The BAE Systems Land and Armaments XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS Cannon) is a 155 mm cannon intended to provide improved responsiveness and lethality to the "Unit of Action" (UA) commander as part of the US Army's Future Combat Systems project. This mobile armored artillery piece provides networked, extended-range targeting, and precision attack of point and area targets in support of other combat units with a suite of munitions that include special purpose capabilities. The Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon provides sustained fire for close support and destructive fire for tactical standoff engagement. The NLOS Cannon uses technology from the canceled XM2001 Crusader.
NLOS-C is a proposed system in development to be part of the FCS (Future Combat Systems) environment and is funded by the U.S. Congress shortly after cancellation of the XM2001 Crusader M109 replacement. It is an 18 ton class vehicle that may be a replacement for current vehicle systems in the 40-60 ton weight class. If design parameters are indeed reached (always a question for systems in development) then it will provide a level of air transportability that current M-109 systems cannot at present match.
The system's primary purpose is to provide responsive fire in support of the FCS (future combat systems) Combined Arms Battalions (CABs), and their subordinate units in concert with line-of-sight, Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS), Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS), external and Joint capabilities.
Round by round fire capacity
The system as proposed looks to add capabilities that the current M-109 systems do not offer. One of the proposed systems advantages is the ability to switch shell types quickly on a one by one basis allowing an illumination round to be followed by a point detonation round, to be followed by an area effect round. This would give the system the ability to fire different rounds as required by different fire calls or to change types of shells. For instance, destroying a building then engaging anyone fleeing the area with the next round.
Rate of fire
The rate of fire in the proposed system would enable more rounds sent downrange in a given amount of time allowing more fire power per system than is available with the current M-109 system. Another capability offered by the NLOS Cannon is the Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact mission or MRSI (pronounced mercy) mission. A MRSI mission is where the cannon fires several rounds at different trajectories allowing the rounds to impact on the same target at the same time, resulting in little or no reaction time for the enemy to adjust its position. This is accomplished by including the autoloader from the canceled Crusader project which achieves the goals of a much improved fire rate with a reduction in required crew.
Networked combat system
The proposed system is envisioned as part of a fast mobile force networked via improved communications and data capabilities to allow rapid response with enhanced accuracy with the view to reducing "blue on blue" incidents along with lessened collateral damage, while providing superior protective artillery fire to units requiring gunfire support. Navigation of the vehicle and targeting information are provided via GPS and networked information systems.
Automation of the gun system
Improvements in the refueling arrangements and automation of ammunition reloading allow reduced downtime for logistic functions that would otherwise leave the system unavailable for combat support operations. This also allows the system to be manned with 2 crewmen instead of 5. This is desirable as staffing continues to be a major contributor to life cycle cost of any combat system.
Sustainability
The main chassis of the NLOS-C is based on the Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) platform being developed for all manned ground platforms under the Future Combat Systems Program, giving the NLOS-C a high commonality with other MGV-based platforms, especially the NLOS-M (Non-Line-of-Sight Mortar). Use of a common chassis reduces the need for specialized training of personnel and allows for faster fielding of repairs. The MGV platform utilizes a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system. The MGV also employs numerous weight-saving features, including composite armor, composite and titanium structural elements, and continuous band tracks.
