BAE’s Adaptable Deck Launcher completes live-fire test

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

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

• bombardier.com ↗

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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

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

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