During the 29th edition of Eurosatory 2026, the international defense industry trade show organized by Coges Events and taking place June 15-19 of this year in Paris-Nord Villepinte near Paris, British company BAE Systems presented for the first time in Europe the prototype 155mm self-propelled howitzer M109-52, offered to the US Army.
Photos: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG
he M109-52 is a new version of the 155mm tracked M109A7 PIM (Paladin Integrated Management) self-propelled howitzer, equipped with a German Rheinmetall 52-caliber (L52) gun. This type of gun is used by the armed forces of nine NATO member states and allied partner nations, including on the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) howitzer.
As emphasized, the 52-caliber gun, compared to the 39-caliber, offers an increased range with standard ammunition from 22 to 30 km and with rocket-assisted ammunition from 30 to 60 km.
Successful trials were conducted in October 2023 using the M109A7 PIM (Paladin Integrated Management) chassis. It is worth noting that the original M109 is armed with the M185 or M284 gun of 39-caliber length.
On June 18, 2025, the company’s American subsidiary, BAE Systems Inc., signed a research and development agreement in the form of a CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement) with the US Army DEVCOM-AC (Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center) armament center to accelerate the development of the howitzer prototype as an option under a new barrel artillery modernization program codenamed SPH-M (Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization).
It is worth noting that the M109-52 hull has been modified compared to the early prototype, primarily in terms of European type approval – a different shape, layout, and type of LED lights – and a travel lock for the gun barrel has been added. Additional towing and lifting handles for vehicle transport can also be observed. It cannot be ruled out that during US Army testing the prototype received further modifications.
The M109-52 is compatible with the new Scorpio-XR precision subcaliber ammunition, previously designated XM1155-SC (SubCaliber), whose testing for the US Army began in October 2025.
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