M109

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Land of origin:

• United States

Dimensions:

• Length: 9.12 m
• Width: 3.15 m
• Height: 3.28 m
• Ground clearance: 0.45 m
• Weight: 23.586 kg (empty) / 24.948 kg (combat loaded)

 Crew:                       

• 6 persons (2 loaders, 1 gunner, 1 assistant gunner, 1 commander, 1 driver)

 Main armament (Howitzer M185, 155mm with gun mount M178):

• Caliber: 155mm L – 39 caliber
• Max Range: 18,50 to 23,50 km
• Max fire rate: 3 rounds first 20 seconds, 6 rounds first minute (SAL)

• Elevation: -5° to 75°
• Travers: 360°

Secondary armament:

• Machine gun: caliber .50 (M2 Heavy Barrel)
• Panoramic telescope M117

 Mobility:

• Engine: Detroit Diesel 8V-71Turbo
• Transmission: Allison XTG411-series
• Speed: 64 km/h
• Range: 349 km
• Fuel content: 133 gallons – 502,74 liters
• Tracks: Diehl (model 109.2)

STANDARD UPGRADES M109A2/A3 to M109A4

NBC/RAM

• The installation of “Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical/Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability” product improvement kits.
• Air purifier and heaters are mounted in the cab for thecrew.

Hydraulic traversing mechanism

• The traversing mechanism is operated with a hydraulic clutch instead of an electric.
• A clutch valve with override valve provides for power traversing in the event of an electrical failure to the clutch valve solenoid.

Electrical improvements

• A combat override switch allows emergency starting.
• The 100 amp alternator has been replaced by a 180 amp alternator.

Subfloor drains

• Crew compartment subfloor drains have been added

SPECIFIC BELGIAN UPGRADES

SAL: Semi Automatic Loader with Breech Activating Device

• (BAD) and Temperature Measurement System (TMS)
• The SAL increases the firing rate to 3 rounds within the first 20 seconds and a total of 6 rounds within the first minute.
• In addition a Breech Activating Device (BAD) makes sure that the breech is closed and opened in any position (elevation) of the canon.
• A Temperature Measurement Sensor helps the crew to recognize a “cook off” of a propellant charge.

MHS: Metric Hydraulic System

• The MHS consists of standardized elements with metric measures.
• All tubes and connections are in Cr-Ni Alloy for better flow and low maintenance.

APU: Auxiliary Power Unit

• The APU that provides 1.2Kw at 28VDC improves the availability of the M109 and conserves battery power.
• With the main engine switched off the M109 howitzer is still operational.

SSPC: Stowage System Propellant Charges

• The SSPC enables the crew to store in a very safe way 38 propellant charges in the howitzer.