M109 howitzer

Open breech of a M109A5 howitzer

• Primary by Watervliet Arsenal: M126 Cannon (or M126A1) 155 mm Howitzer (M109), M185 Cannon 155 mm Howitzer (A1/A2/A3/A4), or M284 Cannon 155 mm Howitzer (A5/A6)
• Secondary: .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun, Mk 19 Mod 3 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher, 7.62 mm M60, M240 machine gun or L4 machine gun

In January 2016, the U.S. Army test-fired hypervelocity projectiles originally designed for use by U.S. Navy electromagnetic railguns. They found that they significantly increased the gun's range. The Army is looking into using the M109 Paladin firing the HVP for ballistic missile defense, as traditional missile interceptors are expensive, and gun-based missile defense used for point defense would use artillery at a much lower cost per round.[9][10]

The HVP is capable of being fired out to 50 nautical miles (58 mi; 93 km) from a conventional cannon. It weighs 68 lb (31 kg) with a 46 lb (21 kg) flight body containing its guidance and warhead—less powerful, but more agile to hit small, high-speed targets. Modifications will be needed for the Paladin to effectively shoot the HVP, possibly including different propellant to achieve higher velocities, automated reloading systems to fire quickly enough to defeat salvo launches, improved barrel life, and a new fire control and sensor system.[11] During a test of the Air Force's Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) in September 2020, an HVP fired from an Army Paladin howitzer successfully intercepted a BQM-167 target drone simulating a cruise missile.[12][13]

HVP was renamed to gun-launched guided projectile (GLGP),[14] canceled in the 2022 budget,[15] and tests continued in 2023.[16]

First produced in 1963. It had a 155 mm M126 Cannon in an M127 Mount, and carried 28 rounds of 155 mm ammunition. It was also armed with a .50cal M2HB machine gun with 500 rounds of ammunition. Easily identified by its short barrel and a double baffle muzzle brake with a large fume extractor just behind it. Maximum range of 14,600 meters.

United States Army M109A1 howitzer in 1982.

Replaced the M126 Cannon with a 39 caliber M185 Cannon, featuring a longer barrel while increasing maximum range to 18,100 meters.

Incorporated 27 Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) mid-life improvements. Most notably, the long barreled 155 mm M185 Cannon in the new M178 gun mount, ballistic protection for the panoramic telescope, counterbalanced travel lock, and the ability to mount the M140 bore sight alignment device. Stowage of 155mm rounds increased from 28 to 36 rounds; .50cal ammunition remained at 500 rounds. During M109A2 production, a slightly simplified version was also produced for export. This had minor internal changes and deleted the hull flotation feature. These were designated M109A1B.[17]

K55 is a South Korean license produced variant of the M109A2. In the 1960s, the South Korean Army received M107 and M110 from the United States. However, the number of these self-propelled guns was insufficient to counter rapidly-growing North Korean artillery capabilities. In the 1970s, South Korea began mass-producing towed howitzers locally, but intelligence reports of North Korean 170 mm self-propelled artillery forced South Korea to look for a new self-propelled artillery system.[5]

In December 1983, the ministers of defense of the United States and South Korea signed a MOU to co-produce M109A2 in South Korea using American technical data. The United States delivered two completed M109A2s to South Korea for operational review, and the Agency for Defense Development began to translate the data package and created field and maintenance manuals for soldiers. South Korea wanted to produce every part of the vehicle domestically; however, due to the amendment bill by Rep. Samuel S. Stratton of New York, which established a limit for foreign military technology cooperation, the turret and the M185 cannon from Watervliet Arsenal were imported from the United States.[5]

Compared to the M109A2, besides 63 percent of parts being produced locally, K55 has a driver's night periscope and light exposure minimization device to enhance night-time operations as well as additional radio systems. The vehicle has an NBC protection system and halon fire extinguishers. A total of 1,180 K55s were produced between 1985 and 1996.[5][18] The vehicle's name was changed from KM109A2 to K55, originally a code name from the Samsung factory.

