M119 howitzer

All you want to know about M119 howitzer

For other uses, see M119 (disambiguation).
M119 howitzer

M119 Howitzer being fired as part of an exercise near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan
Type Towed howitzer
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history
Used by U.S. Armed Forces
Production history
Manufacturer Royal Ordnance Factories
Variants M119, M119A1, M119A2
Specifications (M119A1)
Weight 4,690 lbs
(2,127 kilograms)
Crew 7
Caliber 105 mm (4.13 in)
Elevation -100 to +1244 mil
Rate of fire 8 rounds/min max; 3 rounds/min sustained
Maximum range 11,400m (charge 7); 14,000m (charge 8); 19,500m (M913 rocket assisted projectile)
Sights 3x M90A2 telescope, M137A1 panoramic telescope

The M119 A1 Howitzer is a lightweight howitzer used by the United States Army. It can be easily airlifted, even by helicopter, or dropped by parachute. It does not need a recoil pit.

Contents

Development

The howitzer was designed and produced by the British Royal Ordnance Factories as the L118/L119 Light Gun. In the L118 configuration, the 105 mm projectile and the propelling charge are semi-fixed. The L118 entered service with the British Army in 1975 and is used by the Parachute and Commando Field Artillery Regiments. It saw combat during the Falklands War, where the 30 guns in action fired up to 400 rounds per gun per day, mostly at "Charge Super" i.e. the most powerful propellant charge available. The L119 is the L118 reconfigured to fire NATO-standard 105 mm single-piece ammunition.

105mm howitzer being fired by National Guardsmen in Washington State

In 1987 an agreement was reached to produce the L119 under license as the M119, to replace the M102 howitzer. It entered service with 7th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, California, in December 1989. Some improvements were made to produce the M119A1, including increasing its extreme low temperate envelope from -30 C to -45C, adding a US digital fire control system, and improving maintainability.The army has renewed contracts for the M119 to be produced by the J.M.T.C. Arsenal at Rock Island, Illinois into the year 2013.

The M119 is currently fielded with all Regular Army light divisions, including the 10th Mountain, 25th Infantry, 82nd Airborne, and 101st Airborne Divisions, as well as certain National Guard field artillery battalions. It is routinely airdropped in airborne operations and slingloaded under Chinook or Blackhawk helicopters in air assault operations.

Ammunition

M119 in the Iraq War

The M119A1 fires all standard NATO ammunition as well as special rocket-assisted projectiles, including

  • M1 High explosive
  • M314 Illuminating
  • M60/M60A2 White phosphorus (smoke)
  • M913 HERA Range: 19.5 km
  • M760 HE Range: 14.5 km

Variants

  • M119 Original copy of the L119
    • M119A1 Minor improvements, including fire control and maintenance.
    • M119A2 Improved sight package consisting of telescope (M90A3) or panoramic telescope (M137A2).

External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M119_howitzer"

No comments have been added.



Your name:

City:

Country:

Your comments:

Security check *
(Please enter the number into adjoining box)

 
up to content ยป

  • Ads

           
eXTReMe Tracker