M198 howitzer
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:M198 howitzer.jpgThe M198 howitzer is a medium-sized, towed artillery piece. It can be dropped by parachute or transported by a CH-47 Chinook. The M198 is deployed in separate corps- and Army-level field artillery units, as well as in artillery battalions of light and airborne divisions. It also provides field artillery fire support for all US Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force organizations.
The M198 is to be replaced by the BAE Systems Land Systems M777 ultra lightweight howitzer, with deliveries commencing in 2005. The M198 is also used by the Australian Army. Image:Howitzer firing.jpg
General characteristics
- Length:
- In tow: 12.3 m (40 ft 6 in)
- Firing: 11 m (36 ft 2 in)
- Width in tow: 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
- Height in tow: 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
- Weight: 7,154 kg (15,758 lb)
- Bore diameter: 155 mm
- Maximum effective range:
- conventional ammunition: 22,400 m (14 miles)
- rocket-assisted projectile: 30,000 m (18.6 miles)
- Rate of Fire:
- Maximum: 4 round/min
- Sustained: 2 round/min
- Crew: 9 enlisted
- Unit Replacement Cost: US$527,337
Capable Munitions
High Explosive (HE) (M-107 Normal Cavity): Explosive Composition B material packed into a thick shell which causes a large blast and sends razor sharp sharpnel at extreme velocities (5000-6000 meters/sec). The kill zone is approximately a radius of 50 meters and casualty radius is 100 meters.
Smoke: A base ejecting projectile used to cover troop and vehicle movements
White Phosphorous (WP): A base ejecting projectile which can come in two versions: Felt-wedge and standard. White phosphorous smoke is used to start fires, burn a target, or to create smoke.
Illumination: Illumination projectiles are a base ejecting round which pop out a bright flare approximately 600 meters above the ground and illuminate an area of approximately 1000 meters. Illumination rounds are often used in conjunction with HE rounds. Illumination rounds can also be used during the daytime to mark targets for aircraft.
DPICM: A base ejecting projectile which drops 88 bomblets above a target. Each bomblet is a shape-charged munition capable of penetrating 2 inches of solid steel. The DPICM round was the U.S. answer to the Soviet Tank threat during the cold war. Each undetonated bomblet is very dangerous to civilians (like a land mine).
Copperhead: An artillery launched guided munition much like a cruise missile which is used for very precise targeting with observer laser systems.
SADAR: An experimental munition which is fired into the general direction of an enemy vehicle. The shell activates at a certain point in time ejecting a parachute and then guides itself to the nearest vehicle.