[LavaDog]

For all you "Cannon Cocker" FReepers.

[Fred Mertz]

Incoming!

[Lancey Howard]

It was only 20 years ago we were still using the 105 along with the 155. I think they were Korean War leftovers - - man they were old. Nice to see the Marines are finally helping to lead the way with new merchandise rather than wait for Army throwoffs.

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

[Rebelbase]

Post the link. I need to send this article to someone, sans commentary.

[soycd]

FIRE FOR EFFECT!!!

[Redleg Duke]

I am happy to see the M198 finally heading for the museum. It was born in the late 60's/early 70's as a response to the Russian's field gun with extreme range (dispite destroying the hearing of the crew). I remember the cover of the Field Artillery Journel when they trumpetted "We've Got Thirty?) (km).

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!"

[PatrioticAmerican]

I thought the Marines had thier towed weapon. The M40A3! (hehe)

[paul544]

[eno_]

Finally! Something I can tow with the Land Rover!

[Junior]

This low profile gun that can propel a 39-caliber round a maximum range of 18.9 miles, ...

Wouldn't the barrel be 39 calibers, and not the round?

[AlaskaErik]

Once again, the Marines have it right. They understand the future battles we will be fighting. The army, on the other hand, still believes in the behemoth Crusader that may have been useful during a Warsaw Pact invasion. Time for the army to face the 21st century and to stop wasting finite dollars on fighting the Cold War. On a different note, did the army's morale get a significant boost after they switched over to black berets?

Semper Fi

[Publius6961]

This may be a good place to make an observation and ask a question.
There are many great and "realistic" simulations for aircraft, cars, trains and maybe even bicycles, but nothing that I know of for realistic large ships (an oil tanker would be awesome), or for artillery in a realistic 3D universe.

Am I wrong? Or does anyone know of such computer simulations?

[Billthedrill]

I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to own a weapon that large. Anyone but me, that is. I mean, you could put out someone's eye with that thing...

We will, of course, be hearing from Josh Sugarmann at the Violence Policy Institute regarding this assault weapon. You can get them at gunshows, dontcha know...

[Free the USA]

Bump List

[FF578]

I worked on one of these when I was in the army.

PALADIN 155MM SELF PROPELLED HOWITZER, USA

Paladin M109A6 is a cannon artillery system developed by the Ground System Division of United Defense L.P. 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 Kuwaiti Defence Ministry. In June 1999, the US Army received the last of 950 Paladin M109A6 ordered. However a further 7 systems were ordered in July 2000 for the US Army National Guard.

Paladin is operated by a crew of four, a commander, driver, gunner and loader. Paladin is able to operate independently with no external technical assistance. The crew are able to receive mission data via a secure voice and digital communications system, compute the firing data, automatically unlock the cannon from the travel lock, point the cannon and fire, and move to a new location without external technical assistance. Paladin M109A6 fires the first round from the move in under 60 seconds. The "shoot and scoot" capability protects the crew from counterbattery fire.

ARMAMENT

The 39 calibre 155 mm 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. The projectile loading can be carried out using the full stroke hydraulic system, or a semi-automatic loading system is optional. Paladin M109A6 achieves a maximum firing rate of up to 8 rounds per minute or 3 rounds per 15 seconds, and a sustained firing rate of 1 round per three minutes. The gun is operated with an automatic fire control system with ballistic computer, fitted with an optical backup.

The vehicle's inertial positioning and navigation system is integrated with the automatic fire control system.

A 12.7 mm M2 machine gun is mounted on the right hand side of the turret.

SELF-PROTECTION

The crew remains in the vehicle throughout the mission. Protection against nuclear, chemical and biological warfare is installed with individual crew protection systems with temperature controlled (hot and cold) air. The turret is fitted with Kevlar spall suppression lining for additional ballistic protection.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Paladin is equipped with a secure voice and digital communications suite including the VIC-1 Intercom, VRC-89 or the SINCGARS single channel ground and airborne radio subsystem.

PROPULSION

The Paladin vehicle is powered by a 2 cycle diesel, 440 horsepower, DDEC 8V71T engine from Detroit Diesel Corporation, and an Allison ATD-XTG-411-4 transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The suspension system is based on high strength torsion bars with high capacity shock absorbers. The vehicle has a range of 214 miles with a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour.

The electrical power supply is rated at 650 amps, 24 volts DC.

I can't wait until they finish this:

[stlrocket]

Are the Dangers of Recoil the safe as they are with other guns?

RECOIL DEMONSTRATION