BAE Systems awarded M109A7 extended range work
BAE Systems is to carry out work to increase the range and rate of fire on current and future M109A7 self-propelled howitzers under a contract from the US Army announced on 15 July.
Under the $45 million Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) Increment 1 prototype contract, the army is looking to address capability gaps in its indirect fire systems and improve the rate and range of fire with the development of power distribution software and hardware integration solutions. ERCA will be integrated onto the M109A7 and will require the M109A7’s current 39-caliber turret to be replaced with a 58-caliber, 30ft long gun barrel with the objective of creating firepower double the current range.
While increasing range, the goal is to maintain the weight found in current systems to minimise performance impacts on the chassis.
Scott Davis, vice president or programs, BAE Systems’ Combat Vehicles business, said: ‘ERCA is a significant technological step forward for the army’s artillery portfolio.
'We were selected based on our years of experience in the development of self-propelled howitzer systems. Long-range precision fire is a top priority for the army, and we are pleased to be a partner in efforts to equip soldiers with the latest technology.’
More from Land Warfare
-
US Army chooses Textron Systems and Griffon Aerospace in final showdown for FTUAS
The US Army plans to procure a Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) to replace the Textron Systems RQ-7Bv2 Shadow tactical UAV currently in service with the US Army's Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs). The FTUAS is being developed under the wider Future UAS (FUAS) programme.
-
Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal
Air 6500 Phase 1, worth AU$500 million (US$326 million), will result in a sovereign system that can provide greater situational awareness and help to defend against hostile aircraft and missiles. It will sit at the core of Australia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence programme.
-
Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million
The systems have been purchased under a special fund which has already been tapped into for the purchase of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters worth up to €8 billion (US$8.7 billion) and thousands of Rheinmetall Caracal airmobile special operations vehicles worth €1.9 billion.
-
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.