U.S. Army Evaluates Upgraded Paladin Howitzers Our Bureau 1751 The U.S. Army is currently evaluating an upgraded version of M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers. U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion 125th Field Artillery host a live-fire demonstration with their M109A6 Paladins to validate upgrades to the unit’s howitzers, Jan. 9, 2021, on Camp Ripley, according to a recent service news release. The 155mm M109 self-propelled howitzers were first introduced in 1962, as a form of armored mobile artillery that could stand up to the massed fire tactics of Soviet heavy artillery and rockets. The howitzers manufactured by BAE Systems is a significant upgrade to the M109 cannon artillery system. It features an automatic fire control system, navigation system, NBC protection with climate control, hydraulics system segregation and secure voice and digital communications.