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ArtilleryIn service
Self-propelled howitzer
M109 howitzer is a self-propelled artillery originating in United States. The cited manufacturer or builder is Cadillac General Motors Chrysler BMY Harsco , formerly Bowen & McLaughlin York (1974–1994) United Defense (1994–2005) BAE Systems Inc. (2005–present) Samsung (1985–2015) Hanwha (2015–present).
United StatesM109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, US Army
Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley / US Army · Public domain · WebP conversion · Public domain · Source ↗ · ModifiedTechnical data
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).
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) .
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.
Ammunition storage of 155 mm rounds was increased from 36 to 39.
True scale
Sourced dimensions beside a 1.75 m human reference.
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.
M109A6: non-combat weight of 56,400 lbs (25.6 metric tons) and combat weight of 62,000 lbs to 63,615 lbs (28.1 metric tons to 28.9 metric tons)
M109A6: non-combat weight of 56,400 lbs (25.6 metric tons) and combat weight of 62,000 lbs to 63,615 lbs (28.1 metric tons to 28.9 metric tons)
M109A1/A2/A3/A4/A5/A6/A7: hull length of 20.3 ft, length with gun forward of 32 ft
M109A1/A2/A3/A4/A5/A6/A7: hull length of 20.3 ft, length with gun forward of 32 ft
M109A6–A7: 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
M109A5–A7: HE: 21 km (13 mi) RAP : 30 km (19 mi) Excalibur : 40 km (25 mi)
M109A5–A7: M284 155 mm 39 caliber
M109A5–A6: Detroit Diesel 8V71T 8-cylinder water-cooled supercharged diesel engine 440 hp
M109A6: Allison Transmission XTG-411-4
Maximum range: High Explosive Rocket Assisted Projectile (HE/ RAP), 22/30 (km)
Maximum range: High Explosive Rocket Assisted Projectile (HE/ RAP), 22/30 (km)
M109A6 Paladin 155 mm L/39 Self-propelled howitzer United States 370
M109A6 Paladin
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
155 mm
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.
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.
4
INA
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.
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).
6.81 m
9.68 m
3.24 m
3.92 m
3.62 m
3.27 m
28,848 kg
0.95 kg/cm sq
3.96 m
1 x DDC 8V-71T
V-8 diesel
440 hp
15.25 hp/metric ton
Allison ATD-XTG 411-2A (A3) or 411-4 with quick disconnect powershift crossdrive, 4 forward and 2 reverse gears
503 liters
344
64
INA
Not Amphibious
30
60
0.53
1.83
1.07
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.
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.
The elevation/equilibrium cylinder and turret traverse clutch assembly are redesigned to prevent failures.
Alliant Techsystems automatic fire-control system (AFCS).
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.
INA
INA
Yes
Yes
It has an all weather ballistic shield mounted over the panoramic telescope; counterbalanced travel lock and provisions for mounting the M140 alignment device.
5083 aluminum with composite spall liners and supplemental armor.
The turret is fitted with Kevlar anti-spall lining
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.
INA
INA
INA
INA
MCS system
No
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.
United States
Origin United States
Type Self-propelled howitzer
Crew 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Weight 28.8 t combat load
Length 9.75 m overall
Length 9.75 m overall 6.89 m hull
Width 3.15 m hull
Width 3.15 m hull 3.92 m over stowage racks
Height 3.24 m including M2HB mount
Type 155mm M284 L/39 howitzer
Mount M182A1 mount
Ammunition 39 rounds
Elevation -3° to +75°, manual and hydraulic
Elevation rate 7°/s
Traverse 360°, manual and hydraulic
Traverse rate 11°/s
Range 22 km with unassisted projectiles
Range 22 km with unassisted projectiles 30 km with rocket assisted projectiles
Type 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Mount Pintle mount on turret roof
Ammunition 500 rounds, 100 ready to fire
Traverse 360°, manual
Stabilizer No
Chassis type Tracked chassis, 7 roadhweels
Layout Drive sprocket front, idler rear
Tread 2.77 m
Track width 0.38 m
Length on ground 3.96 m
Ground pressure 0.83 kg/cm²
Suspension Torsion bar
Engine model Detroit Diesel 8V71T LHR
Engine type Water-cooled supercharged V8 diesel
Power output 440 hp at 2.300 rpm
Transmission Allison XTG-411-4A
Transmission Allison XTG-411-4A 4 forward, 2 reverse
Fuel 503 L
Speed 56 km/h on road
Range 350 km on road
Turn radius Pivot
Power to weight ratio 15.3 hp/t
Ground clearance 0.43 m
Wall 0.5 m
Trench 1.8 m
Gradient 60 %
Slope 30 %
Fording 1.1 m unprepared
Fording 1.1 m unprepared Amphibious with preparation and flotation devices
Armor type Aluminum hull and turret
Armor thickness 32 mm hull all around
Armor thickness 32 mm hull all around 32 mm turret all around
NBC system Yes
Smoke system No
Night vision Yes
Fire control M117A2 panoramic telescope for indirect fire
Fire control M117A2 panoramic telescope for indirect fire M118C for direct fire, 4x magnification with 10° field of view
Radio Yes
Reference text from Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
M109 howitzer equipment records. Variants, orders and quantities are shown as reported in each inventory source; coverage is incomplete.
