The Army has awarded BAE Systems a $245.3 million contract to wrap up low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and M992A3 ammunition carrier.

The company already was operating under a one-year base contract for the M109A7 awarded in October 2013. The Army exercised the first of two options to produce an additional 18 vehicle sets in October 2014.

M109A7 Paladin. Photo: U.S. Army
M109A7 Paladin. Photo: U.S. Army

The recent award is for the second option-year to produce an additional 30 sets. Each set includes an M109A7 Paladin Self Propelled Howitzer (SPH) along with an M992A3 tracked ammunition carrier. With both options exercised, BAE will deliver a total 66 vehicle sets plus one additional SPH and associated kits, spares, and technical documentation to complete the LRIP phase. The Army plans to purchase 580 vehicle sets.

Work on the M109A7 is currently underway at Anniston Army Depot, Alabama and BAE’s York, Pa., and Elgin, Okla., facilities.

“The success of this program is directly attributable to the partnership between the Army and BAE Systems,” Adam Zarfoss, director of artillery and Bradley Fighting Vehicle programs at BAE, said in a prepared statement. “We’ve worked as a team to bring this much-needed enhanced combat capability to the soldier to address immediate needs while providing a platform that can support future growth as requirements evolve.”

The M109A7 program is a significant upgrade over the vehicle’s predecessor, the M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer. It uses the existing main armament and cab structure of the M109A6, but replaces the vehicle’s chassis with a new design that increases survivability and allows for the integration of Bradley common drive-train and suspension components. Additionally, the system introduces technologies developed under the Crusader and Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon programs such as a 600 volt on-board power generation, distribution and management system and high-voltage gun drive and projectile ramming systems.

The digital computing architecture of the vehicle and power generation capability provides growth potential for future payloads as well as accommodating existing battlefield network requirements, according to BAE. The upgrades make the vehicles compatible with existing systems in the Army’s armored brigade combat team, including the Bradley and Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV).