US Army awards Leonardo DRS $16.9 million to enhance M109A7 Paladin howitzer

In a recent article, Interesting Engineering highlights that a Virginia-based defense company, Leonardo DRS, has been awarded a $16.9 million prototype project by the US Army to modernize a key component of the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. 

The project focuses on upgrading the Paladin Electric Servo Amplifier (PESA) electric weapon control system, a critical element in the vehicle's overall performance.

“Paladin is a mission-critical combat system, and our agility and leading-edge capabilities ensure our U.S. Army partner has the necessary capabilities to support our warfighters for the long term,” said Denny Crumley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Leonardo DRS’s Land Electronics business unit. "We are thrilled to be providing this next generation of technology to the Army’s M109A7 Paladin combat vehicle."

This modernization will see Leonardo DRS create a next-generation prototype using advanced electrical technology. The new system will improve the producibility and maintainability of key components, ensuring that the M109A7 continues to operate at peak efficiency without any loss of current capabilities.

“The work on PESA is another example of providing best-of-breed technology and capability to deliver on a wide range of customer needs from electrical power, network computing, and advanced sensing,” the company stated.

The PESA system, exclusive to the M109A7, replaces outdated hydraulic-based gun drive mechanisms as part of the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) modernization effort. It powers the howitzer’s gun drives, ramming mechanisms, and controls the interface between fire control systems and electric motion hardware, enabling precise automated and manual turret and cannon positioning.

The M109A7 also features a 70kW high-voltage system, which replaces the older hydraulic system, improving ammunition handling and air-conditioning, making it the most advanced version of the M109 self-propelled howitzer, which has been in service for over 55 years.

By Naila Huseynova