M119 howitzer vs Ordnance QF 25-pounder

M119 howitzer and crew during live-fire qualification — licensed reference photograph

AArtillery

M119 howitzer

Towed field gun

Credit

Gertrud Zach · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified

Ordnance QF 25-pounder — licensed reference photograph

BArtillery

Ordnance QF 25-pounder

Field gun Gun-howitzer

Credit

Nhl4hamilton · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

Measured figures

Head to head

18 of 67 rows sourced on both sides

—

4.6mmuzzle to towing eye

Length

All recorded figures & sources

4.6 m

muzzle to towing eye

Single source

4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) muzzle to towing eye^[source]

1.78m

2.13mat wheel hubs

Width

All recorded figures & sources

1.78 m

Width

Single source

5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)^[source]

2.13 m

at wheel hubs

Single source

2.13 m (7 ft) at wheel hubs^[source]

2.21mCombat

1.16mtrunnion height

HeightScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

2.21 m

Combat

Single source

1.37 m

Travel

Single source

Combat: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) Travel: 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m)^[source]

1.16 m

trunnion height

Single source

1.16 m (3 ft 10 in) trunnion height^[source]

2.3tWith BII

1.6t

Mass

All recorded figures & sources

630 kg

Cannon alone

Single source

1,936 kg

Combat

Single source

2,320 kg

With BII

Single source

2,130 kg

Without BII

Single source

With BII: 5,110 lb (2,320 kg) Without BII: 4,690 lb (2,130 kg) Cannon alone: 1,389 lb (630 kg) Combat: 4,268 lb (1,936 kg)^[source]

1,633 kg

Mass

Single source

1,633 kg (3,600 lb)^[source]

5–7people

Crew

All recorded figures & sources

5–7 people

Crew

Single source

5 to 7^[source]

6 people

Crew

Single source

6^[source]

20kmMaximum; Charge 7

12kmMaximum; HE shell

RangeScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

19.5 km

Maximum; Charge 7

Single source

17.5 km

Maximum; Charge 7 Charge 8 (with RAP)

Single source

Charge 7: 17,500 m (10.9 mi) Charge 8 (with RAP): 19,500 m (12.1 mi)^[source]

12.253 km

Maximum; HE shell

Single source

12,253 m (13,400 yd) (HE shell)^[source]

3.2mL/30.48

2.47m28 calibres

Barrel lengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

3.2 m

L/30.48

Single source

10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) L/30.48^[source]

2.47 m

28 calibres

Single source

2.47 m (8 ft 1 in) (28 calibres)^[source]

105mmCaliber

87.6mm

Calibre

All recorded figures & sources

105 mm

Caliber

Single source

105 mm (4.13 in)^[source]

87.63 mm

Calibre

Single source

3.45 in (87.63 mm)^[source]

8rpmMaximum

6–8rounds/minGunfire Intense

Rate of fireScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

3 rounds/min

for 3 minutes Sustained for 30 minutes

Single source

8 rounds/min

Maximum

Single source

Maximum: 8 rpm for 3 minutes Sustained: 3 rpm for 30 minutes^[source]

6–8 rounds/min

Gunfire Intense

Single source

4 rounds/min

Normal

Single source

5 rounds/min

Rapid

Single source

1 rounds/min

Rate of fire

Single source

3 rounds/min

Slow

Single source

2 rounds/min

Very slow

Single source

Gunfire, 6–8 rpm Intense, 5 rpm Rapid, 4 rpm Normal, 3 rpm Slow, 2 rpm Very slow, 1 rpm^[source]

—

198–532m/s

Muzzle velocity

All recorded figures & sources

198–532 m/s

Muzzle velocity

Single source

198 to 532 m/s (650 to 1,750 ft/s)^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

