE-F, designed for standard artillery munitions, is set to replace the Marines' HIMARS.
This progression towards unmanned systems isn't limited to artillery in the US armed forces. It reflects a broader trend towards adopting combat and logistical unmanned systems, supporting human-operated cores and vehicles. This trend towards unmanned systems, driven by lower operating costs and reduced risk to human life, is expected to continue. However, despite their advantages, unmanned platforms still require human oversight due to bandwidth, stability, and security concerns associated with remote operations. Ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence may alleviate some of these issues, though complete autonomy remains elusive.
The exploration of unmanned capabilities extends beyond rocket artillery. In 2021, South Korea's Hanwha Techwin (now Hanwha Aerospace) reported developments on an unmanned successor to the K9 artillery system. Similarly, advancements are underway for self-propelled guns with unmanned turrets like the Czech MORANA or the German Boxer RCH 155, hinting at a future where armoured crew and drivers could be entirely detached from the vehicle.
