By Ann Roosevelt
BAE Systems yesterday unveiled its upgraded Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) vehicle to military customers, congressional representatives, community leaders and employees at its York, Pa., facility.
PIM is the next generation howitzer in the M109 Paladin family of vehicles, the combat-proven weapon system manufactured by BAE at York.
“The modernization of the Paladin is a critical step in providing the Army with a sustainable and supportable fleet of upgraded vehicles,” Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) systems for BAE, said at the ceremonies. “The roll-out of our PIM system will ensure that the HBCT continues to have the premier Fire Support Platform needed to support the warfighter.”
BAE was awarded a $63.9 million contract in August 2009 to produce seven PIM vehicles: five Self Propelled Howitzers and two Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles. Yesterday’s roll-out introduced the first of the seven vehicles awarded in that contract.
Back in 2007, BAE announced it had revamped the venerable Paladin system to meet the HBCT needs (Defense Daily, Oct. 23, 2007).
The PIM uses the existing main armament and cab structure of a Paladin M109A6 and replaces the out-of-date chassis components with up-to-date components from Bradley Combat Systems. PIM incorporates a state-of-the-art digital backbone and robust power generation capability and integrates electric elevation and traverse drives, electric rammer and digital fire control system.
The PIM upgrades includes a new Bradley-common 600hp engine replacing a 440hp engine, and a new transmission, that is cmmon to Bradley vehicles as well. The new upgrades allow the vehicle to keep up with HBCT vehicles, something that had caused concerns in the past with earlier Paladin models.
The PIM upgrade ensures maximum commonality with existing systems in the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT), and reduces its logistical footprint and operational sustainability costs by replacing obsolete components within the mobility chassis.
The BAE PIM vehicle is the first production vehicle equipped with the company’s enhanced on-board power management capability, representing the first implementation of the Army’s Common Modular Power System (CMPS) requirement. BAE’s enhanced on-board power management solution will double the electrical power of most military vehicles, exponentially increasing the mission effectiveness of ground forces in theater.
This spring, completion is expected on Phase II of the PIM facility in Elgin, Okla., a facility designed to be flexible and be able to assemble and test PIMS (Defense Daily, May 1).
Design and engineering analysis work for the vehicle structure, automotive systems and electric and vehicle electronics will be performed at the BAE facilities in Pennsylvania, California, New York, Minnesota and Michigan as well as U.S. Government facilities at the Army Research and Development Center in Picatinny, N.J. The remanufacture for the Paladin fleet will be performed in partnership with the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama and at BAE facilities in York, Pa., and Elgin, Okla.