Description : In the fifty year, the howitzer motorized of 203
mm standard of US Army be the M55, base on the frame and the turret of
self-propelled howitzer M53 of 155 Misters The weight of machine of this
family (± 40t) prohibit however their air transport , while their petrol
engine them confer a autonomy limit with approximately 260 km, what bring
the American to build a new series of part self-propelled, more light and
transportable by air, derive of same frame and some same mounting. Pacific
Car and Foundry company developed a certain number of prototypes:
self-propelled guns T235 of 175 mm and T245 of 155 mm, and motorized
howitzer T236 of 203 Misters T235 and T236 were been driven thereafter by
a diesel engine and manufactured in series under the respective references
M107 and M110. A certain number of armoured tanks breakdown service were
adapted on the frame of M107, but only the light vehicle M578 is used at
the present time. It equips with many country, in particular that of the
United States. First M107 of series were manufactured by Pacific Car and
Foundry Company in 1962. The first battalion was formed in 1983 beginning
with Fort Still, bases US Field Artillery. Two other firms also produced
of M107: FMCet, between 1965 and 1980, Bowen-McLaughlin-York. The Custom
Army have deploy of M107 of 175 mm on level of army corps within battalion
equip of twelve gun each one, but all these weapon have be replace by of
M110Aé of 203 mm which draw of projectile He with propulsion additional
of which lea carry exceed 29.000 Mr. The M107 have be export in Germany,
in South Korea, in Spain, in Greece, in Holland, in Iran, in Israel, in
Italy, with United Kingdom and in Turkey. L has majority of these
countries are converted besides towards M110A2. The frame of M107 is
described in detail in the heading relating to M110. The gun of 175 mm
points in site of - 2° with + 65° and in azimuth on 30° on the right
and on the left. These operations are assisted, with hand drive operations
of help. The only projectile used by the American army is HE M437A1 or
M437A2 whose range is approximately 32.700 Mr. Israelians employ special
ammunition having a range close to 40.000 Mr. the projectile normal weighs
66,780 kg, but a hydraulic device assembled to the back of the frame
facilitates its loading: it raises it ground, positions it and pushes it
in the cylinder head. The powder load is then set up and the shooting can
start. M107 transports only two projectiles and their load. It is been
useful by thirteen people, of which five only (pilot, head of tank, and
three gunners) are on board. The others follow normally on board tracked
M548 which contains the remainder of the ammunition. Certain country
replaces it by trucks 6 X 6, whose possibilities any ground are however
quite lower than that of the gun itself. M107 is equipped with infra-red
equipment for the night vision.
Armament:
Gun of 175 mm
Crew:
5 + 8 men Shielding:
without protection for the crew Weight: 28.168 kg
