US startup Anduril enters heavy equipment race for Army howitzer contract

U.S. startup Anduril is expanding into heavy military equipment, partnering with Elbit America and Oshkosh Defense to bid on a U.S. Army contract for a new self-propelled howitzer.

The "SIGMA" mobile tactical artillery system will be enhanced by Anduril's C5ISR capabilities and its AI-driven Lattice combat platform. This integration aims to improve the howitzer's connection to existing U.S. military command and fire control networks. Anduril plans to leverage its expertise in software, edge computing, and autonomous systems to create a "software-defined artillery system."

The SIGMA system features a 155mm 52-caliber automated howitzer from Elbit, a 10x10 wheeled chassis from Oshkosh, and a digital command and sensor architecture from Anduril. Elbit states the system has combat-proven experience and is manufactured in South Carolina with a localized supply chain.

“

The company will leverage its technologies in software, edge computing, and autonomous systems to build a highly networked, software-defined artillery system.

The wheeled howitzer can reach 80 km/h on roads and 30 km/h off-road. Its automated features allow a three-person crew to operate from an armored cabin. The turret has a rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute, a range of 70 kilometers, and can achieve multiple simultaneous hits. It can deploy and fire within 45 seconds and pack up in one minute, reducing exposure to counter-battery fire.

Anduril's entry into this competitive bid places SIGMA against established players. Competitors include Hanwha Defense USA's K9 self-propelled howitzer, Leonardo and KNDS's Caesar wheeled howitzer, Rheinmetall's artillery system, and BAE Systems' M109A7 "Paladin."

“

SIGMA already has combat-proven experience, and the entire system is produced in the United States, with a localized supply chain.