General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has advanced the US military’s long-range artillery ambitions with the successful testing of its Long Range Maneuvering Projectile (LRMP). The winged, guided 155mm round demonstrated stable flight and accurate targeting beyond 100 kilometers during trials at Yuma Proving Ground, where multiple projectiles were fired from an M777 howitzer. The evaluations validated aerodynamic control, de-spin stabilization, and precision guidance, underscoring progress in making artillery perform like precision missiles. GA-EMS President Scott Forney described the successful tests as a milestone that paves the way for follow-on trials under the US Army and Navy’s extended-range programs. The LRMP’s development aligns with the Pentagon’s focus on enhancing range and lethality without developing entirely new artillery platforms. By leveraging modular components and open-architecture guidance, the system integrates with existing NATO-standard 155mm howitzers, allowing quick adoption across allied forces. The LRMP employs deployable wings and smart flight-control software to dynamically correct its path mid-course, enabling high-precision strikes in contested environments. This ability to adjust trajectory after launch marks a major leap over legacy ballistic shells. The US Department of Defense selected General Atomics for the LRMP contract in December 2024, positioning the firm alongside competitors such as BAE Systems with its Scorpio-XR and American Rheinmetall Munitions, which are developing complementary long-range artillery technologies. With global militaries seeking to balance affordability with advanced strike reach, the LRMP’s missile-like accuracy from existing artillery systems represents a cost-effective solution to modern long-range engagement challenges.
