Credit
Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley / US Army · Public domain · WebP conversion · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified
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At a glance
Measured figures
M109A6 Paladin · Hull
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin · hull length of
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | M109A6 Paladin | Palmaria (artillery) |
|---|---|---|
| Variant description | M109A6 Paladin[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin Also originating in the Division Weapon Support System study in early 1980s, the Howitzer Improvement Program was devised as a more extensive modernization than the Howitzer Extended Life Program. The vehicle was originally designed as M109A3E2 before being adopted as M109A6 and is now better known as Paladin (M109A3E3 was to feature a longer barrel but was not adopted).[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin The Paladin model has improvements in the areas of survivability, RAM, and armament. This includes increased armor, a redesigned internal arrangement for safer ammunition and equipment storage, engine and suspension upgrades, and improvement of the M284 Cannon and M182A1 Mount. The greatest difference is the integration of an inertial navigation system, sensors detecting the weapons' lay, automation, and an encrypted digital communication system, which utilizes computer controlled frequency-hopping to avoid enemy electronic warfare and allow the howitzer to send grid location and altitude to the battery Fire Direction Center (FDC) .[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin The battery FDCs coordinates fire through a battalion or higher FDC. This allows the Paladin to halt from the move and fire within 30 seconds, with an accuracy equivalent to the previous models when properly emplaced, laid, and safed—a process that previously required several minutes under the best of circumstances. Tactically, this improves the system's survivability by allowing the battery to operate dispersed in pairs across the countryside, and allowing the howitzer to quickly move between salvos, or if attacked by indirect fire, aircraft, or ground forces. |
M109A6 Paladin · Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin · length with gun forward of
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · overall
Single sourcehull length of 20.3 ft[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin
length with gun forward of 32 ft[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin
9.75 m overall[source]M109A6 Paladin
6.89 m hull[source]M109A6 Paladin
Length
Single source11.474 m (37 ft 8 in)[source]
M109A6 Paladin · combat load
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · Dimensions · M109A6 Paladin
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin · combat weight of
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin · non-combat weight of
Single sourcenon-combat weight of 56,400 lbs (25.6 metric tons)[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin
combat weight of 62,000 lbs to 63,615 lbs (28.1 metric tons to 28.9 metric tons)[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin
28,848 kg[source]M109A6 Paladin · Dimensions
28.8 t combat load[source]M109A6 Paladin
Mass
Single source46,632 kg (102,590 lb)[source]
M109A6 Paladin · commander, driver, gunner, loader
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin · commander, driver, gunner, loader
Single source4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin
4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)[source]M109A6 Paladin
Crew
Single sourceEffective; M109A6 Paladin · Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin · Excalibur
Single sourceEffective; M109A6 Paladin · Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin · HE
Single sourceEffective; M109A6 Paladin · Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin · RAP
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · On road
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · with rocket assisted projectiles
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · with unassisted projectiles
Single sourceHE: 21 km (13 mi) RAP : 30 km (19 mi) Excalibur : 40 km (25 mi)[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin
22/30 (km)[source]M109A6 Paladin · High Explosive / Rocket Assisted Projectile
22/30 (km)[source]M109A6 Paladin · High Explosive / Rocket Assisted Projectile
22 km with unassisted projectiles[source]M109A6 Paladin
30 km with rocket assisted projectiles[source]M109A6 Paladin
350 km on road[source]M109A6 Paladin
Operational; Operational range
Single source400 km (250 miles)[source]
M109A6 Paladin · at 2.300 rpm
Single sourceM109A6 Paladin · Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin · 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 M109A6 Paladin
440 hp at 2.300 rpm[source]M109A6 Paladin
MTU MB 837 8-cylinder diesel engine
Single sourceMTU MB 837 8-cylinder diesel engine 750 PS (740 hp, 552 kW)[source]
M109A6 Paladin · System · M109A6 Paladin
Single source155 mm[source]M109A6 Paladin · System
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
Ammunition storage of 155 mm rounds was increased from 36 to 39.[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin
Developed from 1984, it was adopted in 1990 with original plans to field the weapon in 1991 later slipping to 1992 and finally to 1993. The US Army received the last of 950 Paladins it had ordered in June 1999. Seven further Paladins were ordered for the National Guard in July 2000, with an additional eighteen received in January 2002. In May 2022, the US Army began shipping its M109A6 Paladins for refitting to the M109A7 standard in order to begin the process of modernization.[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin
| — |
| Main armament | M284 155 mm 39 caliber[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin | 155 mm L/41 howitzer (30 rounds)[source] |