In November 1990, the United States and South Korea signed an agreement to allow South Korea to supply M109 parts to third parties.[19] In May 1997, during the Security Cooperation Committee held in Washington D.C., South Korea requested that the United States revise the MOU to export complete K55s, originally intended for domestic use only. South Korea was expecting to export 72 K55s and four ammunition support vehicles to Brazil for $160 million over Belgium's offer, but the United States Department of Defense declined the request to avoid an arms race in the region.[20][21]

In May 1998, the South Korean military began operating a K55 simulator to boost artillery operator training. The simulator took a year and a billion KRW budget to develop. It is expected to save 150 million KRW per year per device.[22]

The K55A1 is a South Korean overhaul and modernization of the K55, augmenting the proven systems of the K9 Thunder and the K9A1. The development took three years between 2007 and 2010. The upgrade started in 2010.[5] In November 2010, in the wake of the North Korean artillery attack, the South Korean government authorized a massive increase in military spending. South Korea allocated 11.5 billion KRW on K55A1 upgrades for FY2011, more than a 1500% increase from 700 million KRW for FY2010.[23] The upgrade was performed by Samsung Techwin, and the first vehicle was fielded by the South Korean Army in early 2011.[24]

The K55A1 is fitted with the same electronics and fire control system as the K9. The self-propelled gun has significantly enhanced field operability and accuracy through the installation of Honeywell Aerospace's TALIN 5000 INS (inertial navigation system), a satellite navigation device (GPS), and a speed calibrator. As a result, the vehicle automatically lays the gun in the desired direction and delivers a first round within 45 seconds between stops, or 75 seconds between maneuvers after receiving the shooting specification, which required 2 minutes and 11 minutes, respectively, on the K55.[5][25][26][27][28]

With the help of a new semi-autoloader, while charges are still inserted manually, the howitzer can fire 4 rounds per minute, increased from 2 to 3 rounds per minute. The improved suspension, involving a strut-type hydropneumatic buffer from Mottrol Co, Ltd., along with an enhanced chamber, allowed the vehicle to shoot K307 and K310 ammunition designed for K9 platform without laying spades at a maximum distance of 32 km. An APU (auxiliary power unit) was installed to operate the howitzer without turning on the main engine.[5][25][26][29][30]

The Army Consolidated Maintenance Depot joined the K55A1 upgrade, releasing its first results in December 2013.[31] The upgrade cost 20% of the K9 Thunder, 800 million KRW, as of 2021.[25] The K55A1 upgrade program was completed in December 2022.[32]

M109A1s and M109A1Bs rebuilt to M109A2 standard respectively. Some A3s feature three contact arm assemblies, while all A2s have five.

M109A2s and M109A3s improved with Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical / Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (NBC/RAM) improvements, including air purifiers, heaters, and Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) (protective) gear.

The traversing mechanism's clutch was changed to be hydraulic (as compared to the electric mechanism on previous M109s), and added a manual override. The M109A4 also gained a second hydraulic filter and more reliable engine starting equipment which greatly improved the ability to start the vehicle in an emergency.

Ammunition stowage remained the same as in previous models.

A M109A5 under repair

Replaces the 155 mm M185 Cannon in an M178 Mount with a 39-caliber 155 mm M284 Cannon in an M182 Mount, giving the A5 a maximum range of 22,000 meters with unassisted projectiles and 30,000 meters with rocket-assisted projectile (RAP) rounds.[33] The vehicle can carry 36 complete rounds of ammunition and has a 440 hp engine instead of the standard 405 hp engine.

Various manufacturers have upgraded the fire control and other components of the M109A5. BAE Systems in York, PA recently delivered 12 M109A5+ vehicles to Chile and 40 M109A5+ vehicles for Brazil.

A M109A6 "Paladin" firing at night

An M109A6 firing a shell during combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq

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.

The US Army received the first Paladin in 1994 and the last of 950 in 1999.

