US Army long-range fires advance as new guidance kit takes 155mm artillery beyond 31 miles

General Dynamics says its new Long-Range Precision Guidance Kit (LR-PGK) has successfully guided 155mm artillery projectiles to ranges exceeding 50 kilometers, marking a significant milestone for extended-range precision fires. The demonstration took place at Yuma Proving Ground, where General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) used the LR-PGK to guide XM1113 Rocket-Assisted Projectiles. The company says the test makes LR-PGK the first U.S. guidance kit to demonstrate accurate guidance of 155mm cannon artillery beyond 50 kilometers. New guidance kit pushes artillery range further According to General Dynamics, the test achieved accuracy that significantly exceeded requirements for legacy guidance kits and validated key performance objectives for the LR-PGK and XM1113 programs. The development aims to support the U.S. Army’s emerging requirement for long-range massed cannon fires, while also improving the capabilities of existing 155mm artillery systems. The LR-PGK is designed to be compatible with multiple 155mm projectiles, including the M1128 and next-generation rocket-assisted ammunition. That compatibility could allow the guidance technology to be used across both existing and future artillery platforms rather than requiring an entirely new weapon system. The significance of the demonstration lies in combining extended range with precision. Conventional artillery can cover substantial distances, but increasing range generally makes accurately placing a projectile more challenging. Rocket-assisted projectiles can extend that reach, while a guidance kit can correct the projectile’s flight and improve its accuracy. General Dynamics says the LR-PGK is intended to provide that capability while remaining compatible with a range of existing and emerging artillery systems. Designed for future battlefield conditions The company says the LR-PGK uses a modular architecture that can accommodate further upgrades as technology and military requirements evolve. Beyond range and accuracy, GDOTS is also testing the system against operationally relevant threats. The company says the guidance kit has demonstrated resilience in both laboratory and live-fire testing, with additional improvements still under development. The technology is being positioned for the Army’s emerging Mobile Tactical Cannon program, while also offering a potential upgrade path for the military’s existing 39-caliber cannon fleet. Extending the effective capability of existing artillery could offer an alternative to replacing entire fleets. A guidance kit that can work with different projectiles and platforms could allow established systems to benefit from newer precision and range technologies. The demonstration also comes as militaries are placing renewed emphasis on long-range fires. Artillery remains an important component of ground warfare, but the proliferation of precision weapons, drones, electronic warfare, and other battlefield technologies is increasing the pressure to engage targets from greater distances while improving accuracy. The successful test represents another step toward making extended-range precision guidance available for 155mm artillery. The company has not disclosed a production timeline or the number of LR-PGK systems expected to enter service. However, the demonstration suggests that the technology has progressed beyond laboratory development and is being tested against requirements for future Army artillery programs. If adopted, the LR-PGK could give both new and legacy 155mm systems greater reach and precision without requiring a completely new artillery platform.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Kaif Shaikh is a journalist and writer passionate about turning complex information into clear, impactful stories. His writing covers technology, sustainability, geopolitics, and occasionally fiction. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, his work has appeared in the Times of India and beyond. After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently. Outside work, he juggles far too many projects and passions, but always makes time to read, reflect, and hold onto the thread of wonder.