U.S. Army Researchers Are Adding Power And Range To Artillery

The XM1113 extended range artillery, shown here at a range demonstration, uses a rocket-assist motor. Researchers at Picatinny Arsenal are exploring ways to use electrical charges to give warfighters more control to increase the range and burn rate of rocket propellants. (US Army photo)

ECN Mag: US Army Tests New Methods to Extend Artillery Range, Power

If, in the words of Napoleon, "God fights on the side with the best artillery," Picatinny Arsenal engineers are improving artillery to the point that there should be no doubt as to which side should be favored.

The research team seeks to extend the range, power and versatility of artillery by using an "electrically-responsive" method to control energetic materials such as artillery propellants.

"Electrically-responsive" means that the materials are controlled by electricity. "Energetic materials" are items such as explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics.

"If you can control the burn rate and energy output of a propellant with electric voltage, this opens a whole new capability," explained David Thompson, a chemical engineer and member of the research team.

"Right now, we're considering it (electrically-responsive energetics) for rocket propellants found in extended range artillery rounds."

Update #1: Army researchers look at new artillery propellant control system (UPI)
Update #2: U.S. Army engineers extend artillery's range and power using electrically responsive methods (Military Embeded Systems)

WNU Editor: In the Second World War my father commanded artillery units for the Soviet army. He always lectured me on how this weapons platform could be improved immeasurably in terms of range and effectiveness. It looks like there is someone in the U.S. Army who feels the same way.