[moonshot925]

[Citizen Tom Paine]

It is my understanding that the Marines also had these weapons. They went over the side about two weeks after a landing as I recall.

[Sudetenland]

I remember reading about those when I was a kid and they were still deployed. Pretty cool, but not terribly practical as a theater weapon. To big and stationary . . . even in the 50's.

Thanks for the memories.

[Delta 21]

Everyone should have one!!

[andyk]

Amazing pictures. I have a few targets in mind...

[Lazamataz]

*THIS* is what I mean when I say "Second Amendment".

I mean, suppose there is a LOT of deer? Suppose they are all operating Russian T-90 tanks?

[tanuki]

Annie should always be remembered for helping to end a war and save lives-without firing a shot in anger.

http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=288

[KoRn]

Awesome!

That’s very interesting. I’d never knew we had nuclear artillery units. I bet those were pretty risky for the guys on the ground, depending on which way the wind is blowing and all.

It never ceases to amaze me in how the Iranians(among others) are still trying to catch up to where we were 60-70 years ago in the ‘nuclear age’ of warfare.

[RayChuang88]

It was an awesome cannon, but the fact it was extremely unwieldy to move around was the reason why as soon as the we got nuclear artillery that could be fired from 155 mm howitzers these were quickly retired. This probably why they eventually replaced this cannon (plus other short range ballistic missiles) with the much more capable MGM-52 Lance missile, which was air tranportable with the C-5 Galaxy.

[KoRn]

In many pics of Atomic explosions, what are those white streaks you often see near the ‘Mushroom Cloud’ that appear to be going up and down from the ground to the sky? (anyone know?)

They almost appear to be from a secondary explosion of some sort from within the bomb itself.

[donozark]

Could have used one of these puppies on Co roc Mt. Tora Bora as well...

[ansel12]

I still have my copy of my nuclear clearance from being in the Artillery.

[HereInTheHeartland]

This would a great add on to have on my car for those tough commute days.
The guy driving slow in the left lane who just won't get over; could finally and decisively be dealt with.

[ontap]

I was stationed at Ft Sill in 1968 saw one of these babies up close!!!

[OldCorps]

You should have seen our nuclear 40mm rounds fired from an M79 or M203. Each shot was "danger close." Glad we never had to use them.

[353FMG]

Are they as bad as assault rifles?

[Old Sarge]

What if one of those suckers had a HANG-FIRE?

[Talisker]

M65 Atomic Cannon ("Atomic Annie")

After a few drinks with a Los Alamos newkyewler program manager, this atomic cannon came up in the conversation.

He couldn't stop laughing.

[PapaBear3625]

There was also the W-23 naval nuclear artillery shell, deliverable from the 16 inch guns of an Iowa-class battleship.

At 15-20 kt, it would have made a hell of a shore bombardment.

[T-Bird45]

FTA: The units were hosted by the 42nd Field Artillery Group.

My LANCE battalion was part of that group when I was in West Germany, well after the time Atomic Annie had been sent to the Field Artillery Museum at Fort Sill OK. The article doesn't state but the cannon follow-ons for the group were the 8" howitzer and the 175mm gun. The rocket/missile units were Honest John and Sergeant. My battalion converted from the Sergeant system about 5 years before I got there.

[Free_SJersey]

I had a toy one in the fifties. It was one of the best toys I ever had because not only did it have the cannon which shot a 2”-3” projectile a good 80’, but it also came with the two trucks (front and back) that transported it. Three toys in one. When my mother discovered that I was shooting cars that passed the house she took the rubber tipped projectiles and hid them from me. I then discovered it would shoot sticks or arrows just as effectively. With the two tractors, the whole thing was about three feet long and I think it was made by the Marx Toy Company.