M109 (self-propelled howitzer)

M109
M109 of the Koninklijke Landmacht (2005)
General properties
crew	6th
length	11.4 m
width	3.18 m
height	3.18 m
Dimensions	23.5 t (A6)
Armor and armament
Armor	Welded aluminum
Main armament	155mm howitzer
Secondary armament	1 machine gun
agility
drive	Turbo diesel 8V71T 262 kW (356 PS)
suspension	Torsion bar
Top speed	56 km / h
Power / weight	approx. 15.1 kW / t (A6)
Range	approx. 350 km

The M109 is a self-propelled howitzer with a caliber of 155 mm made in the USA . Their development began during the Cold War in the 1950s. Since 1962 it has been part of the artillery units of many countries and standard self-propelled howitzer of NATO . Until it was replaced by the 2000 tank in 2007, the M109 also when was the army of the Bundeswehr in use. Since its commissioning, the M109 has seen a number of increases in combat value . The version M109A6 Paladin forms the backbone of the artillery of the US Army to this day . From a technical point of view, however, it has nothing in common with the original variant except for the tub. With a total of over 5,000 units produced, the M109 is one of the most widely produced self-propelled howitzers in the world.

Development history

In January 1952, a conference between representatives of the US Army and the Department of Defense was held in Washington, DC on the situation of motorized artillery. At this time, the Cold War continued to come to a head, while at the same time technological developments had produced the first artillery reconnaissance devices with radar . These were able to clear up fire positions quickly and precisely. The previously located in the use of self-propelled guns were not mobile enough to escape a hostile return fire fast, yet sufficiently armored to withstand such an attack. The previous US self-propelled howitzer M44 was also out of date . As a result of the conference, an urgent need for new armored and self-propelled guns was identified. Shortly after the end of the conference, the first concept studies began with the aim of developing a completely new armored self-propelled gun. Initially, the development of a self-propelled howitzer in caliber 156 mm with the name T196 ran. However, this concept was rejected by the Department of Defense due to foreseeable difficulties in development.

A new concept was only defined in May 1954, after which the final details were clarified at a further conference in Fort Monroe in June of that year . The design of the vehicle should be based on the plans for the 110 mm T195 howitzer, which is also in the planning stage. According to the new concept studies, the hull and turret of the T195 should be used, but a 155 mm instead of the 156 mm howitzer was intended as an innovation.

A first model of the vehicle was presented in October 1956, whereupon the order to develop a prototype was received . This was completed in 1959 under the designation T196. During the first tests at Fort Knox it turned out that the suspension of the vehicle was not up to par, so that some changes had to be made. The first prototype therefore differed in the design of the tub from the later models. It was still powered by a gasoline engine .

In 1959, the Ministry of Defense decided that all future combat vehicles should only be equipped with diesel engines to reduce fuel consumption and the risk of fire. As a result, the engine was changed in the prototype of the M109.

In February 1961, the troop tests with the prototype were completed, whereupon two pre-production vehicles were ordered from the Cadillac Motor Car Division. After completing the last tests, the first order for an annual production of 247 vehicles was awarded. The first copies were completed in October 1962 and in early 1963 the order was expanded to include a further annual production. At the same time, the M108 , which was largely identical with its landing gear, hull and turret, was armed with a 105mm tube .

In July 1963 the vehicle was officially classified as the M109 medium self-propelled howitzer. By 1969, 2,111 vehicles were built in the Cleveland Army Tank Plant. From 1974 production was carried out by BAE Systems . The last of the M109s were built in 1994, but the company is still selling the latest version of the M109 and can resume production if demand is right.

All major US Army units are currently equipped with the M109. Since no suitable successor model is available so far, the M109 will form the backbone of the artillery of the US Army for a few more years.

crew

The crew of the M109 consists of six soldiers: the gun leader, the driver, two directional gunners (K1 and K2) and two loading gunners (K3 and K4). The gun leader has his place on the right side in the rear part of the turret under or in the hatch with rotating ring mount for the machine gun. The driver's seat, in the front left in the tub next to the engine, can be reached from the combat area, has its own hatch and has corner mirrors . The directional gunners are in the front of the tower on the left and right of the weapon system, the loading gunners are behind the directional gunners. During the march, the gunners sit on two fold-down benches on the sides of the tower. The crew can sit up and down and ammunitioning the tower through a door in the rear of the tub between the earth spurs . On the side of the tower there are hatches that serve as windows and can be used as an exit in an emergency.

