SP, MLRS and SPAA Developments

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Alright, a little background before the story. The U.S. M777 155mm made "heads turn" when it was fielded. It was arguably one of or the lightest field howitzer in the world being highly mobile giving it a "shoot and scoot" capability with a very high rate of fire.

So that remains unchanged today but, that was the M777 that shot conventional artillery rounds.

So, while the EXCALIBUR precision munition was starting evaluation and testing the U.S. fielded the M777A1. The difference (Main) was it mounted a digital FCS vice an optical one. It would only be fielded for no more than 3 years.

EXCALIBUR was coming online so the M77A1 had to be modernized too the M777A2 by conversion and production of new systems.

The M777A2 had a modernized version of the digital FCS that added the software that the GPS guided EXCALIBUR needed to be fired. There's more to than this, but it's important for accuracy to "know where you are" the rest I'll leave to you to figure out, but EXCALIBUR and similar advanced munitions have a very, very, very small CEP.
https://www.military-today.com/artillery/m777.htm

So, can you guess who now operates the M777A2 with EXCALIBUR?

Ukraine, I submitted this weapon (M777A2 w/EXCALIBUR) for Australia, and they were the first export customer to receive
it. And it appears so did CANADA which is sending more (And for Don, we're replacing them with new ones.)

I've always pointed out that nomenclature is important when it comes to equipment. A prime example is the F-104D added to the USA OOB. Because it was the first version to carry the weapons it is equipped with in the game and the type in the "real world".

Also, the game has advanced as well since I submitted M777A2 to the USA/Australia OOB's. We debated the EXCALIBUR principle, and I got the name. Which was fine then as now.

Point is now we have an operational NLOS and I would very respectfully suggest what really is the difference now?

Except a whole lot of work. So there's the rub.

But if the day should come, ever the optimist, I'll keep submitting the proper nomenclature and be factually correct and see where the game might be down the road.

To be clear not everyone got the M777A2, I'm sure INDIA only received the M777.

Gotta requal on my weapons in the morning so I'm going to enjoy the rest of the night and check my PELTOR noise cancelling range headphones (Wished I had them years before I got them. Such a difference.) and look forward to a bonus night home.

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Andy and I have exchanged some ideas on this and we will explore it further in the coming months but we really need a break for a while.

This started out as an idea to apply to advanced SPA systems but may apply to arty like the M77A2

What I need to investigate is if these systems using GPS targeting have the ability to fire at a target, scoot to a new firing position, set up and range on that exact same target with no delay after stopping. Related to that is the time it takes to set up an M777 in a new position

What this could mean is with a simple entry of 100 to arty FC , like SPAA gets radar, that would give Arty GPS targeting which in game terms would mean that guns with that rating would not lose the Barrage target lock they do now when they move. If they had fired once they get to the new location they would be able to pick up the targets they had locked in before they moved

The AI with those weapons systems would be given a much shorter countdown when picking new targets

As I said it's a WIP ( but not so much right now............)


What was most interesting in that MT article was

1/ Canada was the first nation to employ the M777 in combat ( news to me...)

and

2/ "most of the damage inflicted on the Taliban was reportedly caused by only two guns."

[DRG]

And related to that

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/u...zers-wd5jvthll

17 hours ago — American howitzers have begun shelling Russian positions while Ukrainian soldiers have received jammers to shoot down enemy reconnaissance ...

and.........

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidax...=705954e36710n

[blazejos]

This nice icon is great

2S22 is know by nickname Bogdana

http://www.military-today.com/artillery/bogdana.htm

[DRG]

Originally Posted by blazejos

This nice icon is great

2S22 is know by nickname Bogdana

http://www.military-today.com/artillery/bogdana.htm

\

Thanks and 4940 is perfect for the Russian 2S43 Malva

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Besides the fact that the Pentagon confirmed last week early that at least 80% of the M777A2 155mm WE sent them are in Ukrainian hands.

Also, on the news earlier tonight I briefly saw a Ukrainian crew firing their M77A2 155mm.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...75513249ba2db6
(Article carried by MSN and Written by FORBES.)

About HIMARS/THAAD it is nothing more than an item on the Ukrainian wish list.

But there will be doubters out here, so I give you the following from the 13th. Before I do this is about what our army wants and not what the Ukraine wants. Here's the title from ref. 2 "Ukraine War Validates Pursuing Very Long-Range Artillery Army Says" we're the ones that need them more.
https://defence.az/ru/news/157092/lo...issile-systems
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...ays/ar-AAXeICZ
(Article carried by MSN and Written by The Drive)

Additional:
https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/ht.../20220515.aspx

The irresponsible ...
We have been reenforcing our deployed troops with them and our NATO partners very recently but that's the extent of it. That is of course you want to believe these guys (I was being nice here as some other descriptors come to mind.) though the page 2 comments make me feel REALLY good to be in this Forum-THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
https://gameruprising.to/index.php?t...ukraine.37548/

I have a Lunar Eclipse to watch with the Grandson and CINCLANTHOME!!
So have a good night!!

Moon is RED gotta go!

Regards,
Pat

[blazejos]

Originally Posted by DRG

And related to that

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/u...zers-wd5jvthll

and.........

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidax...=705954e36710n

Even if 2S22 Bohdana existing only as prototype vehicle in one example, play important function during recent fight for Snake island was used from land to precise shelling island in combination with Byraktar as targeting relay.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2S22_Bohdana
https://www.armyrecognition.com/ukra...tar_drone.html
After retreat of Russians two of their Su-30 destroyed what remain on island with phosphorus bombs.
https://video.fpoz4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/...mw&oe=62C31850

[blazejos]

The issue of Bohdane comes back and is possible that after using of Cesar Ukrainian government give green light to production of this vehicle's also in context of use 155mm NATO calibre

https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrai...tion-4763.html

https://defence-ua.com/news/kompanij...dana-2473.html

https://mil.in.ua/en/news/experiment...nvader-forces/

[DRG]

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/44233

http://www.military-today.com/artillery/2s43_malva.htm

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

"The M777 requires three minutes to emplace, and two to three minutes to displace. The maximum rate of fire for the M777 is 4 rounds per minute for up to 2 minutes; the sustained rate of fire is 2 rounds per minute."

"Indirect fire for the M777A1 and A2 is usually aimed using the digital fire control system. It provides rapid and accurate ballistic computation, navigation, pointing, and self-location capabilities, which allows the M777A1/A2 to perform effective fire missions rapidly, reducing the amount of time it must be emplaced in a given location. "

Using "military" GPS you're talking about a 2-3 seconds or less for target reacquisition time provided the target is still being "lased" and for the piece to reposition itself. So, assume 3 minutes to displace/+ ~2-3 minutes to move at least 100 meters or more based on terrain/+ 3 minutes to emplace.

So about 8-9 minutes. Real world we'd be using Counter Battery Jamming equipment, so you might not have to move right away, which the player can also chose to do with them on the map. And off map doesn't "shoot and scoot" anyway.

Again, from and in paras 14 & 15 ...
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/m777.htm

I'll see if I can find something from the army side.

It is worth noting...
"A crew of 8 is required to operate the M777 normally. It can also be operated by as few as 5 men in an emergency, but with a significantly reduced rate of fire. Some publications have stated that the ability of the M777 to be fired by only 5 personnel is unprecedented for a 155 mm howitzer, but the preceding M198 could also be operated as such. "

I'm hopefully going to relax the rest of this evening and enjoy my bonus night with you know who after of course a relaxing walk.

Regards,
Pat