U.S. Army looks to expand artillery range
The U.S. Army is calling on defense contractors to propose solutions for the development of an extended-range 155mm projectile as part of its Next Generation Rocket Assisted Projectile (NGRAP) program.
The request, issued through a sources sought notice by the Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ), supports efforts led by the Project Manager for Combat Ammunition Systems (PM-CAS) at Picatinny Arsenal.
The Army says it intends to develop, prototype, and qualify a rocket-assisted projectile capable of reaching at least 40 kilometers in unguided mode and 36 kilometers in guided mode when fired from current 39-caliber artillery systems. The same projectile should also meet future range objectives—up to 55 kilometers unguided and 48 kilometers guided—when fired from emerging 52-caliber platforms.
The system is expected to remain compatible with existing weapon systems, including the M109 self-propelled howitzer and M777 lightweight towed howitzer, as well as with current charge systems and fuzes. In particular, the projectile must operate with the M232-series Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS), M767-series, M782-series, and M1156A1 fuzes .
According to the Army, the NGRAP is designed to defeat personnel and light material targets, including radar, air defense, and artillery systems. The goal is to identify mature projectile solutions that can progress rapidly through critical design review (CDR) and move into full qualification with limited additional development.
“The proposed projectile shall effectively defeat personnel and light material target sets including radar, air defense, and artillery systems,” the notice states. Respondents are asked to provide detailed information on how their solutions meet the specified range, guidance, and lethality objectives.
The Army has extended the response deadline to September 22, 2025, to allow more time for submissions. Upon successful completion of the standalone Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), the government intends to proceed with low-rate and full-rate production based on a U.S. Government-owned Level III Technical Data Package (TDP).
To be eligible for future awards, interested parties must submit a range of technical and manufacturing details, including proof of capability, developmental path to testing and qualification, and projected production rates. The Army requests pricing estimates for production scales ranging from 500 to 15,000 units per year .
The planned early operational capability is expected in Fiscal Year 2027, with full materiel release targeted for Fiscal Year 2030.
The NGRAP effort is part of a broader push to expand U.S. artillery range and lethality in response to evolving threats, including peer adversaries equipped with advanced counter-battery and long-range fires capabilities.
