Elbit America presents new Sigma howitzer to US Army for striking targets up to 80 km away.

Elbit America has presented its Sigma 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer to the U.S. Army during the AUSA Global Force Symposium and Exhibition 2026 in Huntsville, positioning the system as a candidate for the Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization (SPH-M) program.

Built on a 10×10 Oshkosh chassis, the Sigma delivers long-range precision fires reaching up to 80 kilometers, significantly extending artillery strike depth and enhancing rapid “shoot-and-scoot” survivability against counterbattery threats. Displayed between March 24 and 26, 2026, the system reflects ongoing U.S. Army efforts to field a mature, highly automated artillery platform following the cancellation of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA).

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The Sigma's integration of automation, reduced crew requirements, and compatibility with existing 155mm munitions could support the U.S. Army's readiness, sustainment efficiency, and long-range precision engagement within brigade combat team operations. (Picture source: Elbit America)

Between March 24 and March 26, 2026, Elbit America displayed its Sigma 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer at the AUSA Global Force Symposium and Exhibition 2026 in Huntsville, Alabama, as part of its bid for the U.S. Army Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization (SPH-M) program. The howitzer is manufactured in Charleston, South Carolina, on a 10×10 Oshkosh chassis, which aligns with U.S. Army requirements for domestic production while allowing participation by foreign-origin designs assembled in the United States. The U.S. Army is moving toward a contract award target in July 2026 following a sequence of requests for information, prototype solicitations in early 2026, and evaluation phases extending through fiscal year 2026.

The Sigma is being introduced as a system already in service with Israel under the name Roem, with operational firing conducted in June 2024 and initial deliveries completed in December 2025. Therefore, its inclusion in the exhibition corresponds to ongoing U.S. Army efforts to identify systems that can be fielded without extended development phases. The SPH-M program follows the cancellation of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program in April 2024, which had aimed to extend artillery range from 30 kilometers to 70 kilometers but encountered issues, including rapid barrel wear and sustainment constraints. Earlier programs, such as Crusader, canceled in May 2002, and the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) under the Future Combat Systems initiative, terminated in 2009, also failed to reach fielding.

The current effort represents the fourth attempt to replace or supplement the M109, which entered service in the 1960s and remains the primary U.S. self-propelled artillery system. The U.S. Army completed a conventional fires study in March 2024 that concluded future systems should emphasize automation, mobility, and reduced crew size. Requirements include compatibility with standard U.S. 155mm ammunition, including precision-guided projectiles, and the ability to operate within armored brigade combat teams equipped with Abrams tanks and Bradley IFVs. The Army has indicated that both tracked and wheeled systems will be considered, with evaluation criteria covering range, rate of fire, survivability, and sustainment.

Phase I testing is designed to assess mature systems rather than prototypes. Follow-on phases may include multiple production lines depending on force structure decisions. The Sigma integrates a 155mm L52 cannon on a 10×10 wheeled chassis with a total vehicle weight of about 36 tons and a road speed that can reach 80 to 90 km/h. The howitzer uses a fully automated, remotely operated turret capable of 360-degree firing without repositioning the vehicle. The turret incorporates automated ammunition selection, loading, and gun laying functions, allowing all firing operations to be conducted from inside the armored cabin. Stabilization during firing is achieved through hydraulically deployed spades positioned on both sides of the chassis, which are retracted before movement.

The system is designed for a crew of three consisting of a commander, gunner, and driver, compared to six to eight personnel in the M109. The Sigma originates from the Israeli Roem program, which is also intended to replace the M109, while meeting U.S. production requirements. The system is also transportable by C-17 aircraft, enabling rapid strategic deployment. The 155mm gun maintains a firing rate of eight rounds per minute and carries 40 rounds in an onboard magazine, allowing sustained fire missions without immediate resupply. The base firing range exceeds 40 kilometers using standard ammunition, while extended-range configurations can reach up to 80 kilometers depending on projectile type.

The howitzer supports multiple-round simultaneous impact (MRSI) missions, enabling several projectiles to reach a target at the same time by varying firing trajectories. The automated loading system reduces the time between rounds and allows consistent firing sequences without manual intervention. The Sigma can transition from movement to firing mode in less than 60 seconds, enabling rapid engagement of targets. Fire control systems integrate GPS and inertial navigation, allowing independent operation without external alignment. The system is compatible with all U.S. Army 155mm ammunition types, including existing stockpiles and precision-guided munitions to increase firing efficiency. 

The wheeled configuration, for its part, enables higher sustained speeds on roads and reduces reliance on heavy equipment transporters required for tracked systems. The Sigma can execute “shoot and scoot” operations in under 60 seconds, allowing it to relocate before counterbattery fire can be directed at its firing position. To reduce time between detection and engagement, the 10x10 artillery system is designed to operate alongside brigade combat teams (BCTs), providing indirect fire support while maintaining operational tempo. The armored cabin protects against small arms fire and artillery fragments, allowing the crew to remain inside during firing operations.

However, the wheeled configuration limits performance in soft or heavily degraded terrain compared to tracked systems, meaning the latter remain more suitable for operations requiring close integration with heavy armored units in difficult terrain. Automation is a central feature of the Sigma system, with all firing functions controlled from the armored cabin, eliminating the need for manual loading and reducing the number of crew members required. The reduction to a three-person crew addresses manpower constraints and reduces logistical requirements. Automated ammunition handling also removes the need for loaders, a role that historically required significant physical effort and contributed to fatigue during sustained operations, as seen with tanks.

The Sigma’s architecture allows continuous firing cycles with minimal interruption, increasing operational efficiency. Automation also reduces variability in firing procedures and improves consistency across engagements. The integration of digital fire control systems enables faster response to targeting data and reduces the time required to initiate fire missions with fewer personnel. From a sustainment perspective, wheeled artillery systems such as Sigma offer lower operating costs compared to tracked systems like the M109 due to reduced fuel consumption and simpler maintenance requirements. The absence of tracks reduces wear components and simplifies repair processes, contributing to longer maintenance intervals.

Wheeled systems can move long distances without requiring transport vehicles, reducing logistical complexity and deployment time. These factors influence lifecycle cost calculations, which are increasingly central to procurement decisions. Domestic production in South Carolina supports maintenance and supply chain requirements within the United States, reducing dependence on external sources. In contrast, tracked systems require more intensive maintenance and specialized transport equipment, increasing operational costs. The balance between sustainment efficiency and battlefield survivability is a key consideration in the SPH-M program. Cost and logistics factors are therefore directly linked to operational readiness. 

The development and fielding of systems such as Sigma reflect changes in artillery employment driven by advances in detection systems, precision targeting, and networked operations. As seen in Ukraine, counterbattery radars and sensor networks reduce the time available for artillery units to remain in firing positions, requiring rapid displacement after firing. Systems capable of transitioning from movement to firing and back to movement within short timeframes are therefore prioritized. The reduction in crew size aligns with broader force structure adjustments and manpower constraints within artillery units. Wheeled artillery systems are increasingly adopted by NATO and partner forces for their mobility and lower sustainment requirements. However, tracked systems such as the K9 Thunder remain necessary for operations involving heavy armored formations and complex terrain conditions. Future artillery forces are expected to integrate both configurations to meet different operational requirements.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.