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| Transmission | Allison Transmission XTG-411-4[source]Only the source-declared variant M109A6 Paladin Allison XTG-411-4A[source]M109A6 Paladin 4 forward, 2 reverse[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Country of origin | United States[source]Inventory Origin column; table 3, row 3, cell 5; revision 1377059256 United States[source]M109A6 Paladin United States[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Source measurement | M109A6 Paladin[source]M109A6 Paladin · System Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)[source]M109A6 Paladin · System 4[source]M109A6 Paladin · System · units: ea INA[source]M109A6 Paladin · System According to United Defense, the Paladin can move from road march to firing status in one minute. Response time while in firing position is less than 30 seconds. These reaction times give Paladin a true "shoot-and-scoot" capability. The Paladin's travel lock, a front-mounted bracket that steadies the long barrel during vehicle movement, has been modified to enable remote operation.[source]M109A6 Paladin · System The Paladin consists of 1,900 parts. Major components include a low-heat rejection engine from Detroit Diesel; Honeywell navigation/positioning system; and an Alliant Techsystems automatic fire-control system (AFCS).[source]M109A6 Paladin · System 6.81 m[source]M109A6 Paladin · Dimensions 9.68 m[source]M109A6 Paladin · Dimensions 3.24 m[source]M109A6 Paladin · Dimensions 3.92 m[source]M109A6 Paladin · Dimensions 3.62 m[source]M109A6 Paladin · Dimensions 3.27 m[source]M109A6 Paladin · Dimensions 0.95 kg/cm sq[source]M109A6 Paladin · Dimensions 3.96 m[source]M109A6 Paladin · Dimensions 1 x DDC 8V-71T[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive V-8 diesel[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive 440 hp[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive · units: hp 15.25 hp/metric ton[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive Allison ATD-XTG 411-2A (A3) or 411-4 with quick disconnect powershift crossdrive, 4 forward and 2 reverse gears[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive 503 liters[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive 344[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive · units: km 64[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive · units: km/h INA[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive Not Amphibious[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive 30[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive · units: % 60[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive · units: % 0.53[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive · units: m 1.83[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive · units: m 1.07[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive · units: m Torsion bar, 7 road wheels, front drive, rear idler, no return rollers (all models except PIM). An upgraded suspension has longer torsion bars and hydro pneumatic bump stops to handle the greater vehicle weight.[source]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive 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]M109A6 Paladin · Automotive The elevation/equilibrium cylinder and turret traverse clutch assembly are redesigned to prevent failures.[source]M109A6 Paladin · Main Gun Alliant Techsystems automatic fire-control system (AFCS).[source]M109A6 Paladin · Fire Control Yes, The AFCS has a ballistic computer/weapon controller, power conditioner and an inertial reference navigation systems/dynamic reference unit based on the modular azimuth positioning system (MAPS) using ring laser gyro on-board land navigation. The AFCS permits 0.6 mi. (1 km) separation between vehicles, improving gun battery survivability.[source]M109A6 Paladin · Fire Control INA[source]M109A6 Paladin · Fire Control INA[source]M109A6 Paladin · Fire Control Yes[source]M109A6 Paladin · Fire Control Yes[source]M109A6 Paladin · 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]M109A6 Paladin · Fire Control 5083 aluminum with composite spall liners and supplemental armor.[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection The turret is fitted with Kevlar anti-spall lining[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection DuPont Kevlar armor has been added to the Paladin, forming an inner lining of the cab, roof and crew compartment sides. Rolled homogeneous steel armor is fitted over the driver's compartment and on the rear of the bustle.[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection INA[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection INA[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection INA[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection INA[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection MCS system[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection No[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection Automatic. Improved protection also includes the segmentation of hydraulic lines and the use of a Halon fire-suppression system. The hydraulic system, which is distributed in the A3, has been centralized in the Paladin. The Halon system is intended to snuff out internal fires in less than 0.25 sec. In addition, a microclimate cooling system has been added to improve the working environment and protect against the effects of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare. Projectile stowage has been placed lower in the hull to reduce threat of secondary explosions from counter-battery fires.[source]M109A6 Paladin · Protection | The Palmaria is an Italian self-propelled howitzer using the 155 mm (6.1″) NATO -standard artillery calibre.[source]Palmaria (artillery) · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The primary armament is a 155 mm howitzer, with a secondary 7.62 mm machine gun or 12.7 mm machine gun on anti-aircraft mount and four 76 mm forward-facing smoke grenade dischargers on either side of the turret. The howitzer has an automatic loading system, providing a rate of fire of one round every 15 seconds or a burst-fire rate of three rounds every 25 seconds. The loader has 23 ready rounds, with seven more rounds stored in the hull. Including manual reloading of the charge, the overall firing rate is normally one round per minute for one hour. Intense firing is four rounds in one minute. Sustained fire is one round every three minutes for an indefinite period. A wide variety of 155 mm munitions are available, including specially developed Simmel rounds with a range of 24.7 km and rocket-assisted ones with a range of 30 km.