M119 howitzer and Ordnance QF 25-pounder configuration
Specification	M119 howitzer	Ordnance QF 25-pounder
Type	Towed field gun^[source]	Field gun Gun-howitzer^[source]
Place of origin	United States^[source]	United Kingdom^[source]
Used by	See operators^[source]	See Operators^[source]
Wars	War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Iraq War Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen Russian invasion of Ukraine^[source]	World War II Indonesian National Revolution Indochina War Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 Greek Civil War 1948 Arab–Israeli War Malayan Emergency Korean War Second Arab–Israeli War Sino-Indian War Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Portuguese Colonial War Rhodesian Bush War South African Border War Nigerian Civil War Six-Day War Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Dhofar Rebellion Turkish invasion of Cyprus Iran–Iraq War Lebanese Civil War Sri Lankan civil war Iraqi Civil War^[source]
Manufacturer	Joint Manufacturing Technology Center of Rock Island Arsenal^[source]	Royal Ordnance^[source]
Produced	1989–2013^[source]	—
Variants	M119, M119A1, M119A2, M119A3^[source]	See variants^[source]
Shell	Semi-fixed 105 x 372 mm R^[source]	88 x 292mm R High explosive Anti-tank Smoke HESH^[source]
Elevation	-5.625° (−100 mils) to +69.975° (+1,244 mils)^[source]	-5° to 45° (80° with dial sight adapter and digging trail pit or wheel mounds)^[source]
Traverse	5.625° (100 mils) left or right^[source]	4° Left & Right (top traverse) 360° (platform)^[source]
Sights	3 × M90A2 telescope, M137A1 panoramic telescope^[source]	Calibrating & reciprocating^[source]
Role	lightweight 105 mm howitzer ,^[source]	—
Source measurement	The M119 howitzer is a lightweight 105 mm howitzer , used by the United States Army . It is the American licensed version of the British L119 light gun . The M119 is typically towed by the M1097 or M1152 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) , and can be easily airlifted by helicopter , or airdropped by parachute .^[source]M119 howitzer · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The howitzer was designed and produced by the British Royal Ordnance Factories as the L118 light gun . In the L118 configuration, the 105 mm ammunition is cased separate loading ammunition. The L118 entered service with the British Army in 1976 and is used by parachute and commando field artillery regiments. It saw combat during the Falklands War , where the 30 guns in action fired up to 400 rounds per gun per day, mostly at "charge super"—i.e., the most powerful propellant charge available.^[source]M119 howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The L119 is the L118 reconfigured to fire NATO -standard 105 mm semi-fixed ammunition .^[source]M119 howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The redesigned system operates the same, but modifies and simplifies some components, including a new buffer and recuperator with a majority of the components removed, and adds the Suspension Lockout System (SLOS) that fixes recoil length at 25 in (64 cm), which removes variable-recoil hardware, reduces stress on the carriage, and lowers buffer rod forces; the new system reduces cost, the system consists of 124 parts and the redesign will reduce that number by 40 percent to 75 parts and reusing 47 parts will consist of 65 percent for the current system, therefore only needing to manufacturing 28 new parts with overall weight savings of 45 lb (20 kg).^[source]M119 howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage with M67 propelling charges: M1 (HE) – High Explosive projectile, range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi), 2.1 kg of explosive filling M60 (WP) – White Phosphorus smoke generating projectile, range: 15.1 km (9.4 mi) (current variant: M60A2) M84 (HC) – Hexachloroethane smoke generating projectile, range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi) (current variant: 105 mm M84A1) M314 (VL) – Visible Light illuminating projectile, range: 19.5 km (12.1 mi) (current variant: M314A3) M444 (APICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (withdrawn from service), range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi) M916 (DPICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (withdrawn from service), range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi) M927 (HERA) – High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, range: 16.5 km (10.3 mi) M1064 (IR) – Infrared illuminating projectile, range: 19.5 km (12.1 mi) M1130 (HE PFF BB) – High Explosive Pre-Formed Fragments Base Bleed projectile – range: 13.0 km (8.1 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage with M176 propelling charges: M548 (HERA) – High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, range: 15.1 km (9.4 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage with M200 propelling charge: M760 (HE) – High Explosive projectile, range: 14.0 km (8.7 mi) M915 (DPICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (withdrawn from service), range: 14.1 km (8.8 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage with M219 propelling charge: M913 (HERA) – High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, range: 19.5 km (12.1 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage with M350 propelling charges: M1130A1 (HE PFF BB) – High Explosive Pre-Formed Fragments Base Bleed projectile, range 17.0 km (10.6 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—
In service	—	1940–present^[source]
Designed	—	1930s^[source]
Shell weight	—	11.5 kg (25 lb) (HE including fuze)^[source]
Breech	—	Vertical sliding-block^[source]
Recoil	—	Hydro-pneumatic^[source]
Alternative designation	—	25-pounder^[source]
Reported operators	Reported operator · Kurdistan Region Reported operator · Saudi Arabia Reported operator · United States Reported operator · Ukraine	Reported operator · Australia Reported operator · Canada Reported operator · Cyprus Reported operator · Egypt Reported operator · France Reported operator · Greece Reported operator · India Reported operator · Indonesia Reported operator · Ireland Reported operator · Israel Reported operator · Jordan Reported operator · Kuwait Reported operator · Kurdistan Reported operator · Lebanon Reported operator · Lesotho Reported operator · Luxembourg Reported operator · Malta Reported operator · Morocco Reported operator · Mozambique Reported operator · Myanmar Reported operator · New Zealand Reported operator · Nigeria Reported operator · Pakistan Reported operator · Paraguay Reported operator · Poland Reported operator · Portugal Reported operator · Qatar Reported operator · Singapore Reported operator · South Africa Reported operator · Sri Lanka Reported operator · Suriname Reported operator · United Arab Emirates Reported operator · United Kingdom Reported operator · Zimbabwe