The commander leads the vehicle on the march and the gun group in the fire fight . He has radio communication with the platoon leader and operates the machine gun if necessary . The two directional gunners set up the weapons system: The K1, seated in the front left of the fighting area, sets the tower in the direction of fire with the help of his panoramic telescope and external markers in the fire fight. The K2, who is in the front right of the fighting area, directs the elevation. The loading gunners ignite the projectiles, pack the propellant charges and load the gun.

technology

Protective measures

The hull and turret of the M109 are made of welded, 20 mm thick aluminum, which protects the crew from light handguns and fragments. The vehicle does not have any further safety measures such as a separate ammunition magazine; an NBC protective ventilation system was only integrated with the upgrade to version A4. Only the propellant charges are stored in protective containers on the left side of the tower stern.

Buoyancy

Due to the use of aluminum, the M109 was relatively light, but could not float without an appropriate upgrade kit. The kit consisted of rubber aprons (over the upper half of the drive, similar to the M113 ), floating bodies on the long sides of the tub, an inflatable rubber ring to seal the turntable and surge boards around the front tub half . A powerful bilge pump was built into all versions. The end connectors of the chain links, which are designed as shovels, which are necessary for swimming propulsion, were only available on the corresponding US chain. Nothing is known about the swimming behavior of the M109 or the extent of purchases of upgrade kits by user states.

Armament and ammunition

The US breech of an M185 howitzer (US)

The original weapon situation consisted of a 155 mm howitzer M126 with smoke evacuator and muzzle brake and a length of 23 calibers. This had a vertical directional range of −5 ° to 75 °. The tower could be rotated 360 °. The aiming of the weapon system and the tower was done hydraulically . Manual straightening was also possible if the hydraulics failed. The maximum range was, depending on the type of ammunition, about 14,600 m. The recoil forces were absorbed both by the muzzle brake and by manually lowering earth spurs on the rear of the hull (see photo M109G ).

A machine gun was mounted on a mount in front of the commander's hatch as secondary armament. The type of machine gun was dependent on the user state.

Starting with version A1, the barrel of the M185 howitzer was installed with a significantly longer barrel length and an improved straightening system. The maximum range was now 18,100 m. The earth spurs at the stern could now be lowered hydraulically.

The M109A6 uses the M28 howitzer, the latest version of the Bundeswehr was equipped with the barrel of the 155 field howitzer .

All NATO-standardized types of 155 mm ammunition can be fired as ammunition, including tactical nuclear weapons with an explosive force of 0.1  kT TNT . Similarly, the guided can Copperhead -Granate be used. Originally for the XM2001 Crusader developed M982 Excalibur -Geschosse can also be fired. With them ranges of up to 37 km can be achieved. As a detonator may impact fuse with or without delay, concrete breaking impact fuze, a proximity fuse or time fuses are used. The floors are secured in brackets lying in the rear of the tower and standing to the left and right of the access hatch.

Drive and drive

The M109 is powered by an 8-cylinder, 2-stroke, water-cooled Detroit Diesel engine with a Roots fan and turbocharger . The displacement is 9300 cm³, the maximum torque 1270 Nm at a speed of 1600 / min. The engine is located in the front right in the tub. The hydromechanical transmission has four forward and two reverse gears that are shifted manually.

The drive consists of seven rubber-tyred, torsion bar sprung rollers on each side. There are two idler wheels at the rear and the drive wheels at the front. The chain is a living end connector crawler belt with a contact length of 3,962 m.

