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155mm M777


Ultralight Field Howitzer


Overview


155mm M777

US Marines firing a 155mm M777 towed howitzer during training in the USA in 2005.
Source: US Marine Corps - © Public domain

Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Towed howitzer
Entered service
2005
Status
In service
Development
1986 - 1990
Developer
United Kingdom - Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering
Production
2002 - present
Producer
United Kingdom - BAe Systems
United States - Watervliet Arsenal / BAe Systems
India - Mahindra Defence
Number produced
Over 1.300 (including orders)
Designations
Ultralight Field Howitzer | UFH
M777 (US service)
XM777 Prototype
Notable users
United States - Army and USMC
India

Description


Introduction

The M777 is a modern towed howitzer of UK origin. It was developed to meet a US requirement in the late 1980's. The private venture was known as the Ultralight Field Howitzer (UFH) before type standardized as the M777 in the USA. Due to large acquisitions from the US Army and US Marine Corps the majority of the M777 is produced and assembled in the USA.

Design

The key aspect of the M777 is its lightweight design making extensive use of titanium. It is based on a turntable stabilized by four outriggers, of which two have the main wheels fitted. The 39-caliber 155mm howitzer is housed in a large lightweight cradle. When introduced the M777 used conventional optical control. The vast majority of M777 feature a kind of digital fire control system, reducing time to action. The default crew for the M777 is seven, but as little as five can operate it successfully.

Firepower

The M777 fires a range of 155mm NATO artillery shells, including the M982 Excalibur GPS guided shell. The maximum rate of fire is 4 rpm, with sustained fire at 2 rpm. The maximum range is 30 km with base bleed shells, 24.7 km with regular non-assisted shells and 40 km with Excalibur.

Mobility

The M777 is a lightweight system for a 155mm howitzer. The M777 is usually moved into position using a 6x6 tactical truck such as MTVR and FMTV, which also carries the ammunition and gun crew. Alternatively it can be lifted as external load by a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter.

Users

The M777 is a British design that adopted in quantity by the US military with production mostly switching over to the USA. Of about 1.300 M777 about 1.000 are in US service. Others are used by the UK, Canada, Australia and Saudi Arabia. Recently India selected the M777 including local production by Mahindra.

Variants


155mm M777A2

US soldiers firing a 155mm M777A2 towed howitzer in Afghanistan in 2012.
Source: US Army - © Public domain

List of M777 variants

M777
Original production model with optical fire control.
M777 LINAPS
Upgrade of Canadian M777 with LINAPS digital gun laying system.
M777A1
US production model with digital fire control similar to M109A6 Paladin.
M777A2
Upgrade of M777A1 fire control system. Includes ability to fire Excalibur guided munitions.
M777ER
US development as part of the ERCA program. Features new 58-caliber ordnance and rocked assisted projectile for ranges over 64 km.

Details


Facts M777
General
Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Towed howitzer
Crew
7, but can be operated by 5
Dimensions - Travel configuration
Weight
4.2 t
Length
10.58 m
Width
2.59 m
Height
2.34 m
Dimensions - Firing configuration
Weight
4.2 t
Length
10.24 m
Width
3.72 m
Height
1.22 m with ordnance horizontal
Ordnance
Type
155mm L/39 howitzer
Ammunition
155mm NATO
Barrel length
6.10 m
Muzzle brake
Yes, double baffle
Muzzle velocity
827 m/s maximum
Elevation
-3° to +71°
Traverse
23° left and 23° right
Fire control
Sights
Optical sights for indirect and direct fire
Fire control computer
Digital fire control on M777A1 and A2
Optional LINAPS system
Firepower
Rate of fire
4 rpm maximum
2 rpm sustained
Range
24.7 km with regular shells
30 km with based bleed shells
40 km with Excalibur shell
Carriage
Type
2 wheel split trail carriage
Limber
No
Gun shield
No
Tread
2.30 m
Ground clearance
0.66 m
Mobility
Towing vehicle
2.5 ton 4x4 light truck
Towed speed
88 km/h on paved road
50 km/h cross country
Autonomous mobility
No
APU
No

Media


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The M777 was acquired by US forces to replace the older M198 towed howitzer.