£71m Howitzer order boosts BAE

BAE Systems’ weapon manufacturing site in Barrow-in-Furness has seen boosted by a £71m order for 62 more M777 howitzer guns from the US Government.

Bosses says the order represents further six months’ work for the 400-strong plant..

Mike Smith, managing director of BAE’s Global Combat Systems business, said: “The purchase of additional howitzers is further endorsement of the M777 and its performance in support of current coalition operations.

“It means another six month’s work for our production facilities in Barrow and Hattiesburg, Mississippi taking manufacture on current sales well into 2012.”

The prime contract management of the M777 programme and manufacture and assembly of the complex titanium structures and associated recoil components are undertaken at Barrow, while the facility in Hattiesburg is responsible for final integration and test of the weapon.

The latest order, signed on July 16, follows one placed by the DoD in May for 63 guns.

Weighing less than 10,000lbs the M777 is the world’s first artillery weapon to make widespread use of titanium and aluminum alloys, resulting in a howitzer which is half the weight of conventional 155mm guns.

Both the US and Canadian armies operate M777s in Afghanistan, providing fire support to coalition forces.

Its ability to be airlifted to remote positions by helicopter gives the M777 enormous operational flexibility and makes it ideal for a challenging environment like Afghanistan.