A Swiss M109 KAWEST howitzer in 2009

This Swiss improved version produced by RUAG incorporates a new Swiss-designed L47 155 mm gun with an increased firing range of up to 36 km. It features an inertial navigation system coupled with a new gun-laying system, along with an ammunition storage increase of 40 rounds and 64 charges. The KAWEST (lit. Kampfwertsteigerung = upgrade of combat capabilities) requires only six crew members instead of eight. It is able to fire three-round bursts within 15 seconds, or maintain a constant firing rate of over one round per minute.[34][35]

Upgraded Swiss PzHb (Panzerhaubitze)74, 79 and 88 (M109A1) are known as respectively PzHb 74/95, PzHb 79/95 and PzHb 88/95.[36]

• 33 of the 120 PzHb 74 were modernised to the standard PzHb 74/95 KAWEST.[37]
• 207 of the 207 PzHb 79 were modernised to the standard PzHb 79/95 KAWEST.[38]
• 108 of the 108 PzHb 88 were modernised to the standard PzHb 88/95 KAWEST.[39]

Improvement of the Swiss Kawest variant, 133 in total were brought up to this standard:

• 25 of the 207 PzHb 79/95 were modernised to the standard PzHb KAWEST WE.[40] Those are currently in service.
• 108 of the 108 PzHb 88/95 were modernised to the standard PzHb KAWEST WE.[41] Those are currently in service.

Jointly developed by the Dutch firm RDM and the German firm Rheinmetall, the M109L52 was first revealed in 2002. The main improvement was replacing the M126 series gun with the longer 52-caliber cannon from the PzH 2000, thus the MTLS ammunition of the PzH 2000 can be used. Improvements to the loading system were also made, resulting in an increased rate of fire from 3 rds/min to 9–10 rds/min, able to be sustained for up to 2 minutes. A total of 35 rounds can be carried.

Ukraine's 72nd Mechanized Brigade operating an M109A3GN during the Russian invasion of Ukraine

The latest version in service with the Norwegian Army's Artilleribataljonen. 126 M109Gs were acquired from West Germany between 1969 and 1971. They were then upgraded to the M109A3GN configuration during the latter half of the 1980s. In 2006, there were 56 M109A3GNs in the Army's inventory, meaning that at least 70 SPGs had been scrapped after the end of the Cold War. 14 of the M109A3GNs received upgrades in 2007, and were designated M109A3GNM.[42] The upgrade includes a new intercom and new navigation and positioning systems.

In 2020 the 14 units with A3GNM upgrades and those still with A3GN specs were placed in storage because all the new Korean K9 Thunder units had been delivered.[43] In May 2022, Norway donated 22 A3GN-spec M109s to Ukraine.[44] Two M109A3GN howitzers were destroyed and three damaged during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[45]

• 
  A prototype M109A7
• 
  A M109A7 155mm SPH being tested at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona

The newest M109 version for U.S. service is the M109A7, formerly known as the M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM). The M109A7 shares common chassis components with the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) such as the engine, transmission, and tracks. This creates commonality with other systems and maximizes cost savings in production, parts inventory, and maintenance personnel. The M109A7's onboard power systems harness technologies originally developed for the XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon.[46]

The electric drive is faster than the previous hydraulic system, and the automatic rammer more consistently rams the round into the gun for consistent velocities and better accuracy. It features a 600-volt onboard power system to accommodate additional armor and future networking technologies as they become ready. The M109A7 can sustain a one-round per-minute rate of fire and a maximum rate of fire of four rounds per minute.[46] Weighing 78,000 lb (35,000 kg), the M109A7 is 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) heavier than its predecessor, and it has the capacity to grow to 110,000 lb (50,000 kg). Even with the weight increase, the M109A7 can travel faster than previous versions at 38 mph (61 km/h) and is more maneuverable than a BFV.[47]

