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At a glance
Measured figures
M109A5 · Hull
Single sourceM109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · hull length of
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | M109A5 | PCL-181 |
|---|---|---|
| Variant description | M109A5[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5 This modification was also designed for the US Army Reserve, originally planned as an update for all M109A4s under the second phase of the Reserve Component Modified Armament System to bring the range up to the version adopted as M109A6. It was fielded in 1991 in much smaller numbers than originally devised due to the end of the Cold War .[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5 It replaced the 155 mm M185 cannon in an M178 mount with a 39-caliber 155 mm M284 cannon in an M182 mount developed for the M109A3E2 (see below), giving the A5 a maximum range of 22,000 meters with unassisted projectiles and 30,000 meters with rocket-assisted projectile (RAP) rounds. The vehicle can carry 36 complete rounds of ammunition and has a 440 hp engine instead of the standard 405 hp engine.[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5 | — |
| Main armament | M284 155 mm 39 caliber[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5 | PLL-01 155 mm howitzer gun |
M109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · length with gun forward of
Single sourceM109A5 · overall
Single sourcehull length of 20.3 ft[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5
length with gun forward of 32 ft[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5
9.18 m overall[source]M109A5
6.19 m hull[source]M109A5
SH-15
Single source6.5 m (21 ft 4 in) (SH-15)[source]
M109A5 · About combat load (estimate)
Single sourceM109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · combat weight of
Single sourceM109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · empty weight of
Single sourceM109A5 · Weight · M109A5 American 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) · Dimensions
Single sourceempty weight of 52,000 lbs (23.6 metric tons)[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5
combat weight of 55,000 lbs (24.95 metric tons)[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5
55,000 lb (24,948 kg)[source]M109A5 · Dimensions
About 25 t combat load (estimate)[source]M109A5
Mass
Single source25 t (25 long tons; 28 short tons)[source]
Effective; M109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · Excalibur
Single sourceEffective; M109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · HE
Single sourceEffective; M109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · RAP
Single sourceM109A5 · On road
Single sourceM109A5 · with rocket assisted projectiles
Single sourceM109A5 · with unassisted projectiles
Single sourceMaximum; M109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · maximum range of with unassisted projectiles and
Single sourceMaximum; M109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · with rocket-assisted projectile (RAP) rounds
Single sourcemaximum range of 22,000 meters with unassisted projectiles and 30,000 meters with rocket-assisted projectile (RAP) rounds[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5
HE: 21 km (13 mi) RAP : 30 km (19 mi) Excalibur : 40 km (25 mi)[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5
22 km with unassisted projectiles[source]M109A5
30 km with rocket assisted projectiles[source]M109A5
350 km on road[source]M109A5
Effective; conventional projectile
Single sourceMaximum; rocket-assisted projectile
Single sourceM109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · Detroit Diesel 8V71T 8-cylinder water-cooled supercharged diesel engine
Single sourceDetroit Diesel 8V71T 8-cylinder water-cooled supercharged diesel engine 440 hp[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5
440 hp at 2.300 rpm[source]M109A5Source text · numeric interpretation needs review
M109A5 · Caliber · M109A5 American 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) · System
Single sourceM109A5 · Only the source-declared variant M109A5 · caliber
Single sourcecaliber 155 mm[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A5
155 mm[source]M109A5 · System
Caliber
Single source155 mm (6.1 in)[source]
SH-15
Single source4–6 rounds/min (SH-15)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Source measurement | M109A5[source]M109A5 · System Self-Propelled Howitzer[source]M109A5 · System 1993-Present[source]M109A5 · System 5 (chief of section, gunner, assistant gunner, No. 1 cannoneer and driver)[source]M109A5 · System · units: ea INA[source]M109A5 · System INA[source]M109A5 · System This variant has an improved M178 mounting, boresight alignment driver and selected RAM and safety kits, which included a fuel system air purge; driver's instrument panel; bustle/rack; propellant stowage; torsion bar; counter-recoil buffer; and upper recoil cylinder. The designation also applies to retrofitted models.[source]M109A5 · System 6.19 m[source]M109A5 · Dimensions 9.12 m[source]M109A5 · Dimensions 3.28 m[source]M109A5 · Dimensions 3.28 m[source]M109A5 · Dimensions INA[source]M109A5 · Dimensions 1 x General Motors 8V-71T LHR, 9310cc, 2-cycle diesel[source]M109A5 · Automotive · Engine Name V-8 diesel[source]M109A5 · Automotive · Engine Type 440 hp[source]M109A5 · Automotive · units: hp · Engine Power 17.96 hp/ton[source]M109A5 · Automotive · Power-to-Weight Ratio Allison ATD-XTG 411-4A, 4 forward and 2 reverse gears[source]M109A5 · Automotive · Transmission 354[source]M109A5 · Automotive · units: km · Range 56[source]M109A5 · Automotive · units: km/h · Speed, Maximum Road INA[source]M109A5 · Automotive · Speed, Average Cross Not Amphibious[source]M109A5 · Automotive · Speed Maximum Swim 30[source]M109A5 · Automotive · units: % · Side Slope 60[source]M109A5 · Automotive · units: % · Gradient 0.53[source]M109A5 · Automotive · units: m · Vertical Step 1.83[source]M109A5 · Automotive · units: m · Trench 1.07[source]M109A5 · Automotive · units: m · Fording Depth 135 gal (511 liters)[source]M109A5 · Automotive · Fuel Capacity The M109A5 offers upgraded components providing greater durability. It has a higher horsepower low heat rejection (LHR) engine and an improved transmission for increased performance.