The US Army is actively seeking manufacturers for the XM1208 155mm cluster shells, aiming for an annual production rate of 30,000 rounds. A recently released market survey has indicated that the XM1208 can be sourced from a variety of vendors, and the Army is requesting capacity projections from all interested suppliers. “This capacity may be achieved with multiple sources; therefore, sources shall include their minimum sustaining and maximum capacity rates,” the notice specifies.
In 2023, the US announced its intention to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine amid efforts to enhance artillery output alongside its European partners. Cluster munitions, which disperse numerous submunitions from a single round, increase the likelihood of hitting targets, particularly in situations where precision is difficult to achieve.
The XM1208 is being developed as a modern successor to the Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM), which has been in use since the 1970s. Designed to be compatible with 39-caliber artillery, the XM1208 can be utilized with the M109A6/A7 Paladin and M777A2 howitzers, boasting a maximum effective range of around 14 miles (22.53 kilometers).
Each XM1208 shell contains nine M99 submunitions, which are dispensed in-flight using an M762/A1 electronic-time fuze. Once separated, the bomblets arm and stabilize themselves via a drag belt before detonating approximately 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the ground, effectively scattering about 1,200 tungsten fragments across the target area. In the event that the proximity fuze fails, the submunitions are equipped with several backup mechanisms, including point-detonation upon impact and two secondary electronic fuzes.
A significant improvement of the XM1208, alongside the XM1180, is their design focus on reducing unexploded submunitions compared to older DPICM shells. Historically, older cluster munitions have left a worrying number of unexploded bomblets on the battlefield—posing threats to civilians long after combat has ended. Reports indicate that DPICM had dud rates estimated between 2-14 percent, whereas Russian-designed cluster munitions have seen failure rates as high as 40 percent.
The two new munitions are being tailored for different operational roles: the XM1208 focuses on engaging light vehicles and personnel, while the XM1180 is intended for the defeat of heavily armored targets. The market survey emphasizes that the XM1208 will equip US ground forces with enhanced capabilities for engaging forces that are not precisely located, particularly for missions targeting personnel and light material.
