The US Army has awarded BAE Systems Land & Armaments a contract valued at $145.83 million for the production of 155mm M776 cannon tubes to support the M777A2 howitzer program. This latest award raises the total cumulative contract value to $462.77 million. Work locations and associated funding will be determined on a per-order basis, with project completion scheduled for March 2031.
The contract aligns with ongoing efforts to scale up M777 production in response to increased operational demand, particularly following developments in the Ukraine conflict. Despite the Watervliet Arsenal—currently the sole producer of M776 tubes—nearly tripling its output since 2022, additional manufacturing capacity has been deemed necessary. According to a Pentagon budget document dated December 17, 2024, the US military plans to increase monthly production from 10 to 30 barrels, including M776 tubes for the M777 and M284 barrels for the M109 self-propelled howitzer.
The resurgence in towed howitzer production has been largely driven by its battlefield effectiveness in Ukraine. The M777’s lightweight and compact design enhances mobility and operational flexibility, while its compatibility with GPS-guided munitions compensates for a lower rate of fire compared to self-propelled systems. Contracts for major structural components were awarded in January 2024 and April 2025, with production taking place at BAE Systems’ Sheffield artillery facility and across its US-based supply network.
Weighing approximately half as much as conventional 155mm artillery systems, the M777 offers improved deployability without compromising firepower. It can fire up to four rounds per minute with an effective range of 13 to 25 miles (21–40 kilometers), depending on the ammunition used. Supported munitions include M107, M549, M712 Copperhead, and the precision-guided M982 Excalibur. At roughly four tons, the system can be transported via towing, helicopter sling-load, or airlift using aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and C-5 Galaxy. Since its introduction in 2005, around 1,000 units have been deployed by US forces and allied operators including Canada, Australia, India, and Ukraine.
