The M109A7 Paladin 155mm Self-propelled howitzer being manufactured by BAE Systems is a significant upgrade to the combat-proven M109A6 Paladin cannon artillery system. The enhanced artillery system will offer key fire-support for a variety of potential combat missions conducted by the US Army's Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) in conventional, hybrid, irregular and counterinsurgency combat environments. Formerly this system was known as M109A6 PIM or Paladin Integrated Management. The first prototype was revealed in 2007.
Prototypes of the M109A7 began tests at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (Arizona) in 2008 when the original concept demonstrator was brought out for testing. Formal developmental testing began after that. Until now, over 10,000 test rounds have been fired.
The US Army awarded a $688m contract to BAE Systems in October 2013 for the production of Paladin M109A7 artillery systems, with an option to procure a total of 66.5 vehicle sets including a self-propelled howitzer and an ammunition resupply vehicle. The US Army has planned to obtain a fleet of 580 M109A7 howitzers and the same number of associated M992A3 armored ammunition support vehicles. The artillery system was inducted into low rate initial production (LRIP) in May 2014, while full rate production is expected to commence in 2017.
As part of a $195m initial contract, BAE Systems will produce up to 18.5 vehicle sets including 19 M109A7 howitzers and 18 M992A3 carrier ammunition tracked vehicles. The first vehicle is expected to be delivered in mid-2015.
Development
The US Army and BAE Systems signed a memorandum of understanding for the Paladin integrated management (PIM) programme to upgrade the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer and its associated M992A2 field artillery ammunition support vehicle. The authority intends to procure 580 sets of PIM vehicles, which are expected to sustain through 2050.
The PIM modernisation effort was launched in 2007 and was followed by the award of a $63.9m research and development contract to BAE Systems for the production of five M109A7 howitzers and two M992A3 carrier ammunition tracked vehicles in August 2009. The seven PIM prototypes were delivered in May 2011.
BAE Systems was awarded a $313m contract modification by the US Army in January 2012 to provide additional support for the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the PIM programme. The US Department of Defence granted Milestone C approval for the PIM programme in October 2013.
M109A7 artillery system design and features
The PIM modernisation programme includes upgrades to hull, turret, engine and suspension systems to offer increased reliability, survivability and performance over the M109A6 artillery system. The upgraded system is capable of providing fire support during the day and night in all weather conditions. The PIM cannon is mounted on the chassis structure common to the Bradley tracked fighting vehicle.
The vehicle is controlled by a crew of four and has an overall length of 9.7m, width of 3.9m, height of 3.7m and maximum gross weight of 35,380kg. It features digital backbone architecture and incorporates an on-board digital fire control system to provide fire mission and compute firing data to the M109A7 cannon system. It also consists of a position navigation system and a computer with comprehensive diagnostics programmes.
The new artillery system can select and take up firing positions, and automatically unlock and point its cannon while on the move. The modernisation effort also represents upgrades to space, weight and power-cooling (SWaP-C).
Armament
The M109A7 also incorporates select technologies from the Future Combat Systems 155mm NLOS-C (Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon), including modern electric gun drive systems to replace the current 1960s-era hydraulically-operated elevation and azimuth drives. The removal of the hydraulic systems saves the crew a tremendous amount of maintenance, and they retain manual backups for gun laying just in case. The M109A7 is armed with a 39-calibre 155mm M284 cannon, which is fitted with an M182A1 gun mount, and has a range of 24km using unassisted rounds or 30km using assisted rounds. The projectile loading can be carried out using the full-stroke hydraulic system, or a semi-automatic loading system is optional.A 12.7mm M2 machine gun is mounted on commander hatch on the top of the turret and can be optionally remote-controlled.
Protection features
The Paladin M109A7 artillery system is equipped with shoot and scoot capability to offer protection for the crew against counter battery fire. It is also fitted with an automatic fire extinguishing system (AFES), gunner protection kit (GPK) and an enhanced applied armour. Armor of this self-propelled howitzer provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Vehicle can be fitted with add-on armor kit, as well as underbelly armor kit for a higher level of protection. Turret is fitted with Kevlar anti-spall lining. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire extinguishing systems.
Propulsion and performance
As the M109A6, this new artillery system is equipped with the Bradley Fighting Vehicle standard Cummins 600-hp engine. However, the shift to an electric turret included a major redesign of the vehicle’s power system, converting the 600 hp engine’s work into up to 70 kW of 600 volt/ 28 volt direct current for use by various on-board systems. The power system’s modularity means that if any one of the motors inside fails, it can be replaced in the field within less than 15 minutes, using the same single part type. In concrete terms, it means the howitzer crew can handle the problem themselves and continue the mission, instead of withdrawing for repairs. The new M109A7 SPH uses some technologies, originally developed for the cancelled XM2001 Crusader and XM1203 NLOS-C self-propelled howitzers. Previous M109 upgrades hadn’t altered the M109's 1950s configuration. The new chassis are being fabricated & assembled with components from the M2/M3 Bradley IFV (e.g. engine, transmission, final drives, etc.), in order to create more commonality across America’s Heavy Brigade Combat teams. BAE Systems expects a growth in overall weight of less than 5%, but the combined effects of the new chassis and more robust drive components give Paladin PIM the ability to operate at higher weights than its current GVW maximum of about 39 tons/ 35.4 tonnes. The vehicle has a fuel storage capacity of 545l and ground clearance of 0.4m. It can ford at a maximum depth of 1.0m and cross trenches of 1.8m depth. The gradient and side slopes of the vehicle are 60% and 40% respectively,while the speed on road is 61km/h and cruising range is 322km.
Accessories
Each M109A7 self-propelled howitzer is escorted by associated M992A3 ammunition support vehicle. The M992A3 carries ammunition under armor and reloads the howitzer. This vehicle transfers ammunition to the self-propelled howitzer via conveyer. Reloading does not require for crew members to step outside the vehicle. Usually it takes place away from firing position in order to avoid counter-battery fire. First M992A2 vehicles will be disassembled and reassembled to M992A3 standard.
Specifications
Armament
One 155mm M284 cannon with a MA182A1 gun mount and an automated loader, roof-mounted 12.7-mm heavy machine gun
Country users
United States
Designer Company
BAE Systems
Accessories
Automatic fire extinguishing system (AFES), gunner protection kit (GPK), enhanced applied armour, NBC protection
Crew
4
Armor
All-welded aluminium chassis and Kevlar armour for the turret
Weight
35.380 kg
Speed
61 km/h maximum speed on road
Range
322 km
Dimensions
Lenght: 9.70 m; Width: 3.90 m; Height: 3.70 m