Technical specifications

designation	Self-propelled howitzer M109A2
Type:	Self-propelled howitzer
Crew:	6th
Engine:	Detroit Diesel 8V71T, water-cooled 8-cylinder diesel engine
Power:	356 hp at 2300 rpm
Transmission:	Allison XTG-411-4A hydromechanical manual transmission
Landing gear:	torsion bar sprung roller drive
Length over all:	9120 mm
Width over everything:	3150 mm
Height above everything:	3280 mm
Ground clearance:	460 mm
Wading ability :	1070 mm
Trench crossing ability:	1830 mm
Climbing ability:	530 mm
Gradeability :	60%
Bank slope:	40%
Combat weight:	24,948 kg
Maximum speed road:	56 km / h
Top speed terrain:	36 km / h
Fuel quantity:	511 liters
Driving range:	349 km
Armament:	155mm M185 howitzer, 1 machine gun
Ammunition:	34 floors

commitment

Mission profile

An M109 for direct straightening

The M109 was primarily designed to cope with the threats posed by the Cold War . It should be able to follow motorized formations, take up position quickly and, after completing the fire order, quickly change positions in order to avoid enemy counterfire. She should be able to follow the highly mobile tank formations to be ready for fire support at any time. The armor was supposed to protect the operator against shrapnel and infantry ammunition.

The original versions of the M109 relied on measured and prepared positions and external fire control. That is why M109 batteries (US Army: six self-propelled howitzers until 1986, then eight) were always used in a closed position in a firing position. Later variants were autonomous with a navigation system and fire control computer and could operate in smaller units.

In the Bundeswehr, the M109 was used in the armored artillery battalions of the brigades. The main task was to provide fire support for one's own combat troops and to fight with fire in the depths against high-value targets such as command posts in the area of ​​responsibility of the brigade. The tank artillery battalions initially had 18, later 24 self-propelled howitzers. The smallest tactical unit was the train, which consisted of three or four howitzers, a platoon leader MTW-M113 and, in trains with four howitzers, a fire control MTW. An anti- tank telescopic sight was installed for direct fire fighting against enemy battle tanks or bunkers . Explosive projectiles were used. Direct aiming was also possible with the panoramic telescope.

Combat missions

An M109 self-propelled howitzer in Vietnam

The M109 was first used in combat in the Vietnam War , although there was no great need for self-propelled guns there due to the terrain and the many aerial operations of the Army. Since the infantry divisions stationed in Vietnam only had artillery battalions with rifled field guns, some armored artillery battalions of the mechanized divisions were sent from the USA to Vietnam to be deployed there at corps level. The M109s used proved themselves very well due to the tactics used there. The Army set up so-called Fire Support Bases throughout South Vietnam to support infantry operations. These bases were often located deep in the operational area of ​​the Viet Cong, which could attack from all sides, which made 360 ​​° all-round protection necessary. This could not be guaranteed by stationary guns with a limited directional range, but it could be guaranteed by the M109, which with its 360 ° swivel range could work all around without delay. Overall, the self-propelled howitzers moved very little in the bases. Fortified positions were often created. The mobility advantage of the M109, due to its motorization, could be used when operations outside the range of the Fire Support Bases were to be supported. In this case, the M109s could move into small, temporary and less fortified positions and then retract after the operation.

The M109 was first used on the Israeli side in the Yom Kippur War in 1973. There it was used for the first time according to its design and supported the advancing tank units with fire. It was also used for direct fire at positions that were out of the range of tanks. In the 1982 Lebanon War , in the fighting in Beirut, she also provided support for the tank units. These were often shot at from roofs with RPGs in the narrow streets and could not return fire due to the limited elevation range of their main weapon. The M109 could easily target and take out these shooters. The HE shells also proved to be very effective against targets behind barricades.

The M109 was also used in the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War. There, the battalions deployed supported the advancing tank units and switched off opposing artillery positions.

User states

In addition to the USA and Germany, the M109 was used in many NATO and non-NATO countries. It is still in service in many states today due to its relatively cheap price and the potential for increased combat value. Users were or are:

Two Egyptian M109 self-propelled howitzers

Egypt

In 2003 the United Defense company was commissioned by the US Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command to undergo a technical overhaul of 201 surplus M109 self-propelled howitzers from reserve stocks of the A2 and A3 armaments for the Egyptian military. The overhaul included the engine, transmission, cooling system and fire control equipment. The funding for this came from the US Foreign Military Sales Program . The first vehicles were available at the end of 2003, the complete program ended in November 2005. Even before the program was completed, Egypt expressed interest in a further 200 vehicles of the A5 equipment level.

