is there such a thing as "smart" artillery? artillery that can home into a target so you can "fire and forget?

Answer 1

The US army has had the 'Copperhead' artillery projectile in service for about 20 years. This is a laser-guided projectile that works in a manner similar to a laser-guided bomb.

The US Army also has - either in the final stages of development or just entering production - the 'Excalibur' GPS-guided artillery projectile.

Answer 2

The Army has the Javelin shoulder fired missile that locks onto a target picture. It is fire and forget. You can fire it straight, or change the deflection to hit armor targets from the top of the turret. It will hit moving targets, and can penetrate bunkers. There is not any "smart" artillery at this time, however the targeting systems are controlled by GPS so it has become pretty accurate.

Answer 3

I don't know if the Army has anything comparable, but there is a Naval artillery shell that fires at a 45 degree angle and adjusts on the downward decent to hit a moving target (other ships) by using some kind of radar pulse to ping the location of the target. Or it can hit a pre-determined point based on GPS. The problem is it's very expensive and doesn't pack as big of a punch as a regular shell.

Answer 4

There is nothing in current use, but there is a smart artillery round in development. Future Weapons did a segment on one. The round, like all smart rounds, uses GPS. They even fired a round off course and it corrected itself in flight. Not sure if and when it will be in full use, but it is very practical

Answer 5

there is a new 155mm shell which is GPS guided, it's being deployed now.
Anything you see on Future Weapons is really weapons FACT,a sly way of saying"LOOK AT MY NEW ____"
Some of is the impossible made to look possible,so others will waste time and resourses trying to catch up.