German M109 self propelled howitzers

de_Radio_Demon · July 18, 2023, 12:23am

Would you like to see the German M109 variants added to the game?

Yes, I would like to see them in-game
Maybe
I don’t think we need the German M109’s

0 voters

What German variants of the M109 would you like added to the game?

M109G
M109A3GA1
M109A3GA2
Unsure
I don’t want any of them added

0 voters

German M109 self propelled howitzers

M109A3GA1

Note - This suggestion is about the M109 family of SPH in German service, this includes all variants used such as the M109G which is the base version, M109A3GA1 which is the first modernized variant, and the M109A3GA2 which is the last modernization. This suggestion is an updated version of the original in order to comply with current rules for suggestions.

Background

During the Cold War the Bundeswehr even upon its conception found itself using many vehicles of US origins in design from the M41, M47, and M48, as well as M113, and the M109 is was another of these vehicles as that Germany would find itself using during the Cold War. Prior to the introduction of the Panzerhaubitze 2000 in German service in 1998 the main element of the German self propelled artillery piece had consisted of the M109 howitzers as it was introduced into German service with Germany operating at least 3 main variants which were German variants, these consisted of the M109G, M109A3GA1, and M109A3GA2, as well as a trainer version of the M109G. These vehicles succeeded earlier German SPH vehicles which were also from the US and in total they would field 586 vehicles of the M109G variant and were all later upgraded to the M109A3GA1, however they would only operate up to 262 of M109A3GA2 variant since this was a life extension program since the germans were unable to introduce as many with Panzerhaubitze 2000 SPH vehicles as they wanted to originally.

M109G

The M109G was technically made up by 2 US variants, the M109A1 and A2 which were converted to a new standard by the germans, the changes themselves saw modification with the system with tube, smoke extractor, two-chamber muzzle brake and flat wedge lock as well as, among other things, the German panoramic telescope, a tank telescopic sight and the smoke grenade system. These measures increased the maximum firing range to 18,500 m with the vehicle carrying 28 shots, they also had replaced the 12.7mm machine gun with a 7.62mm MG3 machine gun for the vehicles defense for closer ranges against infantry. By the early 1980’s Germany which had a guarantee up to that point of the supply of spare parts for their M109G SPH had then expired meaning that it was decided to upgrade the M109G turning them into the M109A3GA1, this made it so that the vehicle was raised to the standards of the M109A3 however still had differences, the most major one was that the gun was that they replaced the gun with the FH-155-1 field howitzer which was a longer gun than what the M109G used and this also saw the ammunition count increase to a total of 34 rounds and with this also an increase in range, it also saw the upgrade have the gun integrated into the fire control system and with the AURORA system (Autonomous straightening and orientation equipment for pipe artillery) installed the M109 was able to determine its own position and was no longer dependent on measured fire positions, the vehicle itself was also then referred to as the PzH M109A3GA1. A decade following the vehicles first upgrade despite Germany now introducing the Panzerhaubitze 2000 they realized that they could not replaced all the M109’s they had with the new SPH and so it was decided to give a number of the vehicles a life extension modernization which resulted in the PzH M109A3GA2, this saw many of its internal systems improved, the most major change externally was the addition of 2 stowage boxes for use by the crew for, it should also be noted that this modernization also had seen the vehicle receive a semi automatic loader in order to make the loading process easier however in practice this was not used often as it proved unreliable. Due to the life extension program the M109 would remain in service until 2007 when it was finally retired. (It should be noted their are names 2 for both versions of the upgrade variants exist, this being the M109A3GEA1 for the M109A3GA1 and the M109A3GEA2 for the M109A3GA2 however these are the same vehicles, both appear to be official names).

M109A3GA2

Specifications

(Since many of the aspects are the same as US M109 SPH, I won’t list all element)

Weight -

24.4 tons (M109G)

25.5 tons (M109A3GA1 & M109A3GA2(Estimate for the M109A3GA2))

Speed -

56 km/h on road (Maximum forward)

36 km/h off road (Maximum forward)

Engine - Detroit Diesel 8V71T, water-cooled 8-cylinder diesel engine; 405 hp at 2300 rpm; Torque: 980 ft-lb at 1700 rpm

(Based off the original M109 US suggestion since the engines are the same yet I have found varying numbers on engine HP so I have listed it like this)

Crew - 6

Main armament

1 x 155mm/39 M185 cannon (28 rounds) (M109G)

1 x 155mm/39 FH-155-1 cannon (34 rounds) (M109A3GA1 & M109A3GA2)

Secondary armament

1 x 7.62mm MG3 machine gun (2,000 rounds)

Smoke grenades

6 x 81mm Smoke grenade launchers (From what I have found from one image which shows the M109A3GA1 in Munster, Germany mentions 16 smoke rounds for the M109A3GA2, but no other source mentions this, and I don’t think these are actually smoke rounds but rather smoke grenades as it still list the rounds as 34 maximum, so if this is true then the vehicle should have smoke grenade spares)