US Army faces artillery gaps as it prepares for future combat operations

In a recent article, Business Insider highlights that as the US Army gears up for potential large-scale operations, it's realizing that artillery, though vital, may no longer be enough to keep pace with rapidly advancing global competitors like Russia and China. 

Satellite images from eastern Ukraine depict battlefields marked by craters from constant artillery bombardments, underscoring the ongoing importance of artillery in modern warfare.

As the US Army prepares for potential large-scale combat operations abroad, it is closely observing the conflict. Although the significance of artillery is well understood, the military recognizes that it must enhance its capabilities to remain competitive. Both Russia and China are rapidly advancing their artillery technologies, prompting the US to reevaluate its approach.

Brig. Gen. Rory Crooks, director of the Army Futures Command long-range precision fires cross-functional team, highlighted three critical areas where the Army's artillery capabilities are lacking. These gaps, he said, are already being addressed through ongoing efforts to improve artillery technology.

“We saw some capability gaps against adversaries in two different theaters as we projected forward into 2030-2035,” Crooks said.

The first major gap is range. The US Army's artillery lacks the necessary reach compared to its adversaries. “You provide enemy sanctuary, in some cases, when the enemy has a range overmatch,” Crooks explained, stressing the importance of closing this distance.

Another issue is capacity. The Army does not have enough artillery systems to keep pace with potential adversaries. “We’re out-gunned,” Crooks stated.

Survivability is the third concern. While some US rivals are moving away from using towed artillery systems, the US Army continues to rely on them. Towed artillery, such as the M777, is less mobile and slower to relocate compared to self-propelled systems mounted on tracked vehicles. This limitation makes these systems more vulnerable to counter-battery fire, a tactic called "shoot-and-scoot."

“Those three problems — range, capacity, and survivability based on mobility — are really hard to overcome individually,” Crooks noted. “Collectively, they’re very hard to overcome and put us at risk for mission success moving forward.”

The Army has made efforts to address these issues in recent years. One initiative, the Strategic Long Range Cannon, aimed to extend artillery range to up to 1,000 nautical miles. However, funding for this project was halted by Congress in 2022, leaving the future of this program uncertain.

As global powers like Russia and China continue to advance their artillery capabilities, the US Army faces the challenge of modernizing its own systems to maintain strategic advantages in future combat.

By Naila Huseynova