M110
M110A2
Overview
M110A2
Bahrain army M110A2 during a live fire excersize.
Source: www.milinme.com -
© copyright lies with original owner
United States - Bowen-McLaughlin-York
Japan
United Kingdom
Germany
Greece
Egypt
Description
Introduction
The M110 is a self-propelled howitzer of US origin. In the 1950'ss the US Army required new heavy artillery for long range shelling and destruction of vital enemy positions. The new systems were to be mobile, be air transportable, use common parts and be quick in and out of action. A self propelled gun carriage would meet these requirements better than towed artillery. The Pacific Car and Foundry Company came up with a chassis that allowed for interchangeable 155mm, 175mm and 203mm cannon. Prototypes were developed as the T245, T235 and T236. After series of tests and design changes the T235 was accepted for US service as the M107 and the T236 as the M110 in 1961.
Layout
The M107 and M110 both use the same chassis. The tracked chassis is made out of steel. The driver is seated on the left with the engine to his right. The armament is fitted to a large turntable with a limited traverse. A large spade is fitted at the rear to stabilize the vehicle during operation. The M107 is fitted with the very long 175mm M113 gun, while the M110 is fitted with the short 203mm M2A2 gun. Later the M110A1 and A2 introduced a much longer 203mm gun. Besides the driver the gun is operated by 12 other people. Of these 5 are carried on the weapon and the rest by the track M548 tracked cargo carrier, which also carries additional ammunition. Most M107 and M110 have been upgraded to the M110A2 standard.
Firepower
The M110 with the short barrel M2A2 howitzer. This has a very limited 16.8 km range, requiring it to be close to the front line and operate within the reach of enemy artillery. The M110A2 has a much improved range of up to 30 km. Due to the size and weight of their ammunition both systems have a low rate of fire and require a lot of crew to operate the weapon.
Protection
During travelling and in the firing position all members of the crew except for the driver are out in the open. This means that they are not protected from direct fire, shell splinters and NBC threats.
Mobility
Compared to a towed gun of similar proportions the M107 and M110 are very quickly in and out of action. While being tracked vehicles they are also much more mobile than most towed artillery. Both models are fitted with the Detroit Diesel 8V71T 405 hp diesel engine.
Users
The main user of the M107 and M110 was the United States. Both models were actively used in Vietnam. The M110 also saw operational use with UK and US forces during the First Gulf War. The M107 and M110 were also widely exported, mainly to Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Variants
M110
The M110 is the original 203mm howitzer of the M110 family. The M110 uses the same hull as the M107 and is fitted with a short barreled 203mm M2A2 howitzer. Most M110 have been converted to M110A2 standard.
M110A1
Both the short 203mm barreled M110 and 175mm M107 were formally replaced in US service by the M110A1. The M110A1 features a much longer 203mm M201 barrel, combining the range of the M107 with the punch of the M110. The M110A1 proved an interim solution, with the M110A2 becoming more prominent.
M110A2
The M110A2 adds a muzzle brake to the barrel of the M110A1. All US M110A1 were retrofitted to M110A2 standard. Most foreign conversions of the M107 and M110 were directly to M110A2 standard.
Details
Media
M110
US Army M110 on the move during an excersize.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown)
Copyright: public domain
M110
Japanese ground self-defense force M110 during a live fire excersize.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
M110A2
M110A2 in firing position with spade lowered.
Source: www.fas.org
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
M110A2
Bahrain army M110A2 during a live fire excersize.
Source: www.milinme.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
M110A2
Bahrain army M110A2 during a live fire excersize.
Source: www.milinme.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
M110A2
US Army M110A2 without muzzle brake in firing position during an excersize.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown)
Copyright: public domain
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