According to a contract published by the United States Department of Defense on June 30, 2022, BAE Systems was awarded a $298,726,093 modification contract for the production and delivery of 40 M109A7 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers and the same number of M992A3 artillery resupply tracked armored vehicles for U.S. Army.
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U.S. soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, receive an M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer at the battalion's motor pool on Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 29, 2021. (Picture source U.S. DoD)
The M109A7 is the latest howitzer in the BAE Systems M109 family of tracked self-propelled howitzers, the primary indirect fire support system for the U.S. Army ABCTs (Armored Brigade Combat Team). It uses the existing main armament and cab structure of a Paladin M109A6, 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 first prototype was unveiled in 2007. Prototypes of the M109A7 began tests at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (Arizona) in 2008 when the original concept demonstrator was brought out for testing. Formal developmental testing began after that. In 2013, this artillery system was approved for production and a contract was issued to BAE Systems to upgrade the first batch of M109A6 systems to the M109A7 standard.
The M109A7 is based on a tracked armored chassis armed with a 39-caliber 155mm M284 cannon, which is fitted with an M182A1 gun mount and has a range of 24km using unassisted rounds or 30km using assisted rounds. The projectile loading can be carried out using the full-stroke hydraulic system, or a semi-automatic loading system is optional.
The M109A7 chassis features a power pack, drive train, track, and suspension components common with the Bradley IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), improving supportability and reducing the ABCT’s logistical footprint.
The M109A7 offers increased crew survivability by way of applique, a mission tailorable armor package which complements the crew’s operation under armor. Along with the “shoot and scoot” capability, the M109A7 features an Automatic Fire Extinguishing System (AFES), and can host the Common Remotely Operated Weapons System (CROWS).
U.S. soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, receive an M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked (CAT) at the battalion's motor pool on Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 29, 2021. (Picture source U.S. DoD)