[source]Palmaria (artillery) · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The turret is hydraulic with manual backup, and has 360 degree rotation with elevation limits of -4 to +70 degrees. It has its own auxiliary power supply which conserves fuel for the main engine.[source]Palmaria (artillery) · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Palmaria is powered by a 750 hp MTU MB 837 Ea-500 (or 1,000 hp Ka-500) 4-stroke, turbocharged, 8-cylinder multifuel engine coupled to a Renk RK 304 transmission. The Palmaria has torsion bar suspension with seven roadwheels and five return rollers on either side. The drive sprocket is located at the rear while the adjustable idler sprocket is at the front.[source]Palmaria (artillery) · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage |
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| 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]M109A6 Paladin · System | OTO Melara[source] |
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| 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]M109A6 Paladin · System | — |
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| Type | Self-propelled howitzer[source]M109A6 Paladin 155mm M284 L/39 howitzer[source]M109A6 Paladin 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun[source]M109A6 Paladin | Self-propelled howitzer[source] |
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| Mount | M182A1 mount[source]M109A6 Paladin Pintle mount on turret roof[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Ammunition | 39 rounds[source]M109A6 Paladin 500 rounds, 100 ready to fire[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Elevation | -3° to +75°, manual and hydraulic[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Elevation rate | 7°/s[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Traverse | 360°, manual and hydraulic[source]M109A6 Paladin 360°, manual[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Traverse rate | 11°/s[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Stabilizer | No[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Chassis type | Tracked chassis, 7 roadhweels[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Layout | Drive sprocket front, idler rear[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Tread | 2.77 m[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Track width | 0.38 m[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Length on ground | 3.96 m[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Ground pressure | 0.83 kg/cm²[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Suspension | Torsion bar[source]M109A6 Paladin | torsion bar[source] |
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| Engine model | Detroit Diesel 8V71T LHR[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Engine type | Water-cooled supercharged V8 diesel[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Fuel | 503 L[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Turn radius | Pivot[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Power to weight ratio | 15.3 hp/t[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Ground clearance | 0.43 m[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Wall | 0.5 m[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Trench | 1.8 m[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Gradient | 60 %[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Slope | 30 %[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Fording | 1.1 m unprepared[source]M109A6 Paladin Amphibious with preparation and flotation devices[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Armor type | Aluminum hull and turret[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Armor thickness | 32 mm hull all around[source]M109A6 Paladin 32 mm turret all around[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| NBC system | Yes[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Smoke system | No[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Night vision | Yes[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Fire control | M117A2 panoramic telescope for indirect fire[source]M109A6 Paladin M118C for direct fire, 4x magnification with 10° field of view[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Radio | Yes[source]M109A6 Paladin | — |
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| Place of origin | — | Italy[source] |
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| Used by | — | See Operators[source] |
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| Wars | — | Chadian–Libyan War First Libyan Civil War Second Libyan Civil War[source] |
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| Produced | — | 1977–1986[source] |
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| No. built | — | 235[source] |
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| Secondary armament | — | 1x 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun in pintle mount[source] |
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| Power/weight | — | 16.1 PS/tonne[source] |
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| Name | — | Palmaria[source]Palmaria (artillery) · literal own first infobox identity; no named upgrade or fitted configuration inferred |
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| Reported operators | — |
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Libya was the first country outside Italy to adopt the Palmaria, initially ordering 210 in 1982. Their army's artillery strength in 2004 included 160 Palmaria. Several were destroyed during the First Libyan civil war as a result of multinational military intervention .[source]Palmaria (artillery) · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage