M119 howitzer
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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.
Development
The howitzer was designed and produced by British Royal Ordnance as the L118/L119 Light Gun. In the L118 configuration, the 105 mm projectile and the propelling charge are loaded separately. 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, firing up to 400 rounds per day. The L119 is the L118 reconfigured to fire NATO-standard 105 mm single-piece ammunition.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, Ft 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. It will reach the end of its service life around 2008.
It 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.
General characteristics M119A1
- Weight complete: 4,520 lb (2050 kg)
- Crew: 7
- Maximum range:
- * 11,400 m with charge 7
- * 14,000 m with charge 8
- * 19,000 m with M913 rocket assisted projectile
- Towing vehicle: HMMWV (M1097)
- Elevation:-100 to +1244 mil
- Rate of fire: Max 6 round/min for 2 minutes, 3 round/min sustained for 30 minutes
- Tow speed : 15 mph (24 km/h) in A Frame configuration; When stowed can travel at the maximum rate of the M1097 HMMWV
- Sighting equipment: 3x M90A2 telescope, M137A1 panoramic telescope
Ammunition
The M119A1 fires all standard NATO ammunition as well as special rocket-assisted projectiles, including- M1 High explosive
- M314 Illuminating
- M60/M60A2 White phosphorous (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).
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