Prototypes of the vehicle underwent government testing in preparation for a Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) decision. The testing included RAM, mission and ballistic hull and turret testing. The M109A7 was slated to begin LRIP by 2013. The U.S. Army planned on procuring a fleet of 580 sets of M109A7 howitzers and M992A3 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles.[46]

In October 2013, the Defense Acquisition Board approved the decision to start M109A7 production. The FY 2014 budget called for $340.8 million in Paladin funding, which would be two dozen vehicle sets at $14.4 million per vehicle. The Army plans to buy 133 vehicles, in 66 one-half vehicle sets starting in 2014. One M109A7 howitzer and two supporting M992A3 ammunition carriers will be destroyed during tests. A Full-Rate Production (FRP) decision was planned for February 2017.[48][49]

In October 2013, BAE received a $668 million contract to begin LRIP of the M109A7.[50] The first M109A6 and M992A2 vehicles were rebuilt to M109A7 and M992A3 standards as part of LRIP beginning in summer 2014.[51] LRIP deliveries began in April 2015.[52] The contract for FRP was signed in December 2017, with 48 vehicles slated for construction.[53] The Army plans to upgrade 689 Paladins to A7-standard.[54]

A XM1113 extended range artillery round, shown here at a range demonstration, uses a rocket-assist motor

The Army is looking to increase the capabilities of the M109A7. By introducing the new XM1113 rocket-assisted projectile (RAP),[55] it can reach 40 km (25 mi) from the current 39-caliber barrel. A planned barrel extension to 58-caliber can increase its range to 70 km (43 mi). An additional XM1113 improvement over the legacy RAP round is the replacement of the high explosive, TNT, with an insensitive munition that is less volatile and less prone to unplanned detonation. The Army is working on an autoloader to increase the sustained rate of fire to 6–10 rounds per minute.[55]

Another part of the effort is the use of a new supercharged propellant to fire the shells, which required redesigning the howitzer to handle higher pressures.[56]

The M1299 is a prototype self-propelled howitzer developed by BAE Systems in 2019 under the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program. It is based on the M109A7, and was primarily designed for the purpose of improving the M109A7's effective range. One battalion of vehicles is planned to begin a year-long operational assessment in 2023. It is expected to be fitted with an autoloader in 2025, which could increase its rate of fire from 3 to 10 rounds per minute.[57][58]

A M992A3 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (M992A3 FAASV)

The M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (FAASV) is built on the chassis of the M109. It replaced the M548. Unlike the M548, it is armored. This ammunition vehicle has no turret, but has a taller superstructure to store 93 rounds and an equivalent number of powders and primers.

This vehicle is fitted with a Halon fire suppression system and a weapons mount similar to that on the M109 turret, usually mounting a Mk 19 grenade launcher for local defense against infantry and light armored vehicles.

The vehicle contains a 2-stroke diesel powered auxiliary power unit that can power all non-automotive energy requirements on the FAASV and on the M109.

The K66 was a planned ammunition support vehicle for the K55. As a follow-up to the K55 program, Samsung Aerospace Industries prepared for licensing a local variant of the M992, featuring such modifications as NBC protection and an increase of ammunition storage capacity to 110 rounds, 116 packs of powders, and 132 primers.[59]

In 1987, Samsung Aerospace Industries competed against the Daewoo Heavy Industries' ammunition support vehicle based on the K200 APC. Daewoo Heavy Industries' vehicle was selected as the K66, but failed the test evaluation. The K66 project was cancelled in the mid-1990s, resulting in a lawsuit.[18]

The K77 FDCV is a command & control post vehicle variant based on the K55 platform.[60]

The K56 ARV is an ammunition resupply vehicle based on the K55 platform.[61] Unlike the K10 ARV, the K56 can resupply both the K55A1 and the K9 Thunder. It has a 45.7% (4,197 out of 9,191 total parts) compatibility with the K55A1.[62]