Belgium

In August 1983, the Belgian Defense Minister signed a contract for the purchase of 127 M109A2 self-propelled howitzers. These were delivered between August 1984 and the end of 1985. Six field artillery battalions and the Belgian artillery school were equipped with the vehicles. From 1998 the vehicles still in operation were equipped with a gyro-controlled north direction finder and from 2002 108 vehicles were upgraded to the A4 version.

Brazil

Brazil acquired a total of 37 M109A3s from the Belgian army by 2001 in order to equip three artillery regiments with them.

Chile

Chile acquired a total of 24 vehicles from the Swiss Army, which the company RUAG had previously converted to the M109 KAWEST version.

Denmark

Denmark acquired a total of 76 M109s, which were upgraded to the A3 level from 1989.

Greece

Greece acquired a total of 50 M109s from the armed forces and 12 M109A5s from the US Army. After being withdrawn from service, 226 M109A3GA2s were sold to the Greek armed forces in 2010.

Israel

An Israeli version of the M109

Israel has acquired 530 M109A1s since 1969, of which about 350 are still in use. The designation is M109 AL or Doher . These vehicles were subjected to combat value enhancements in Israel, which are intended to shorten the time from entering the position to being ready to fire and to increase flexibility. In addition, a system for injecting diesel into the exhaust system was built in to give the vehicle the ability to fog itself. Night vision devices are available to the driver and the commander to improve mobility at night. An NBC protection system was also installed. The vehicles also have additional ammunition storage boxes. It is planned that these vehicles will be upgraded to incorporate some of the features of the A6 version.

Italy

Italy acquired 221 newly produced M109s without a weapon system. This was manufactured by Oto-Melara and installed in Italy. With the exception of the weapons system, the vehicles correspond to the M109A3 equipment level. Another 62 pieces of the M109A1B were bought from Switzerland.

Latvia

Latvian M109 during an exercise

In 2017, Latvia bought several used M109s from Austria, which are now used by the Latvian Army and the National Guard (for more information on the vehicles, see Austria).

Netherlands

The M109 was in service with the Dutch armed forces from 1968 to 2008 with a maximum strength of 222 units. The original version originally used was later upgraded to A2 and A3.

Norway

The Norwegian Army has 36 M109A3GN, which essentially correspond to the German M109A3G armament.

An M109A5Ö of the Austrian Armed Forces.

Austria

The armed forces have 64 M109s. The version is based on the M109A5, but differs in some points from the American version. The Austrian vehicles have a semi-automatic loading mechanism, an inertial navigation system and the same weapons system as the M109A6 Paladin. The designation is M109A5Ö. Another 19 M109s were converted into fire control vehicles: with fire control computer, printer, generator and radio set. The weapon system has been removed. The designation is ReStPz (Rechenstellepanzer) M109. Since the Austrian Armed Forces are about to reduce the number of M109s, a model is already in the Vienna Army History Museum and is accessible to the public.

In April 2017, 47 M109s (35 self-propelled howitzers, 10 ReStPz and 2 driving school vehicles) were sold to Latvia for a total of 6 million euros. From September 2017, they will gradually be delivered including service know-how. The value of each device is between € 60,000 and € 140,000, around a tenth of the costs invested. The devices date from the 1960s, were bought "back then" by the Rhine Army in different conditions and 100 of them were modernized by the army in Klagenfurt between 2002 and 2007, but many were never moved. The project, which required around 3,000 hours of work per tank, was stopped because the 2010 reform no longer saw a need for it.

Pakistan

The Pakistani armed forces are armed with 265 M109A2s made in America.

Switzerland

Swiss M109 KAWEST

In 1974 Switzerland put 140 M109s into service under the name Panzerhaubitze 66. By 1988 another 437 vehicles followed in several delivery lots. All vehicles were gradually upgraded to M109A1B. This largely corresponded to the M109A1, but also had a smoke throw system and chains from Diehl. After a further increase in combat value, 348 of these vehicles were introduced to the troops as a KAWEST variant from 1997. A new weapon system with 47 caliber lengths and a "backpack" at the rear of the self-propelled howitzer were used. In 2017 the Swiss Army had 133 M109 KAWESTs in its inventory; 90 in five artillery battalions and 43 in basic training.

