The US Army has requested information regarding the development of a 155mm self-propelled next-generation wheeled howitzer.
The US Army Contracting Command revealed that the request would help to do market research and pick candidates for the multiyear capability assessment program.
Requirements
The request specifies that the truck-mounted howitzer be more mobile, survivable, and have a greater range and volume of fire than present systems. Additionally, the system should be able to integrate with digital fire control.
The army also wants interested firms to show the capability of “onboard storing, resupplying and firing 155mm munitions” and integrate the gun with different vehicle platforms.
155mm Mobile Howitzer Evaluation
The request comes months after the army completed its 155mm mobile howitzer shoot-off evaluation to provide a better gun for Stryker brigade combat teams.
The evaluation saw national and international participants demonstrating their systems, including BAE Systems’ ARCHER, Elbit Systems of America’s ATMOS Iron Sabre, Nexter’s Caesar, AM General’s Brutus, and the NORA B-52 M21 system.
Extended Range, Soft Recoil
Meanwhile, last July, the army released a notification to investigate Extended Range Soft Recoil Technologies for its 155mm next-generation howitzer as part of its artillery modernization strategy.
Similar to the latest request, the July notification also specified that the soft recoil “improve the range and mobility of the US Army’s Mobile Artillery fleet by reducing carriage loads during firing as well as create the opportunity to utilize lighter weight structures.”