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M109A6 Paladin PIM
M109A6 Paladin PIM
155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer - United States
Description
The M109A6 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) based on a tracked armored chassis developed by the ground system division of United Defense LP and now manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments at the Paladin Production Operation center at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. It is an improved version of the M109 family. It entered into service with the U.S. army in 1991. The new PIM M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) Howitzer enhances the combat-proven M109A6 Paladin Self-propelled Howitzer’s reliability, maintainability, performance, responsiveness, and lethality and provides increased commonality with the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT). The M109A6 PIM uses the existing main armament and cab structure of a Paladin M109A6 and replaces the vehicle’s chassis components with modem components common to the Bradley vehicle. The M109A6 PIM fires the first round in less than 60 seconds day or night, with a range of up to 40 km. The M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management Program is designed to maintain this fleet, and upgrade 600 Paladin systems to the latest configuration. BAE Systems and the U.S. Army have signed a memorandum of understanding that will establish a Public-Private Partnership (P3) to develop and sustain the Army’s M109A6 vehicles throughout their lifecycle. The establishment of a P3 will capitalize on the strengths and capabilities of each organization to ensure the cost-effective and on-time reset of the current fleet of M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicles (FAASV), as well as the planned production of the 600 M109A6/M992A2 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) systems. On January 6, 2023, the United States approved a new military aid package for Ukraine including 18 M109A6 Paladin 155mm howitzers.
M109A6 SPH variants:
- No variants based on this model.
Technical Data
| Armament |
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The PIM M109A6 Paladin is armed with a 39-caliber 155mm M284 cannon, which is fitted with an M182A1 gun mount and has a firing range of 24 km using unassisted rounds or 30 km using assisted rounds. The vehicle carries a total of 39 rounds. It can also fire Excalibur GPS-guided artillery ammunition with a maximum firing range of 40 km. The projectile loading can be carried out using the full-stroke hydraulic system, or a semi-automatic loading system is optional. A 12.7mm M2 machine gun is mounted on the commander hatch on the top of the turret. The M109A6 PIM Paladin also incorporates select technologies from the Future Combat Systems 155mm NLOS-C (Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon), including an automated projectile loader and modern electric gun drive systems to replace the current 1960s-era hydraulically-operated elevation and azimuth drives.
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| Design and protection |
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The design of the M109A6 is similar to the entire family of M109 howitzers with the driver located at the left side of the hull with the powerpack on its right and the turret with the main armament mounted at the rear side of the tracked chassis. The turret of the M109A6 Paladin PIM is fitted with Kevlar spall suppression lining for additional ballistic protection. The chassis is made with new all-welded aluminum armor. The vehicle is also fitted with a belly plate and side armor, increasing crew survivability against new threats on the battlefield. The M109A6 has a crew of four including a driver, commander, gunner, and one loader.
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| Mobility |
| The M109A6 Paladin is motorized with a Detroit Diesel 8V71T engine developing 440 hp. With the Bradley Fighting Vehicle standard Cummins 600-hp engine, the M109A6 PIM has faster acceleration for rapid displacement. The PIM Paladin is equipped with a new chassis, which is being fabricated & assembled with Bradley common components (e.g. engine, transmission, final drives, etc.) to create more commonality across America’s Heavy Brigade Combat teams. BAE Systems expects growth in the overall weight of less than 5%, with additional growth potential built in just in case. The PIM M109A6 Paladin vehicle is powered by a 660 hp engine. The PIM M109A6 Paladin can run at a maximum speed of 62 km/h with an estimated cruising range of 300 km. |
| Accessories |
| The M109A6 PIM offers increased survivability because the crew remains inside the vehicle throughout the mission. Along with the “shoot and scoot” capability, the M109A6 PIM features an Automatic Fire Extinguishing System (AFES) and Transparent Armored Gun Shield (TAGS). Hull, turret, suspension, and automotive system upgrades increase system reliability. The M109A6 PIM incorporates an onboard computer with comprehensive diagnostics programs that rapidly pinpoint equipment issues early for ease of maintenance while improving system availability. |
Specifications
| Armament | Armor |
| One 155 mm M284 cannon and one 12.7 mm machine gun | All-welded aluminum chassis and Kevlar armor for the turret. |
| Country users | Weight |
| Ukraine, United States | 35,380 kg |
| Designer Country | Speed |
| United States | 62 km/h maximum road speed |
| Accessories | Range |
| Fire Extinguishing System (AFES), Transparent Armored Gun Shield (TAGS), computer firing control system, automatic projectile loader. | 322 km |
| Crew | Dimensions |
| 5 | Length: 9.70 m; Width: 3.91 m; Height: 3.7 m |
Details View
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Pictures - Video