AustriaReported count for M109 PzHb M109 A5Ö. Country-wide list; no individual service specified. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): quantity: 53. Origin: United States Austria. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
BahrainArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A5. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
BrazilArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A5; M109A3; M109A5+. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
ChileArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A3; M109A5+. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
DjiboutiArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109L. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
EgyptArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A5; M109A2. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
GreeceArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A1B/A2/A3GEA1/A5. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
IndonesiaArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A4. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
IranReported count for M109A1. Service scope: Iranian Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity: 150. Origin: United States Iran. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. Dates are the count-cell citations' stated source period (2026), not the article revision. 2026 cited source edition. Edition or publication years do not claim an exact inventory census day.
IraqArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A5; M109A1. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
IsraelStored Army exact named equipment holdings: M109A2. Explicit source inventory scope: stored; independently counted whole stock in store. November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no operational holding, readiness or parent-force total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names and exact storage declarations retained. Stored quantities earn no operational index points.
ItalyReported count for M109 howitzers. Service scope: Italian Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): quantity: 11. Origin: unstated. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
JordanArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A1/A2. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
Kuwait
LatviaReported count for M109A5Ö / M109 Rechenstellenpanzer M109. Service scope: Latvian Land Forces; does not replace a national total. 2 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Excludes retired/reserve/on-order rows. Count column(s): quantity: 47 / quantity: 10. Origin: United States Austria. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
LebanonArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A5; M109A2. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
MoroccoArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A5. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
NorwayReported count for M109A3GN. Service scope: Norwegian Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct quantity component(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Explicit source inventory scope: stored; no other stock status or total inferred. Count column(s): quantity: 33. Origin: United States. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
OmanReported count for M109A0. Service scope: Royal Army of Oman; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity: 15. Origin: United States. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.
PakistanArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A5; M109A2; M109L. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
PeruArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A2. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ANTI-TANK/ANTI-INFRASTRUCTURE / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
PortugalStored Army exact named equipment holdings: M109A2. Explicit source inventory scope: stored; independently counted whole stock in store. November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no operational holding, readiness or parent-force total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names and exact storage declarations retained. Stored quantities earn no operational index points.
Saudi ArabiaArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A1B/A2. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
South KoreaMarines exact named equipment holdings: M109A2 (K55/K55A1). Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
SpainMarines exact named equipment holdings: M109A2. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
SwitzerlandOperations Command exact named equipment holdings: M109 KAWEST. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
TaiwanArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A2/A5. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
ThailandArmy exact named equipment holdings: M109A5. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
UkraineReported count for M109 · M109A3GN M109A3DK M109A4BE M109A5Ö M109L M109A6 "Paladin". Country-wide list; no individual service specified. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): number: 90. Origin: United States. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. Explicitly named source subset; this is not a whole-family total and does not cover other listed designs. Dates are the count-cell citations' stated source period (2024), not the article revision. 2024 cited reference period. Edition or publication years do not claim an exact inventory census day.
United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates Army holdings only. Army M109L47 self-propelled howitzers.
United StatesUS Army exact named equipment holdings: M109A6; M109A7 (ε850 more M109A6 in store). Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
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ChinaCompare with M109A6 Paladin Self-propelled howitzer
Army exact named equipment holdings: M109A5. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
Army exact named equipment holdings: M109A5. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
Army exact named equipment holdings: M109A2 (K55/K55A1). Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
Army exact named equipment holdings: M109A5. Active, operational-reserve and training units excluding equipment in store; November 2025 IISS assessment. Named service only; no parent-force or national total inferred. Source role: ARTILLERY / SP 155mm. Original estimates, ranges, reporting names, reserve, lease and employment scopes retained; nested included counts are not added. Missile-system quantities mean launchers, not rounds. No readiness, crew, carried weapon, payload, factory-production or future order count inherited.
Reported count for M-109 KAWEST WE. Service scope: Swiss Army; does not replace a national total. 1 distinct count cell(s) from the same source list; shared rowspan cells counted once. Retired, wholly reserve and on-order rows are excluded; the reported count retains any explicitly mixed stock scope in the quoted row. Count column(s): quantity (2024): 133. Origin: United States Switzerland. The listed variants/roles are the scope, not an immediately deployable count. The components do not establish one inventory census date; the stored date is the retrieved source snapshot.