On April 9, 2015, BAE Systems celebrated the delivery of the first Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer to the U.S. Army during a ceremony at their facility in Elgin, Okla.

The M109A7 will replace the current M109A6 Self-Propelled Howitzer, formerly known as the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program, as one of the U.S. Army's most critical combat vehicle modernization programs. This platform will provide the Army Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) with a highly responsive indirect fire system capable of keeping pace with the Abrams tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicles on the battlefield.

"Today marks a significant milestone for the Army, the Field Artillery, the Lawton/Ft. Sill/Elgin community, and especially BAE Systems," said Mark Signorelli, BAE Systems vice president and general manager, Combat Vehicles. "Our team is proud and honored to be able to deliver increased performance, survivability, and reliability to our soldiers through the M109A7 and M992A3 family of vehicles. It has been a long road and many have contributed to this success."

"This [M109A7 Paladin program] is really an example of acquisition done right, and … in keeping our promise to provide our Field Artillery Soldiers with the best self-propelled howitzer available," said Brig. Gen. David G. Bassett, the Army's program executive officer for Ground Combat Systems.

Bassett also discussed how, "the improvements not only bring significant commonality, a reduced logistical footprint and lifecycle costs savings to a large portion of the Armored Brigade Combat Team, they also ensure relevancy by providing crucial offensive and defensive fires in support of Combined Arms Maneuver, Wide Area Security and other Full Spectrum Operations."

In addition to a new chassis, the M109A7 also receives a 600-volt on-board power system designed to accommodate emerging technologies and future requirements as well as current requirements like the Battlefield Network.” The US Army intends to purchase a total of 66.5 vehicle sets plus spares, kits, and technical documentation. One set includes a M109A7 Paladin Self Propelled Howitzer along with its battlefield companion, the M992A3 Carrier Ammunition, Tracked (CAT).