The US Marines have received the first of eight XM777 towed 155mm Ultralightweight Field Howitzers from British Aerospace. The Marines plan to buy 426 of these guns; the Army wants another 273. All eight of the guns will be delivered by Feb 2001. These will be built under license in the US. The first eight guns use barrels manufactured by the US government's Watervliet Arsenal. These will replace older (and heavier) M198 towed 155mm howitzers. The British Army will also buy this weapon, and the Italians plan to produce it under license.--Stephen V Cole