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M119 howitzer

Ordnance QF 25-pounder

Type

Towed field gun^[source]

Field gun Gun-howitzer^[source]

Place of origin

United States^[source]

United Kingdom^[source]

Used by

See operators^[source]

See Operators^[source]

Wars

War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Iraq War Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen Russian invasion of Ukraine^[source]

World War II Indonesian National Revolution Indochina War Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 Greek Civil War 1948 Arab–Israeli War Malayan Emergency Korean War Second Arab–Israeli War Sino-Indian War Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Portuguese Colonial War Rhodesian Bush War South African Border War Nigerian Civil War Six-Day War Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Dhofar Rebellion Turkish invasion of Cyprus Iran–Iraq War Lebanese Civil War Sri Lankan civil war Iraqi Civil War^[source]

Manufacturer

Joint Manufacturing Technology Center of Rock Island Arsenal^[source]

Royal Ordnance^[source]

Produced

1989–2013^[source]

—

Variants

M119, M119A1, M119A2, M119A3^[source]

See variants^[source]

Shell

Semi-fixed 105 x 372 mm R^[source]

88 x 292mm R High explosive Anti-tank Smoke HESH^[source]

Elevation

-5.625° (−100 mils) to +69.975° (+1,244 mils)^[source]

-5° to 45° (80° with dial sight adapter and digging trail pit or wheel mounds)^[source]

Traverse

5.625° (100 mils) left or right^[source]

4° Left & Right (top traverse) 360° (platform)^[source]

Sights

3 × M90A2 telescope, M137A1 panoramic telescope^[source]

Calibrating & reciprocating^[source]

Role

lightweight 105 mm howitzer ,^[source]

