US Army boosts artillery range with new American M109 52 Paladin Howitzer upgrade.

According to information published by BAE Systems on June 18, 2025, the company has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM-AC) to accelerate modernization of the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. This collaboration will focus on integrating the M109-52 prototype configuration, which includes the Rheinmetall 155 mm L52 cannon, into the existing Paladin fleet, enhancing its long-range precision fire capability. Development and testing will be conducted at U.S. Army sites such as Picatinny Arsenal and multiple BAE Systems facilities across Alabama, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
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For the U.S. Army, the M109-52 upgrade is a strategic solution to bridge capability gaps in long-range precision fires, one of the top modernization priorities outlined by Army Futures Command (Picture source: Bae Systems)

The centerpiece of the M109-52 upgrade is the integration of the Rheinmetall 155 mm L52 cannon, a high-performance, NATO-standard, 52-caliber artillery system renowned for its extended range and accuracy. Compared to the current 39-caliber M284 cannon mounted on the M109A7, the L52 offers a substantial increase in barrel length and internal volume, allowing for greater propellant charges and higher muzzle velocities. This results in a dramatic extension of the weapon’s effective firing range, with the L52 capable of reaching targets up to 40 kilometers using standard high-explosive projectiles, and beyond 70 kilometers when firing advanced rocket-assisted or base bleed munitions. When paired with precision-guided projectiles such as the XM1113 RAP or the future XM1155 long-range precision fires munition, the L52-equipped M109-52 achieves both long-range reach and high levels of accuracy.

The gun is mounted in a reconfigured turret that retains key mechanical and electronic systems from the M109A7, ensuring full integration with the vehicle’s existing power, fire control, and automated loading systems. This modularity also preserves the platform’s compatibility with U.S. Army logistics, reducing the need for a complete redesign and allowing for faster fielding. Additionally, the upgrade supports digital fire control enhancements, improved thermal management, and a reinforced recoil system, all of which are essential to managing the higher stresses generated by longer-range, higher-energy ammunition.

For the U.S. Army, the M109-52 upgrade is a strategic solution to bridge capability gaps in long-range precision fires, one of the top modernization priorities outlined by Army Futures Command. As peer and near-peer adversaries continue to improve their counter-battery and anti-access capabilities, having a cost-effective, rapidly deployable artillery system with extended range is critical to maintaining overmatch. The M109-52 enables the Army to deliver decisive fires in multi-domain operations without the time and budgetary risks associated with entirely new platforms.

On the battlefield, the M109-52 enhances the operational tempo and lethality of U.S. Army artillery units by allowing them to strike from safer standoff distances while engaging high-value targets deep inside enemy territory. Its extended range and compatibility with advanced precision munitions make it ideally suited for suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), destruction of enemy artillery systems, and interdiction of logistical nodes. In modern high-intensity conflict scenarios, where speed, precision, and survivability are paramount, the M109-52 is poised to significantly improve the effectiveness of combined arms maneuvers.

In the current global security environment, where tensions persist in Eastern Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East, the United States faces increasing demands to deter aggression and reassure allies through credible forward-postured capabilities. The M109-52 provides a scalable and fieldable solution that directly supports NATO readiness, Pacific deterrence initiatives, and rapid response operations. Its enhanced firepower and operational flexibility equip U.S. forces to meet the challenges posed by increasingly sophisticated adversaries, ensuring the Army retains its artillery dominance in a rapidly evolving battlespace.