U.S. Guardsmen from 2nd battalion 146th Field Artillery Regiment fire for the first time with M777 12104173

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Defense & Security News - United States
 
U.S. Guardsmen from 2nd battalion 146th Field Artillery Regiment fire for the first time with M777.
US. Guardsmen from 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team fire their new M777 155mm Howitzers for the first time on April 12, 2017 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The new weapons come as part of the brigade's transition to a Stryker brigade, which began in September 2016.
     
US. Guardsmen from 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team fire their new M777 155mm Howitzers for the first time on April 12, 2017 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The new weapons come as part of the brigade's transition to a Stryker brigade, which began in September 2016.
Guardsmen from 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team fire their new M777 155mm Howitzers for the first time on April 12, 2017 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. (Source U.S. MoD)
     
For many though this is the first time they have fired the M777. Part of the on-going Stryker transformation called for the unit to trade their M109 tracked howitzers for the more versatile towed behind M777.

The M109 Howitzer is much like a tank - soldiers sit inside and simply stop if they need to deploy any rounds. The M777 must be towed and is completely inoperable until it is assembled.

Even with the increase in manual labor, soldiers of the 146th are still excited about the new equipment, learning how to operate it and getting to work as a full team to operate the M777.

A gun crew consists of seven to 10 soldiers who must work together cohesively to properly operate the new M777. The amount of communication required when operating the new weapons is vitally important, leading to better teamwork and stronger bonds throughout the 146th.

The M777 is an ultra light howitzer designed and manufactured by BAE Systems. M777 is a 155mm 39 calibre towed gun which, through proven technology and the innovative use of titanium and aluminium alloys, meets the requirement for rapidly deployable and accurate artillery fire support.

The M777A2 is an improved version of the standard M777 lightweight 155mm towed howitzer (referred as LW155 in U.S. army) designed and manufactured by the Company BAE Systems. The M777A2 lightweight 155mmm towed howitzer can fire the full ranges of U.S. 155mm ammunition including unassisted projectiles to a range of 24 km and assisted projectiles to 30 km.