US Army orders 40 additional M109A7 Paladins

The US Army is continuing to invest in the modernisation of its artillery fleet and has placed an additional award for the M109A7, with a focus on mission systems and mobility, rather than range. 

BLUF: 

• BAE Systems has announced a September 2025 order for 40 M109A7 howitzer sets as part of a five year framework. 
• The order is part of a significant modernisation of the US Army’s howitzer park that focuses on improvements to logistics, firing procedures, and mobility. 

In September 2025, BAE Systems Inc received a $473 million contract award to produce 40 M109A7 Paladin howitzer sets, which includes the M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked ammunition-loading vehicle. 

“The contract was awarded by the Army Contracting Command (ACC) Detroit in September and is the first award of a five-year contract,” the company said in its January 21 press release, providing no further details of the delivery time frame. 

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The M109A7 upgrade has been ongoing for more than a decade, with some time between the prototype decision and full-rate production, which was eventually approved in 2017 after several years of low-rate initial production. The programme has now accelerated somewhat with the framework award to BAE that will eventually result in 689 modernised Paladins – around half have been converted under previous contracts.

Tech profile: M109A7 Paladin

How does the M109A7 stack up against its predecessors? Well, there are changes to most elements of the design that help keep it a relevant system on a modern battlefield. 

Mobility

The M109A7 features significant automotive upgrades designed to maintain pace with the maneuver forces of an Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). The vehicle is powered by a 675 HP electronically controlled V903 engine—a standard version of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) power pack—coupled with an improved HMPT-800 transmission. These components allow the 38,101 kg (84,000 lb) howitzer (which is much heavier than its predecessor) to reach speeds of 38 mph (61 km/h) and navigate 60% slopes. Commonality with the BFV extends to the drive train, track, and suspension, which reduces the logistical footprint of the ABCT while improving overall supportability.

Firepower

Equipped with a 155 mm M284/M284A2 L39 cannon and M182A1 mount, the M109A7 maintains the relatively short barrel of the M109 family. The system offers a maximum range in excess of 30 km. A key tactical advantage is its “shoot and scoot” capability; the M109A7 can transition from a traveling configuration to firing, compute data, and deliver rounds within 60 seconds, according to BAE.

Protection

Crew survivability is enhanced through a mission-tailorable applique armor package that allows the four-person crew to operate securely under armor. To further mitigate onboard risks, the vehicle features an Automatic Fire Extinguishing System (AFES). For self-defence and situational awareness, the M109A7 is designed to host the Common Remotely Operated Weapons System (CROWS). These defensive features, combined with the vehicle’s rapid mobility, ensure the platform remains resilient in high-intensity combat environments.

Command and Control

The M109A7 integrates a digital backbone and an onboard position navigation system, allowing the crew to receive fire missions and execute them via digital or secure voice commands. This digital architecture is supported by a 70kW 600 VDC/28 VDC main generator, providing over 50% reserve electrical power for future growth. Additionally, the system utilises an onboard computer with diagnostic programs to monitor equipment health. This allows for the rapid identification of issues, ensuring higher operational availability and more time spent on the battlefield rather than in maintenance.

Calibre comment: Yes, the M109 still has legs

I know what you’re thinking: “But Sam, the M109 first saw combat in 1966! It’s more than 60 years old.” I know, it is certainly long in the tooth, and plenty of other designs have emerged like the K9 Thunder and Caesar, which seemingly suggest that old guns like the Paladin have no place on the modern battlefield.  But here’s the thing, there are two types of fire support; close support and general support. General support is best served by systems with a long gun and specialised ammunition. Caesar and Archer are good examples of general support guns. Archer in particular has a limited magazine of ammunition, meaning that it can only fire so many missions before it needs to be reloaded. They are also designed to move around a lot, engaging different targets across the battlefield in support of an entire force. Close support guns are supposed to keep up with the forward units, providing fire support for offensive or defensive operations in tandem with tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. This means that a shorter gun, a lot of armour, and good mobility are all that a close support gun needs. In that sense, the M109 has plenty of life left in it as a platform.

Published by Sam Cranny-Evans on January 27, 2026. The lead image shows an M109A7 Paladin, assigned to 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment firing a round during Operator New Equipment Training on Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 25, 2025. (US Army Photo by Spc. David Dumas)