Under the request for prototype proposal, bidders will compete for contracts to deliver between six and 12 prototypes of a 155mm self-propelled howitzer mounted on a wheeled chassis. A decision on which competing solutions will move forward to the next stage is expected in July.
Deliveries of the selected prototypes are scheduled to begin by the end of the current fiscal year, which concludes in September. Testing of the competing systems would begin at that time, including live-fire demonstrations, integration with standard U.S. Army ammunition, fire control and communications systems, and evaluations by U.S. artillery personnel.
A final selection of the target solution is planned for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2027, between July and September 2027. The program is intended to replace towed howitzers currently in service with certain formations.
Despite earlier reports suggesting broader options, only wheeled platforms are being considered, even though the Army has set high protection requirements comparable to or exceeding those of the tracked M109A7 Paladin. This effectively rules out lighter systems such as the French 155mm self-propelled howitzer CAESAR, which offers relatively lower levels of protection.
Preference is expected to favor heavier wheeled vehicles, including systems equipped with the turreted AGM module developed by KNDS Deutschland, mounted on 8×8 or 10×10 chassis. Other potential contenders could include a South Korean wheeled variant related to the K2 Black Panther family and the SIGMA developed by Elbit.
Competition is likely to be intense, as the new artillery system is intended to replace the towed M777 howitzer in Stryker brigade combat teams and in lighter infantry and mobile formations. The total requirement is reported to be as many as 498 guns.
Source: Shephard Media.
