July 15 (UPI) -- BAE Systems received a $45 million contract to improve the firing capabilities of the howitzers of the U.S. Army, the company announced Monday.
The company will work to increase the range and rate of fire of current and future M109A7 self-propelled howitzers in the Extended Range Cannon Artillery Increment 1 prototype series. ERCA will be integrated onto the M109A7, replacing its current 39-caliber turret with a 58-caliber, 30-foot long gun barrel. The modifications would double the current range of the vehicle's firepower.