A major technological milestone in artillery warfare was unveiled at the Future Artillery Conference in London.
Tiberius Aerospace, a UK-US defense firm founded in 2022, has publicly introduced the world’s first supersonic artillery shell, called the Sceptre TRBM 155HG.
It is a 155mm ramjet-powered, liquid-fuelled munition representing a significant leap in long-range precision strike capabilities.
Mach 3.5 supersonic munition
The Sceptre achieves speeds of Mach 3.5, with operational altitudes exceeding 65,000 feet, putting it beyond the reach of most conventional countermeasures and GPS jamming systems.
This design uses a ramjet propulsion system, which is uncommon in artillery shells.
This feature allows the shell to travel at high supersonic speeds for distances of up to 150 km (100 miles), depending on its payload.
This is way more powerful than standard artillery shells.
Standard 155mm shells have ranges less than 100 km and have lower accuracy, usually showing a circular error probability (CEP) greater than 100 meters.
In contrast, Sceptre maintains a CEP of under 5 meters, even in GPS-contested or degraded environments.
The shell uses AI technology, GPS, and a sensor system to fix errors in real-time.
During launches, the shells can communicate with each other in flight to improve targeting. This helps them hit their target accurately or create a wider impact.
Another important feature is the liquid fuel system, which can use diesel, JP-4, or JP-8 fuels.
Unlike traditional solid-fuel artillery shells, the Sceptre employs a just-in-time fueling design, significantly reducing storage hazards and improving shelf life to over 20 years.
The propulsion system also enhances supply chain resilience by avoiding reliance on niche energetics, instead allowing sourcing from established fuel logistics.
To power howitzers
Compatibility is key to the weapon’s design. The Sceptre is built for easy use with NATO-standard 155mm artillery platforms.
Existing howitzers like the M777, PzH 2000, and AS90 can use the system without needing changes.
Its low-barrel-wear ignition system and reduced contact profile further mitigate the long-term maintenance burden on artillery systems.
Tiberius Aerospace, led by founder and CEO Chad Steelberg, has applied commercial engineering principles, notably modularity and open architecture, to weapon design.
The Sceptre has an electronic system that supports an open API. This allows easy connection with third-party fire control systems.
As a result, battlefield operators can quickly change targeting and fire control software.
This improves flexibility and shortens development time.
Steelberg describes the Sceptre as a “10X solution,” not just in range or precision but in cost-efficiency, survivability, and operational adaptability.
“This is a weapon designed for the future battlefield: fast, precise, and resilient in a denied environment,” he said.
In a geopolitical climate demanding rapid innovation and scalable solutions, the Sceptre TRBM 155HG is a transformative artillery capability.
Its supersonic profile, deep strike range, and AI-enhanced targeting mark a new era in indirect firepower and redefine what modern artillery can achieve.
