On 19 May, the US Senate approved an additional $40 billion funding package for Ukraine. This is an interest-free loan, under which $40 billion worth of weapons will be delivered to Ukraine, and humanitarian and economic assistance will also be provided. This is a so-called "lease", i.e. a leasing agreement on a credit line for a particular country. After approval, the US Senate sent the bill to Joe Biden for signature.
In essence
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the United States has provided $4 billion in military and humanitarian aid. A new $40 billion aid bill has now been signed into law. The US Senate voted 86-11 for the law on the same day that the Department of Defence announced that it was sending $100 million worth of weapons to Ukraine, including 18 155mm howitzers, as well as 18 tactical vehicles to tow them, and ANPQ-36 anti-battery radars.
This is done to speed up the supply of the necessary waxing equipment and weapons to Ukraine.
M777 towed howitzers with 155 mm calibre
They have been adopted by NATO countries and others, including the United States, Canada, India, Saudi Arabia, India, and Australia. The M777s are being supplied as part of a landmark deal for Ukraine, but were first used in the war in Afghanistan and then in Korea.
The howitzer is intended to replace the previous version of the M198, which is not yet considered obsolete. The advantage of the M777 is that it is 42% lighter in weight. This is achieved by using titanium.
It is the lightest howitzer of this type, weighing only 4218 kg, which greatly simplifies transportation. Not only the howitzers, but also a special vehicle for towing them were put into service. In addition, this type of howitzer can be transported by US CH-47 helicopters on a hanger and MV-22 Osprey quadcopters (pictured).
The deployment time of the equipment in the tests is 6 minutes, and the experimental calculation allows for up to 5 shots per minute. The service personnel is 5 servicemen.
The M777 howitzer also uses Escalibur controlled charges, has a range of 40 km and can be deflected by 5 m in diameter. It is one of the best howitzers in terms of accuracy and range.
The M777 is equipped with a high-precision automated system that digitally guides the artillery using GPS coordinates and data obtained from UAVs. The guns are compatible with the laser-guided M712 and GPS-guided M982 Excalibur smart projectiles.
The M777 is a development of BAE Systems. The titanium structures are manufactured at Barrow-in-Furness in the UK. Assembly and testing is carried out at BAE's Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA.
Mobile radar AN/TPQ-36
This equipment is designed for anti-battery warfare, which involves the detection of firing targets, mainly mortars, artillery and MLRS positions, to fire on enemy positions. The radars are transported by off-road vehicles. The AN/TPQ-36 is manufactured by Northrop Grumman and Thalesraytheonsystems (formerly Hughes Aircraft acquired by Raytheon).
The radar can simultaneously operate with 10 types of weapons, detects targets at the first fire, receives a surge of activity, and calculates the location of the enemy's firing position. The equipment is equipped with electronic control. The maximum range of detection of enemy positions is 24 km: missiles are detected, artillery is detected at a distance of 18 km. It can be used in field exercises.
These radars have previously been purchased by Australia, Egypt, Greece, Jordan, the Netherlands, Pakistan, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.
More than 20 units were delivered to Ukraine in 2022.
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