The U.S. Army has begun the sourcing process for its new XM1208 Advanced Submunition 155mm artillery round, which is intended to replace existing DPICM cluster munitions, according to a notice published by Army Contracting Command on December 5.
The announcement seeks to identify U.S.-based companies capable of producing the new generation round.
A policy-compliant replacement for DPICM
According to the Army’s market research, the XM1208 will give U.S. ground forces the ability to strike enemy elements over a wide area, even when their precise locations are not fully known. The program aims to deliver a cluster munition that complies with current U.S. policy while offering a broader target set, increased lethality and longer range than current DPICM stocks.
The 155mm round is compatible with standard 39-caliber artillery systems and disperses its submunitions in flight at a pre-set electronic time.
Designed for M109 Paladin and M777
The XM1208 is engineered to integrate with the Army’s two primary 155mm artillery platforms:
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M109A6/A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers
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M777A2 towed howitzers
The round uses the M762A1 electronic time fuze. Its body features a multi-component architecture that includes a piston plate, thermal battery, tungsten cubes, metal casing, base assembly and adaptors.
The Army is requesting that potential manufacturers demonstrate the capability to produce 30,000 XM1208 rounds annually. The notice specifies that this volume may be met through multiple suppliers. Companies must declare both their minimum sustainable production rate and their maximum potential output.
The Army emphasized that the technical data package (TDP) for the XM1208 is proprietary and will not be made public. Additional technical information may be shared with vetted companies, but all firms must respond to the survey regardless of whether they intend to request more data.
