Tiberius Aerospace has marked a significant step forward in artillery technology by introducing a ramjet-powered 155mm shell.
Named the Sceptre, this 155mm round is equipped with a ramjet engine in its nose, offering it the capability of flying supersonic with over four times the range of conventional artillery rounds. This 155mm ammunition is also designed to fit any NATO standard 155mm artillery piece, facilitating its integration into current military arsenals.
While a standard 155mm field gun typically achieves a range of approximately 22 miles (35 km), with advanced technologies this can be extended to around 43 miles (70 km). The Sceptre, however, boasts an impressive range of 93 miles (150 km).
To achieve this, the Sceptre’s key lies in its use of a ramjet engine. Unlike traditional artillery shells that rely solely on the initial explosive charge for propulsion, the Sceptre uses a ramjet to provide sustained thrust throughout its flight.
A ramjet engine works by using the projectile’s forward motion to compress incoming air. The compressed air is then mixed with fuel and ignited to produce continuous thrust. This allows the Sceptre to maintain or even increase its speed during flight, dramatically extending its range.
The Sceptre can achieve supersonic speeds of up to Mach 3.5 and reach an altitude of 65,000 ft (19,800 m).
Beyond its impressive range and speed, the Sceptre also incorporates a hybrid GPS/inertial guidance system, augmented by AI-enhanced targeting correction. This system allows the round to achieve a high degree of precision, with a reported margin of error of only 16 ft (5 m).
The high-altitude flight path further enhances precision by potentially placing the Sceptre beyond the reach of electronic warfare jamming devices. This precision allows for a reduced explosive payload of 11.5 lb (5.2 kg), minimizing collateral damage.
Other competitors such as Rheinmetall and Nammo have also developed ramjet-powered artillery munitions, but none have entered active service to date. According to Tiberius Aerospace, the Sceptre has undergone field tests in the US and is more cost-effective than comparable-range missiles.
The Sceptre is also different from these earlier designs because it uses a liquid fuel system and is compatible with diesel, JP-4, and JP-8 fuels, as opposed to solid rocket fuel. Furthermore, It also has a just-in-time fueling system, allowing for a storage life of up to 20 years.