Spain

Spain has 96 M109A5E that are currently undergoing a combat enhancement program. This should increase the rate of fire and accuracy. For this purpose, the so-called was DINAPS ( Di gital N AVIGATION A IMing and P ointing S ystem) installed in the vehicle. This is a hybrid navigation system that uses both GPS and inertial navigation . A radar for measuring the muzzle velocity is also part of the system. The inertial navigation system determines the elevation and direction of the pipe, the GPS the position of the vehicle. In order to increase the firing rate, which was FIRS developed ( F ull I ntegrated R amming S ystem). This consists of a hydraulic system, a lock actuation system, a propellant charge lighter magazine and a cannon management system. The FIRS should enable three rounds to be fired within eleven seconds.

South Korea

South Korea has 1040 M109s, all of which were produced there. They are to be replaced by the K9 Thunder in the future.

Taiwan

Taiwan acquired a number of M108s, the 105mm variant of the M109s, in the late 1960s. At the end of the 1980s, the tower and the weapon system were replaced by Taiwanese in-house developments.

Thailand

Thailand has had 20 M109A5 self-propelled howitzers since 1994.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates acquired a total of 85 vehicles from the Swiss Army, which the company RUAG had previously converted to the M109 KAWEST version.

variants

US variants

M109A1 to A4

Version A1 largely corresponds to the original version, only the weapon system was replaced. A few other types of bullets can be fired with this. Due to the longer tube length of 39 calibers, the combat distance increased to 18,100 m. The first conversion kits were made available by the industry in early 1972, and the first converted vehicles were put into service in 1973.

The main changes to version A2 were changes to the earth spurs in order to be able to better absorb the recoil forces when firing, an improved barrel fore-arm mechanism, warning displays for engine oil and cooling water temperature at the driver's seat, a modified access hatch, an improved hydraulic system for straightening the turret and the weapon system as well as additional storage boxes to be able to carry an additional 22 floors. Production of the M109A2 began in 1978. The first vehicles were delivered the following year.

An M109A3 self-propelled howitzer

The M109A3 is an upgrade of version A1 with inclusion of the changes of version A2. New howitzers were not built, only conversions were made in depots. Other changes were: installation of a modified cradle, new fuel and air filters, installation of a new instrument display for the driver, changes to the ammunition storage and changes to the hydraulics of the weapon system.

The M109A4 are converted vehicles of the versions A2 and A3. This version went out of the so-called HELP ( H owitzer E xtended L ife P out rogram). The only major innovation that has been integrated into the vehicle is an NBC protection system. Other minor changes were made to the hydraulic system and engine electronics.

M109A5

A Spanish Marines M109A5 during an amphibious landing exercise

The vehicles of the version A5 are upgraded vehicles of the version A4 or newly produced vehicles. With this increase in combat value, emphasis was placed on increasing the firing range. For this purpose, a new M284 weapon system was installed, which allows combat distances of up to 30,000 m. The use of the Global Positioning System was also possible from this version onwards, so that position determination was considerably simplified.

To increase the performance of the vehicle, the engine and the transmission have been upgraded. The electrical system has also been overhauled, increasing the life of the batteries. This had proven necessary because the activated NBC protection system emptied the batteries very quickly.

Changes were also made to the drive and the chains, which should simplify the maintenance of the chains and changing the chain pads.

M109A6 paladin

A US National Guard M109A6 Paladin

The M109A6 is a result of the so-called HIP ( H owitzer I mprovement P rogram), were involved in the various companies. The aim of the program was not so much to further increase the firing range, but rather to integrate the shoot-and-scoot ability (Eng: fire and run away). The M109 should be able to take up position quickly, carry out the fire order, and then quickly change position to avoid enemy counterfire. The individual vehicles should be able to act independently of external fire control. The project started in October 1985, with eight prototypes being made. After various tests and the successful completion of the program, series production began in 1992.

