TEL AVIV — Israel’s artillery corps is undergoing a virtual revolution. Not only will it be equipped with new self-propelled (SP) cannons, precision rockets and missiles, and state-of-the-art command, control, computers and communications, but its operational role will reflect a new concept, making artillery an equal part of the combat force versus being a support element.

The change comes as the traditional role of artillery is shifting from its historical approach — overwhelming, statistical fire — to precision fire. That precision is made possible by accurate positioning and more precise tube artillery fire, enabled by using more accurate propellants, as well as better weather measurement and accurate fire-control capabilities down to the individual gun or rocket launcher.

According to Brig. Gen. David Swissa, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of artillery, the introduction of new systems will cut down the number of firing units. Instead of 18 pieces to a battalion today, there will be 12; instead of six per battery, just four. Given the availability of new equipment, greater precision and more efficient setup procedures provided by the autonomous platforms, Swissa predicts that the rate of fire will even increase.

Evolutionary step

While the modernization of tube artillery is an evolutionary step (that arguably should have been taken years ago), adding precision rocket firepower will bring greater effectiveness. Today the IDF uses the U.S.’s Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), loaded mostly with Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions designed for suppressive firepower against area targets at long ranges. When Israel fielded MLRS, an enhancement system was developed to reduce the dispersion of the rockets, using the Trajectory Correction System (TCS), developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI) and Elisra.

In the low-intensity and asymmetric warfare that the IDF has engaged in over the last decade, the accuracy of statistical fire was often inadequate, causing collateral damage and subsequent foreign relations headaches for Israel. This led the IDF to limit the use of artillery fire, reducing support and increasing the risk to its combat units. Recently, IMI introduced the trajectory-corrected Accular 160mm rocket capable of hitting targets at up to 40 km with a circular error point (CEP) of less than 10 meters (33 ft.). Accular uses a GPS system and two stacks of thrusters to shape the rocket’s ballistic trajectory. Impressed with the results, the IDF is set to order the first battalion by year’s end, hoping the new capability will regain the artillery corps’ capability to employ fires in anti-terror missions in complex terrain and urban targets.

Keshet