- The U.S. Army awarded BAE Systems a $145.83 million contract to produce 155mm M776 cannon tubes for the M777A2 howitzer, bringing the program’s cumulative value to $462.77 million.
- The award extends barrel production through 2031 and points to continued long-term investment in 155mm artillery readiness and fleet sustainment.
The United States Army has awarded BAE Systems Land & Armaments a $146 million contract to produce additional 155mm M776 cannon tubes for the M777A2 howitzer.
According to the contract notice, BAE Systems’ Minneapolis, Minnesota-based land systems division received the firm-fixed-price award for the production of cannon tubes that support the M777A2 155mm towed howitzer fleet. The total cumulative face value of the program has now reached $462.77 million. Army Contracting Command in Newark, New Jersey, is managing the award with work expected to continue through March 31, 2031.
Demand for artillery ammunition and associated components, including barrels and tubes, has remained elevated as armed forces seek to replenish stocks and preserve operational availability across active fleets.
The M777A2 is the latest operational version of the M777 family, a lightweight 155mm towed howitzer originally developed for the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. Built to provide mobile fire support for expeditionary and maneuver forces, the system has become one of the most recognizable Western artillery platforms in service.
BAE Systems describes the M777 as the benchmark for 155mm lightweight towed artillery systems, emphasizing its ability to be rapidly transported by land, sea, and air. The weapon’s relatively low weight compared with traditional towed artillery allows it to be moved by helicopters and transport aircraft, making it suitable for fast-moving operations and austere deployment environments.
The company also notes that the system was designed with a minimal logistical footprint and high reliability, allowing it to be frequently repositioned to improve survivability on the battlefield. That mobility has made the platform especially relevant in modern combat environments where artillery units face persistent counterbattery fire, drone surveillance, and precision strike threats.
At the core of the latest contract is the M776 cannon tube, the barrel assembly that directly affects the weapon’s firing life, accuracy, and sustained combat performance. Cannon tubes are consumable components over time, particularly in periods of intensive operational use, as repeated firing cycles gradually wear the barrel and can reduce performance if not replaced.
That requirement has become more pressing as 155mm artillery remains central to NATO and allied force structures. The M777 has been selected by the armed forces of the United States, Canada, Australia, and India, with total orders exceeding 1,200 systems, according to BAE Systems. Its widespread use among allied militaries gives the contract broader relevance beyond the U.S. Army’s own inventory.
By extending production of critical barrel components through 2031, the U.S. Army is reinforcing the long-term viability of the M777 fleet. The award also indicates that 155mm tube artillery remains a priority for long-range fire support and force readiness planning well into the next decade.