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Industry · Artillery

Army seeks more domestic makers of 155mm howitzer cannon tubes

The Army wants manufacturers to describe their capacity, the equipment needed to expand it and a cost estimate for an initial batch of tubes.

The Army is seeking additional domestic manufacturers of 155mm howitzer cannon tubes through a sources-sought notice posted Oct. 21. The survey covers tubes including the M284A2 for M109A6/A7 howitzers. It also covers the M776 for the M777A2.1

Army asks cannon-tube manufacturers for capacity and cost estimates

Domestic 155mm cannon tubes | Sources-sought notice, Oct. 21, 2026

Up to 10 tubes/monthDescribe facilities, equipment and tooling needed to reach this capacity within 36 months of the notice, regardless of caliber
40 tubesInitial quantity for a requested not-to-exceed rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimate, by caliber or as a flexible mix

Planning only: not a solicitation or a government obligation.

Source: Army sources-sought notice W15QKN-27-X-1CTG, SAM.gov. As of Oct. 22, 2026.

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The search follows BAE Systems' April 8 announcement of a $146 million undefinitized contract to begin manufacturing M776 cannons. BAE described that contract as establishing a second source of M776 cannons for the M777 howitzer.3

Respondents are asked to describe the facilities, equipment and tooling needed to reach up to 10 tubes a month, regardless of caliber, within 36 months of the notice. The Army also asks what production capacity could be available within 18 months of the notice. It wants a not-to-exceed rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimate for an initial 40 tubes, broken down by caliber or priced as a flexible mix.1

The material questions cover steel preform production, forging, guide bore and heat treatment, among other steps. Companies are also asked to describe their own or a subcontractor's chrome bore coating capabilities for steel tubes up to 30 feet long and up to 7,500 pounds.1

Defense News reported Pentagon concerns that the government's only plant for these barrels cannot keep up with increased artillery demand. The outlet identified Watervliet Arsenal in New York as the Army's sole production site for large-caliber howitzer and tank barrels.2

For manufacturers, the opening extends to domestic capacity still in development: the Army encourages responses with prospective production timetables. The survey is for planning only, not a solicitation or a government obligation.1

Sources (3)
  1. SAM.gov Sources Sought notice W15QKN-27-X-1CTG, Army Contracting Command-Rock Island sam.gov
  2. Defense News, "US Army seeks manufacturers for 155mm howitzer barrels amid boost in demand," Oct. 22, 2026 www.defensenews.com
  3. BAE Systems, "BAE Systems awarded $146 million to kick-start second source production of M776 cannons for the U.S. Army" www.baesystems.com
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Industry · Combat air

Bombardier and BAE Systems explore future combat air work

The companies will explore cooperation from systems integration to supply chain development. Bombardier's announcement does not identify a specific program for the agreement.

Bombardier announced Oct. 28 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with UK-based BAE Systems. The companies will explore developing complementary industrial and technology capabilities that may support future combat air programs.1

Bombardier and BAE Systems will identify areas of collaboration

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

areas of collaborationR&D, systems integration, workforce and supply chain developmentplanned

industrialization and in-service lifecycle management

frameworkpractical areas of cooperationplanned

assess future opportunities aligned with future capability requirements, government priorities and industrial objectives

capabilities that may support future combat air programs

Source: Bombardier. As of Oct. 28, 2026.

Sources
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Bombardier's announcement refers to Canada's July 2026 observer status in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), whose partner nations are Japan, Italy and the UK. It does not identify GCAP as the program covered by the agreement.1 Breaking Defense wrote that the release's reference to next-generation combat air points to Canada's potential involvement in GCAP.2

The companies will identify where to cooperate, covering research and development, systems integration, workforce and supply chain development, industrialization and in-service lifecycle management. They will work to build a framework for practical cooperation and assess opportunities aligned with future capability requirements, government priorities and industrial objectives.1

Breaking Defense reported that Italy's Ministry of Defense said in July that Canada's observer status did not entail an industrial role in GCAP at that stage. The ministry also said it was infeasible then to predict the timing, terms or conditions of any potential expansion of Canada's participation.2

Sources (2)
  1. Bombardier: Bombardier Signs MOU with BAE Systems to Collaborate Toward Next-Generation Combat Air Programs bombardier.com
  2. Breaking Defense: Canadian firms line up for potential GCAP, Gripen work breakingdefense.com
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Industry · Qualification milestone

BAE’s Adaptable Deck Launcher completes live-fire test

BAE says the launcher supports rapid replenishment with standard shipboard equipment, complementing the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System.

BAE Systems has completed the first live-fire test of its Adaptable Deck Launcher, the company announced Oct. 27. The system was developed under a Department of War contract for the NATO Seasparrow Project Office.1

BAE Systems completed the first live-fire test

Adaptable Deck Launcher (ADL)

live-fire testcompletedactual

BAE Systems completed the first live-fire test of the Adaptable Deck Launcher (ADL)

expedited reloading at sea

BAE says ADL's expedited reloading at sea helps ships keep high rates of fire without returning to port

Source: BAE Systems release via PR Newswire, Oct. 27, 2026

Sources
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The launcher builds on existing shipboard systems: BAE says it uses the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System’s logistics and electronics suite. BAE Systems vice president of Weapons Systems Jason Casciotti said it complements the Mk 41 by enabling rapid replenishment using standard shipboard equipment.1

BAE, the mechanical design agent for the Mk 41 family, developed the launcher for full compatibility with Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Mk 25 Quad-Pack canisters. The announcement did not say when the test took place or which missile was fired.1

BAE says the launcher enables anti-air defense across aircraft carriers, amphibious ships and other surface combatants, with compact configurations for medium unmanned surface vessels.1

BAE says expedited reloading at sea helps ships maintain high rates of fire without returning to port. The announcement gives no Navy order or fielding date.1

Sources (1)
  1. BAE Systems, “BAE Systems successfully tests Adaptable Deck Launcher, advancing distributed launch capability for the U.S. Navy,” Oct. 27, 2026 www.prnewswire.com
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