BAE Systems displayed a prototype of the product improved Paladin self propelled 155mm howitzer being developed under a U.S. Army contract. The company is working on five prototype M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) self-propelled howitzer vehicles and two prototype M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles (FAASV) under a $63.9 million Army contract.
The PIM is designed to sustain the Paladin as the Army’s fire support system for the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) beyond the year 2050. PIM retains the M109A6 main armament and cab structure while replacing outmoded chassis components with up-to-date components from the Bradley Combat Systems to increase sustainability and commonality across the HBCTs. The vehicle will incorporate a “digital backbone” network and significantly enhanced power generation capability. PIM also integrates electric elevation and traverse drives, electric rammer and a digital fire control system. The M992A2 FAASV provides armor protected ammunition delivery for the M109A6 Paladin. At the AUSA exhibition, BAE systems displayed the PIM with two new enhancements – the Common Modular Power System (CMPS) and Continuous Band Antenna (CBA), reducing the numbers of antennae installed on the turret.
