M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage

Overview

M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage

Forward view of M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage on display in a museum.
Source: Contando Estrelas - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin

United States

Type

Self-propelled howitzer

Entered service

1950

Status

Out of service

Development

July 1943 - 1944

Developer

United States

Production

1945 - 1953?

Producer

United States

Number produced

316 built of 448 ordered

Designations

T76 105 mm HMC (prototype)

Notable users

United States
Spain

Details

Facts M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage

General

Origin

United States

Type

Self-propelled howitzer

Crew

Dimensions

Weight

21 t combat load

Length

5.49 m

Width

3.0 m

Height

2.84 m including machine gun

Main armament

Type

105mm M4 howitzer

Mount

M5 mount in casemate superstructure

Ammunition

126 shells

Elevation

-10.5° to +43°, manual

Traverse

25° left and 26° right, manual

Secondary armament

Type

12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun

Mount

Ring mount in cylindrical superstructure

Ammunition

990 rounds, 110 ready to fire

Traverse

360°, manual

Chassis

Chassis type

Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels

Layout

Drive sprocket front, idler rear

Ground pressure

0.81 kg/cm²

Track width

0.41 m

Track on ground

3.15 m

Tread

2.4 m

Suspension

Torsion bar

Automotive

Engine model

2x Cadillac Series 44T24

Engine type

4-stroke V8 gasoline

Power output

296 hp combined

Transmission

Hydramatic, 8 forward, 4 reverse

Fuel

420 L

Mobility

Speed

56 km/h on road

30 - 40 km/h off-road

Range

160 km on road

Turn radius

14 m

Power to weight ratio

16.1 hp/t

Obstacle crossing

Ground clearance

0.46 m

Wall

0.9 m

Trench

2.7 m

Gradient

60 %

Fording

1.1 m

Protection

Armor type

Steel

Armor thickness

13mm hull front, sides and rear

13mm superstructure front, sides and rear

Open roof

NBC system

Smoke system

Equipment

Night vision

Fire control

Radio

Yes

Media