[source]M109A5 · Automotive · Note The elevation/equilibrium cylinder and turret traverse clutch assembly are redesigned to prevent failures.[source]M109A5 · Main Gun INA[source]M109A5 · Fire Control Fire-control equipment includes an elbow telescope M118C for direct fire with a magnification of 4x and 10-degree field of view; panoramic telescope M117 for indirect fire and gunner's quadrant M1A1.[source]M109A5 · Fire Control INA[source]M109A5 · Fire Control INA[source]M109A5 · Fire Control Yes[source]M109A5 · Fire Control Yes[source]M109A5 · Fire Control It has an all weather ballistic shield mounted over the panoramic telescope; counterbalanced travel lock and provisions for mounting the M140 alignment device.[source]M109A5 · Fire Control Maximum 20-mm light alloy aluminum, small-arms and artillery fragment protection[source]M109A5 · Protection The turret takes up the rear. On top of the turret, there is a small cupola, from which the commander operates. This cupola is also fitted with a 12.7 mm (.50) M2HB heavy machine gun.[source]M109A5 · Protection INA[source]M109A5 · Protection INA[source]M109A5 · Protection INA[source]M109A5 · Protection INA[source]M109A5 · Protection INA[source]M109A5 · Protection Ventilated face Piece System (VFPS)[source]M109A5 · Protection INA[source]M109A5 · Protection CO2 fire extinguisher system in crew and engine compartments[source]M109A5 · Protection | — |
|---|
| Manufacturer | developed by the ground system division of United Defense LP (now BAE Systems Land and Armaments) and manufactured at the Paladin Production Operation centre at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania[source]M109A5 · System BAe Systems Inc.[source]M109A5 · M109A5 · Overview · Producer · United States | Norinco[source] |
|---|
| Chassis | The M108 and M109 shared a common chassis (along with the M113 APC), but the M109 was heavier and had a larger gun. The M108 proved unsuccessful, mainly due to its overly light gun.[source]M109A5 · System | — |
|---|
| Suspension | torsion bar, 7 road wheels, front drive, rear idler, no return rollers (all models except PIM). The suspension system has been strengthened and an external NATO power receptacle allows the M109A5 to be electrically powered by the M992 field artillery ammunition support vehicle (FAASV).[source]M109A5 · Automotive · Suspension Torsion bar[source]M109A5 | hydropneumatic suspension[source] |
|---|
| Country of origin | United States[source]M109A5 United States[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Producer | United States - BAe Systems Inc.[source]M109A5 · M109A5 · Overview · Producer | — |
|---|
| Type | Self-propelled howitzer[source]M109A5 155mm M284 L/39 howitzer[source]M109A5 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun[source]M109A5 | Self-propelled howitzer[source] |
|---|
| Mount | M182 mount[source]M109A5 Pintle mount on turret roof[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Ammunition | 34 or 36 rounds[source]M109A5 500 rounds, 100 ready to fire[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Elevation | -3° to +75°, manual and hydraulic[source]M109A5 | Around 20° to 70° (except for front due to cab)[source] |
|---|
| Elevation rate | 7°/s[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Traverse | 360°, manual and hydraulic[source]M109A5 Manual traverse and elevation[source]M109A5 | 360°[source] |
|---|
| Traverse rate | 11°/s[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Stabilizer | No[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Chassis type | Tracked chassis, 7 roadhweels[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Layout | Drive sprocket front, idler rear[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Tread | 2.77 m[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Track width | 0.38 m[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Length on ground | 3.96 m[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Ground pressure | 0.83 kg/cm²[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Engine model | Detroit Diesel 8V71T LHR[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Engine type | Water-cooled supercharged V8 diesel[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Transmission | Allison XTG-411-4A[source]M109A5 4 forward, 2 reverse[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Fuel | 511 L[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Turn radius | Pivot[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Power to weight ratio | 17.6 hp/t (estimate)[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Ground clearance | 0.45 m[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Wall | 0.5 m[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Trench | 1.8 m[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Gradient | 60 %[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Slope | 30 %[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Fording | 1.1 m unprepared[source]M109A5 Amphibious with preparation and flotation devices[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Armor type | Aluminum hull and turret[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Armor thickness | 32 mm hull all around[source]M109A5 32 mm turret all around[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| NBC system | Yes[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Smoke system | No[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Night vision | Yes[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Fire control | M117 panoramic telescope for indirect fire[source]M109A5 M118C for direct fire, 4x magnification with 10° field of view[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Radio | Yes[source]M109A5 | — |
|---|
| Place of origin | — | China[source] |
|---|
| In service | — | 2019–present[source] |
|---|
| Used by | — | See § Operators[source] |
|---|
| Wars | — | 2025 India–Pakistan conflict[source] |
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| Designer | — | Nanjing University of Science and Technology[source] |
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| Barrels | — | 52 caliber[source] |
|---|
| Breech | — | Semi-automatic vertical wedge type breech block[source] |
|---|
| Engine | — | diesel[source] |
|---|
| Drive | — | 6×6[source] |
|---|
| Barrel length | — | 52 caliber[source]PCL-181; main howitzer barrel |
|---|
| Reported operators | — |
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