675hp, new engine, chassis and FCS: US buys 40 155mm M109A7 SPHs

By TOC

WASHINGTON — The United States Army buys 40 155mm M109A7 self-propelled guns with 675 hp power and a new FCS [fire control system]. The company BAE Systems announced that it received an order for the production and delivery of 40 new tracked self-propelled guns and the same number of tracked armored vehicles M992A3 for artillery support. The value of the contract is $299 million.

US buys M109A7 SPH that fires a new XM1113 rocket-projectile 40 km
Photo: Facebook

The agreement includes the production and delivery of M109A7 and M992A3 ammunition transporters, as well as the provision of spare parts kits. The defense company emphasized that the M109A7 is a significantly upgraded artillery system compared to the machine’s predecessor, the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer.

BAE Systems was awarded the initial contract to produce the M109A7 in 2017. Along with this new agreement, the total number of kits ordered – M109A7 howitzers and M992A3 ammunition carriers – is 310, and the total value of the contract is $1.9 billion.

The M109A7 tracked self-propelled howitzer, along with the M992A3 ammunition delivery vehicle, provide the primary fire support for US Army battlegroups. The M109A7 is a deep upgrade of the M109A6 Paladin. The design of the updated ACS includes a new chassis, engine, transmission, suspension, control system, new internal power architecture, and improved survivability.

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Photo: US Army / Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley

The purpose of modernization is to increase combat and operational characteristics.

The M992A3 armored artillery support vehicle is built on the same chassis as the M109A7. Known as CAT [Carrier Ammunition Tracked], this vehicle is used as a protected mobile artillery ammunition transporter.

The US Army ordered the previous batch of M109A7 self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 transporters in May.

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