Sunday, June 26, 2022
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

Army inducts self-propelled howitzer into low-rate initial production

by Army News Service
May 20, 2014
in Army News
3 min read
0
Army inducts self-propelled howitzer into low-rate initial production
14
VIEWS

Air and sea power are critical strategic military assets, but land power is undeniable in its ability to compel and deter adversaries. The Army’s capability to project land power grew this week with the induction of the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and its companion M992A3 carrier ammunition tracked vehicle into low-rate initial production.

The M109A7 and M992A3, formerly known as the Army’s Paladin Integrated Management, known as PIM, program, were both inducted during a ceremony at Anniston Army Depot where Congressman Mike Rogers, Alabama’s third congressional district representative, described what the systems bring to the Army.

“If we have to fight, we want to make sure it’s not a fair fight. These systems ensure that it won’t be a fair fight,” Rogers said.

This summer M109A6 Paladin vehicles and M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles will be shipped to Anniston Army Depot where they will be disassembled to provide cab structures, overhauled gun and cannon assemblies, and other vehicle components to industry. The entirely new chassis, built at BAE Systems’ facility in York, Pa., will marry with the reworked Anniston components at the new BAE Systems production facility in Eglin, Okla., for final assembly.

Anniston Army Depot Commander Col. Brent Bolander welcomed the systems and pointed to his depot’s skilled workforce as providing a valuable service to the Army.

“The work you will do on these systems will provide our warfighters with a centerpiece of Army readiness,” Bolander said.

The M109A7 and M992A3 entered Milestone C in October 2013, under the PIM program. They were first fielded, in 1963. For the past 50 years the platform has provided the Army with a highly mobile, armored combat support weapon capable of performing a role in nearly every function: move and maneuver, fires, protection and mission command. In short, artillery systems like the M109A7 and M992A3 represent an in-theater capability that delivers a volume of explosive destruction that otherwise only bombers and precision weapons costing considerably more would be able to deliver. But decades of upgrades to the platform show that it has reached its limit especially in terms of space, weight and power-cooling, or SWaP-C.

“This modernization effort represents a significant upgrade which includes buying back space, weight and power-cooling, to ensure the system remains relevant with room to add new capabilities in the future,” said Lt. Col. Michael Zahuranic, the Army’s product manager for self-propelled howitzer systems.

While the vehicle’s cannon will remain unchanged, the M109A7 will sport a brand new chassis, engine, transmission, suspension, steering system. These components are also found on the Army’s Bradley Fighting Vehicles, thus increasing commonality and reducing logistical footprints and cost. Improved survivability is also a main line of effort in the upgrade program.

The vehicle will also feature a new 600-volt on-board power system, which is designed to accommodate emerging technologies and future requirements, as well as current requirements like the Battlefield Network. The electronic gun drive system, which was developed for the cancelled Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon, NLOS-C, provides significant improvement to firing operations. Also, the on-board power system ensures the platform will have enough SWaP-C growth potential to last until 2050.

“This [M109A7 Paladin program] is really an example of acquisition done right,” said Brig. Gen. David G. Bassett, the Army’s program executive officer for Ground Combat Systems. “I want everyone here at Anniston to know that they are essential in delivering critical capabilities to our warfighters.”

BAE Systems Vice President and General Manager, Mark Signorelli, commanded a M109A3 when he was in the Army and said he took exceptional pride in being part of the system’s upgrade.

“It’s with great pride that I also can see the integration of emerging technologies from our work on earlier developmental artillery programs. I know I speak for everyone at BAE Systems when I tell you how excited we are to begin work on the new M109A7,” Signorelli said.

Tags: Army & Security Forces NewsArtilleryhowitzerPaladinproduction
Previous Post

Natick takes protective eyewear into future

Next Post

Japan to establish island military posts: report

Related Posts

US, Morocco launch vast military exercise

US, Morocco launch vast military exercise

June 23, 2022

The United States and Morocco on Monday launched the vast annual "African Lion" military exercise, amid heightened tensions between the...

East Africa army chiefs discuss regional force for east DR Congo

East Africa army chiefs discuss regional force for east DR Congo

June 8, 2022

East African army chiefs held discussions Tuesday on establishing a regional military force to restore security in eastern Democratic Republic...

Next Post
Japan mulls island troops, China exports resume

Japan to establish island military posts: report

Latest Defense News

Kyiv says US precision artillery systems arrived in Ukraine

Kyiv says US precision artillery systems arrived in Ukraine

June 24, 2022
US Navy Kicks Off ICEX 2020

Russia and China eye NATO’s ‘Arctic Achilles heel’

June 24, 2022
Defense, Energy Experts Aid China’s Nuclear Security

Russian gas threat revives German nuclear power debate

June 23, 2022
AI Improves Robotic Performance in DARPA’s Machine Common Sense Program

AI Improves Robotic Performance in DARPA’s Machine Common Sense Program

June 23, 2022
Russia deploys most advanced air defences at army drills

Estonia accuses Russia of ‘escalatory’ actions

June 23, 2022
US, Morocco launch vast military exercise

US, Morocco launch vast military exercise

June 23, 2022

Defense Forum Discussions

  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • Russian Navy Discussions and Updates
  • NZDF General discussion thread
  • Russia and the West
  • Royal Netherlands Navy
  • Royal New Zealand Air Force
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • Philippine Navy Discussion and Updates
  • Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com