—

Source measurement

The M119 howitzer is a lightweight 105 mm howitzer , used by the United States Army . It is the American licensed version of the British L119 light gun . The M119 is typically towed by the M1097 or M1152 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) , and can be easily airlifted by helicopter , or airdropped by parachute .^[source]M119 howitzer · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The howitzer was designed and produced by the British Royal Ordnance Factories as the L118 light gun . In the L118 configuration, the 105 mm ammunition is cased separate loading ammunition. The L118 entered service with the British Army in 1976 and is used by parachute and commando field artillery regiments. It saw combat during the Falklands War , where the 30 guns in action fired up to 400 rounds per gun per day, mostly at "charge super"—i.e., the most powerful propellant charge available.^[source]M119 howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The L119 is the L118 reconfigured to fire NATO -standard 105 mm semi-fixed ammunition .^[source]M119 howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The redesigned system operates the same, but modifies and simplifies some components, including a new buffer and recuperator with a majority of the components removed, and adds the Suspension Lockout System (SLOS) that fixes recoil length at 25 in (64 cm), which removes variable-recoil hardware, reduces stress on the carriage, and lowers buffer rod forces; the new system reduces cost, the system consists of 124 parts and the redesign will reduce that number by 40 percent to 75 parts and reusing 47 parts will consist of 65 percent for the current system, therefore only needing to manufacturing 28 new parts with overall weight savings of 45 lb (20 kg).^[source]M119 howitzer · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

with M67 propelling charges: M1 (HE) – High Explosive projectile, range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi), 2.1 kg of explosive filling M60 (WP) – White Phosphorus smoke generating projectile, range: 15.1 km (9.4 mi) (current variant: M60A2) M84 (HC) – Hexachloroethane smoke generating projectile, range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi) (current variant: 105 mm M84A1) M314 (VL) – Visible Light illuminating projectile, range: 19.5 km (12.1 mi) (current variant: M314A3) M444 (APICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (withdrawn from service), range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi) M916 (DPICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (withdrawn from service), range: 11.5 km (7.1 mi) M927 (HERA) – High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, range: 16.5 km (10.3 mi) M1064 (IR) – Infrared illuminating projectile, range: 19.5 km (12.1 mi) M1130 (HE PFF BB) – High Explosive Pre-Formed Fragments Base Bleed projectile – range: 13.0 km (8.1 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

with M176 propelling charges: M548 (HERA) – High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, range: 15.1 km (9.4 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

with M200 propelling charge: M760 (HE) – High Explosive projectile, range: 14.0 km (8.7 mi) M915 (DPICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (withdrawn from service), range: 14.1 km (8.8 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

with M219 propelling charge: M913 (HERA) – High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, range: 19.5 km (12.1 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

with M350 propelling charges: M1130A1 (HE PFF BB) – High Explosive Pre-Formed Fragments Base Bleed projectile, range 17.0 km (10.6 mi)^[source]M119 howitzer · Ammunition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

—

In service

—

1940–present^[source]

Designed

—

1930s^[source]

Shell weight

—

11.5 kg (25 lb) (HE including fuze)^[source]

Breech

—

Vertical sliding-block^[source]

Recoil

—

Hydro-pneumatic^[source]

Alternative designation

—

25-pounder^[source]

Reported operators

Reported operator · Kurdistan Region
Reported operator · Saudi Arabia
Reported operator · United States
Reported operator · Ukraine

Reported operator · Australia
Reported operator · Canada
Reported operator · Cyprus
Reported operator · Egypt
Reported operator · France
Reported operator · Greece
Reported operator · India
Reported operator · Indonesia
Reported operator · Ireland
Reported operator · Israel
Reported operator · Jordan
Reported operator · Kuwait
Reported operator · Kurdistan
Reported operator · Lebanon
Reported operator · Lesotho
Reported operator · Luxembourg
Reported operator · Malta
Reported operator · Morocco
Reported operator · Mozambique
Reported operator · Myanmar
Reported operator · New Zealand
Reported operator · Nigeria
Reported operator · Pakistan
Reported operator · Paraguay
Reported operator · Poland
Reported operator · Portugal
Reported operator · Qatar
Reported operator · Singapore
Reported operator · South Africa
Reported operator · Sri Lanka
Reported operator · Suriname
Reported operator · United Arab Emirates
Reported operator · United Kingdom
Reported operator · Zimbabwe