BAE Howitzer Production Flawed as Army Readies $1.3 Billion Buy
- Full-rate production of new weapon may be approved by Army
- Poor welding and delivery delays cited by contract agency
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BAE Systems Plc’s manufacture of the U.S. Army’s new howitzer is hobbled by poor welding, supply chain problems and delivery delays even as the service nears a $1.3 billion decision on full production, according to the Pentagon’s contract management agency.
Among the setbacks have been a six-month halt in deliveries last year because of welding flaws and the return of 50 of 86 vehicles that had already been delivered due to repair production deficiencies.