The US Department of Defense has awarded BAE Systems a $579.3-million contract to supply the US Army with howitzers and field artillery support vehicles.
The deal covers the M109A7 and M992A3 systems, which are all based on the chassis of the 155-millimeter turreted self-propelled artillery vehicle.
BAE’s Land and Armaments segment will perform project tasks at its facilities in Pennsylvania, Michigan, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
Related works are expected to be completed by January 2029.
BAE’s latest award follows a $318-million contract in April for technical and maintenance support of the US Army’s M109A6 and M109A7 howitzers.
This five-year effort covers engineering and logistics solutions for the fleet as well as its corresponding M992A3s.
Three months earlier, the firm signed another agreement for $418 million to produce M109A7s and M992A3s for the service.
BAE received an initial $466 million for the supply of similar systems in February 2023.
The M109A7 and M992A3
Also known as the Paladin, the M109A7 measures 9.7 meters (31 feet) long and weighs 38,100 kilograms (84,000 pounds).
It is operated by four personnel and is powered by a 675 horsepower engine as well as a 549-liter (145-gallon) fuel tank.
The M109A7 has a top speed of 61 kilometers (38 miles) per hour and a cruising range of up to 300 kilometers (186 miles).
It can be integrated with M284 or M284A2 cannons, an M182A1 gun mount, an automatic fire extinguishing system, and a Common Remotely Operated Weapons System or CROWS.
Compared to the M109A7, the M992A3 has no turret and focuses on ammunition support for its counterpart.
It measures 6.6 meters (21.8 feet) and is also controlled by four soldiers.
The vehicle is powered by a 440-horsepower engine for speeds of up to 65 kilometers (40 miles) per hour and an operational range of 354 kilometers (220 miles).
Although designed for support, the M992A3 can be armed with a NATO-standard Browning machine gun and grenade launcher, and fitted with armor.
M992A3’s tall design is specialized to store approximately 95 conventional rounds and several M712 Copperhead 155-millimeter anti-tank guided projectiles.