M108 howitzer
| M108 howitzer | |
|---|---|
| File:ROCA M108 howitzer in Armor School Side View 20130302.jpg A Taiwanese M108 self-propelled howitzer | |
| Type | Self-propelled gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1962–1975 |
| Wars | Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors Corp |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 21 t (20 long tons; 20 short tons) |
| Length | 6.11 m (20 ft 1 in) |
| Barrel length | 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) L/30 |
| Width | 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) |
| Height | 3.28 m (10 ft 9 in) |
| Crew | 5 |
| Shell | 105x372R semi-fixed, semi-fixed cartridge |
| Caliber | 105 mm caliber |
| Breech | vertical sliding block |
| Elevation | - 6 to + 75 degrees |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 3-4 rounds/min |
| Effective firing range | Conventional: 11.5 km (7 mi) |
| Armor | 31.8 mm (1 in) |
Main armament | M103 105 mm howitzer (87 rounds) |
Secondary armament | .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun |
| Engine | Detroit Diesel turbocharged 8V-71T 8-cylinders 425 hp (300 kW) |
| Suspension | torsion-bar |
Operational range | 360 km (200 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 56 km/h (30 mph) |
The M108 howitzer is an American self-propelled 105 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s as a replacement for the M52 self-propelled howitzer.[1]
The M108 was powered by a Detroit Diesel turbocharged 8V-71T 8-cylinders 405 hp engine. It used the same hull and turret as the 155 mm M109 self-propelled howitzer, and components of the M113 armored personnel carrier. The M108 was phased out soon after the American intervention in the Vietnam War, as the M109's 155 mm calibre was considered better fitted for modern war.
The M108 was used by several NATO countries.[2]
Operational history
[edit | edit source]The M108 howitzer's sole use in combat occurred in the Vietnam War. M108s equipped the first U.S. Army field artillery unit deployed to the conflict, when the 3-6 Field Artillery Battalion was deployed to Pleiku on June 17, 1966. This was soon followed by the 1-40th Field Artillery Battalion to Dong Ha Combat Base in October, 1966. M108s were generally employed from fortified fire bases providing artillery support to units in the field. Because M108 and M109 howitzers could traverse their main gun 360 degrees, unlike towed artillery, they were ideal for holding fire-base positions, which might be subject to attack from any direction. Both M108 battalions were withdrawn and phased out of U.S. Army service in 1975.[3]
General characteristics
[edit | edit source]
- Length: 6.11 m
- Width: 3.15 m
- Height: 3.28 m
- Weight: 21 t
- Speed: 56 km/h (35 mph)
- Range: 360 km
- Crew: 5
- Armament:
- Primary: M103 105 mm howitzer
- Secondary: .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun
- Rate of fire: 4 rounds/min
- Shooting range: 11.5 km (HE) 15 km (HERA)
Users
[edit | edit source]
Current users
[edit | edit source]- File:Flag of Chile.svg Chile: Chilean Army 21 M108 VBCL (Véhicule Blindé de Commandement et Liaison) (Former Belgian Army).
- File:Flag of Uruguay.svg Uruguay: National Army of Uruguay 10 M108AP.[4]
- File:Flag of Paraguay.svg Paraguay: Paraguayan Army 6 M108AP[5]
Former users
[edit | edit source]- File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia: Lent by US Army for Australian Defence Force during the Vietnam War.
- File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium: Belgian Army: 95,[6] until the 1980s.
- File:Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil: Brazilian Army 72 M108AP, withdrawn,[7] 10 donated to Uruguay.[4] 6 donated to Paraguay.[5]
- File:Flag of Cambodia.svg Cambodia: Khmer National Army: withdrawn[8]
- File:Flag of Spain.svg Spain: Spanish Army: 48, withdrawn
- File:Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan: Republic of China Army: 100
- File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey: Turkish Army: 26 M108T withdrawn[9]
- File:Flag of the United States (23px).png United States: US Army withdrawn.
- File:Flag of Tunisia.svg Tunisia: Tunisian Army 48.
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Comparable weapons
[edit | edit source]- FV433 Abbot SPG - British 105mm SPG
See also
[edit | edit source]- List of U.S. military vehicles by model number
- List of U.S. military vehicles by supply catalog designation SNL G-296
- M7 Priest
- M37 105 mm howitzer motor carriage
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ M108. Military-Today.
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External links
[edit | edit source]- Detailed data
- Olive-Drab.com Archived 2021-12-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Militaryfactory.com
- Forecast International
- [1]