BAE Systems Land & Armaments has secured a $145.83 million contract from the US Army to produce 155mm M776 cannon tubes for the M777A2 howitzer, bringing the total contract value to $462.77 million. The work will be assigned per order, with completion targeted by March 2031.
The contract supports efforts to expand M777 production amid rising demand, particularly driven by the war in Ukraine. Although the Watervliet Arsenal has nearly tripled output since 2022, additional production capacity is still required. Pentagon plans call for increasing monthly barrel production from 10 to 30 units, covering both M776 tubes for the M777 and M284 barrels for the M109 howitzer.
Renewed interest in towed artillery stems from the M777’s battlefield performance, where its lightweight design and mobility provide operational advantages. Its compatibility with precision-guided munitions helps offset its lower firing rate compared to self-propelled systems. Key structural component contracts were awarded in early 2024 and 2025, with production spanning BAE’s Sheffield facility and the broader US supply chain.
Weighing about four tons—roughly half that of traditional 155mm guns—the M777 is highly deployable and can be transported by towing, helicopter, or aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and C-5 Galaxy. It can fire up to four rounds per minute with a range of 13–25 miles (21–40 km), depending on ammunition, including precision-guided Excalibur rounds. Introduced in 2005, the system is widely used by US forces and allied nations such as Canada, Australia, India, and Ukraine.
