M777 howitzer
Encyclopedia : M : M7 : M77 : M777 howitzer
| |||
| M777 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | towed howitzer | ||
| Nationality | United Kingdom | ||
| Era | modern | ||
| Target | general | ||
| History | |||
| Date of design | |||
| Production period | 2004- | ||
| Number built | |||
| Service duration | 2005 - | ||
| Operators | USMC, Canada | ||
| War service | |||
| Specifications | |||
| Carriage | split trail | ||
| Calibre | 155 mm | ||
| Barrel length | 39 calibres | ||
| Weight | 4170 kg | ||
| Ammunition | |||
| Shell weight | 100 lb | ||
| Muzzle velocity | |||
| Range | 25 to 30 km | ||
| Rate of fire | 2 to 5 round/min | ||
| Crew | 7 | ||
The M777 howitzer is a towed artillery piece that is to replace the M198 howitzer in US Marine Corps and US Army service by 2010. The M777 was developed by British BAE Systems Land Systems. It is currently being assessed in trials by the British Army as a candidate for replacing Light Gun in some Regiments.
Design
The M777 is lighter and smaller in size, weighing 9,200 lb (4.2 metric tons), 42% lighter than the M198 it replaces. Most of the weight reduction is due to the use of titanium. The lighter weight and smaller size allows the M777 to be transported by helicopter or truck, allowing it to be moved in and out of the battlefield much quicker than the M198. The smaller size also improves storage efficiency in military warehouses. There is also a reduction in the gun crew size required; from 9 to 7.Although developed by a British company, final assembly is in the USA. BAE System's original, US final assembly partner was United Defense. However in 2005 BAE acquired UDI and hence is responsible for both design and construction (through its US-based Land and Armaments group). The M777 uses about 70% US built parts including the gun barrel. The Canadian Army is also in possession of thiry six M777 and has deployed units in support of combat operations in southern Afghanistan in 2006.
Fielding
In May of 2005, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, became the first Marine unit to begin fielding the new M777.Specifications
As above and:- Length:
- * 30.4 ft (9275 mm) in tow
- * 33.5 ft (10210 mm) firing mode
- Width:
- * 9.1 ft (2770 mm) in tow
- * 12.2 ft (3720 mm) firing mode
- Height: 7.4 ft (2260 mm) in tow
- Barrel life: 2650 firings
- Maximum effective range:
- * conventional ammunition (unassisted): 24.7 km,
- * rocket-assisted projectile: 30 km,
- Rate of fire:
- * 5 round/min, intense
- * 2 round/min, sustained
References
- redirect[[Template:Portal]]
- http://www.machinedesign.com/ASP/strArticleID/56460/strSite/MDSite/viewSelectedArticle.asp
- http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,14632,Soldiertech_M777,,00.html
External links
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/lw155.htm
- http://www.sfu.ca/casr/101-artym777.htm
| BAE Systems plc |
| Corporate Directors: Sue Birley | Phil Carroll | Ulrich Cartellieri | Chris Geoghegan | Michael Hartnall | Michael Lester | Peter Mason | Steve Mogford | Dick Olver | Roberto Quarta | Mark Ronald | George Rose | Mike Turner | Peter Weinberg |
|
Subsidiaries: Airbus UK | BAE Systems Air Systems | BAE Systems Customer Solutions & Support | BAE Systems Insyte | BAE Systems Naval Ships | BAE Systems Regional Aircraft | BAE Systems Submarines | BAE Systems Underwater Systems | MBDA UK BAE Systems Inc.: BAE Systems Customer Solutions | BAE Systems Land and Armaments | BAE Systems Electronics and Integrated Solutions
|
| Joint ventures: Air Astana (49%) | Airbus SAS (20%) | Eurofighter GmbH (33%) | MBDA (37.5%) | Saab (20.5%) | SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems (25%) |
Annual Revenue: .3 billion USD (
FY 2005) | Employees: 100,100 | Stock Symbol: LSE: [BAE] | Website: [www.baesystems.com] |
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