Guided artillery shells (munitions) - M982 Excalibur, 2K25 Krasnopol, Leonardo Vulcano

Guided artillery shells (or munitions) are modern artillery projectiles equipped with an internal guidance system to change their flight direction in mid-air to hit targets with a very high degree of accuracy. Unlike conventional artillery shells, which rely on calculated firing angles and are susceptible to misses due to wind or weather factors, these smart munitions can self-correct their trajectory after being fired from the cannon barrel.

Guidance System Types

Satellite System (GPS/INS): Uses global positioning coordinates to guide the projectile directly to a predetermined stationary target.

Laser Guidance (Semi-Active Laser): Requires a ground operator or drone to "spotlight" the target using a laser beam. The bullet's sensor then tracks the laser reflection, making it highly effective against moving targets.

Self-Sensing Guidance (Infrared/Radar): Equipped with a self-contained seeker to automatically detect the heat signature (infrared) or radar of enemy armored vehicles.

Examples of Popular Guided Artillery Rounds

Some of the most well-known guided artillery munitions used in modern combat include:

M982 Excalibur

M982 Excalibur (United States/Sweden)

Caliber: 155mm.

Guidance System: GPS and Inertial Guidance.

Advantages: Compatible with modern howitzer systems such as the M777 and CAESAR, it boasts extreme accuracy with a radius of error of less than 2 meters.

2K25 Krasnopol

2K25 Krasnopol (Russia)

Caliber: 152mm or 155mm.

Guidance System: Semi-automatic laser.

Advantages: Extremely lethal against moving vehicles such as tanks because the round travels directly to the target's laser beam.

Leonardo Vulcano

Leonardo Vulcano (Italy)

Caliber: 127mm (naval) and 155mm (land artillery).

Guidance System: GPS/INS combined with optional laser guidance.

Advantages: Uses a sub-caliber, sabot-loaded design, allowing it to achieve extremely long ranges (up to 70 km).

Key Advantages in Combat

Logistical Efficiency: Drastically reduces the number of rounds fired; one smart round is often sufficient to replace dozens of conventional rounds.

Reduced Collateral Damage: High accuracy ensures military targets are destroyed without excessive damage to surrounding civilian areas.

Surprise Effect: Capable of destroying high-value enemy targets (such as command posts or radars) with the first shot.

The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider

The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is a sixth-generation stealth strategic bomber developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, it spearheads the US's long-range strike force, capable of penetrating the world's most robust air defenses.

Stealth Technology & Capabilities: Features an updated flying wing design with advanced radar-absorbing materials, making it highly difficult to detect.

Range & Flexibility: It has a very long range and is designed to be less reliant on tanker aircraft, allowing it to operate for extended periods in a variety of mission zones.

Operational & Crewing: The aircraft has a two-pilot capacity (although it can be flown by a single pilot) and is also designed with potential unmanned autonomous capabilities.

Naming: The name "Raider" honors the historic Doolittle Raid of World War II.

Launch & Delivery Status: First introduced in December 2022. The aircraft is currently in mass production and is scheduled to enter service at US military bases in 2027.

The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider development process is highly classified but tightly structured.

1. Initial Development Timeline

2011–2015 (Initiation & Contracting): The US Air Force (USAF) began planning the long-range bomber program in 2011. In October 2015, Northrop Grumman won the prime contract to develop the aircraft.

December 2022 (Public Launch): The first B-21 Raider prototype is officially unveiled to the public for the first time at the Palmdale, California, production facility.

November 2023 (First Flight): The B-21 Raider successfully conducts its first test flight from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base to begin the intensive air testing phase.

2. Modern Development Methods (Digital Engineering)

One of the main reasons why the B-21's development has not experienced significant delays (unlike the F-35 fighter jet) is the use of digital technologies:

Digital Twin: The aircraft was designed and tested virtually thousands of times before a physical replica was built.

Open Systems Architecture: The bomber's software is designed for easy updating. If new radar or weapons technology emerges in the future, engineers can simply add new programs without having to physically disassemble the aircraft.

Isolated Avionics Testing: Before flight, the B-21's navigation and computer systems underwent over 1,000 hours of testing using a modified commercial aircraft as a flying laboratory.

3. Current Production Status

The B-21 Raider program has shifted from the experimental phase to the Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Phase.

Massive Funding: The U.S. government is providing an additional $4.5 billion to accelerate manufacturing capacity. At the same time, Northrop Grumman is investing up to $3 billion independently to upgrade its manufacturing infrastructure.

Production Quota Increase: Consistently positive testing has led the US military to request an increase in production from 10 units per production batch to 12 units per production batch.

Operational Target: The first operational delivery to Ellsworth Air Force Base remains on schedule for 2027. The USAF is committed to purchasing a minimum of 100 aircraft, with the potential to increase to 145 aircraft in the future.

