US Army gets next-gen artillery guidance kit built with new anti-jamming technology

Northrop Grumman will produce a new version of its Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) designed to keep 155 mm artillery accurate when GPS signals are degraded or jammed. The PGK E5 adds anti-jamming technology to the existing guidance kit while retaining the same form factor and compatibility with fielded artillery systems. The upgrade is intended to let US Army and allied forces continue using GPS-guided artillery in environments where electronic warfare can disrupt satellite navigation. Recent testing in GPS-degraded conditions showed the PGK E5 exceeding both threshold and objective accuracy requirements, the company added. Production is already underway at the company’s facility in Plymouth, Minnesota, with first deliveries expected in early 2028. Getting a precision-guidance upgrade The PGK E5 is designed to convert existing 155 mm high-explosive artillery projectiles into precision-guided weapons without requiring major changes to the ammunition or the artillery systems firing them. The kit fits onto the front of compatible projectiles and provides GPS-based guidance during flight, allowing artillery crews to achieve greater accuracy than conventional unguided rounds. The new E5 variant adds anti-jamming capabilities intended to maintain that precision when adversaries interfere with GPS signals. Importantly, Northrop Grumman says the upgrade does not change the kit’s fit, form or user experience. It remains compatible with existing 155 mm projectiles and fielded howitzers, meaning troops should not require extensive retraining or modifications to their artillery systems. “Today’s threat environment demands speed and innovation and we’re working closely with the US Army to ensure the PGK E5 keeps maneuver forces ready to win in GPS degraded environments. With decades of proven performance and growing production, PGK continues to deliver reliable, mission-ready technology that warfighters can count on,” said Dave Fine, vice president of armament systems at Northrop Grumman. Designed for contested GPS environments The PGK E5 builds on the M1156 Precision Guidance Kit, which has already been deployed as a way of improving the accuracy of conventional 155 mm artillery ammunition. Northrop Grumman says testing of the new variant in GPS-degraded environments demonstrated accuracy beyond both the Army’s threshold and objective requirements. Greater precision can reduce the number of rounds required to engage a target while potentially limiting unintended damage and reducing the time artillery crews remain exposed to enemy counter-fire. The anti-jamming capability is therefore aimed at preserving the value of existing precision artillery as battlefield electronic warfare becomes more sophisticated. By maintaining reliable guidance even when GPS signals are disrupted, the system could allow forces to continue using precision rounds without relying on major changes to their existing artillery platforms or ammunition. Furthermore, because the system can be integrated with ammunition and artillery already in service, the Army and allied forces can field the upgrade without waiting for an entirely new artillery weapon or major changes to their existing infrastructure. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Bojan Stojkovski is a freelance journalist based in Skopje, North Macedonia, covering foreign policy and technology for more than a decade. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, ZDNet, and Nature.