M109A5
Overview
M109A5Ö
Latvian soldiers training on Austrian M109A5Ö in 2017.
Source: Gatis Indrēvics -
© CC BY-SA 4.0
Egypt
Description
Introduction
The M109A5 is a modern era self-propelled howitzer of US origin. The A5 was developed as a cost-effective upgrade to existing M109A1 to A4 for the US Army Reserve using some components from the development project of the M109A6 Paladin. The M109A5 was developed during the later states of the Cold War, and the fall of the Soviet Union led to much less vehicles being adopted than planned. In the decades that followed the A5 did prove an export success. Entering service in the early 1990's, the M109A5 was both produced as new vehicles and as upgrade of existing M109s.
Design
The M109A5 was designed as an upgrade over the M109A4 with the new longer range ordnance and gun mount of the M109A6 Paladin and has the same engine and transmission upgrades. Most other M109A6 upgrades are lacking, and the larger six men crew is retained.
Protection
The hull and turret are made of welded aluminum, with a thickness of 32 mm. This provides protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. The M109A5 if often operated under full armor protection and includes NBC protection. During sustained fire some of the crew members work behind the vehicle, feeding shells and charges through the rear hatches.
Firepower
The M109A5 is fitted with the 155mm M284 L/39 howitzer. While it has the same barrel length as the earlier M184, it can use higher pressure charges to extend the range of existing projectiles. Maximum range is 22 km with unassisted projectiles and 30 km with rocket assisted projectiles. Maximum rate of fire is 4 rpm. Normal rate of fire is 2 rpm and 1 rpm for sustained fire. For self-defense a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is fitted at the commander's cupola.
Mobility
The M109A5 has the uprated Detroit Diesel 8V71T LHR engine. This produces 440 hp instead of 405 hp previously. The updated Allison XTG-411-4A transmission is fitted. Multiple sources indicate that the maximum speed is still 56 km/h, instead of the 64 km/h given for the M109A6 Paladin with the same engine and transmission, and this may be incorrect.
Users
The M109A5 was originally intended to be acquired by the US Army in much larger numbers than turned out in practice due to the end of the Cold War. While the acquisition of 950 M109A6 Paladin was retained, the projected numbers of M109A5 were slashed significantly. Over time many export sales of M109A5 to US allies took place. Most commonly as upgrade kist of existing vehicles, but also in smaller quantities of new production vehicles. The A5 was a less costly upgrade than the A6, which was also not available for export for several decades.
Details
Media
M109A5
Spanish army M109A5 self-propelled howitzer landing on a beach during an amphibious exercise in 2001.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
M109A5
Moroccan army M109A5 self-propelled howitzer seen during a live fire exercise in 2012.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
M109A5Ö
Two Latvian army M109A5Ö self-propelled howitzers seen in a firing position during an exercise in 2017.
Source: Latvijas Televīzija
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
Related articles
M109A4
The M109A5 is an upgrade package over the M109A4 and earlier M109 models.
M109A6 Paladin
The M109A5 uses the M284 ordnance of the M109A6, but is a less extensive redesign.