Scorpène-class submarines - Indonesian Project (Scorpène Evolved)

The Scorpène-class submarines are a class of modern diesel-electric attack submarines jointly developed by France's Naval Group (formerly DCNS) and Spain's Navantia shipyard. These stealthy submarines are designed for multi-role operations, including anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare, special operations, and intelligence gathering.

Indonesian Project (Scorpène Evolved)

Indonesia, through the Ministry of Defense, has officially activated the procurement contract for two of the latest variant of the Scorpène Evolved submarines. Through a transfer of technology (ToT) system, these submarines are being built entirely domestically by PT PAL Indonesia in Surabaya in collaboration with Naval Group.

The project has entered the initial steel cutting qualification phase and is targeted to begin full physical construction by the middle of this year.

Key Specifications & Advantages

Dimensions & Weight: Approximately 71 to 72 meters long with a displacement ranging from 1,600 to 2,000 tons.

Battery Technology: The Indonesian Scorpène Evolved variant uses advanced Lithium-Ion (LiB) Battery technology. This technology provides high power efficiency and enables underwater operations of up to 80 days.

Diving Capability & Speed: Capable of diving to depths of more than 300–350 meters with a maximum speed of over 20 knots while submerged.

Armament: Equipped with six launch tubes that can carry up to 18 heavy weapons, including a combination of torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and sea mines.

Combat Management System: Integrates the SUBTICS automated tactical system that combines command and weapon control data, and acoustic sensors, resulting in a crew of only approximately 31 to 32.

Global Users

Besides Indonesia, which is currently developing its own, the Scorpène-class submarine has been successfully operated and built by several other maritime nations:

India: Building six submarines under Project P-75 (the final unit, INS Vaghsheer, was delivered in early 2025).

Brazil: Operating the larger Riachuelo-class Scorpène.

Malaysia: Operating two Scorpène-class submarines, delivered in 2009 and 2010.

Chile: Became the first country to order and operate this class.

Russian Tu-160M VS US B-1B Lancer

 Despite their very similar visual design with variable-sweep wings, the Russian Tu-160M ​​is much larger, faster, and retains strategic nuclear capability, while the US B-1B Lancer is smaller, slower, and has been fully modified for conventional, non-nuclear missions. The Tu-160 was designed as a launch platform for long-range nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, firing from a safe distance, while the B-1B Lancer was originally designed for low-level supersonic air penetration but is now tasked with dropping conventional smart bombs in conflict zones.  

Here are the key differences between the two supersonic heavy bombers:

Specifications and Key Characteristics Comparison

Size & Weight

Tupolev Tu-160M: Much larger; maximum takeoff weight exceeds 275,000 kg.

Rockwell B-1B Lancer: Smaller; maximum takeoff weight is approximately 216,000 kg.

Maximum Speed

Tupolev Tu-160M: Reaches Mach 2.05 (Highly supersonic at high altitude).

Rockwell B-1B Lancer: Limited to Mach 1.25 (Optimized for low speeds near the ground).

Tu-160M

Nuclear Capability

Tupolev Tu-160M: Retains nuclear option (Carries Kh-102 nuclear cruise missiles).

Rockwell B-1B Lancer: Completely nuclear-free (Conventional weapons only since the START treaty).

Primary Role

Tupolev Tu-160M: Stand-off Missile Carrier (Launches missiles from safe areas).

Rockwell B-1B Lancer: Tactical/Strategic Penetrator (Direct conventional precision bombing).

Crew Size: 4 personnel in all aircraft

Differences in Design and Operational Philosophy 

Dimensions and Speed: The Tu-160M ​​(nicknamed the White Swan) has a 20% larger fuselage than the B-1B Lancer. The Tu-160M's engines are much more powerful, allowing it to reach twice the speed of sound (Mach 2) to escape after launching a missile. In contrast, the B-1B Lancer sacrifices high speed for a smaller radar cross-section (RCS) design to make it less detectable by enemy radar. 

B1B LANCER

Armament Type: The Tu-160M ​​relies on internal rotary launchers carrying long-range cruise missiles such as the Kh-101 (conventional) and Kh-102 (nuclear). The B-1B Lancer has a more flexible internal payload capacity to carry up to 24 satellite-guided smart bombs (JDAMs), conventional bombs, or long-range anti-ship missiles. 

Modernization: The Tu-160M ​​variant is the latest Russian upgrade equipped with new NK-32-02 engines, fully digital avionics, and modern radar defense systems. Meanwhile, the US Air Force's (USAF) B-1B Lancer fleet continues to undergo radar system upgrades and the integration of advanced conventional weapons, although it is planned to be gradually retired as the future B-21 Raider stealth bomber becomes fully operational.