FReeper Canteen~Military Vehicles~May 11, 2006

Various Internet Sites

[AZamericonnie]

MILITARY VEHICLES

M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled Howitzer

The M109 is an American self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. Continually upgraded and improved, to today's current version the M109A6 "Paladin", it is still the primary indirect-fire support weapon of maneuver brigades of armored and mechanized infantry divisions of the US Army, Israel Defense Forces, the Italian Army, and many other militaries, including the Norwegian, Swiss, Danish, Pakistani,Dutch and Austrian armies. ****

Army Spc. Frank Guerra prepares to fire rounds from a M109A6 Paladin artillery vehicle as part of a counter fire mission against insurgents near the town of Falluja, Iraq, on Nov. 5, 2004. Guerra is assigned to Alpha 382nd, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry. DoD photo by Senior Airman Christopher A. Marasky, U.S. Air Force. (Released)



Paladin M109A6 is a cannon artillery system developed by the Ground System Division of United Defense LP (now BAE Systems Land and Armaments) and manufactured at the Paladin Production Operation centre at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Paladin was first fielded in 1994 and is operational with the United States Army and the Israeli Army, and has been selected by the Kuwait and Taiwan. In June 1999, the US Army received the last of 950 Paladin M109A6 ordered. Seven systems were ordered in July 2000 for the US Army National Guard and a further 18 systems in January 2002.

Paladin was used in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March / April 2003 and in continuing operations in Iraq, including Operation Al Fajr in Fallujah in November 2004.

BAE Systems Land and Armaments is supplying 219 modification kits for US Army Paladins which will enable the use of the Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) and the 155mm precision-guided extended-range XM92 Excalibur projectile being developed by Raytheon and Bofors Defense of Sweden (a United Defense subsidiary). Deliveries began in 2005.




(Exerpt) The eardrum shattering report of the Paladin rings out as the battery runs through one such registration fire mission. Spc. Ellery Villalobos, the ammunition team chief, stands a distance away from the vehicle, a red propellant bag slung over his shoulder. He waits. The look of excitement and shear joy mix on his face with the dirt and grime that flies back with each round expelled. BOOOOOM fires the gun and Villalobos is sprinting towards it with a new round to load up.

“HOOOOOAH!,” he shouts as he sprints back throwing another propellant charge over his shoulder in anticipation. “This is what being artillery is all about! COME ON GUYS! LET’S GO! GET THAT ROUND DOWN RANGE!”


The M284 cannon which is fitted with an M182 gun mount, has a range of 24 km using unassisted rounds or 30 km using assisted rounds.




Big gun go boom!

Model Type: GAW M109A6 "Paladin"
Vehicle Type: Self Propelled Howitzer
Crew: Four (Driver, Gunner, Loader, and Commander).

M.D.C. by Location: [1] Tractor Treads (2): 45 each
Howitzer Turret: 140
Howitzer Barrel: 70
12.7 mm Machine Gun (right side of turret): 20
[2] Main Body: 280

Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the Howitzer until it is replaced. Replacing a tread will take 1D6x10 minutes by a trained crew (2 replacements are carried on board) or three times as long by the inexperienced. Changing the tread is only advisable when the vehicle is not under attack. [2] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is completely shut down and is unsalvageable.

Speed:
Ground: Cruising speed on land is 35 mph (56.3 kph) on roads and 30 mph (48.3 kph) off road maximum. The vehicle is designed to traverse virtually all terrain and can climb at up to a 60% grade although at a much slower speed (About 10% of maximum road speed). It can also climb barriers and ford trenches. The vehicle can also handle side slopes of up to 30%. Maximum Range: 213.7 miles (344 km)

Statistical Data:
Height: 9.2 feet (2.8 meters) without machine mount and 10.6
feet (3.236 meters) including machine gun mount
Width: 10.3 feet (3.15 meters)
Length: 20.3 feet (6.19 meters) for main body and 32.2 feet (9.8 meters) with gun forward:
Weight: 26 tons (23.6 metric tons) empty and 31.7 tons (28.74 metric tons) combat loaded
Power Source: Diesel Engine (Detroit Diesel Model 8V-71T developing 440 horsepower).
Cargo Capacity: Minimal, enough for equipment with crew Black Market Cost: 175,000 Credits. If fitted, any extra weapons systems will add to the cost of the Howitzer.






~Tribute To Our Troops~

[NYTexan]

Excelemt! Spoilin' grandkids is gonna cut into FReep time ya know! LOL

This is great news!

[luvie]

((((hugs)))))...thanks GB! I think I'm still in shock! When do I start buying baby clothes? LOL!

[trussell]

AWESOME!!!!
What wonderful news.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hope your booboos are doing better today.

[luvie]

Thanks!!! I am in a daze! LOL! Just don't let me become obnoxious, okay? LOL!

[luvie]

You wish! They'll always live too far away for me to get to spoil a baby very much.

(((hugs)))...good to see you and that you got home safe and sound! I miss you...and the others...so much! *sigh*.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML....how is the finger...doing better?

[luvie]

(((Twin)))

Thanks...ain't that exciting? I'm in a daze!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hope you and daughter are safely home by now.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Sgt Shawn Dantzler, for both your service to our country, and your service to community, especially during emergencies. I'm sure Mr Farrand thanks you too.

[MozartLover]

I took the splint off. Couldn't stand not having the use of one hand.

It's stiff & sore but I think it's getting a bit better.

Just got another brief e-mail from Ev. He got the package I sent last week and declared it to be "kewl".;^)

[Kathy in Alaska]

I just heard it on the 5pm news. Gonna have to go check the paper.

[luvie]

Another trip? Hope it's fun!

[EGPWS]

Another trip? Hope it's fun!

Of course work filled frolic without notice always turns my crank! ; )

[Kathy in Alaska]

YIPPEE, acad finally got a brand new computer!!!

Does is have the things you would have chosen?

[trussell]

 

By request
Ready to dance EGPWS?
 

 

 

New Christy Minstrels ~ My Dear Marianne

 

Check out the following sources to purchase the music we play.

ArtistDirect.com l Amazon.com  l Ticketmaster.com l Songfacts.com

 

Music provided for the entertainment of the troops, past and present, and their families.

 

[luvie]

Yeah...I can just see the excitement building! LOL! Where is it this time?

[EGPWS]

Lets trip the light then, as long as I don't trip...; )

I'm always honored to have the opportunity to dance with you truss!

[EGPWS]

The windy city.....

[luvie]

Well, at least it isn't quite so far away. Lots to see. Do you do any sightseeing on your business trips?