BAE Systems has signed a $318-million contract with the US Army to provide technical and sustainment support services for its M109A6 and A7 self-propelled howitzers.
The five-year deal will see the manufacturer deliver engineering and logistics solutions for the howitzers and its companion M992A3 field artillery ammunition support vehicles.
The agreement follows a $418-million order from the army in January to supply more howitzers for its Armored Brigade Combat Teams, scheduled for delivery by 2025.
“Sustainment services for the M109 allow the U.S. Army to maintain a high level of operational readiness to take this powerful capability to the fight,” BAE Combat Mission Systems ground vehicle production director Dan Furber said.
Services covered by the contract will be rendered at BAE’s Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, and South Carolina sites. Other military bases in the US and around the world will also assist in the fleet’s sustainment.
The Evolving M109
The M109 self-propelled howitzers were first introduced in the 1960s to replace the M44, offering greater maneuverability and stronger firepower with indirect-fire support.
The M109A7‘s newer design features an updated chassis, transmission, suspension, and steering system, a new high-voltage architecture, and improved survivability.
Its 675-horsepower engine is one of the more prominent updates from the A6 variant, which features a 440-horsepower V903 engine. It is also equipped with a 155mm, 39-caliber cannon, and a .50-caliber M2 machine gun.
BAE will also provide new capabilities for the family of vehicles under the new service contract.
