The United States entered into a contract with BAE Systems for the supply of M109A7 self-propelled howitzers.

This was reported by the press service of the company.

BAE Systems received a contract for the production of M109A7 155mm self-propelled howitzers, as well as M992A3 ammunition carriers. All of them will enter service with the US Army.

The contract is worth $418 million, but the number of systems ordered is unknown.

However, under a 2022 contract worth $299 million, 40 M109A7 and the same number of M992A3 were ordered. This makes it possible to approximately estimate the amount of equipment in the current contract.

It is noted that the agreement, concluded in November last year, provides for the delivery of ordered artillery systems within two years with the expected completion in 2025.

M109A7

M109A7 is the most modern howitzer in the M109 ACS family and the main artillery installation of armored brigade combat teams of the United States Army.

The upgraded ACS received a digital fire control system and a semi-automatic ammunition loading system. The hydraulic drives of the self-propelled howitzer were replaced by electric counterparts that increased the free space, in which additional ammunition was placed.

M109A7 underwent partial unification with the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. Its chassis was replaced by an improved suspension element, a more powerful Cummins V903 engine and a HMPT-800 transmission from the American IFV. The ACS also received a computer system for tracking the status of systems and units.

M992 FAASV

M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicle is developed on the chassis of the М109 self-propelled howitzer. It carries up to 118 shells.

Like the original self-propelled gun chassis, M992 is equipped with an armored hull and control cabin that are able to protect the vehicle from light rifle fire and small debris.

Ammunition in a transport and load vehicle can be transported in a finally equipped form. At the same time, the transfer of ammunition to the finally equipped form can be carried out both outside the vehicle on the assembly flow lines and using the equipment of the machine. In the latter case, the fuzes are installed automatically.