BAE Systems has been awarded a $162 million contract by the US Army to manufacture M777 major lightweight howitzer structures.
The titanium skeleton of the pistol, which serves as the foundation of the weapon, is already being manufactured by BAE in collaboration with its US and UK supply chains.
The first tasks started after an unknown contract was given in December 2023.
The first significant structures will be created at BAE’s new artillery development and production facility in Sheffield, UK, as well as throughout the US supply chain.
Following its performance in the Ukraine war, the towed gun received renewed attention from the manufacturer, and deliveries will start in 2026.
The US, Canada, Australia, and other nations gave Ukraine over 200 M777s.
The compact M777 weighs only about 4 tons—less than half the weight of current 155 mm towed guns—and can be easily carried by helicopter sling-load, hauled by tactical vehicles, or carried by transport planes like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules or C-5 Galaxy.
