M-109
Paladin
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Provides highly mobile heavy fire support.
Date
deployed: unavailable
Contractor:
unavailable
Unit cost:
unavailable
Length:
Vehicle body: 20' - 4"; w/ gun barrel: 29' - 11"
(M109A2/A3/A4), 30' - 1" (M109A5)
Width:
10' - 4"
Height:
10' - 0.5"
Weight:
55,000 lbs. combat loaded
Speed: 35
mph max.
Range
(vehicle): 217 mi
Ground
clearance: 18"
Main gun
assembly: M109A2/A3/A4: M185; M109A5: M284
Cannon barrel
length: M185: 238"; M284: 240"
Rifling:
1 turn in 20 calibers; uniform right-hand twist; 48
grooves
Rate of Fire:
Sustained: 1 rpm (for 60 minutes, 1 round every 3
minutes thereafter); Rapid Fire: 4 rpm (for 3
minutes)
Recoil distance:
24 - 36 inches
Ammo type:
155mm NATO standard shells
Guidance:
unavailable
Range (gun):
M109A2/A3/A4: approx. 18,000 m; M109A5: 22,000 m; w/
Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP): 30,000 m.
Secondary
weapon: (1) M2HB .50 cal machine gun
Internal
Ammunition Capacity: 155mm - 34 rounds; .50 cal -
500 rounds
Crew: 6
Engine: Detriot
Diesel 8V71T model 7083-7396 or 7083-7391 @ 405 hp @
2300 rpm |
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Description:
The howitzer is a vehicle that provides armored
combat support, is air transportable, internally
loaded, and has excellent ground mobility. It allows
firing in a 360 degree circle through its primary
armament, the 155mm cannon assembly, and its
secondary armament, the M2 Heavy Barrel .50 caliber
machine gun. The system is capable of both direct
(line of sight) and indirect (out of the line of
sight) firing.
Differences between models:
- M109A2:
The M109A2 is a new production weapon which
incorporated 27 mid-life improvements to the
M109A1. The improvements provide for increased
Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability
(RAM) and safety characteristics as well as
enhanced operational capabilities. The M109A2
has the long tube M185 cannon installed in the
M178 gun mount. The cab has a rear bustle rack
which provides an increased ammunition stowage
capacity. It has an all weather ballistic shield
mounted over the panoramic telescope;
counterbalanced travel lock and provisions for
mounting the M140 alignment device.
- M109A3:
The M109A3 is a depot converted M109A1
incorporating the 27 mid-life improvements. The
operational characteristics of the M109A3 are
virtually identical to the M109A2. Some M109A3s
have three contact arm assemblies: all M109A2s
have five contact arm assemblies.
- M109A4:
The M109A4 is a M109A2/A3 improvements include
the addition of Nuclear, Biological, and
Chemical/ Reliability, Availability, and
Maintainability (NBC/RAM) product improvement
kits. The driver and cannoneer no. 2 have an air
purifier and two heaters mounted in the hull. An
air purifier and four heaters are mounted in the
cab for the rest of the crew. NBC Mission
Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear is
stored in the new cannoneer seats and stowage
boxes. The traversing mechanism operates with a
hydraulic clutch in the M109A4 instead of using
an electric clutch as in the traversing
mechanism of the M109A2/A3 Howitzer. A clutch
valve, with a manual override, provides for
power traverse in the event of an electrical
failure to the clutch valve solenoid. The M109A4
has two hydraulic filters mounted outside of the
power pack. The M109A2/A3s have one internal
hydraulic power pack filter. The M109A4 has a
starter protection circuit with a combat
override switch, to allow for emergency
starting. The slave start receptacle has been
moved from the battery compartment to the
driver's compartment. The M109A2/A3 100 amp
alternator has been replaced by a 180 amp
alternator. Crew compartment subfloor drains
have been added to provide for the drainage of
DS2 used in the NBC decontamination process and
provide for the drainage of excess water.
- M109A5:
The M109A5 is a modified M109A4 with two major
improvements: a new M284 Cannon and a new M182
Gun Mount. These improvements provide the M109A5
with greater range and allow for sustained fire
for prolonged periods of time.
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