BAE Systems fired Excalibur simulation rounds from the first XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Cannon prototype at a U.S. Army test site. BAE Systems used Excalibur simulation rounds that mirror the mass of actual Excalibur rounds with tactical bases.

The test firing verified the proper fit, function and stable flight necessary for an Excalibur round to be fired from the NLOS Cannon.

"The firing of these test rounds from the NLOS Cannon is the next step in proving the NLOS Cannon will have the capability to execute a battlefield mission using precision fire munitions," said Mark Signorelli, vice president of Army Programs at BAE Systems.

"This is a significant achievement for our soldiers and the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program."

Excalibur is a 155-mm extended range artillery projectile equipped with a GPS-supported navigation and guidance system that enables the shell to precisely hit its target. Excalibur can be programmed for airburst, point and delay detonation.

The munition is qualified and fielded with other gun systems such as the M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer and the joint lightweight 155mm.

The NLOS Cannon's fully automated ammunition handling system eliminates the physical handling of ammunition which increases crew survivability and provides soldiers the ability to fire rounds at sustained rates. When Excalibur is used with the NLOS Cannon, soldiers achieve ultimate precision fire with the push of a button.

BAE Systems is currently completing Excalibur and NLOS Cannon compatibility testing. All results to date have shown the compatibility of two leading-edge combat systems that will lead to unprecedented capabilities for the U.S. Army when fielded.

Excalibur is designed and manufactured by Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona and BAE Systems in Karlskoga, Sweden.

The NLOS Cannon is a fully automated, 155-mm, self-propelled howitzer being designed and built by BAE Systems, in partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems and the FCS Lead System Integrator team of Boeing and Science Applications International Corporation.

The NLOS Cannon is an integral part of the FCS program and the lead vehicle in the family of eight FCS Manned Ground Vehicles.

The FCS program consists of eight new Manned Ground Vehicles (MGV), a family of unmanned air and ground vehicles, the Non-Line-Of-Sight Launch System, and advanced tactical and urban sensors that are all connected by a state-of-the-art network.

Working together, these systems will help Soldiers share real-time information across the battlefield. Overall, FCS will provide Soldiers vastly increased situational awareness, survivability, and lethality, ensuring they can take the fight to the enemy before the enemy has time to react.