The changes to the M109A6 included the following:

• Installation of a completely redesigned turret with spall liner made of Kevlar to prevent fragments from flying off the inside of the armor in the event of a hit.
• Reduction of the crew to four soldiers.
• Installation of an automatic fire control system for the automatic takeover of fire commands via radio data transmission.
• Installation of a fire control computer to calculate fire commands without the help of a fire control center.
• Installation of a system for measuring the muzzle velocity.
• Improvement of the on-board radio.
• Increase in ammunition capacity.
• Modification of the commander's hatch, whereby the attachment of improved night vision devices became possible.
• Installation of a new remote-controlled lashing fork.
• Installation of a kettle to allow the crew to prepare their MREs .
• Installation of a new digital radio system.

M109A7

A "Paladin Integrated Management" prototype

The interior of an M992

The M109A7 program was launched in 2007 under the name M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM). The aim was to keep the M109A6 operational as a supplement to the NLOS-C project, which was planned as a successor system, within the framework of the Heavy Brigade Combat Teams (HBCT) at least until 2050 with further increases in combat value . At the same time, the use of standardized components is intended to simplify logistics. BAE Systems built the first prototype within nine months using company capital. Upon completion of the mobility and shooting tests, 558 M109A6s are slated to be upgraded, 447 of which will be used in the HBCTs. The remaining 153 vehicles are intended for training purposes and as a reserve. After successfully completing the tests in 2012, an initial production batch of nine copies was commissioned in 2013; a second batch of eight copies followed in 2014. Production of all 558 vehicles should be completed by 2019. According to BAE Systems, the M109A7 is the most cost-effective solution to provide the Army with a modern artillery gun without having to develop a new one.

The M109A7 consists of a tower of the M109A6 Paladin, which is mounted on a completely redesigned hull and chassis. The new hull is also made of welded aluminum, into which a new 600 hp engine and a new automatic transmission will be installed. The engine and transmission are the same as in the M2 / M3 Bradley . Thanks to the increased performance, mobility and top speed will improve significantly - despite the weight increase of almost 4.5 t. Rollers, suspension and chain are also largely taken over from the Bradley. A so-called Common Modular Power System (CMPS) is installed to supply electricity, which is also used in part on the Stryker Armored Vehicle and the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle . It consists of a 600 volt direct current generator with 75 kW output. The driver is still sitting on the left-hand side of the vehicle next to the engine; a reversing camera is available for a better overview. Due to the longer tub and the increased interior volume, 43 floors can be carried, including up to 17 M982 Excalibur bullets. The continuous rate of fire is one shot per minute, with a maximum of four shots per minute.

The tower is taken over from the M109A6 and modified. To increase the rate of fire, the crew has an electrically operated attachment device that should also be used in the NLOS-C. The attachment device enables the projectiles to be attached much more evenly, which leads to improved accuracy of the weapon. The tower drive and the weapon straightening system are also operated electrically, which means a speed advantage over the old hydraulic system. Each crew member has their own air blower that is connected to the air conditioning. This is intended to increase the endurance of the crew in hot climates. The commander is protected by a side shield when operating the M2 machine gun. The weapon system is retained; the fire control systems will be replaced by state-of-the-art models. The old bag propellants are being replaced by propellant charge modules.

M992

The M992 is an ammunition transporter based on the M109. The chassis and hull are identical, the tower was removed and replaced with a rigid structure. A total of 93 projectiles, 99 propellant charges and 104 fuses can be transported in this structure and the hull. The export versions of this variant also have a crane with which the floors can be loaded into the M992. The M109 is supplied via a mechanical conveyor belt that is set up at the rear and can transport eight projectiles per minute.

The M992 is primarily designed to work with the M109 to ensure a rapid supply of ammunition without the guns having to go to a loading bay. However, it is also possible to supply other guns with different calibers.

Variants of the Bundeswehr

M109G

M109G at the parade in 1969 for the NATO anniversary at the Nürburgring

Driving school version of the PzH M109G

In the period 1964-1972 a total of 586 American howitzers were procured in the then Rüstständen M109A1 and M109A2 and in two lots Rheinmetall for M109G converted. The retrofitting concerned the entire weapon system with barrel, smoke extractor , two-chamber muzzle brake and flat wedge lock, as well as the German panoramic telescope , an anti-tank rifle scope and the smoke-throwing system. These measures increased the maximum shooting range to 18,500 m. 28 rounds could be carried. The periscope dome was taken over from the MTW M113 for the gun leader. Instead of the heavy 12.7 mm Browning M2, a 7.62 mm MG3 served as a close-range weapon .

