Lightweight Artillery Cannon Developed for US Army

The US Army has awarded American Rheinmetall Munition a $2.5 million contract for the delivery of a shorter and lighter artillery weapon system in support of the National Defense Strategy.

Rheinmetall has said that a lightweight artillery cannon would enhance the mobility, maneuverability and lethality of US Army artillery systems and will provide the long-range firing performance capability the Army is seeking for its entire howitzer fleet. The company believes the new cannon will further inform the Army’s ongoing capability assessment for a next-generation armament.

“This DEVCOM AC project alongside numerous other active Science and Technology efforts could provide our warfighters a distinct advantage in this increasingly complex security environment,” said COL Lance Green, the Military Deputy of the Combat Capabilities Development Command-Armament Center (DEVCOM AC). 

“We are proud to have the opportunity to support the Army in its efforts to develop next-generation long-range precision fires technologies and particularly to prototype what could be game-changing advanced, lightweight howitzer technologies,” said American Rheinmetall Munition CEO John Somich. “Rheinmetall is a global leader in artillery technologies including munitions, propellant and cannons and we will bring to bear our tremendous expertise, technology and full commitment to the Army in this effort.”

American Rheinmetall Munition is currently expanding its role as a major supplier of innovative, next-generation weapons and ammunition in the US, drawing on a global portfolio of world class munitions and armaments offered by Rheinmetall and its affiliates.