Defence

BAE Systems receives US Army contract for M109A7 and ammunition carriers

Posted 28 July 2022

BAE Systems has received a $299 million contract from the US Army for the production of 40 sets of M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzers and their companion, the M992A3 ammunition carriers.

Above: An M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer in the desert.
Courtesy BAE Systems

The award, received on 1st July, is for production, delivery, and spare parts for these vehicle sets.

The M109A7 is the latest howitzer in the BAE Systems M109 family of vehicles, and is the primary indirect fire support system for the Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT). The M109A7 programme provides increased commonality across the ABCT and has significant built-in growth potential for electrical power and weight capacity.

“Providing the most robust, survivable, and responsive indirect fire support capabilities for the ABCT is a primary focus for our artillery program,” said Scott Davis, vice president of ground vehicles for BAE Systems’ Combat Mission Systems business. “We are committed to delivering a vehicle that will provide the modernized capabilities the ABCT needs to execute missions with confidence.”

The M109A7 programme is a significant upgrade over the vehicle’s predecessor, the M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer. The M109A7 vehicle design includes a new chassis, engine, transmission, suspension, steering system, a new high voltage architecture and improved survivability.

BAE Systems received the initial contract for M109A7 production in 2017. This most recent order brings the total number of vehicle sets — M109A7 howitzers and M992A3 Carrier, Ammunition, Tracked (CAT) vehicle sets to 310 and the total contract value to $1.9 billion.