M109A7 Paladin what is it? Standard 155 mm self-propelled howitzer of the USA
Technical Specifications
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Tracked self-propelled 155 mm howitzer (SPH) |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems (formerly Cadillac Gage, FMC) |
| Caliber | 155 mm |
| Caliber | L/39 (after 1990 for A6/A7) |
| Range | ≈22-30 km (standard HE), ≈50 km (Excalibur) |
| Rate of Fire | Maximum ≈4 rounds/min; sustained ≈1 round/min |
| Ammunition | Standard HE, M982 Excalibur with GPS guidance, M712 Copperhead with laser guidance |
| Crew | 4 persons |
| Engine | Cummins V903 diesel, 600 hp |
| Road Speed | ≈61 km/h |
| Road Range | ≈350 km |
| Armor | Steel hull, improved protection against IEDs |
| First Operation | 1963 (M109); A7 variant since 2014 |
| User | USA + 50+ countries (Turkey transitioned to ATTİLA and Fırtına programs) |
Why is it still in use?
- 60-year industrial chain in the USA is still alive
- Inventory of over 50 countries — abundance of spare parts
- Modern A7 variant with new electronics
- Excalibur with a range of up to 50 km
- Range is small, but quantity is large
- Standard part of US aid to Ukraine
- Turkey transitioned to L/52 with ATTİLA 155 and Fırtına
