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105mm M101


105mm Howitzer M2


Overview

105mm M101A1

105mm M101A1 towed howitzer on public display in Taiwan in 2012.
Source: Gen Shio - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
United States
Type
Towed howitzer
Entered service
1940
Status
In service
Development
1919 - 1939
Developer
Rock Island Arsenal
Production
1940 - 1953
Producer
United States - Rock Island Arsenal
Number produced
10.202 in total, of which 8.536 during WW2
Designations
C1 (M2A1 in Canadian service)
HM-2 (French service)
Haubitze M1A2 (Austrian service)
Type 58 (M101A1 in Japanese service)
Notable users
United States

Description

Introduction

The M101 is a 105mm towed howitzer of US origin. Under the original designation M2 it was widely used during World War 2. It is a further development of the horse-drawn Howitzer M1. In 1962 this system was renamed the M101. After the war it was supplemented by the M102, until it was fully replaced.

Design

The M101 uses a two wheel split trail carriage. The 22-caliber 105mm gun uses a hydropneumatic recoil mechanism and has no muzzle brake. A metal shield protects the crew of 8 against small arms fire and shell splinters over the frontal arc.

Firepower

The M101 fires its own range of 105mm ammunition, which has become the NATO standard for 105mm howitzer ammunition. The maximum range is 11.5 km with standard ammunition and 15.1 km with rocket assisted ammunition. The maximum rate of fire is 10 rounds per minute, which is reduced to 3 rpm during sustained fire.

Mobility

A 2.5 ton 6x6 truck is used to tow the gun and to carry the crew and ammunition. The lighter M102 was developed for increased mobility.

Users

The main user of the M101 was the United States. Over time many M101 became surplus to requirements they were exported to many nations with close ties to the USA. As such it was one of the predominant towed howitzers in the Cold War era. Most NATO nations used the M101, but nowadays most have been replaced. It remains in active use in South America, Africa and Asia.

Variants

M101A1

A M101A1 howitzer with large gunshield compared to M101.
Source: Modly - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

105mm M2 on carriage M2
First production model of the M2. Produced only in 1940.
105mm M2A1 on carriage M2
Improved model with modified breech ring.
105mm M2A1 on carriage M2A1
Improved carriage lacking the electric brakes on the M2 carriage.
105mm M2A1 on carriage M2A2
This version has a carriage with larger shield that provides more protection and increases weight.
M101
Post-war designation of M2A1 on carriage M2A1.
M101A1
Post-war designation of M2A1 on carriage M2A2.

Details

Facts M101 M101A1
General
Origin
United States
Type
Towed howitzer
Crew
8
Dimensions
Weight
2.030 kg
Length
5.99 m
Width
2.15 m
Height
1.52 m
Ordnance
Type
105mm 22-caliber ordnance
Barrel length
2.31 m
Muzzle brake
No
Muzzle velocity
472 m/s
Elevation
-5° to +65°
Traverse
46°
Firepower
Rate of fire
10 rpm maximum
3 rpm sustained
Range
11.2 km with M1 HE shell
Carriage
Type
2 wheel split-trail carriage
Limber
No
Track
1.78 m
Gun shield
Yes
Mobility
Towing vehicle
6x6 truck
Autonomous mobility
Too heavy to be manhandled

Media

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