After 10 months of pilot experiment, the K56 program was authorized by the DAPPC (Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee) in February 2007.[63] In May 2007, the DAPPC allocated 16 billion KRW for research and development for 2008 to 2010, with plans to produce 520 vehicles between 2011 and 2020.[64] In June 2008, Samsung Techwin was selected as the main contractor for the project.[65] Later, the development completion schedule was delayed to 2011, while the total production amount was increased to 700 vehicles with a cost of 1.3 trillion KRW between 2012 and 2021.[66]

In September 2010, the Board of Audit and Inspection claimed that the Army was biased during evaluation, and demanded re-analysis of the project regarding inefficiency of the system. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) ignored the Board and continued with the project while the Army purposely delayed complying.[65] In June 2011, the Ministry of Defense again ordered a reexamination of the resupply vehicle.[67] DAPA instead requested a budget for the program, and the development was completed in October 2011.[68][62] In July 2013, the DAPA announced the 1st production batch of the K56 between 2013 and 2015 for 65 billion KRW.[69]

In December 2015, Hanwha Techwin signed a contract with the DAPA for a 2nd production batch. In January 2018, Hanwha Land Systems announced a 166.4 billion KRW contract with the DAPA for a 3rd production batch and related products.[70] In June 2020, Hanwha Defense announced 380.3 billion KRW contract with the DAPA for a 4th production batch.[71] South Korea plans a 5th production batch and to achieve full operational capability by 2025. All K56s were delivered to the western front.[72]

The US Army uses the Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (FSCATT) in two versions, for initial and sustainment training of the M109A6 and M109A5.[73] The system uses an actual surplus turret and a simulated ammunition system.

The Swiss Army uses a highly advanced KAWEST trainer from Van Halteren Metaal of the Netherlands.

The Dutch, Belgian, Thai, and Israeli Armies have various configurations of the Van Halteren Metaal M109 Howitzer Crew Trainer (HCT).

The US Army PEO STRI had a program called M109A7 Howitzer Crew Trainer (HCT). The plan was to procure 16 systems beginning in the 3rd Quarter of FY 20.[74]

•  Djibouti: 10 (former Italian, M109L version)[78][79]^: 467
•  Greece: 51 A1B[78][79]^: 113
•  Iraq: 6[79]^: 345
•  Iran: 150+ M109A1 and Raad-2[79]^: 341
•  Morocco: 40 Swiss M109A1 purchased by the UAE for Morocco [80] and 36 M109A1B[78][79]^: 360
•  Peru: 12 A1B/A2[78][79]^: 428
•  Saudi Arabia: 87 A1B[78]
•  Switzerland: 133 M109 KAWEST WE[79]^: 154

•  Brazil: 40 A3 (former Belgian) in 2002,[78] 37 as of 2022.[79]^: 400
•  Greece: 84 A2, 50 A3GEA1, 223 A3GEA2[81]
•  Egypt: 163 A2[79]^: 337
•  Jordan: 78 M109A2 purchased from the United States, and 121 M109A2 purchased from the Netherlands.[78]
•  Kuwait: 37 M109A3 as of 2022.[79]^: 352
•  Lebanon: 12 A3[79]^: 354
•  Morocco: 46 A2 received.[78]
•  Pakistan: 200 A2 and 123 M109L as of 2022.[79]^: 297
•  Portugal: 6 A2 in 2022[82]
•  Saudi Arabia: 24 A2[78]
•  Spain: 6 (Spanish Marines)[83]
•  Ukraine: 23 M109A3GNs were delivered by Norway from May 2022 onwards.[84] / 100+ M109Ls were delivered by Italy from October 2022 onwards.[84]

•  Austria: 48 A5ÖE[79]^: 87
•  Latvia: 47 A5ÖE[79]^: 123
•  Republic of China (Taiwan): 225 A2/A5[79]^: 308
•  Ukraine: 6 M109A5Ös were delivered by Latvia in August 2022.[84]

