The US Army is developing a next-generation, 40-ton 155mm Howitzer artillery cannon able to fire precision rounds, accommodate additional armour protections and power more on-board electrical systems.
The M109 Paladin Integrated Management, or PIM, is slated to begin low-rate initial production by 2013, and features a 600-volt on-board power system designed to accommodate emerging networking technologies as they become available.
The PIM is the Army’s modernisation program for the 155mm self-propelled Howitzer fleet, said Lieutenant Colonel Dan Furber, product manager, Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems.
The PIM’s on-board power system harnesses technologies developed for the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon, or NLOS-C, a 155mm Howitzer formerly developed for the Future Combat Systems, Manned-Ground Vehicles program.
That program was cancelled in 2009.
Prototypes of the vehicle, built by BA E Systems, are now undergoing government testing in preparation for a low-rate initial production decision.
The PIM vehicle’s cannon rests on a chassis built with Bradley Fighting Vehicle common components including engine, transmission and tracks.