The Extended Range Cannon Artillery program was designed to produce a self-propelled howitzer system with an improved range and rate of fire compared to the existing M109A7 Howitzer, in response to developments of Russian and Chinese artillery systems, which had become capable of outranging American systems. During tests conducted in 2018, the
M777 howitzer was able to double its range through the use of higher energy propellant and
rocket-assisted projectiles, hitting targets over away. Using the same principles, the Extended Range Cannon Artillery was developed. BAE Systems was given a $45 million contract in 2019 to incorporate the ERCA's cannon into an M109 chassis, which was unveiled at that year's Association for the United States Army. Increased range and accuracy was accomplished by having a longer barrel, at 58 calibers long, and by using the XM1113 rocket-assisted artillery shell. In 2020, the ERCA successfully hit a target away, which is over twice the range typically achieved by an M777 using the same round. According to the
United States Army, the howitzer was to be completed in 2021 and undergo operational assessment in 2023. Due to issues with excessive wear on its barrel, the project was canceled in 2024. On 18 December 2025, Hanwha Aerospace announced a partnership with DEVCOM-AC (Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Armaments Center) that both parties will exchange technical data and expertise under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). The U.S. Army's 58 caliber gun tube from ERCA will be integrated to the
K9A1 Thunder for further tests and researches. == Design ==