For driver training there was a driving school version with a structure with glass panes that was put on instead of the tower. In addition to the driving instructor, there was space for two further learner drivers in the structure. The learner driver was connected to the driving instructor via the on-board intercom. The gun barrel was a dummy in this version.

M109A3GA1

At the beginning of the 1980s, the manufacturer's spare parts supply guarantee expired. Therefore, all M109Gs of the Bundeswehr were upgraded to the US-American armament status "M109A3" and at the same time subjected to an increase in combat value: The weapon system received the barrel of the field howitzer FH155-1 , the combat load was increased from 28 to 34 projectiles and the gun was integrated into the fire control system of the artillery IFAB ( I ntegrated F euerleitmittel A rtillerie B atterie) involved. The IFAB made it possible to bring your own fire to the finish line within three minutes of clearing the target. By installing the AURORA system ( Au tonome R Non- and O rientierungsaustattung R ear a rtillerie) the M109 could determine their position itself and was no longer dependent on surveyed firing positions. The new name was "PzH M109A3GA1". The maximum range of this version was now 24,700 m.

M109A3GA2

155 mm self-propelled howitzer M 109 A3 GE A2 - Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr

After not all of the Army's M109s could be replaced by the new PzH 2000 , as initially planned , it was decided at the end of the 1990s to subject some M109s to a further service life extension. 262 of the "M109A3GA1" were subjected to this service life extension from the year 2000 and upgraded to the "M109A3GEA2" status. The communication system was improved; data exchange within the IFAB system was now possible. There was also a network with the ADLER data network. Various loading aids such as an electric lifting aid were installed to relieve the physical strain on the soldiers. Two additional storage boxes for personal equipment were attached to the tower front. The lighting system was modified to comply with the StVZO . These vehicles remained in service in the armored artillery battalions of the brigades and the observation armored artillery battalions of the divisional artillery until May 2007 . In daily use, however, these additional systems proved to be error-prone or too cumbersome, so that the lifting aid and automatic loading device were often not used at all during exercises or could not be used due to defects. Due to the excessive load on the earth's spurs from stronger propellant charges, they were removed. The last shooting of the M109 took place on May 14, 2007 at the Seetaler Alpe military training area in Austria.

Swiss KAWEST variant

In the mid-1990s, 348 of the Swiss vehicles were converted into a variant with a weapon system with 47 caliber lengths and a lock chamber made in Switzerland that was enlarged to 23 liters. The weapon system meets the requirements of the Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU) for NATO 155 mm standard ammunition. The maximum range for an HE shell is 30 km. With increased range of bullets, the maximum range is around 36 km. With ERFB bullets , a maximum range of around 40 km is achieved. Furthermore, a semi-automatic loading system was installed, which enables a three-shot fire strike within 15 seconds. Then another 8 rounds can be fired within one minute. A rate of 2–3 rounds per minute is possible for sustained fire. In order to ensure the safety of the crew at such a high rate of fire, a thermometer was installed in the cargo hold, which warns of a cook-off of the propellant charge. New digital controls were installed for the commander, the driver and the gunner (NAPOS: navigation and positioning system); Night vision devices are available to the commander and the driver. The electricity supply system was replaced because it could no longer provide enough energy for the new systems. Furthermore, the number of projectiles and propellant charges carried was increased to 40 and 64 respectively. The cargoes are carried outside the combat area in the rear, a security door prevents a possible fire from spreading into the combat area. The personal equipment of the gunners is stowed in the "backpack" at the rear of the self-propelled howitzer. The marching bearing, which holds the pipe in position while driving, has been replaced by a remote-controlled model. The Swiss designation for the vehicle is M109 KAWEST. In 2017 the Swiss Army had 133 M109 KAWESTs in its inventory; 90 in five artillery battalions and 43 in basic training.

literature

• Karl Anweiler, Manfred Pahlkötter: Tanks of the Bundeswehr since 1956. Motorbuchverlag, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-613-02851-7 ( Type compass. Basic knowledge for tank fans ), (2nd edition, ibid 2009).
• Christopher F. Foss (Ed.): Jane's Armor & Artillery. 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, Coulsdon et al. a. 2009, ISBN 978-0-7106-2882-4 .
• Steven Zaloga : M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005. Osprey Publishing , Oxford 2005, ISBN 1-84176-631-3 ( New Vanguard 86).

