Exclusive: US Army to Procure 689 M109A7 Howitzers Through 2050 as Part of Major Artillery Modernization Effort.

According to a recent report published by the U.S. Department of Defense on military program acquisitions for Fiscal Year 2025, the U.S. Army has outlined a significant plan to procure 689 M109A7 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPH) and sustain them through 2050. This move is a cornerstone of the U.S. Army's broader modernization effort to upgrade its artillery capabilities. The M109A7, part of the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program, will play a central role in enhancing indirect fire support for the U.S. Army's armored and mechanized infantry divisions over the next several decades. This procurement is part of a long-term strategy to modernize the U.S. Army's artillery fleet and fill a critical capability gap left by the cancellation of the Non-Line of Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) program in 2009.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

U.S. soldiers from the North Carolina National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, conduct live-fire exercises with the newly fielded M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on May 20, 2021 (Picture source: US. DoD)

The U.S. Army uses a two-increment approach to upgrade and modernize the M109 155mm howitzer fleet. The first phase of the modernization effort focuses on improving the mobility of the M109A7 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer, ensuring that the system can operate effectively across various terrains in diverse combat environments. This upgrade is essential for maintaining battlefield flexibility and survivability. The second phase of the M109A7 upgrade will address key areas such as lethality, range, and reliability, providing the U.S. Army with a more powerful and dependable artillery system. These enhancements are crucial as the U.S. Army seeks to maintain its edge in an evolving battlefield where firepower and accuracy are key to success.

The M109A7’s development was initially spurred by the cancellation of the NLOS-C in 2009, a program designed to deliver precision fires at longer ranges. The NLOS-C’s cancellation left the U.S. Army with a gap in its artillery capabilities, which the M109A7 is now designed to address. The U.S. Army’s decision to invest in the M109A7 reflects its desire to fill that gap and ensure its artillery remains capable of supporting Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) and mechanized infantry divisions in a wide array of operational settings.

The U.S. Army's procurement of 689 M109A7 units over the coming years demonstrates a long-term commitment to strengthening its artillery capabilities. This fleet of howitzers will be vital in providing primary indirect fire support for U.S. Army units, enhancing their ability to deliver precision firepower across a wide spectrum of military operations. The decision to sustain these vehicles through 2050 ensures that the U.S. Army will have a reliable and effective artillery platform for decades, positioning the force to remain prepared for any combat scenario.

In addition to procuring the M109A7, the U.S. Army is investing in the long-term sustainment of the system, ensuring that it remains operational and effective over its entire service life. The continued upgrades to the M109A7 will address the evolving demands of modern warfare, keeping the system relevant as mission requirements change. The U.S. Army is also focused on maintaining the system’s reliability, ensuring that the M109A7 can meet operational expectations in both combat and peacekeeping missions.

The M109A7, designed to replace older artillery platforms like the M109A6 Paladin, will provide the U.S. Army with enhanced mobility, accuracy, and firepower, making it a formidable asset in future conflicts. As the U.S. Army works to bridge the capability gap left by the NLOS-C’s cancellation, the M109A7 will provide critical indirect fire support, ensuring that U.S. Army forces remain equipped with the most advanced artillery technology available.

The U.S. Army's Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program, which includes the M109A7 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH), represents a critical modernization effort to upgrade the artillery capabilities of the Army’s armored and mechanized infantry divisions. With a total procurement of 689 units and a commitment to sustain them through 2050, the M109A7 is set to play a central role in the Army’s indirect fire support strategy for decades to come.

The development of the M109A7 began as part of the broader initiative to modernize the M109 fleet of artillery vehicles. This modernization was prompted by the cancellation of the Non-Line of Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) program in 2009, which left a gap in the U.S. Army's artillery capabilities. The Army sought a solution that would improve the mobility, lethality, range, and reliability of its existing M109A6 Paladin fleet. The M109A7 was conceived as part of a two-increment approach that addresses these gaps.

The development of the M109A7 was led by BAE Systems, which has long been involved in the design and production of the M109 family of vehicles. The company’s expertise in building reliable and combat-ready platforms made it the natural choice for the Army’s modernization efforts. Initial prototypes of the M109A7 were produced in the early 2010s, and the U.S. Army began testing and refining the system.

The Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phase for the M109A7 began in FY 2018, with the first units being delivered for evaluation. Following successful testing and validation, the program received approval for Full Rate Production (FRP) in FY 2020, marking a significant milestone in the program’s progress. Since then, production has ramped up to meet the U.S. Army’s needs.

The first contract for the M109A7 was awarded to BAE Systems in 2013, marking the formal beginning of the upgrade effort. Under this contract, the company was tasked with delivering the initial sets of M109A7 and its companion vehicle, the M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked (CAT), which replaces the M992A2 FAASV (Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle). The M109A7 and M992A3 are designed to work in tandem to provide artillery support for Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) and mechanized infantry divisions.

As of 2025, the U.S. Army has already received a significant number of M109A7 units, though the exact number delivered to date remains classified in some reports. However, sources suggest that the Army has received several dozen units as part of the LRIP phase and is expected to continue receiving more as Full Rate Production continues. According to the Military Balance 2024, the U.S. Army currently has a total of 671 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers, including 400 M109A6 units, 271 M109A7 units, and an additional 850 M109A6 units in storage. This further emphasizes the growing importance of the M109A7 in bolstering the U.S. Army's artillery forces.

The M109A7 is designed to replace the aging M109A6 Paladin fleet, offering major upgrades in terms of mobility, firepower, and reliability. Some of the key improvements include enhanced mobility, with an upgraded chassis featuring improved suspension and drivetrain for better off-road performance and increased survivability. The lethality of the M109A7 is enhanced with a modernized 155mm howitzer capable of firing a wide range of munitions, including precision-guided projectiles, ensuring accurate and powerful indirect fire support.

Moreover, the reliability of the M109A7 is a key focus, with improvements that reduce maintenance requirements and enhance the vehicle’s long-term operational viability. These upgrades will help ensure that the U.S. Army can keep the M109A7 in service for several decades, continuing to support both conventional and counterinsurgency operations.

The M109A7 provides primary indirect fire support for a wide range of operations, and its versatility is a key aspect of the U.S. Army’s fire support strategy. As the U.S. Army works toward maintaining and modernizing its artillery capabilities, the procurement and continued production of the M109A7 will help ensure that U.S. Army forces are equipped with state-of-the-art fire support systems capable of meeting evolving threats.

The U.S. Army’s commitment to procuring 689 M109A7 systems demonstrates its long-term vision for modernizing its artillery capabilities. The decision to sustain these vehicles through 2050 ensures that the Army will have a reliable and cutting-edge artillery platform to support its operations in the coming decades. In addition to improving artillery capabilities, the M109A7 is also part of the broader Armament Upgrade Project, which aims to optimize the vehicle’s systems and improve its reliability to meet evolving operational demands.

This initiative will continue to address the changing nature of modern warfare, where artillery plays a pivotal role in delivering firepower in support of maneuvering units. The successful integration of the M109A7 into the U.S. Army’s operational fleet will provide a critical capability gap-filler, ensuring the U.S. Army remains prepared to face any future conflict scenarios with enhanced artillery support. The Army’s Financial Readiness Program (FRP) will continue to fund the procurement of additional M109A7 units, with the goal of delivering the final sets in the near future.

The M109A7 represents a crucial step in the U.S. Army’s artillery modernization effort, combining state-of-the-art technology with the proven design of the M109 platform. The continued production and integration of this system will play a vital role in enhancing the U.S. Army’s ability to project power and support combat operations well into the future.