155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Improvements

The 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Improvements program, outlined in Program Element (PE) 0203743A, is a United States Army initiative under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation. The primary objective is to modernize the Army's family of self-propelled howitzer systems, focusing on enhancing lethality through increased range and rate of fire. The program also aims to improve mobility, survivability, reliability, and supportability. Modernization efforts leverage mature technologies and seek to integrate new cannon systems and advanced artillery technologies to address operational requirements.

Within this program, the central line item is the improvement initiative focused on analyzing, evaluating, and incorporating new cannon technology, including both existing and future artillery systems. A significant focus is placed on reducing mission cycle time and enabling future platform autonomy. The program aims to inform Army requirements, issue requests for vendor proposals, and evaluate competitive vendor offerings to ensure the best technological solutions are adopted.

A key objective for FY 2026 is the Prototype Development and Build effort. This component supports the acquisition and integration of mature and available self-propelled howitzer systems into operational environments. It includes continued engineering analysis and concept development to ensure future interoperability within the U.S. Army fires network. In FY 2026, the program plans to establish a network integration plan and construct a System Integration Lab (SIL) for the integration and testing of competitive systems.

The Program Management line supports all management activities associated with the modernization effort. This includes generating required documentation, staffing, and engineering integrated product team (IPT) development. For FY 2026, program management will focus on managing vehicle evaluations, preparing and releasing requests for proposals (RFPs) for competitive vehicle down-selection, and executing Source Selection Evaluation Boards (SSEB). The decrease in funding for this area in FY 2026 is attributed to an overall reduction in manpower requirements.

Another critical component is Test and Evaluation, which funds all testing activities necessary to support the modernization of the self-propelled howitzer. This includes support for test site personnel, facilities, and ammunition required for competitive vehicle evaluation and operational assessment. The FY 2026 budget reflects an increase in funding due to the incorporation of operational assessments, which are essential for validating system performance in realistic operational environments.

The acquisition strategy for the Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization program emphasizes competitive contracting mechanisms to test and evaluate mature and available vendor submissions. This approach is designed to ensure that the Army adopts the most effective and advanced self-propelled howitzer technologies available, thereby improving the lethality and operational effectiveness of its artillery forces. The program also aligns with broader government efficiency initiatives, as evidenced by a reduction in advisory and assistance services in accordance with Executive Order 14222.