It took the ERCA three shots before it successfully hit the target, underscoring the work yet to be done on the system. The Pentagon hopes it will be operational by 2023. Such systems — part of the Army’s broader long-range precision fires strategy — could be crucial in future conflicts. The goal, Pentagon officials have said, is to field multiple cannons and other ground-based systems that have much greater range than anything America’s foes can put on the battlefield. Such an advantage would allow the U.S. to target enemy positions with relatively low risk to American personnel. The system tested in Arizona over the weekend is just the beginning. The Army also has prioritized research into a “Strategic Long Range Cannon,” which could hit targets over 1,000 miles away.