M119 howitzer

Infobox Weapon


caption= M119 Howitzer being fired as part of an exercise near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan
origin= United Kingdom
type= Towed howitzer
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=
is_missile=
is_UK=
service=
used_by= U.S. Armed Forces
wars=
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=Royal Ordnance
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=
variants= M119, M119A1, M119A2
spec_label= M119A1
weight= 4,690 lbs
(2,127 kilograms)
length=
part_length=
width=
height=
diameter=
crew= 7
cartridge=
caliber= 105 mm (4.13 in)
action=
rate= 8 rounds/min max; 3 rounds/min sustained
velocity=
range=
max_range= 11,400m (charge 7); 14,000m (charge 8); 19,500m (M913 rocket assisted projectile)
feed=
sights= 3x M90A2 telescope, M137A1 panoramic telescope
breech=
recoil=
carriage=
elevation=-100 to +1244 mil
traverse=

The M119 A1 Howitzer is a lightweight howitzer used by the United States Army. It can be easily airlifted, even by helicopter, or dropped by parachute. It does not need a recoil pit.

Development

The howitzer was designed and produced by the British Royal Ordnance as the L118/L119 Light Gun. In the L118 configuration, the 105 mm projectile and the propelling charge are semi-fixed. The L118 entered service with the British Army in 1975 and is used by the Parachute and Commando Field Artillery Regiments. It saw combat during the Falklands War, where the 30 guns in action fired up to 400 rounds per gun per day, mostly at "Charge Super" i.e. the most powerful propellant charge available. The L119 is the L118 reconfigured to fire NATO-standard 105 mm single-piece ammunition.

into the year 2013.

The M119 is currently fielded with all Regular Army light divisions, including the 10th Mountain, 25th Infantry, 82nd Airborne, and 101st Airborne Divisions, as well as certain National Guard field artillery battalions. It is routinely airdropped in airborne operations and slingloaded under Chinook or Blackhawk helicopters in air assault operations.

Ammunition

The M119A1 fires all standard NATO ammunition as well as special rocket-assisted projectiles, including
* M1 High explosive
* M314 Illuminating
* M60/M60A2 White phosphorus (smoke)
* M913 HERA Range: 19.5 km
* M760 HE Range: 14.5 km

Variants

* M119 Original copy of the L119
** M119A1 Minor improvements, including fire control and maintenance.
** M119A2 Improved sight package consisting of telescope (M90A3) or panoramic telescope (M137A2).

External links

* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m119.htm FAS.org]