Updated Vehicles Expected to Enter Service this Summer
The first example of the Brazilian Army’s M109 self-propelled howitzer, modernised by BAE Systems, arrived in-country in time to be shown to the visitors to LAAD 2019 this week.
The standard to which the 32 vehicles are being modernised – M109A5+BR, is similar to the M109A6, the company stated. The remaining vehicles are due for delivery to Brazil in May, with service entry scheduled for July-August, according to sources at the exhibition.
The upgrade includes the integration of new digital systems to reduce counter-battery reaction time, increased manoeuvrability and enhanced survivability. The time taken to bring the guns into action is reduced from 12-16 minutes in the analogue version to only two: the use of GPS also now enables greater precision fire. The suspension has been modified to increase stability during fire missions and a muzzle velocity radar installed to help further increase accuracy.
A minor enhancement makes the gun tube lock mechanism automatic, negating the necessity for a crew member to dismount to effect locking.
The Brazilian Army will now integrate the guns into their own artillery fire control system, to receive pertinent data from the command post and connect it with other units.
Santiago Rivas
