Posted on 02/19/2002 5:30:55 AM PST by LavaDog
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz.() -- Gen. James L. Jones, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. Alford L. McMichael, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, made a brief visit to Yuma Proving Grounds Jan. 28 to check the progress of the XM777 Lightweight 155 mm Howitzer testing.
The Army and Marine Corps are testing several XM777 Howitzers in Yuma, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Aberdeen Test Center, Md., and at Fort Greeley in Alaska for cold weather testing.
According to an article written by the Army, this weapon is expected to be the Marine Corps' sole Howitzer, with the first unit being equipped by fiscal year 2003. Jones stopped by to make sure it was on target for that date.
This low profile gun that can propel a 39-caliber round a maximum range of 18.9 miles, but weighs 7,000 pounds less than the currently used M198 155 mm Howitzer, is undergoing a series of firing and structural tests at YPG.
The current M198 155 mm, weighs a monstrous 16,000 pounds. After all the kinks are worked out, it is estimated the XM777 will weigh roughly 9,500 pounds. The military began testing the design and structure of the Howitzer in 1996. Live fire testing began later that same year.
According to Master Sgt. Jeffrey Altman, part of the joint Marine/Army team testing the Howitzer, other than some minor adjustments that need to be made, this weapon is a sound piece of machinery.
"This gun is going to increase the survivability of our Marines in the mix," said Altman as he led the Commandant and Sergeant Major around the Howitzer, explaining the upgrades and design differences.
"This gun is the lowest profile Howitzer in the world right now," Altman added. The Howitzer has a 27-inch ground clearance and has a maximum height of roughly 20 feet. It still hosts the standard 10-man crew for safety, but if it were to be used during a war situation, it could be operated with half.
British Aerospace is the manufacturer of the Howitzer, using a lightweight titanium metal, which is stronger, yet lighter than the steel used in the M198. The new Howitzer can be easily air lifted by a CH-46 Sea Knight.
Yet, the weight isn't the only difference in the new design. For instance, this new Howitzer has a tow hook near the muzzle so it can be towed by a five-ton truck, being easily connected by only two Marines. The current Howitzer can not be pulled by the muzzle and takes nearly the entire crew to connect.
The Howitzer also has a self digging system. Two forks designed to hold the weapon in place will dig into the ground after the first fire.
But, the major difference is the gun's firing system. A magazine of 10 primers is placed in the gun's primer feed mechanism; once it is fired, the spent primer is ejected and a new one is inserted by operating the PFM handle. This saves Marines time and allows for a maximum fire rate of five rounds per minute.
The weapon still needs a little tuning, but the Commandant seemed impressed with what he saw. "It's always good to come out and speak with the experts," said Jones. "It helps us to make sound decisions back in the office."
I remember in the early '80s, in the FDC, making the switch from charts and protractors to the TI calculator (with the fancy template). I sure hope the Marines are advancing their FDC technology as well as their guns.
Semper Fidelis,
LH
While living in northern California, I watched the 155 Battalion from the 7th ID convoy down 101 to Camp Bob, knowing that they needed a special license and clearance from CalTrans to haul their 198s because of their length.
The 777 is going to be a grand addition to the Redlegs of the Corps and hopefully, the light forces of the US Army.
"Not all are priviledged to be Field Artillerymen!"
Though the one pictured here has an Army crew, it goes bang pretty much the same no matter who yanks the rope. Whether it hits what it's aimed toward can be another matter, but both services have some pretty fair cannoncockers and gunbunnies.
Back in the "old" Corps when I served (10th Marines - Camp Lejeune) the 105's in our Battery were mostly WWII vintage, probably via Korea. Every 6 to 8 years they were taken out of service and shipped to Albany GA for refurbishing. The Marine Corps takes pride in making equipment last.
Wouldn't the barrel be 39 calibers, and not the round?
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