Editing M109 howitzer (section)

=== M109A6 Paladin ===
[[File:M-109A6 Paladin firing.jpg|right|thumb|A M109A6 "Paladin" firing at night]]
[[File:Fallujah11092004-11-09.jpg|right|thumb|An M109A6 firing a shell during combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq]]

Also originating in the Division Weapon Support System study in early 1980s, the Howitzer Improvement Program was devised as a more extensive modernization than the Howitzer Extended Life Program. The vehicle was originally designed as M109A3E2 before being adopted as M109A6<ref name=":0" /> and is now better known as Paladin (M109A3E3 was to feature a longer barrel<ref name=":1" /> but was not adopted). 

The Paladin model has improvements in the areas of survivability, RAM, and armament. This includes increased armor, a redesigned internal arrangement for safer ammunition and equipment storage, engine and suspension upgrades, and improvement of the M284 Cannon and M182A1 Mount. The greatest difference is the integration of an inertial navigation system, sensors detecting the weapons' lay, automation, and an encrypted digital communication system, which utilizes computer controlled frequency-hopping to avoid enemy [[electronic warfare]] and allow the howitzer to send grid location and altitude to the battery [[fire direction center|Fire Direction Center (FDC)]]. 

The battery FDCs coordinates fire through a battalion or higher FDC. This allows the Paladin to halt from the move and fire within 30 seconds, with an accuracy equivalent to the previous models when properly emplaced, laid, and safed—a process that previously required several minutes under the best of circumstances. Tactically, this improves the system's survivability by allowing the battery to operate dispersed in pairs across the countryside, and allowing the howitzer to quickly move between salvos, or if attacked by indirect fire, aircraft, or ground forces.

Ammunition storage of 155&nbsp;mm rounds was increased from 36 to 39.

Developed from 1984, it was adopted in 1990 with original plans to field the weapon in 1991<ref name=":0" /> later slipping to 1992<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ShMsInluuEC&pg=RA1-PA42 |title=Army RD & A. |date=1991 |publisher=Office for the Deputy Director, Acquisition Career Management |language=en}}</ref> and finally to 1993.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CagrAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA155 |title=Weapon Systems |publisher=Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development, and Acquisition |language=en}}</ref> The US Army received the last of 950 Paladins it had ordered in June 1999.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Rakeem |date=2022-06-06 |title=Raiders kick off modernization process |url=https://www.army.mil/article/257286/raiders_kick_off_modernization_process#:~:text=It%20is%20also%20the%20year,and%20campaigns%20across%20the%20globe. |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=www.army.mil |language=en}}</ref> Seven further Paladins were ordered for the National Guard in July 2000, with an additional eighteen received in January 2002.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Paladin M109A6 155mm Artillery System |url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/paladin/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Army Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> In May 2022, the US Army began shipping its M109A6 Paladins for refitting to the M109A7 standard in order to begin the process of modernization.<ref name=":3" />