BAE Systems,
WASHINGTON: BAE Systems will unveil a new look for the battle-proven M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer at the Association of the U.S. Army's Annual Symposium and Exhibition in Washington during October 8-10. The new-look Paladin, dubbed the M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program, is a semi-automated, air-conditioned and electronically controlled artillery system designed to meet the needs of the U.S. Army's Heavy Brigade Combat Teams (HBCTs).
“Artillery is playing an important role in operations in Iraq, with the Paladin providing critical fire support with both standard and precision munitions,” said Adam Zarfoss, BAE Systems' director of artillery programs. “The M109A6-PIM is the next step in Paladin development to ensure this essential fire support system remains ready and sustainable for soldiers in the HBCT through its projected life beyond the year 2050.”
The Paladin is the primary indirect fire support system for the HBCTs, and the M109A6-PIM is supported by the Army as a vital technology enhancement program to maintain the combat capability of its HBCTs. The M109A6-PIM will solve long-term readiness and sustainment needs of the M109 family of vehicles, which includes the M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle, through a critical redesign and production plan that leverages the most advanced technology available today to provide a more robust, survivable and responsive indirect fire support capability for HBCT Soldiers.
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The M109A6-PIM uses the existing main armament and recently designed cab structure, while replacing outmoded chassis components with advanced components from the Bradley Combat Systems, to increase sustainability and commonality across the HBCT.
It also incorporates select technologies from the Future Combat Systems Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon, including an automated projectile loader and modern electric gun drive systems to replace the current hydraulically operated elevation and azimuth drives designed in the early 1960s. The electric gun and ammunition handling components, as well as a micro-climate (air conditioning) system, will be powered by BAE Systems' Common Modular Power System (CMPS).
CMPS, which will be installed on Stryker and has also been installed on High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) demonstrator vehicles, is based on architecture jointly developed by the Army Tank-Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center and the Program Executive Office – Ground Combat Systems. The system featured on the M109A6-PIM is capable of providing 35 kilowatts of 600-volt direct current which can be used for voltage conversion and can support other higher power loads required within the Paladin platform.
The M109A6-PIM is considered to be the most cost-effective method to significantly improve sustainability and survivability, while reducing the logistics burden on the HBCT and supporting fires brigades. The program will be executed as a public/private partnership between the Army's Project Manager-HBCT, Anniston Army Depot and BAE Systems that leverages the strengths of both public and private sectors to ensure the best value for U.S. Soldiers. The M109A6-PIM production would be performed at Anniston Army Depot, Alabama, and BAE Systems facilities in York, Pennsylvania; Aiken, South Carolina; and Elgin, Oklahoma.
For more information about the BAE Systems M109A6-PIM, please visit BAE Systems AUSA Press Kit.
BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 96,000 employees worldwide, had 2006 sales that exceeded $27 billion on a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings, Inc. for the whole of 2006.
