XM1156 Precision Guidance Kit

The XM1156 Precision Guidance Kit is a U.S. Army program to develop a precision guidance system for existing 155 mm artillery shells. The prime contractor is Alliant Techsystems and the industry team includes Interstate Electronics Corporation.

Overview
In operation the PGK will screw into the nose of the projectile much like the existing fuze. However as well as the fuzing function it will provide a GPS guidance package and control surfaces to correct the flight of the shell. This is analogous to the addition of a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail-kit to a dumb iron bomb, creating a precision guided munition. If the shell does not land within 150 meters of its target, it deactivates itself and does not explode. The system began production in 2009, and was expected to be in service by 2010. Fielding is now expected to begin in spring 2013.

Export
On 8 August 2013, Australia requested the sale of 4,002 M1156 Precision Guidance Kits with training and associated equipment for $54 million.

Specifications

 * Guidance: GPS
 * Accuracy:
 * Increment I: < 50 m circular error probable (CEP).
 * Increment II: < 30 m CEP.
 * Unit cost: < $3,000



Program status

 * June 2006: Raytheon downselected from XM1156 competition.
 * July 2006: BAE Systems and Alliant Techsystems selected to take part in a competitive Technical Development (TD) program.
 * May 2007: System Demonstration and Development (SDD) contract awarded to Alliant Techsystems.
 * October 2012: Soldiers from Fort Bliss became the first troops to fire the XM1156 guidance kit. 24 PGK-equipped projectiles were fired.