M777 UFH 155mm Lightweight Towed Artillery (2006)
The M777 is currently replacing the aging M198 howitzers.
The M777 system weights less than 10,000lbs which makes it the lightest gun in its particular classification - lighter than that of the preceding M198 series. This sort of engineering prowess makes the M777 system extremely adaptable in-the-field and transportable through a variety of means improving upon the original M198 in both its tactical and logistical qualities. The M777 can therefore be transported by land via approved service truck or through the air by approved aircraft. For the latter, this includes the new MV-22 "Osprey" twin-rotor series helicopters as well as the tried and true CH-47 "Chinook" tandem-rotor transport helicopters to which the M777 unit is hung underneath the airframe. For fully-enclosed air transport, the M777 can be fitted into the hold of the C-5 Galaxy, C-160 Transall, C-141 Starlifter and C-130 Hercules series of medium-to-large transports.
The M777 gun and gun mount sit atop a carriage system made up of a split trail, two-wheeled configuration (consisting of the body and saddle). When setup to fire, the M777 adopts a four-point stance for maximum support and to help content with the weapon's inherently violent recoil. The muzzle is capped by a large double-baffled muzzle brake for this purpose as well. Elevation and traverse are handled at the rear of the weapon near the breech as is loading and reloading. The M777 is crewed by five specially-trained personnel to handle the various functions of the gun (the M198 required 9 personnel). The barrel is 155mm (39 calibers) and weighs in at approximately 9,300 lbs (unlike the 15,700lb weight of the M198 series). The weapon achieves a rate-of-fire of up to five rounds per minute with a sustained rate of two rounds-per-minute. The barrel is designed for a lifespan of 2,650 firings. Rocket Assisted Projectiles (RAP) increase the effective range of the weapon system out to 18.6 miles (30km). The base range using conventional projectiles is 15 miles. Use of titanium across the M777's design lowers overall operating weights.
The M777A1 standard (previously designated as the M777E1) features a custom-designed digital firing system that uses the latest in positioning and targeting technology. The M777A1 has already begun replacing the current generation of M198 howitzers in the US Army and US Marines inventory. Another variant, the M777A2, has already seen combat action since January 2008. It is based on the M777A1 but slightly revised to fire the new Raytheon Excalibur precision projectile (with its 25 mile range limit) with a new software update. The US National Guard is also an active user of the M777 series. The A2 mark is currently the latest production standard of the M777 family.
While the weapon is British in its true origins, final assembly of the guns takes place in the United States out of the BAe plant at Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Roughly 70% of the weapon is completed in the United States.
A vehicle-mounted version of the M777 was unveiled in 2006 and is known as the M777 "Portee". Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
M777 UFH
155mm Lightweight Towed Artillery
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: BAe Systems Global Combat Systems Division - UK / USA
Initial Year of Service: 2006
Production: 1,200
Focus Model: M777 UFH
Crew: 7
Overall Length: 33.46ft (10.20m)
Width: 12.14ft (3.70m)
Height: 7.41ft (2.26m)
Weight: 4.1 US Short Tons (3,745kg; 8,256lbs)
Powerplant: None. This is a towed artillery piece.
Maximum Speed: 0mph (0 km/h)
Maximum Range: 15 miles (25 km)
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: Yes
Armament:
1 x 155mm barrel
Ammunition:
Dependent on ammunition carrier.
Variants:
XM777 - Prototype Model Designation
M777 - Base Series Designation
M777A1 - Digital Fire Control System (FCS)
M777A2 - Updated FCS software for use with Raytheon Excalibur projectile.
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