The Reason NATO Artillery Provided To Ukraine Will Have Devasting Impact

Like most else in modern weaponry, artillery is now technologically advanced in terms of guided 'smart' munitions and in digital counter-battery radar systems which find targets, including those firing at them. 

NATO is providing Ukraine with a surprising amount of fire power which, with its better technology and training could provide a decisive advantage. JL 

Lieut. General Mark Hertling (USA, Ret) former Commanding General, US Forces in Europe, reports in Twitter:

The number of cannons in the package equates to 5 US battalions worth of artillery, and the 144+K rounds/projectiles is an awful lot. Given the precision, and range, of these systems, they will outgun the RUs in any artillery duel. While self-propelled artillery can "shoot & scoot" faster after firing, digital towed systems allow emplacement as fast & move out almost as quickly. The package also included "artillery finding" radars which find an enemy when they fire. Digital systems transfer the location to the US guns to fire back. Quickly. The package also includes many drones. And the Russians arent that good at counter-battery fire. 1st, the towed artillery. There are 2 types. I don't know how many of each are being sent but here are some details. The older models are the "M198" (cannon-cockers say "M-one-niner-eight"). Produced in 1969, it's a good cannon. Range 14-30 km, depending on the round.

 

The new models are the M777 ("M-triple 7" in cannon-cocker speak). A great system. Half the weight of the M198, due to titanium construction. Uses a digital fire-control system that provides navigation, pointing & self-location. Fires 14-40 km, depending on round.

 

Both CAN fire rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP) to extend range & each CAN also fire precision munitions (that is, a round that will hit a designated target rather than just area explosions) But the M777 fires the Excaliber GPS-guided munition out to 40 km. That's a big deal.

 

The number of total cannons in the combined package equates to about 5 US battalions worth of artillery, and the 144+K rounds/projectiles is an awful lot. Given the precision, and range, of these systems, IMO they will outgun the RUs in any artillery duel. While self-propelled (those on tracks) artillery can "shoot & scoot" faster after firing their rounds, the digital towed systems allow it to be emplaced as fast & move out almost as quickly as the tracked artillery. And, the Russians ain't that well-trained in counter-fire. That brings us to...the radars. Part of the package also included "artillery finding" radars (it's called the Q36). Those radars "find" an enemy when they fire a round. Digital systems then help transfer the location to the US guns to fire back. VERY quickly. "Counterfire." The package also includes many "small unmanned aerial systems (UAS)," or drones. Those provide intel on locations, calculate grids & can pass location to a gun firing Excaliber BEFORE the RU even shoot. For the tactical fight, small drones are MUCH better than Predators.

 

Key to this phase of the fight for UK: Keep logistics trail light, incorporate simple & new equipment, counter RU arty, move fast , use quick reaction forces