U.S. Upgrades and Orders More Lightweight BAE Systems Howitzers

The U.S. Department of Defense has ordered 70 BAE Systems lightweight M777 howitzers to begin equipping the U.S. Army's Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs). Valued at $134m (£87m), the order takes the U.S.-UK production program to Oct. 2013 and a total of 1071 guns. Mike Smith, managing director of BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems Weapons business commented: “Bringing M777 to the IBCT's will enhance their ability to carry out an ever-expanding range of missions. This latest order reinforces the system's credentials while continuous development of sub-system enhancements underlines our determination to keep M777 the howitzer of choice.”