BAE Systems to supply US Army with more M109A7 howitzers and M992A3 Ammunition carriers.

The U.S. Department of Defense on February 14 announced that BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P., York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $466,413,360 modification (P00131) to contract W56HZV-17-C-0001 for M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzers and M992A3 Carrier, Ammunition, Tracked vehicles; Total Package Fielding support hardware kits, and support.
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M109A7 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer and M992A3 Carrier, Ammunition, Tracked (Picture source: BAE Systems)

The work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania; Sterling Heights, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; Elgin, Oklahoma; and Anniston, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2026. Fiscal 2022 weapons and tracked combat vehicle procurement, Army funds in the amount of $83,261,562 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

The M109A7 is the latest howitzer in the BAE Systems M109 family of vehicles, the primary indirect fire support system for the ABCTs (Armored Brigade Combat Teams). It uses the existing main armament and cab structure of an M109A6 Paladin, and replaces the vehicle’s chassis components with modem components common to the Bradley vehicle. The improved chassis structure provides greater survivability and commonality with the existing systems in the ABCT, reducing operational sustainability costs by replacing obsolete components.

The M109A7 is supported by the U.S. Army as a vital technology enhancement program to maintain the combat capability of its ABCTs. The M109A7 will solve the long-term readiness and modernization needs of the M109 family of vehicles through a critical redesign and production plan that leverages the most advanced technology available today. This state-of-the-art “digital backbone” and power generation capability provides a more robust, survivable and responsive indirect fire support capability for ABCT Soldiers.

The M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicle (FAASV) is built on the chassis of the M109-series howitzer. It is also colloquially referred to as a "cat" (referring to its nomenclature, CAT: Carrier, Ammunition, Tracked). It replaced the M548 supply vehicle. Unlike the M548, it is armored.