M109 155mm SP Howitzer

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M109 155mm SP Howitzer
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The 155-mm M109 series, Self-propelled medium howitzers are highly mobile combat support weapons. They are air transportable in phase III of airborne operation. They have a cruising range of 220 miles at speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Combat loaded, The M109 series weighs 27.5 tons. The M109A2/A3/A4 howitzers uses M185 cannon and achieves a range of 23,500 meters. The replacement of the 23 caliber long barrel with the M284 cannon 39-caliber barrel on the M109A5/A6 increased the range capability to 30,00 meters. The 155-mm Projectile weights 98 pounds



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 caliber 50 machine gun. The system is capable of both direct (line of sight) and indirect (out of the line of sight) firing



AVAILABLE MODIFICATIONS

Modifications of the Howitzers may vary to accommodate customer-desired capabilities. Each conversion is packaged in a kit for ease of shipment and delivery

Differences between models

M109 SPH
The M109 was the first model, with a very short barrel, double baffle muzzle brake, large fume extractor, and a maximum range of 14,600m . I

M109A1 SPH
The M109A1 featured a new longer barrel, and various other improvements, with a maximum range of 18,100m .I



M109A2 SPH
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 . I

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 . I

M109A3 SPH
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 M109A2 have five contact arm assemblies . I



M109A4 SPH
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 . I

The traversing mechanism is operates with a hydraulic clutch in the M109A4 instead of operating with an electric clutch as in the traversing mechanism in the M109A2/A3 howitzers. A clutch valve with an override valve provides for power traversing 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 . I

The M109A4 has 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 . I

M109A5 SPH
The M109A5 is a modified M109A4 it consists of 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 . I






SPECIFICATIONS :I

WEIGHT : I
EMPTY : 52,000 lb = 23,586kg
COMBAT LOADED : 55,000 lb = 24,948kg
WIDTH : 124 in = 3.1 M
HEIGHT : I
Overall : 120.43 in = 3M
Lowest operable height : 109.93 in = 2.8M
Ground clearance : 18 in = 0.45M
LENGTH :I
M109A2/A3/A4 w/armament : 359.38 in = 9.12M
M109A5 w/armament : 361.38 in = 9.17M
M109A2/A3/A4/A5 w/o armament : 243.75 in = 6.19M)
SPEEDS :I
High Speed : 35 mph = 56.3kmph
Low Speed : 6 mph = 10kmph
Range : 217 miles = 349km



ARMAMENT :I
CANNON ASSEMBLY : I
M185 (M109A2/A3/A4) I
M284 (M109A5) I
CANNON TUBE LENGTH : I
M185 : 238 in = 6.05m . I
M284 : 240 in = 6.09m . I
CANNON MOUNT : I
M178 (M109A2/A3/A4) I
M182 (M109A5) I
MAXIMUM RANGE : I
M109A2 / M109A3 / M109A4 : 18,000 m I
M109A5 : 22,000 m I
MAXIMUM RATE OF FIRE : 4 rds/min for 3 min I
SUSTAINED RATE OF FIRE : 1 rd/min for 60 min I
SECONDARY ARMAMENT : Machine gun Caliber 50, M2, Heavy barrel