Gun-Fired Precision Munitions for the Transformed Army

Abstract : In this paper, we proposed that now is the time for the Army to develop a full suite of gun-fired precision munitions We summarize the advantages of gun-fired precision munitions and show that developing and fielding these munitions is now technically feasible We also show that changes in the approach to acquisition (i.e., changes based on the Best Commercial Practices) improve the prospect that a program will successfully include feasible innovations An important aspect of the successful acquisition of precision munitions includes an event%driven rather than a schedule-driven R&D program. We illustrate the potential pitfalls by comparing the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the Sense and Destroy Armor (SADARM).