Web links

Commons : M109 (self-propelled howitzer)  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

• The M109 at Globalsecurity.org
• Rheinmetall manufacturer's description for M109G: p. 4. (PDF; 2 MB)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Steven Zaloga: M109 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005. P. 39.
2. ↑ Christopher Foss: Jane's Armor & Artillery 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, p. 796.
3. ↑ ^{a b c d} Christopher Foss: Jane's Armor & Artillery 2009–2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, p. 797.
4. ↑ British M109 with swimming kit. Retrieved June 10, 2017 . 
5. ↑ Rheinmetall manufacturer's description for M109G: p. 4. ( Memento of the original from April 1, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 2.1 MB)  
6. ↑ The M982 on globalsecurity.org. English, accessed December 29, 2009.
7. ↑ Steven Zaloga: M109 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005. P. 18.
8. ↑ Steven Zaloga: M109 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005. P. 18 f.
9. ↑ Steven Zaloga: M109 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005. P. 11 f.
10. ↑ Christopher Foss: Jane's Armor & Artillery 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, pp. 799-800.
11. ↑ ^{a b c d} Walter Christian Håland: 50 years of the M109 self-propelled howitzer in service in Norway: what comes next? General Swiss Military Magazine (ASMZ) issue 183/2017. Pp. 24-27
12. ↑ Weapons for Greece: Morale stops with self-propelled howitzers . In: The time . June 2, 2015, ISSN  0044-2070 ( zeit.de [accessed January 12, 2018]).
13. ↑ Christopher Foss: Jane's Armor & Artillery 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, p. 756.
14. ↑ Christopher Foss: Jane's Armor & Artillery 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, pp. 758 f.
15. ↑ Christopher Foss: Jane's Armor & Artillery 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, p. 765.
16. ↑ Self-propelled howitzers sold to Latvia at a loss . In: orf.at . accessed on June 8, 2017.
17. ↑ Christopher Foss: Jane's Armor & Artillery 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, p. 779.
18. ↑ M109A1. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
19. ↑ M109A2. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
20. ↑ M109A3. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
21. ↑ M109A4. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
22. ↑ M109A5. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
23. ↑ Steven Zaloga: M109 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005. P. 22 f.
24. ↑ M109A6. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
25. ↑ BAE Systems corporate website. ( Memento of the original from September 7, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. English, accessed October 31, 2009. 
26. ↑ Have Guns, Will Upgrade. English, accessed September 23, 2014.
27. ↑ The M109A6 PIM on globalsecurity.org. English, accessed December 29, 2009.
28. ↑ US Army Breaking Out the Big New Guns. Defensenews.com, accessed June 2, 2015.
29. ↑ Christopher Foss: Jane's Armor & Artillery 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, p. 793.
30. ↑ The M109 PIM at www.cannonartillery.com. ( Memento of the original from October 20, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. English, accessed November 15, 2009. 
31. ↑ M992. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
32. ^ Gesellschaft für Artilleriekunde e. V. , InfoSchrift for Members 1/2013, p. 36
33. ↑ Panzerartilleriebataillon 15. ( Memento of the original from May 14, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
34. ↑ Steven Zaloga: M109 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005. P. 40.
35. ↑ Information on the decommissioning of the M109. ( Memento of the original from January 6, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Truppen.info.de. Retrieved November 11, 2009. 
36. ↑ http://www.deutschesheer.de/ Retrieved on September 11, 2009.
37. ^ ^{A b c d} Walter Christian Haland: Out of the blue. In: truppendienst.eu. Troop service - magazine of the Austrian Armed Forces, June 26, 2017, accessed on November 28, 2017 . 
38. ↑ M109L47 at RUAG. English, accessed January 13, 2010.
39. ↑ Christopher Foss: Jane's Armor & Artillery 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group Inc, p. 781.

This version was added to the list of articles worth reading on January 15, 2010 .