BAE Systems to restart US Army M777 howitzer structures production line

BELFAST — BAE Systems and the US Army have signed a $50 million contract for M777 lightweight howitzer “major structures” that will see the British manufacturer restart production of titanium parts for the towed artillery gun.

In a Thursday statement, BAE said that the restart will involve its UK and US-based supply chain, and first deliveries are expected in 2025.

A total value of the contract has still yet to be finalized but the initial $50 million deal was agreed under an Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA) which allows BAE to “start delivering on the program,” immediately.

“This new contract creates the optimum conditions for a restart of M777 production in the UK, and presents an opportunity to new and existing users to join a new M777 production initiative and take advantage of the benefits from a hot production line and economies of scale,” said the manufacturer. The US, Australia and Canada have each donated M777 howitzers to Ukraine.

John Borton, vice president of BAE Systems Weapons Systems UK, said that the weapon systems are “performing well” against Russia.

“The M777 will remain at the forefront of artillery technology well into the future through the use of technical insertions, long-range precision guided munition developments, and flexible mobility options,” explained Borton, in the company statement.

The decision to revive the M777 line comes at a time when the US Army is preparing to unveil findings from a new tactical fires study and is deciding just what mix of artillery capabilities it needs in its future arsenal.

While that report and insights are not yet publicly available, the M777 cash infusion could potentially offer a preview of what’s to come regarding the service’s desire for a lighter, towed howitzer.

“We’re going to get that [study] in time to inform our finishing of the [fiscal] 25 budget,” Army acquisition chief Doug Bush said in October 2023 to a pair of reporters. “So, that is when you might see an output of what the strategy and the study tells us.”

At that time, he said the study is sorting through the wheeled versus towed artillery debate, in part because the latter has limitations but lighter units still need protection.

While questions remain around which formations to place towed artillery, Bush said the service is also looking at using 120-millimeter mortars for lighter formations.

“With the right ammunition, [that could] get you very similar capability to a 105-mm,” he said, referring to a towed howitzer. “Does that make sense for light units?”

Including M777 howitzers belonging to the US Army, over 1200 of the artillery systems are currently in service, according to BAE Systems figures.

Breaking Defense’s Ashley Roque contributed to this report from Washington DC.