•  Indonesia: 36 units M109A4-BE bought from Belgium,[78] 18 in service as of 2022.[79]^: 272
•  Morocco: M109A4[79]^: 360
•  Ukraine: 20+ M109A4BEs were bought by the United Kingdom from OIP Land Systems in Belgium and delivered in January 2023.[84]

•  Brazil: 96 A5/A5+[85][86] More 56 surplus U.S. Army, to be upgraded to M109A5+, contract awarded to BAE Systems.[87][88][89] 100 M109A5 and 32 M109A5+ in service as of 2022.[79]^: 400
•  Chile: 48 (24 from Switzerland, upgraded to M-109 KAWEST,[90][35] 12 A3 and 12 A5+ Upgrade to similar Paladin configuration[91])
•  Egypt: 204 A5[79]^: 337
•  Greece: 12[78]
•  Iraq: 24 A5[79]^: 345
•  Israel: 250 A5[79]^: 348
•  Morocco: 70[92][79]^: 360
•  Pakistan: ca. 115 in 2022[79]^: 297
•  Portugal : 18 since 2002 (Portuguese Army). 6 of these vehicles were M109A2/A3 upgraded to A5 variant. This variant replaced the previous 6 M109A2 operated by the Portuguese Army.[93]
•  Republic of China (Taiwan): 28[78]
•  Saudi Arabia: 48 (probably second-hand)[78]
•  Spain: 96 (Spanish Army)[94]
•  Thailand: 20[79]^: 312

•  United States: ca. 514 in service + ca. 850 in storage in 2022[82]
•  Saudi Arabia: 177 ordered in April 2018.[95]
•  Ukraine: 18 M109A6s were delivered by the United States before May 2023.[84]

•  United States: 48 with a further 180 contracted options[96]

•  South Korea: 1,180 K55s were produced by Samsung Aerospace Industries between 1985 and 1996. All vehicles were upgraded to K55A1 as of December 2022. Operated by the Army and the Marine Corps.[97]

• Ethiopia: Received 12 (possibly second-hand) from the United States in 1975,[78] it was estimated in 1989 to have 6 in service.[98]^: 127
•  Libyan Arab Jamahiriya: 20 in 1991,[99] 14 in 2011.[100]

•  Belgium: 167 A2, of which 64 were upgraded to the -A4BE standard, 31 sold to Brazil (1999–2001), 43 sold to Morocco (2008), the remainder sold to private companies in 2015.[101]
•  Denmark: 2–6 (upgraded to M109 A3DK, used to be 76)[102]
•  Germany: 570 A3GE A1/A2, phased out by 1 July 2007 and replaced by the PzH 2000
•  Israel: 30 A2, all in storage as of 2022.[79]^: 348
•  Italy: 221 M109L (M109 modernized to A3 equivalent with Italian-made 155 mm/39 calibre barrels),[103] replaced by PzH 2000
•  Netherlands: 126 as of 1998, replaced by the PzH 2000, 5 sold to Austria (1997), 87 to United Arab Emirates (1997), 121 to Jordan (2011–2012))
•  Norway: 33 in storage after donation of 22 to Ukraine in 2022.[44] 55 in storage in 2021.[104] 24 in storage in December 2022, replaced by the K9 Thunder.[79]^: 133
•  Portugal: 6 A2 since 1981 (Portuguese Army). Currently retired from active service and replaced by 18 M109A5 in 2002.[105]
•  United Kingdom: 140+ entered service in 1965, upgraded to -A1 and -A2 standards, 83 sold to Austria in 1994 (51 A2, 32 A3)

•  Belgium: 64 A4BE of which 36 A4BE sold to Indonesia (2017–2018), the others to private companies in 2015. From these 28 units were bought by the UK to be delivered to Ukraine.[106]
•  Canada: 76 A4B+.[107] Used by the Canadian Forces from 1967 until 2005, when they were phased out. All the vehicles had been modernized to the M109A4B+ SPH standard in the 1980s. They were primarily used by the 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Germany.[108]