Source: the Military Lovers
The M777 howitzer is a towed 155 mm, Ultralightweight Field Howitzer (UFH), designated M777 in the US, was selected to replace the existing inventory of M198 155mm towed howitzers by a joint US Army / Marine Corps initiative in 1997 and it is used by the ground forces of Australia, Canada, India, Saudi Arabia and the United States. It made its combat debut in the War in Afghanistan.
With a weight of 4,200 kg (9,300 lb), the M777 is 41% lighter than the 7,154 kg (15,772 lb) M198 howitzer it replaces. Much of the weight reduction is due to the extensive use of titanium. The M777 can be transported by helicopter sling-load, transporter aircraft such as the C-130, or towed by air-braked vehicles weighing over 2.5 tonnes (2.8 short tons), such as the FMTV and MTVR.
Specifications :
Mass : 4,200 kg (9,300 lb)
Length : 10.7 metres in deployed configuration or 9.5 metres in towed configuration
Barrel length : 5.08 m (16.7 ft)/L39
Travel : 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
Crew : 7+1
Shell : M107, M795, ERFB, M982
Caliber : 155 mm (6.1 in)
Carriage : Split trail
Elevation : 0° to +71.7°
Rate of fire :
- Normal: 2 rpm
- Maximum: 7 rpm
Muzzle velocity : Charge 8S: 827 m/s (2713.25 ft/s)
Effective firing range :
- M107: 24 km (14.9 mi)
- ERFB: 30 km (18.6 mi) base bleed
- M795: 28.7–37 km (17.8- 23 mi)
- Excalibur: 40 km (25 mi)
