Before I start, I must say we're missing in the
USA OOB the following
M109A1, M109A3, M109A4, M109A5, M109A5+ and M109A7 PIM/A7 units. The compromise UNIT appears to be the
M109A6 PALADIN that covers the period of
JAN 1985 to DEC 2025. So who cares and why is this an issue? I have three issues that come to mind in just a few minutes of looking at the issue.
OK now five after 5 minutes.
1. It's bigger and size matters. Versions
up the M109A5+ used the chassis of the
M113 APC. Both the
M109A6 (I think.) and M109A7 (For sure.) use the
BRADLEY chassis.
See 2., 3. & 4. below.
2. Ammo load is different the
M109A6 carries
38 rounds. The previous versions carry
36 or 28 rounds.
3. It is better protected with
heavier armor and
spall liners installed in the interior.
4. The guns are different the
M109A6 has the
155mm/L39 (
PIM/A7 might be bigger, if I remember correctly, I posted
quite a bit about these current last 2 units.) the previous versions I believe ALL used the
155mm/L23 gun.
5. Also some
M109A6 (And I suspect
PIM/A7.) carry a
40 mm automatic grenade launcher vice 12.7mm MG.
6. ROF for
M109A6 PALADIN & I believe
M109A7 (
PIM was dropped.) is
4 RPM for both MAX. AND SUSTAINED fire, while the previous versions
ROF is
4 RPM MAX./2 RPM Sustained.
With the
ABRAMS issues being in a better place with at least two slots being available, in an otherwise tight OOB, I'm requesting that an
intermediate 1 or 2 units be chosen from Ref. 3 below (
For the USA.) as submitted for Brazil. This will allow me
to fix the
M109A6 PALIDAN and we can figure out what to do about the PIM later.
My brain is already crunching numbers for the A6. Currently
ALL USA
M109A6 units are being
converted over to the
M109A7.
I'm not doing anything with it until I get the "
Green Light" to do so.
I'm forced to use the
M109A6 based on the units
BRAZIL has gotten and will be getting per
Ref. 1.
USA/CHANGE/M109A2/UNIT 041/AMMO ROUNDS 36 vice 28//This was the first version to have the increased ammo allowance.//
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/m109.htm
BRAZIL/ADD/M109A5/COPY/USA UNIT 042/START APR 2019/MG M284 155mm/L39/ROUNDS 36/SECONDARY M2HB 12.7mm w/500 ROUNDS//This unit was the
first modified to carry the larger MG.
BRAZIL/ADD/M109A5+/COPY/USA UNIT 042/START JAN 2020/MG M284 155mm/L39/ROUNDS 36/SECONDARY M2HB 12.7mm w/500 ROUNDS//Improved FCS.
BRAZIL/ADD/M992 FAASV/COPY/USA UNIT 343/START APR 2019//Has the ammo capacity to reload
M109 Series with 93 rounds.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/janu...lian_army.html
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/m109.htm
(See for variants.)
http://www.military-today.com/artill...a6_paladin.htm
https://www.armyrecognition.com/marc...ort_filey.html
CHINA/ADD/SH-15/ALSO KNOWN AS SH-1A/START JAN 2019/CREW 4 to 5/MG AH-2 155mm/L52/ROF MAX. 6 RPM/SUSTAINED 4 RPM/ROUNDS ?/COMPATIBLE TO NATO and CHINESE ROUNDS/SECONDARY OPTIONAL 12.7mm MG ROUNDS ?/PROTECTION 0/IS HOWEVER AIR PORTABLE C-130 or CHINESE Y-9 TYPE AIR TRANSPORT//There just isn't much more available on this piece of equipment I can find. It is very similar AND
closer to the
French CEASAR then the
SH-1 below.
CHINA/ADD/SH-1/START JAN 2019/CREW 5/MG AH-2 155mm/L52/ROF MAX. 6 RPM/SUSTAINED 4 RPM/ROUNDS 25/COMPATIBLE TO NATO and CHINESE ROUNDS/SECONDARY 12.7mm MG ROUNDS ?/PROTECTION ARMORED CAB/IS AIR PORTABLE C-130 or CHINESE Y-9 TYPE AIR TRANSPORT//A complete
SH-1 regiment includes
24 truck-mounted howitzers, 4 battery command post vehicles, one battalion command post vehicle, one meteorological radar, 4 wheeled reconnaissance vehicles with 6x6 configuration and one artillery locating radar.
http://www.military-today.com/artillery/sh1.htm
(See variant section. Also has picture options.)
https://www.armyrecognition.com/janu...nese_army.html
https://www.armyrecognition.com/july...nese_army.html
Last two as time allows just wish I had more data.
It's 3am I'm done. Good well everything!?!
Regards,
Pat
