- Yes
- No
Introduction
The SIGMA NG or SIGMA MTC is an Elbit Systems USA prototype for the Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization program, being a derived version of the basic SIGMA used by the Israel Defense Forces, known as Ro’em. So far, only one SIGMA NG has been produced and has most likely, since early 2026, been undergoing testing with the U.S. Army, which aims to replace its fleet of towed M777 howitzers with a fast, mobile artillery system. Development of the SIGMA NG began in 2024 when Elbit Systems USA was one of the companies awarded a contract to demonstrate their wheeled howitzer system. The difference between the SIGMA and SIGMA NG is minimal, as the SIGMA NG is just made to be able to locally produced in the USA.
One example was produced and revealed in December of 2024; it would later be demonstrated and handed over to the U.S. Army for evaluation and testing. Currently, it is not known if any more units have been placed on order, unlike the XM1776, for which the U.S. Army has a total order of 9 units.
History
Since the 1960s, the M109 has been the U.S. Army’s main tracked howitzer for decades and has been upgraded numerous times. Replacement of the system has been underway since the 1990s, with the XM2001 Crusader set to be the replacement until the project was cancelled in 2002, as then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said that the Army would not face an enemy that required them to have the XM2001 Crusader. Another project that began in the 90s was the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C), but this was also cancelled in 2009. A third attempt would be made with the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program. The program would use the M109, but it would now have an extended range up to 70 km. However, under testing, it was noted that there was excessive wear on the inside of the barrel after a relatively low number of shells were fired. The program was initiated in 2018 but cancelled in 2024. Because of the issues experienced during the firing trials of the ERCA, it was decided in 2023 to do a conventional fires study, and this was concluded in 2024. Under this study, it was decided that “…the service should focus on more autonomous artillery systems with greater range and improved mobility.” This new program would initially be named the Next Generation Howitzer (NGH) Program and would be the fourth attempt at replacing the M109 platform.
Next Generation Howitzer (NGH) Program was set to give the U.S. Army a mobile howitzer that could be used against both small and large threats in the 2040s and beyond. The new system shall reduce the time it takes to set up, fire, and relocate while also improving survivability, mobility, and affordability compared to towed artillery currently in use. In mid October of 2024, five firms would be awarded contracts for the demonstration of already existing self-propelled howitzer systems instead of developing a whole new system like the last few programs tried to do. The companies that got the contract are American Rheinmetall Vehicles, BAE BOFORS, Hanwha Defense USA, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Elbit Systems USA. Demonstrations were to begin in 2024 and continue into 2025, but in 2025, the focus shifted from just replacing the M109 to replacing it and the towed M777 howitzer. This is also due to some lessons learned from the deployment and usage of the M777 in Ukraine. The program changed its name under this shift in focus as well, to Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization, and that was split into two sub-programs. One is for the procurement of a wheeled mobile howitzer to replace the M777, and the other program is for a tracked howitzer to replace the M109. Because the program is being split as well, some new companies would be offered the opportunity to demonstrate their wheeled self-propelled howitzers, such as CSG, which has demonstrated the Morana SPH.
After Elbit Systems USA was selected as one of the firms to demonstrate their self-propelled howitzer, they presented the SIGMA to the U.S. Army, and a demonstration of the system followed. But as the U.S. Army wants vehicles that are made in-house so that parts are easy to come by, the SIGMA would evolve into the SIGMA NG, which is specifically marked for the Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization program. Elbit Systems USA would, in December of 2025, announce that the first SIGMA NG had been assembled in the USA. It was delivered shortly after to the U.S. Army to begin testing, but no official designation has been given to the system, unlike the K9MH, which has received the designation XM1776. Also, unlike the XM1776, which the U.S. Army has multiple units of on order, no more units of the SIGMA NG have yet been ordered. The chassis chosen for the SIGMA NG is Oshkosh Defense’s LVSR 10x10 truck chassis. This was chosen due to it already being a chassis in use with the U.S. Army, and thus offers a bit of commonality. To increase survivability, the SIGMA NG comes with an unmanned turret, which allows all crew members to be located in the armored cab instead. The SIGMA NG will go head-to-head against the XM1776. Procurement of a system will most likely be around the 2030’s after extensive testing has been done.
Specifications
Protection
Chassis
- Front: LTAS A-kit + Add-on B-kit
- Sides: LTAS A-kit + Add-on B-kit
- Rear: LTAS A-kit + Add-on B-kit
Turret
- Front: Unknown
- Sides: Unknown
- Rear: Unknown
Crew
- Commander
- Gunner
- Digital sight of unknown type
- Driver
Armament
Main armament
- 155 mm L/52 JBMoU-compliant cannon
- Horizontal guidance: ±180°
- Vertical guidance: Unknown (likely similar to Ro’em)
- Amount of rounds: 40
- Compatible with standard NATO 155 mm ammunition such as M107 (HE)
Mobility
Engine
- Caterpillar C-15
- Displacement: 15.2 L
- 600 hp @ 1800 rpm
Transmission
- Allison 4700SP 7-speed automatic
- Gears forward: 7
- Gears backward: 2
- Oshkosh 35000 single-speed transfer case
Speed
- Forward: 105 km/h on highway / 65 km/h cross-country
- Backward: 16 km/h
Weight
- Approximately 36 tons
Power-to-Weight
- 600 hp ÷ 36 tons ≈ 16,66 hp/tons
Dimensions
- Length: ~ 11 m
- Width: ~ 2.49 m
- Height: ~ 3.5 m
Sources
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12772
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2026/sigma-155-howitzer-elbit-america-anduril-us-army-sph-m-howitzer
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2026/elbit-america-completes-first-u-s-built-sigma-ng-artillery-system-for-u-s-army-review
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/elbit-produces-first-sigma-ng-self-propelled-howitzer-for-usa-potential-m109-replacement/
https://defence-blog.com/elbit-america-offers-next-gen-howitzer-to-u-s-army/
https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-land-defense/land-defense-2024/exclusive-elbit-america-proposes-israeli-made-sigma-155mm-for-us-army-ngh-artillery-program
SIGMA Howitzer: Next-Gen Mobile Artillery System
https://www.armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/artillery-vehicles-and-weapons/self-propelled-howitzers/sigma-155mm-howitzer
https://vpk.name/en/1130037_elbit-america-and-anduril-have-announced-cooperation-in-the-framework-of-a-tender-for-the-supply-of-a-new-self-propelled-howitzer-to-the-united-states-army.html
https://defense-update.com/20060821_lvsr.html
OSHKOSH DEFENSE AWARDED $176 MILLION CONTRACT FOR LOGISTICS VEHICLE SYSTEM REPLACEMENTS AND ADD-ON ARMOR KITS | Oshkosh Defense
IDF receives cutting-edge homegrown artillery system in major battlefield revolution
https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/singapore-revealed-as-sigma-howitzer-customer
Logistics Vehicle System Replacement - Wikipedia
4000 Series Transmission | Allison Transmission
Elbit SIGMA 155mm 10x10 SPH - Bateman's Favorite
SIGMA 155 - Wikipedia
OSHKOSH TRUCK AWARDED CONTRACT VALUED AT UP TO $740.2 MILLION FOR NEXT-GENERATION U.S. MARINE CORPS HEAVY-PAYLOAD TRUCK FLEET | Oshkosh Defense
