View source for XM1203 non-line-of-sight cannon

{{Infobox Weapon
| name               = XM1203 non-line-of-sight cannon
| image              = File:XM1203 Non Line of Sight-Cannon (NLOS-C).jpg
|image_size=200
| caption            = Prototype 1 of the NLOS-C in 2009
| origin             = {{flag|United States}}
| type               = Self-propelled artillery
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| is_vehicle         = yes
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| weight             = 18+ tons
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| crew               = 2

<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             = Composite
| primary_armament   = 155 mm [[cannon]]
| secondary_armament =
| engine             = [[Detroit Diesel]] 5L890
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The '''XM1203 non-line-of-sight cannon''' ('''NLOS-C''') was a [[155 mm]] [[self-propelled howitzer]]. It was the lead vehicle for the U.S. Army's [[Future Combat Systems]] [[Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicles|Manned Ground Vehicles]] program.

The NLOS-C was a replacement for the [[M109 howitzer]], but cancelled in December 2009. The NLOS-C used technology from the [[XM2001 Crusader]], a U.S. Army self-propelled howitzer canceled in 2002.

The NLOS-C program was originally intended to provide networked, extended-range targeting, and precision attack of point and area targets in support of other combat units with a suite of [[munition]]s that included special purpose capabilities. The NLOS-C was intended to provide sustained fire for close support and destructive fire for tactical standoff engagement.

The NLOS-C was to provide responsive fire in support of the FCS combined arms [[battalion]]s, and their subordinate units. It would have operated with [[Direct fire|line-of-sight]], beyond-line-of-sight, non-line-of-sight (NLOS), external, and non-Army ([[joint warfare]]) capabilities.{{jargon inline|date=September 2021}}

[[File:NLOS-CAugust2003.jpg|thumb|right|The United Defense NLOS-C demonstator in 2003]]
The system, as proposed, looked to add capabilities that the M109 did not offer. One of the proposed systems advantages was 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 have given 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.

The rate of fire in the proposed system would have enabled more rounds to be fired in a given amount of time, allowing more firepower per system than available with the current M109 system. Another capability offered by the NLOS Cannon was [[multiple rounds simultaneous impact]] (MRSI) where the cannon fires a sequence of several rounds at different trajectories such that the rounds all hit the same target at the same time, resulting in little or no reaction time for the enemy to adjust its position. This was accomplished by including the autoloader from the Crusader project which achieved the goals of a much improved fire rate with a reduction in required crew.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htart/articles/20070724.aspx |title=M-109 Replacement Enters Production |publisher=Strategypage.com |date=2007-07-24 |access-date=2011-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118213251/http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htart/articles/20070724.aspx |archive-date=2012-01-18 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The proposed system was 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 [[friendly fire]] incidents along with lessened [[collateral damage]], while providing superior protective artillery fire to units requiring gunfire support. Navigation of the vehicle and targeting information were provided via [[GPS]] and networked information systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htart/articles/20070724.aspx |title=Artillery: M-109 Replacement Enters Production |access-date=2009-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714041630/http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htart/articles/20070724.aspx |archive-date=2009-07-14 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Improvements in the refueling arrangements and automation of ammunition reloading reduced the amount of time spent on resupply and during which the gun would be unavailable for combat support. This also allowed the system to use a crew of two instead of five.

The NLOS-C was among the heaviest of the eight MGV variants. In June 2003, the NLOS-C was projected to weigh 25.3 tons at essential combat capability and 29.2 tons at full combat capability.<ref name="Pernin95">Pernin et al, Ch. 5, p. 95-118.</ref>

The NLOS-C had especially high commonality with the [[Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicles#Non-Line-of-Sight Mortar|NLOS-Mortar]] vehicle.<ref name="Mortar commonality">{{cite news |last1=Wasserbly |first1=Daniel |title=FCS Mortar System Moving Ahead in Wake of Its 'Big Brother' Cannon |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24826636 |access-date=18 February 2022 |work=Inside the Army |issue=16 |publisher=Inside Washington Publishers |date=21 April 2008 |volume=20 |page=FCS Mortar System Moving Ahead in Wake of Its 'big Brother' Cannon|jstor=24826636 }}</ref>

== History ==
[[BAE Systems]] developed a concept technology demonstrator test bed with an [[M777 howitzer]] 155&nbsp;mm gun tube.<ref>{{cite web |title=BAE Systems - Concept Technology Demonstrator |url=http://www.uniteddefense.com/prod/concept_demonstrator.htm |website=United Defense |access-date=16 April 2024 |date=10 November 2006}}</ref> BAE completed testing of the demonstrator in early 2006.<ref name="Pernin269">Pernin et al, Appen. E, p. 269-304.</ref>

In May 2008, BAE revealed the first NLOS-C prototype. Prototype 1 made its first public appearance on the [[National Mall]], in Washington in June 2008. Eight prototypes were delivered to the U.S. Army's [[Yuma Proving Ground]] in Arizona by 2009.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |author=C. Todd Lopez |url=https://www.army.mil/article/9539/first-fcs-manned-vehicle-to-make-public-debut/ |title=First FCS Manned Vehicle to Make Public Debut |publisher=Army.mil |date=2008-05-30 |access-date=2011-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412072353/http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/05/30/9539-first-fcs-manned-vehicle-to-make-public-debut/ |archive-date=2010-04-12 |url-status=live }}</ref> BAE produced five prototypes.<ref name="Pernin269"/>

In April 2009 Defense Secretary [[Robert Gates]] recommended that the MGV program be terminated. Congress had directed that the Army continue working on the NLOS-C as a separate initiative. In December, Defense acquisition chief [[Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics]], [[Ashton Carter]] directed the Army to cancel the program.<ref name="terminated">{{cite news |last1=Censer |first1=Marjorie |title=Promising thorough vehicle review ...: DOD Acquisition Chief Formally Terminates Army's NLOS Cannon |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24831487 |access-date=18 February 2022 |work=Inside the Army |issue=49 |publisher=Inside Washington Publishers |date=14 December 2009|volume=21 |jstor=24831487 }}</ref> Carter directed the Army to begin work on the Paladin Improvement Program ([[M109 howitzer#M109A7|M109A7]]). The electric rammer from the NLOS-C and some of the electric drives were integrated into the M109A7.<ref name="Pernin269"/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Sources ==
*{{cite report|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a582405.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325115822/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a582405.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=March 25, 2020|title=Lessons from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program|last1=Pernin|first1=Christopher|last2=Axelband|first2=Elliot|date=2012|publisher=RAND Corporation|last3=Drezner|first3=Jeffrey|last4=Dille|first4=Brian|last5=Gordon IV|first5=John|last6=Held|first6=Bruce|last7=McMahon|first7=Scott|last8=Perry|first8=Walter|last9=Rizzi|first9=Christopher|last11=Wilson|first10=Akhil|first11=Peter|last12=Sollinger|last10=Shah|via=Defense Technical Information Center|first12=Sollinger}}

[[Category:155 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Self-propelled howitzers of the United States]]
[[Category:BAE Systems land vehicles]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Abandoned military projects of the United States]]
[[Category:Tracked self-propelled howitzers]]