BAE Systems has been awarded a $473 million contract by the U.S. Army to produce additional M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer systems, the company stated. The award covers the manufacture of 40 further M109A7 Paladin sets, including the associated M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked vehicles used to support artillery operations. Dan Furber, Combat Mission Systems’ artillery and combat support programme director at BAE Systems, said: “The M109A7 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer provides the firepower and operational advantage Soldiers need on the modern battlefield. Production of the vehicles will take place across multiple U.S. facilities, including York, Pennsylvania; Elgin, Oklahoma; and Anniston, Alabama. BAE Systems said the contract was awarded in September and forms part of ongoing efforts to sustain and expand U.S. Army artillery capacity through incremental production and support over the coming years.