Rock Island Arsenal M198 155mm Towed Medium Howitzer (1979)
The M198 howitzer replaced the 1930s-era M114.
With the Viet Nam war winding down the first prototype XM198 started testing trials. In 1979 the US Army received their first battalion delivery of 18. Soon after, the U.S.M.C. and Australia and some Middle Eastern armies placed battalion size orders.
The M198 is not a self propelled howitzer and is towed by a 5 ton truck that is used to carry the 9 man crew with supplies and ammunition. Other wheeled vehicles in the U.S. motor pool can handle the M198 along with the air mobility arm using the US Army Chinook CH-47C and the U.S.M.C. Super Stallion CH-53E. The howitzer is slung underneath for transport or be dropped by parachute to support ground forces.
The major parts of the M198 is the split tail carriage using an upgraded suspension system, The 155mm cannon is the M199 that uses a screw type breech and a thermal warning device. To fire the platform is lowered to the ground and the wheels are raised off the ground. Along with the split tail carriage this gives three point stability. The fire control system uses the M137 panoramic telescope.
In a combat role the M198 was used in the Middle East and Lebanon. With continued improvement programs the M198 is the standard 155 mm howitzer for the US Army and the US Marine Corps and will be used into the 21st Century.
Ranges for the M107 and M540A1 (rocket-assisted) projectiles is reported to be 19,850 yards and 32,810 yards repectively. Elevation is -5 degrees up to +72 degrees with a traverse of 45 degrees. A rate-of-fire of 4 rounds-per-minute can be achieved along with 2 rounds-per-minute sustained. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Rock Island Arsenal M198
155mm Towed Medium Howitzer
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Rock Island Arsenal, USA
Initial Year of Service: 1979
Production: 1,650
Focus Model: Rock Island Arsenal M198
Crew: 10
Overall Length: 40.49ft (12.34m)
Width: 9.15ft (2.79m)
Height: 9.51ft (2.90m)
Weight: 7.9 US Short Tons (7,163kg; 15,792lbs)
Powerplant: None. This is a towed artillery piece.
Maximum Speed: 0mph (0 km/h)
Maximum Range: 11,278 miles (18,150 km)
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: Not Available
Armament:
1 x 155mm barrel
Ammunition:
Dependent on ammunition carrier.
Variants:
XM198 - Prototype and Trials Model Designation
M198 - Production Designation
Operators: Australia; Ecuador; Honduras; Iraq; Lebanon; Morocco; Pakistan; Puntland; Saudi Arabia; Tunisia; Thailand; United States
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