M108 howitzer
The M108 Howitzer is an American self-propelled 105 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s as a replacement for the M52 self-propelled howitzer.[1]
| M108 Howitzer | |
|---|---|
 A Taiwanese M108 self-propelled howitzer | |
| Type | Self-propelled gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1962–1975 |
| Wars | Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors Corp |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 21 tons |
| Length | 6.11 m |
| Width | 3.15 m |
| Height | 3.28 m |
| Crew | 5 |
| Shell | separate loading, bagged charge |
| Caliber | 105 mm caliber |
| Barrels | 30 calibers |
| Breech | interrupted screw |
| Elevation | - 6 to + 75 degrees |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 3-4 rounds/min |
| Effective firing range | Conventional: 11.5 km |
| Armor | 31.8mm |
Main armament | M103 105 mm Howitzer (87 rounds) |
Secondary armament | .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun |
| Engine | Detroit Diesel turbocharged 8V-71T 8-cylinders 425 hp |
| Suspension | torsion-bar |
Operational range | 360 km |
| Maximum speed | 56 km/h (35 mph) |
The M108 was powered by a Detroit Diesel turbocharged 8V-71T 8-cylinders 405 hp engine. It used the same hull and turret as the 155 mm M109 self-propelled howitzer, and components of the M113 armored vehicle. The M108 was phased out soon after the American intervention in the Vietnam War, as the M109's 155 mm calibre was considered better fitted for modern war.
Operational history
The M108 howitzer's sole use in combat occurred in the Vietnam War. M108s equipped the first U.S. Army field artillery unit deployed to the conflict, when the 3-6 Field Artillery Battalion was deployed to Pleiku on June 17, 1966. This was soon followed by the 1-40th Field Artillery Battalion to Dong Ha Combat Base in October, 1966. M108s were generally employed from fortified fire bases providing artillery support to units in the field. Because M108 and M109 howitzers could traverse their main gun 360 degrees, unlike towed artillery, they were ideal for holding fire base positions, which might be subject to attack from any direction. Both M108 battalions were withdrawn and phased out of U.S. Army service in 1975.[3]
General characteristics
- Length: 6.11 m
- Width: 3.15 m
- Height: 3.28 m
- Weight: 21 t
- Speed: 56 km/h (35 mph)
- Range: 360 km
- Crew: 5
- Armament:
- Primary: M103 105 mm Howitzer
- Secondary: .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun
- Rate of fire: 4 rds/min
- Shooting range: 11.5 km (HE) 15 km (HERA)
Users
Current users
Brazil: Brazilian Army 72 M108AP.
Chile: Chilean Army 4 M108.
Former users
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Australia: Lent by US Army for Australian Defence Force during the Vietnam War..svg.png.webp)
Belgium: Belgian Army: 90, until the 1980s.
Cambodia: Khmer National Army: withdrawn[4]
Spain: Spanish Army: 48, withdrawn
Taiwan: Republic of China Army: 100
Turkey: Turkish Army: 26 M108T withdrawn[5]
United States: US Army withdrawn.
Tunisia: Tunisian Army 48.
Comparable weapons
- FV433 Abbot SPG - British 105mm SPG
See also
References
- M108 Archived 2019-02-25 at the Wayback Machine. Military-Today.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-03-05. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - Zaloga, Steven (2005). M109 155mm Self_Propelled Howitzer 1960-2005. Osprey Publishing. pp. 9–13. ISBN 1-84176-631-3.
- Ross, Russell, ed. (1987). Cambodia, a Country Study. Area Handbook Series (Third ed.). Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, American University. p. 313. ISBN 978-0160208386.
- Weapons Transfers and Violations of the Laws of War in Turkey. James Ron. 1995. ISBN 9781564321619. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2014.